Owners of modern smartphones of the Chinese brand often face an incomprehensible designation at the top of the screen, which appears next to the network indicator. A small VoLTE inscription or corresponding icon in the notification curtain can cause bewilderment to the inexperienced user. This is not a system error or a sign of a third-party application, but an important indicator of communication quality available on fourth-generation networks.
The appearance of this symbol indicates that your Xiaomi has switched to LTE voice technology. Previously, devices switched to 2G or 3G standards for calls, which took time and reduced the quality of sound. Now voice is transmitted as a data stream, providing instant connection and crystal clear sound without the characteristic wheezing.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate this feature, why it may not work, and what benefits it provides to subscribers of Big Three operators and virtual networks. Understanding this protocol will allow you to get the most out of your device in 4G coverage.
VoLTE technology: the principle of operation and advantages
The acronym stands for Voice over LTE, which literally translates as voice over LTE, and the essence of the technology is to transmit voice traffic through a packet-wide data network, just like messengers or pictures in a browser, a fundamental difference from traditional channel switching that has been used for decades.
The main advantage is the speed of connection. When you dial a number on a regular phone, it takes 5-7 seconds to horn before the caller responds. In VoLTE mode, the connection is almost instantaneous, in 1-2 seconds. In addition, sound is transmitted in HD Voice, which makes the interlocutor audible much better than a regular call.
- 📞 Instant connection with the subscriber without long horns.
- 🎙️ High quality sound (HD-voice) free of distortion and noise.
- 🌐 Simultaneous work 4G-Internet and voice.
An important nuance is the ability to use the Internet and voice simultaneously. In older networks, when you call in, your smartphone dropped into 3G, and the Internet speed dropped dramatically or the connection broke. With VoLTE enabled, you can continue to download files, watch videos or play online games while you are talking on the phone while you are staying on the 4G network.
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Make sure your carrier’s plan supports 4G voice, as this option may be disabled on the provider side at some archival rates.
How to check if the operator is supported and SIM-card
Before looking for settings in the menu, you need to make sure that your operator supports this technology in your region, Tele2) VoLTE has been around for a long time, but the coverage can vary depending on the terrain. SIM-map.
Old SIM cards, released 5-7 years ago, may not have the technical ability to work with modern protocols, in which case the VoLTE icon will not appear, even if the phone is fully compatible, it is recommended to contact the communication salon for a free replacement of the SIM card with new support for USIM and 4G.
⚠️ Note: Even with operator support, the function may not be activated automatically. Often manual activation of the service through the subscriber's personal account or USSD-team.
Compatibility checks are usually done automatically when you sign up, and if you change your phone to a more modern one, but the icon doesn't show up, you should check the access point settings or reset the network settings to factory settings, sometimes by simply rebooting your device after you replace the SIM card.
Instructions for enabling VoLTE on Xiaomi and Redmi
In the MIUI shell (and the new HyperOS), the activation process is usually as simple as possible, the system itself determines the network's capabilities and suggests that you turn on the option. However, if the icon does not burn, you need to check the settings manually, the path to these may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and regional firmware.
The standard algorithm of actions is as follows: you need to open the application "Settings", select a point «SIM-This option is then selected for the SIM card (if there are two) and activated by the "Use VoLTE" switch. In some versions of the interface, this item may be called "Calls through the Internet". LTE».
☑️ Verification of VoLTE activation
If the switch is missing or inactive (shaded in gray), it means that the phone does not see support from the operator in the current location, or the system is hidden engineering menu.
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The absence of a switch in the menu most often indicates that the operator did not pass the activation command to the device, and not to break the phone.
Hidden settings and engineering menu
Sometimes, technically, all conditions are met, but the interface doesn't allow the function to turn on, and in these cases, the engineering menu comes to the rescue, which is available through a set of special code, and it's a powerful diagnostic tool, but you need to use it with caution.
To access the advanced radio settings, dial ##86583## in your phone. The response should be “VoLTE carrier check was DISABLED.” This means that the artificial restriction is removed and the phone will no longer hide the operator’s support, even if it is not automatically determined.
##86583##After entering the code, return to the settings SIM-If the code doesn't work, try the alternative method through the About Phone menu, and you need to press "Keronel Version" or "Version" 7 times quickly. MIUI», to open up advanced capabilities, although this method more often works to include debugging USB.
What if the code doesn't work?
Comparison of voice technologies: VoLTE, VoWiFi and 3G
To make a definitive understanding of icons on the screen, it is useful to understand the difference between different communication standards, and users often confuse them, not knowing what mode is optimal for a particular situation.
| Technology | Sound quality | Connection speed | The Internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2G / 3G | Low/Mediocre | Long (5-10 seconds) | Brake or shut down |
| VoLTE (4G) | High (HD) | Instant (1-2 seconds) | It's running at full speed. |
| VoWiFi | High (HD) | Instant. | Through a Wi-Fi router |
VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) is a technology that allows you to make calls over a Wi-Fi network using a router’s Internet channel. It is an ideal solution for rooms with poor cellular signal but stable Wi-Fi. On Xiaomi smartphones, the VoWiFi icon often appears instead of VoLTE if the phone is connected to a wireless network and this feature is activated by the operator.
The choice between modes depends on coverage. In a city with a confident 4G, VoLTE is preferred. In a basement or country house where only EDGE catches, Wi-Fi Calling will save you. Modern smartphones switch between these modes automatically, ensuring continuity of communication.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the technology, users may experience errors, and the most common problem is that the icon burns, but calls fail or fail, which may be due to an operator's base station overload or temporary traffic routing disruptions.
Another common situation is that the icon disappears during a conversation, which means that in your area, the 4G coverage is unstable, and the phone is forced to switch to 3G to maintain communication, in which case it is worth checking the settings of the preferred type of network.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to re-register online.
- 📡 Switch the network mode to 3G preferably and back to 4G/LTE.
- ⚙️ Reset the access point settings APN standard.
⚠️ If after all the manipulations, the VoLTE icon does not appear, and your friend with the same phone and SIM card of the same operator it burns - perhaps the problem is in the hardware of the antenna of your device.
It is also worth considering that when roaming abroad, the VoLTE feature may not work even if it is enabled at home. LTE There's a lot of different countries that don't work between operators, and when you're traveling, you're better off relying on a classic connection or a type of application. WhatsApp/Viber.