How to turn off VoLTE on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the popular Redmi 9, are equipped with advanced communication technologies that are designed to improve the quality of voice calls. One such technology is VoLTE (Voice over LTE), which allows you to transmit voice in high quality directly over fourth-generation networks. However, despite the obvious advantages, users often face the need to deactivate this feature due to incompatibility with carrier tariffs or specific coverage problems in the region.

Owners of MIUI shell devices may notice that the standard switch in the settings menu is sometimes missing or, conversely, does not work correctly, causing constant switching between 3G and 4G. This can lead to increased battery consumption and connection instability during a conversation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for for forcing this option to be turned off, including the use of hidden engineering menus.

The process of changing network settings requires care, because incorrect settings can temporarily limit access to mobile Internet. We will look at both standard methods through the user interface and more advanced ways for power users. It is important to understand that changing these settings is not a firmware, but affects how your device interacts with cell towers.

What is VoLTE and why you should turn it off on Redmi 9

VoLTE technology is a standard for transmitting voice traffic through the Internet. LTE-And in practice, it's a network that theoretically allows for crystal clear sound and simultaneous Internet operation while you're talking. 4G, This feature can cause artifacts of sound, delays, or even connection breaks. With a budget modem, the Redmi 9 may not always properly handle traffic priorities, preferring voice over stability.

One of the main reasons users are looking to remove this feature is autonomy: Constant search for a 4G signal for voice calls or unstable switching between communication standards causes the processor and the radio module to work in a high-speed mode, which leads to the fact that the battery runs out much faster, especially in areas of uncertain reception, where the phone is constantly trying to hold the connection to the tower.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling VoLTE may cause your phone to switch to mode during an incoming or outgoing call 3G or 2G, Mobile Internet access will be stopped during the conversation.

In addition, some mobile operators may not support the standard on certain data plans, but the phone continues to try to use it, which causes network login errors, in which case forced to transfer the device to 3G mode only or disable the function through a hidden menu becomes the only working solution for stable communication.

Control of operator support and current status

Before you make changes to your system settings, you need to make sure that the problem is really a technology conflict, not a lack of support from the service provider. Operators often implement VoLTE selectively, and even if your plan implies this service, in a particular location it may not work. On Redmi 9, the “HD” indicator in the status bar usually signals the activation of the function.

To start, you should contact your operator’s technical.support or visit the official website to check the status of the service’s connection. Often, the feature is activated on the operator’s side, but not configured on the device itself, or vice versa. In some cases, special services are required. SMS-Requests to activate or deactivate the service at the SIM card level.

• 📱 Check for a badge "HD" or "VoLTE" at the top of the lock screen status.
• 📞 Call the operator support team to check the availability of the service in your region.
• 📡 Test the quality of communication in different locations: at home, at work and on the move.
• 🔄 Try to remove and re-insert the SIM card to update your network profile.

Also, consider that the SIM card must comply with modern security standards (USIM), otherwise work on 4G networks with voice calls will not be possible. If your SIM card is very old, replacing it in the cabin of the operator can solve the problem without having to go into the deep settings of the phone.

Basic Disconnection through the Standard Settings Menu

The easiest and safest way to manage communication functions on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use the standard interface of the operating system. the developers of MIUI have provided the ability to manually control the preferred type of network, which indirectly affects the operation of voice calls over LTE. However, the interface can vary depending on the version of the firmware (Global, EU, China).

First, we need to go to the settings section for wireless networks, and here we look for the SIM card management section, because dual-symbol devices have customizations for each card, and if the operator supports service management, there may be a separate switch.

You can often see the "Prefer LTE" option in the network type selection menu. If you switch this option to "Prefer to 3G" or "3G Only," the phone will forcefully stop using 4G channels for voice calls, effectively turning off VoLTE. This is the mildest method that does not require special codes.

It is worth noting that in some versions of the MIUI firmware, the direct "Allow VoLTE" switch may be hidden from the user if the cellular operator has not added its profile to the phone's database, in which case it will be mandatory to move to the next section of the instructions.

Using the Engineering Menu for Hidden Settings

If standard methods fail to remove the feature, the engineering menu comes to the rescue, a hidden part of the system designed to test equipment and set up a radio module. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is logged in through the standard Phone app by entering a special combination of characters, a powerful tool that requires caution.

To enter the menu, you need to dial the code ##4636##. Immediately after entering the last star, a hidden test menu will open. If the code does not work, your firmware version may block this entry and you will need to install a third-party activator application, such as Activity Launcher.

⚠️ Attention: The engineering menu contains critical settings, and changing unknown parameters can lead to complete signal loss or incorrect operation of the communication module.

After you log in, select Phone Information. Here, in the list of options, you can find the option VoLTE Provisioned or Set Preferred Network Type. Unchecking the box from "VoLTE Provisioned" forcibly tells the modem that the service is not activated, even if it is in the tariff.

You can also change the network type manually from this menu by selecting LTE Only or WCDMA only, but be careful: selecting LTE Only mode on some devices may block incoming calls if VoWiFi is not configured, as classic voice communication will not work in this mode.

Application of third-party applications and activators

In cases where the engineering menu is unavailable or hidden settings are not saved after a reboot, users resort to using specialized applications from the Google Play Store. These utilities allow you to manage hidden system flags that are usually not available for editing. One of the most popular tools is the 4G Switch application or Force LTE Only.

The way these programs work is to create a shortcut on the desktop that leads directly to the deep network settings menu, and once you install the app and give the permissions you need, you can quickly switch modems, which is especially useful for those who live at the edge of coverage areas where you need to change settings often.

• 📥 Download a proven network management application (e.g. Force) LTE Only).
• 🔐 Give the application the necessary access rights at the first start.
• 📲 Choose the method "Method 1" or "Method 2" depending on the version of Android.
• ⚙️ In the menu, uncheck the box from the item "VoLTE Enabled".

It is important to understand that using third-party software carries certain risks, applications may request excessive permissions, and their work may conflict with Android security updates, and after updating the MIUI firmware, access to hidden menus may be blocked again.

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Before installing third-party network configuration apps, be sure to back up important contacts and data to avoid losing them in the event of a system failure.

The impact of settings on the work of two SIM cards

The Redmi 9 features a dual-SIM card slot, which adds another layer of complexity to network connectivity management. When both cards are active, the phone has to distribute antenna resources between them. If one SIM card is on VoLTE and the other is not, priority conflicts can arise, especially if both operators use similar frequencies.

When you turn off the function on one SIM card, make sure that the second card is configured correctly. Often, changing the settings for SIM 1 resets the settings for SIM 2. In the SIM management menu in MIUI, you can choose which of the cards will be used for data transfer by default, which also affects the performance of voice services.

If you use one SIM card only for calls and another for the Internet, it makes more sense to turn off VoLTE on the call card if you like the quality of communication in 3G, but leave 4G for the second card.

Solving Possible Problems After Disconnection

Once you turn off VoLTE, you can see new features of the phone, and the most common problem is that the Internet disappears during a conversation, which is normal behavior for 3G and 2G networks that don't support simultaneous voice and data (CSFB technology). To avoid this, some users include "Data Transfer during a Call" in their settings, if the operator supports it.

Another nuance may be that it takes longer to connect when you call, because 4G networks are almost instantaneous, whereas 3G phones take time to log in to a different standard, and if you notice that the phone buzzes for a long time before the beeping of the other person, that's a direct consequence of the transition to older communication standards.

⚠️ Warning: If after disabling VoLTE, the speaker has lost sound or the phone has stopped seeing the network, perform a full reset of network settings or restart the device.

In rare cases, you may need to manually re-enter APN settings, as carrier profiles are sometimes tied to certain types of networks. If the internet has stopped working, check the access point settings in the mobile network menu and make sure that the correct profile is selected for your carrier.

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Disabling VoLTE is a trade-off: you sacrifice connection speed and sound quality for signal stability and battery savings in low-course areas.