Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often notice the mysterious word VoLTE in the status bar next to the network indicator. Many users ignore this symbol, believing that it is just another technical detail that does not affect the daily use of the gadget.
The technology allows you to make calls directly through the fourth generation network, bypassing the switch to outdated 2G and 3G standards. This provides significantly higher sound quality and reduces connection time. In this article, we will discuss in detail why this feature is needed, how it affects the battery and why sometimes the icon disappears or does not appear at all.
⚠️ Note: VoLTE activation is possible only with the support of this service by your mobile operator and the availability of the corresponding tariff plan.
Technological Basics: How It Works
VoLTE stands for Voice over LTE, which means Voice over LTE. Traditionally, mobile networks are designed to use different frequencies and protocols to transmit voice (GSM) and data (3G/4G), and when you start a regular phone call without support for this technology, the phone is forced to switch from fast 4G to slower 3G or even 2G to conduct a voice call.
In the case of Xiaomi Redmi, which supports this standard, voice stream is packaged in the IP-packets and transmitted via data channel LTE. This means that the phone no longer wastes time and resources jumping between frequencies of different generations of communication. 4G constantly, which is critical for the stability of the connection in areas of uncertain reception.
In addition, the technology allows you to use HD Voice, which transmits sound over a wider frequency range, the interlocutor hears you cleaner, disappears the characteristic wheezing and the “robot” effect characteristic of old networks, and to implement this, the smartphone processor and modem must work together, supporting the necessary codecs.
What is the difference between VoLTE and VoWiFi?
Key Benefits for the User
The switch to a new communication standard has a number of tangible benefits that are visible even to the naked eye, especially in connection speed, and if you had to wait for a few seconds for a call button to beep, now the connection is almost instantaneous.
The second important aspect is the simultaneous operation of voice and the Internet. When using old standards during a conversation, the Internet often fell to EDGE or completely shut down, which prevented the use of the navigator or messengers. With VoLTE enabled, you can freely surf the network at high speed 4G even during long conversations.
- 📶 Stability: Decreases the number of dropped calls when moving or in buildings with thick walls.
- 🔋 Energy efficiency: The smartphone consumes less battery power, as the modem does not need to constantly switch between modes 2G/3G/4G.
- 🎙️ Quality: Support for broadband audio makes conversation more natural and pleasurable to hear.
Checking the compatibility of the device and SIM-card
Before looking for settings on the menu, make sure your hardware is physically capable of supporting this feature. Not all Redmi and Poco models have hardware support, although in recent years it has become the de facto standard for most mid-range and flagship devices.
It also plays an important role itself. SIM-If you use a card issued by the 5-7 It may not support the profiles of the next generation, but it will need a replacement. SIM-- cards in the operator's cabin, which is usually done free of charge. MIUI HyperOS should be read correctly. IMS-network.
You can use an engineering menu or a dedicated tester app for quick checks, but the easiest way is to look up the list of supported frequencies on the manufacturer's official website or in the specifications on the box. Look for the IMS designation or the direct mention of VoLTE in the feature list.
| Parameter | Required value | Where to find out |
|---|---|---|
| Network support | 4G LTE (FDD/TDD) | Settings -> About the phone |
| Type SIM | USIM (4G/5G) | Operator's salon |
| Status of service | Active with the operator | Personal Account/USSD |
| MIUI version | Current (Global/EEA) | Settings -> About the phone |
⚠️ Note: On devices purchased in China (CN Version may not have pre-installed profiles for Russian or European operators, requiring manual configuration.
How to enable VoLTE on Xiaomi Redmi
Activation of the feature on Xiaomi smartphones usually occurs automatically when you install compatible SIM-The system reads the operator's parameters and switches the modem itself, but in some cases, especially after updating the firmware or changing the region, the settings may go wrong, and the icon in the status bar will disappear.
For manual activation, go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for mobile networks. If the item is hidden, you can open it through the engineering menu, but this requires caution.
The standard algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Open the settings of your smartphone.
- Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Select the SIM card for which you need to enable the function.
- Find the Use VoLTE switch and activate it.
☑️ Activation checklist
If the switch is missing or inactive (grey), it means that the phone does not see support from the operator in the current location, or the system does not have the appropriate configuration file, in which case you may need to enter special codes or change the region.
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Try changing the region in settings (Settings -> Additional settings -> Region) to your carrier's country (e.g. Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan).
Solution: The badge doesn't appear
The situation when all the conditions are met, the service is paid for, and the VoLTE icon never caught fire is quite common. One of the reasons may be a hidden developer menu or specific settings of the engineering mode. IMS-Profiles are limited to ordinary users.
Try resetting your network settings, which won't delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but will return all connection settings to factory values, often helping the phone to re-friend the carrier tower and log in to the right type of network.
It’s also worth checking if the power saving mode is included in the aggressive option, which can limit the background operation of the modem. Make sure that the access point settings (APN) have automatic values that correspond to your operator.
- 🔄 Reboot: A banal but effective method. Turn off the phone completely and turn it on in 10 seconds.
- 📍 Location: Out into the open. Inside the buildings, the signal is 4G It may be weak and the phone will cling to 3G.
- 📲 Update: Check for system updates in the About Phone menu.
⚠️ Note: It is not recommended to use third-party apps from the Play Market to “amplify the signal” or force VoLTE to be enabled, as they can disrupt the radio module.
Impact on battery charge and traffic
There's a common myth that LTE is constantly eating the battery faster than normal, and in fact, when you use the Internet and call it, VoLTE saves you a lot of charge, because you don't have to keep the transceivers active for two different communication standards at the same time.
As for traffic, voice packets are not usually charged as Internet traffic if you have a carrier-operated VoLTE service connected. They are a separate stream. However, unless you have an unlimited rate or a special packet of minutes, it is theoretically possible that the voice will go like a single stream. IP-Telephony, but modern operators have learned to correctly separate these flows.
With a weak 4G signal, power consumption may increase as the phone has to increase transmitter power, but this is a coverage problem, not the technology itself. In areas of strong reception, Xiaomi is showing excellent autonomy.
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VoLTE does not consume internet traffic from your main package if the service is connected correctly and supported by the operator.