How to Only Put 3G on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones by default aim for the highest possible connection speed, automatically choosing 4G and 5G standards where the carrier coverage allows. However, in some situations, the user is required to artificially restrict the device by forcing the operation of only 3G. This can be caused by unstable signal in remote areas where LTE is constantly interrupted, or the need to save battery power, since the 3G module consumes less energy with a weak signal.

The switching procedure is not always obvious, as manufacturers often hide these settings in the depths of the system menu or completely block them through the standard MIUI and HyperOS interface. Depending on the firmware version and model of your smartphone, methods can range from simple actions on the menu to using special engineering codes or debugging through your computer.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to fix the network mode on the value of 3G. We will consider both the standard operating system tools and advanced methods for experienced users that will help solve the problem of constant search for a network or unstable Internet.

Why to force 3G mode on modern smartphones

The main reason why Xiaomi owners are looking for a way to deliver only 3G, It's in the physics of radio wave propagation. 3G (UMTS/HSPA) It has a lower frequency and better penetration through building walls, concrete floors and natural barriers in rural areas. 4G It can show a single stick or constantly switch to No Network mode", 3G Provides a stable, albeit less fast connection.

In addition, 3G fixation significantly prolongs battery life. When a smartphone is in the zone of uncertain LTE reception, its radio module begins to work in high power mode, constantly scanning the air for a base station. Frequency fixing allows you to get rid of this energy-consuming process, keeping the battery in critical situations.

This method is also useful for owners of old SIM-Cards or tariff plans that do not support VoLTE (voice transmission via a mobile phone) LTE). In such cases, when an incoming call is made, the phone still resets the connection to 3G, which may cause an Internet session to be terminated. 3G Removes these jumps and makes the connection more predictable.

• 📡 Stable signal in areas with poor coverage LTE and in the basement.
• 🔋 Significant battery charge savings by reducing radio module activity.
• 📞 No Internet connection breaks during incoming voice calls at old tariffs.
• 🛡️ Reducing electromagnetic radiation when the phone is “screaming” in search of a tower.

⚠️ Attention: Compulsory inclusion 3G This mode will reduce the maximum speed of mobile Internet. Do not use this mode if you need high bandwidth to stream videos or download large files.

Standard network settings in the MIUI and HyperOS interface

The first step before resorting to sophisticated techniques is to check your Xiaomi’s standard settings.In some shell versions, the interface allows you to manually select your preferred network type, although the “3G Only” option is often hidden or replaced with combined modes.

To access the basic settings, go to the main menu and select Settings, then you need to find the connection section. The path may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI, But most of the time, it looks like SIM-Maps and mobile networks. This is where you pick active networks. SIM-map, if there are two and opens the menu type of network.

Inside Preferred Network Type, you'll see a list of options available. If you're lucky enough to have your operator and region support a full list, there might be a 3G or 3G option. However, in 90% of cases, current global firmware offers only a choice between 5G/4G/3G/2G (auto)" and 4G/3G/2G (auto)". If there is no separate 3G only item, the standard means will not solve the problem, and you will have to use a hidden engineering menu.

It’s important to understand that even if you choose 4G/3G/2G (auto) mode, the phone will prioritize LTE. Networks are built so that the device always strives for a higher standard.

Using an engineering menu to select a network type

The most effective way to only put 3G on Xiaomi without root rights and a computer is to use a hidden engineering menu, which provides access to low-level radio settings that are hidden from the average user, accessed through a special code in the Phone app.

Open a standard caller and dial the combination ##4636##. If the code is correct and not blocked by the operator or manufacturer, the menu will open instantly, without having to press the call button. If nothing happens, try the codes ##3646633## or ##8255##, which work on some MediaTek chipsets and older models.

In the menu that opens, select Phone Information. Scroll down to Set Preferred Network Type or Set Preferred Network Type. In the dropdown, you need to find a value that corresponds to only the third generation of communication, usually called WCDMA Only or 3G Only. Once selected, the setting is applied instantly, and the icon in the status bar will change to 3G or H+.

It is worth noting that on some new models with Snapdragon processors and newer versions of Android, this list may be reduced or absent, in which case the system may not allow you to choose “3G Only”, offering only mixed modes, and after rebooting the device, the settings may reset, and the procedure will have to be repeated.

⚠️ Attention: When choosing a regime WCDMA Only you may lose the ability to receive incoming calls if in your region the operator uses VoLTE technology for calls through the Internet. 4G, a-coating 3G Make sure there are towers in your area. 3G.

Application ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If the engineering menu is unavailable or blocked by the manufacturer, the only working option is to use USB debugging and ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands, which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having minimal technical skills, but it allows you to bypass the limitations of the MIUI interface.

To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). After the message "You became a developer", go back to the main settings menu, find the Advanced Settings → For developers and turn on the USB Debugging Toggle.

Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. The computer must have a minimum set of ADB drivers installed. Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen, confirm it. Then, to force the network to switch, you use a command that changes the preferences of the radio module. To install only 3G, type:

adb shell service call phone 20 s16 "WCDMA Only"

However, a more versatile and reliable way is to use numerical preference codes, and the team looks like this:

adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 1

Here, the number 1 corresponds to 3G mode (WCDMA). 0 will return 2G/3G (auto) mode, and 9 or 11 will return LTE modes. The exact value can vary depending on the firmware and chipset, so it is better to use the reset command to return to the factory network settings:

adb shell settings delete global preferred_network_mode

The good thing about this method is that it works at the system level, ignoring the graphical limitations of the shell, but as with the engineering menu, once the smartphone is fully rebooted, the settings can be reset to default values prescribed in the operator configuration.

Use of third-party applications to manage the network

For those who don’t want to mess with codes and the command line, there are specialized apps on Google Play that automate the process of switching network modes. One of the most popular and proven tools is the Force LTE Only app (4G/5G Switch) or its counterparts, such as NetMonster.

These apps are actually a handy shell for the engineering menu. Once installed and launched, the app will request permission to make calls (required to access the phone's features). Inside the interface, you need to select the method "Method 2 (Android 11+)" or "Method 1", depending on the version of your OS, and click the Open Old Call Testing or similar button.

The hidden menu that I mentioned above, but running through a third-party interface, then the algorithm is the same: select Phone Information, find a drop-down list, and put WCDMA Only, and the advantage of these applications is that they often have a widget on the desktop that allows you to quickly switch between 4G Only, 3G Only and Auto modes in one tap.

• 📲 Force LTE Only – a simple app with a widget for quick switching.
• 📊 NetMonster is a powerful network monitoring tool with network type change function.
• 🔧 Network Cell Info Lite – allows you not only to see the signal parameters, but also to manage modem preferences.

⚠️ Note: Download apps only from the official Google Play Store. APK-Files from unverified sites may contain malicious code because they request deep system permissions.

Possible problems and solutions

Users can face a number of challenges in setting up, and the most common problem is that they can't make or receive calls, because voice calls in today's networks are often transmitted over LTE (VoLTE), and if you've forced 3G on and the carrier doesn't support 3G voice calls (CSFB) in your area, the phone won't be able to connect to the subscriber.

Another common situation is a constant reset after rebooting, which is the normal behavior of Xiaomi’s security system, which reads the operator’s profile at each start (file). carrier_config). If the operator's profile gives priority 4G, The system will ignore your manual choices. 3G after-in.

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To bypass resetting settings after rebooting, you can try to disable SIM-map, set the regime 3G In the engineering menu, and only then to include SIM-Sometimes it helps to fix the selection before the next reboot.

It's also possible that the communication module fails completely when the phone says "No Service," which means that there's really no 3G coverage in the current location, and the phone can't find any base station of the chosen standard, and you need to immediately return the settings to automatic mode, otherwise you'll be left without communication.

If none of the methods work (codes don't open the menu, ADB returns the error), it's possible that your carrier or a particular smartphone model has a hard lock at the firmware level, in such cases, only flashing the device to the global version (from China to Global) or using custom recavators, which requires unlocking the bootloader.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)