Modern flagships and mid-range smartphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are increasingly equipped with fifth-generation communication modules. Despite high data transfer speeds, 5G technology is known for its high power consumption, especially in areas with unstable coverage. Users often face a situation where battery power is melting before their eyes, and switching between LTE and NR standards causes an extra load on the modem processor.
Disabling this feature can be an effective way to extend the device’s life throughout the day, especially for those who are on the road or do not have the ability to recharge the gadget often. In this article, we will examine not only standard switching methods, but also the deeper system settings available to owners of devices based on MIUI and HyperOS.
It’s important to understand that switching to 4G doesn’t mean a complete loss of speed, but it is guaranteed to reduce heat and charge consumption. Optimizing network settings is the first step to increasing autonomy without using aggressive energy saving modes, which often limit the functionality of background applications.
The impact of 5G on the autonomy of the smartphone
Fifth-generation technology requires more sophisticated signal processing and frequent search for NR-enabled towers (New Radio).When a smartphone is in an area where 5G coverage is unstable, it constantly switches between modes, which forces the radio module to work in enhanced mode, which leads not only to rapid discharge, but also to heating of the case, which is especially noticeable in compact models.
Research shows that under a weak 5G signal, power consumption can increase by up to 30% compared to a stable 4G LTE connection. Xiaomi smartphones with powerful Snapdragon or Dimensity processors cope with load better, but the physics of radio waves is the same for all. Unless you are critical to ultra-low latency in games or downloading heavy files in seconds, disabling 5G will be a rational solution.
In addition, constant network search affects the background processes of the system. MIUI and HyperOS try to optimize this process, but completely eliminate the cost of maintaining a connection to base stations is impossible.
⚠️ In some regions, operators have already started to turn off networks 3G, So, the full switch is only on 2G/3G It is recommended to select the mode "Preferred". 4G (LTE)".
Users often don't notice that 5G search is what eats up charge while the phone is in your pocket. The modem's background is the most active in this case. When you turn off the feature, you'll notice that the phone is less warm in standby mode.
Standard method of disconnection through network settings
The easiest and safest way to change the type of network is to use the built-in menu of the system. The interface of MIUI and the new HyperOS is almost identical in this aspect, allowing you to quickly switch the priority communication standard, this method does not require root rights or install third-party software.
To do the setup, you need to go to the mobile network section, and here the system will suggest you choose your preferred network type. If you choose 4G, the phone will stop trying to connect to 5G towers, even if they are in range, which stabilizes the connection and reduces the load.
Follow the following steps to switch:
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the section SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- 📶 Choose an active one SIM-map, if there are two, and click on the network type.
- ⚙️ In the list that opens, select Preferably 4G (LTE) or similar clause without mentioning 5G.
Once the setting is changed, the indicator in the status bar will change from 5G to 4G or LTE. No device restart is required, changes are applied instantly. If the network type selection point is absent or blocked by the operator, the use of an engineering menu will be required, as discussed below.
It is important to note that in some versions of firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM), the interface may differ. There the path may look like Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mobile Networks. In global versions (Global ROM), the menu structure is more standardized for user convenience.
☑️ Checking network settings
Using an engineering menu to force switching
If the standard interface doesn't allow you to turn off 5G or the type of network you choose is hidden, an engineering menu comes to the rescue, and it's a hidden part of the system that's designed to test the hardware and fine-tune the radio module, and it's accessed through a special code in the call.
On devices with MediaTek and Snapdragon processors, commands may differ. In most cases, Xiaomi uses a universal code that opens the test menu. Be careful: changing unknown parameters in this menu can lead to unstable communication.
Procedure for accessing hidden settings:
- Open the phone (caller) application.
- Dial the code ##4636## or #3646633###.
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information or Phone Information.
- Find the drop-down list of Set Preferred Network Type.
- Select a value that contains LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA, excluding NR (5G).
⚠️ Attention: Establishment of the regime "LTE Only" can cause incoming voice calls to fail unless VoLTE technology is activated.Use this mode with caution.
Once you select the right setting, the network will reconnect, and the engineering menu allows you to bypass the restrictions imposed by the operator or manufacturer in the usual interface, but after you reboot the phone, the settings may reset, and you will have to repeat the procedure.
What if the code doesn't work?
Comparison of modem operation and their effect on the battery
Different modes of operation of the radio module consume different amounts of energy, and understanding the difference between them will help you choose the optimal balance between speed and autonomy. Below is a table showing the approximate effect of modes on charge consumption in active use.
| Network mode | Data transfer speed | Energy consumption | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G (SA/NSA) | Very high. | High. | Medium (depending on coverage) |
| 4G LTE | Tall. | Average. | Tall. |
| 3G (WCDMA) | Low. | Low. | Tall. |
| 2G (GSM) | Very low. | Minimum | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, the transition from 5G to 4G provides significant benefits in energy efficiency while maintaining high speed. 4G mode today is the middle ground for most users. It provides comfortable streaming, navigation and video communication without extreme resource consumption.
Using 3G or 2G only makes sense in extreme charge savings, when you have to wait for a call or save the rest of the power for an emergency, and in everyday use, these standards can cause discomfort due to slow loading pages.
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The optimal choice for balancing speed and battery is Preferably 4G (LTE) mode, which cuts off the energy-consuming 5G search, but leaves the high speed of the Internet.
Additional optimization of communication settings
In addition to the direct shutdown of 5G, there are related settings that affect the power consumption of the communication module. Xiaomi smartphones have a feature called Network Acceleration, which can simultaneously use Wi-Fi and mobile Internet, which also consumes the battery, and turning it off will help in savings.
You should also look at modem mode, or constantly searching for Wi-Fi networks, and if you're not using your phone as an access point, make sure it's turned off, and constantly scanning your environment adds a lot of work to the processor and the radio.
- 🔋 Include Power Saving Mode in the Battery Menu for Background Optimization of Network-Using Applications.
- 📡 Disable the Wi-Fi Assistant, which switches traffic to the mobile network when the router signal is weak.
- 🌐 In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → 7 times press Version MIUI) You can find the option "Always active mobile Internet", which is also worth deactivating.
Remember that even when 5G is turned off, background applications can be constantly updated. Monitoring application network activity through the Security → Traffic menu will reveal “gluttonous” programs. System optimization does not always cope with aggressive applications on its own.
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For maximum night-time savings, turn on Flight Mode, rather than just turning off the screen, which completely shuts down the radio module and prevents the network from being searched for in areas with poor coverage.