How to set up 4G on Xiaomi Redmi phone: step-by-step instructions

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones provide users with a wide range of functionality, but sometimes there is a need to manually activate high-speed Internet. Many device owners face a situation where the phone automatically selects a 3G or 2G network, ignoring the faster LTE standard. This can be due to the features of the MIUI firmware or the settings of the operator's SIM card.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to force a fourth-generation switch, how hidden engineering menus help solve a problem when standard settings don’t work, and how the right access point configuration is often a key factor in connection stability.

We're going to look at not only software, but also physical aspects that affect signal quality. Understanding how the communication modules work in Redmi smartphones will help you avoid common errors, and you'll get the best possible data rate in your location.

Verification of support for communication standards and SIM card

Before you start to manipulate the menu, you need to make sure that the device is technically capable of working with fourth-generation networks. Not all Xiaomi models, especially those released a few years ago, support the frequencies used by operators in your region.

Older SIM cards printed more than 5-7 years ago may not have a profile to work on LTE networks. In this case, no phone settings will help until you replace the plastic from the operator. Modern cards are often combined format and support all the current communication standards.

To check for frequency support, you can use specialized applications or the manufacturer's official website. Pay attention to the marking of the device box, which often indicates the supported Band bands. If your carrier uses Band 7 or Band 20, and the phone does not support them, 4G will not work.

It's also worth checking if the carrier-side 4G/LTE service is activated, and sometimes the plan requires a separate connection to the high-speed Internet option, without which the phone can see the network, but not switch to it.

⚠️ Warning: Replacing a SIM card with a new one from the operator is usually free or costs symbolic money, but it is critical for accessing modern networks.

Make sure the slot has the SIM card that is configured to transfer data. In two-symbol Redmi devices, you can switch Internet priority in settings, which sometimes confuses users.

Basic activation of LTE via the standard menu

The easiest and safest way to enable high-speed internet is in the basic settings of the system. MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the version, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi models.

Go to the settings menu and select the item SIM-Maps and mobile networks. This shows all the cards you have installed and their current status. Select the SIM card you plan to use if you have two.

In the window that opens, look for Preferred Network Type. The default is often "Auto" or "3G/2G." You need to change this setting to "LTE Preferred" or "4G/3G/2G."

Once you select the appropriate item, the phone will start looking for available towers with support for the fourth generation. If you have coverage in your zone, the 4G or LTE icon will appear in the status bar. If the icon is missing after a few seconds, then the signal is too weak for stable operation.

Sometimes the system requires a reboot after a change in network type, which is normal behavior, because the communication module needs to re-register to the network with new parameters. Don't ignore the system's suggestion to reboot if it appears.

Setting up APN access points to speed up the internet

A common cause of 4G instability or lack of availability is the incorrect settings of the APN hotspot. Operators periodically change the settings, and the phone can save old data.

To enter the access point settings menu, go on the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks → (Your SIM card) → Access points (APN). Here you'll see a list of existing profiles, and it's usually the system itself that adjusts the settings when you install the map, but you can check them manually.

Press the New Access Point or Plus icon, you need to enter the data provided by your operator, usually just specify the name and access point, the remaining fields can be left empty or by default.

Below is a table of popular settings for the main operators, check if your data matches the ones listed.

Once you have entered, be sure to save the profile and select it by ticking or radio buttoning. If the profile already existed, try removing it and re-create it from scratch to eliminate errors in hidden fields.

Using the Engineering Menu for Forced 4G

If standard methods don't work, the Android Engineering Menu comes to the rescue, and this tool allows you to control the parameters of the radio module at a deep level, and on Xiaomi phones, you can log in to it through a special code in the Phone app.

Dial the combination ##4636##. If the code is entered correctly, the hidden test menu will open. Select Phone Information. This displays technical statistics and network management.

Find the drop-down list "Install preferred network type." There are many options in this list, we need to choose one that contains LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA. Choosing "LTE Only" mode will make the phone ignore the 2G and 3G towers.

Be careful: when choosing LTE Only mode, you may lose the ability to make voice calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE technology. Incoming calls may also not pass. After checking the Internet speed, return the setting to LTE/3G/2G (auto connect) mode.

This method is particularly useful in areas of insecure reception, where the phone constantly jumps between 3G and 4G, breaking the connection.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Resetting the radio module can lead to the complete disappearance of the network, which can only be restored by flashing.

Network reset and software conflicts

Sometimes the problem is not the lack of settings, but a software failure accumulated during the operation of the system. Cache conflicts, update errors or incorrect third-party applications can block the switch to 4G.

The first step is to reset your mobile network settings, which will not affect your personal files, contacts or applications, but will return only network settings to factory values, and you can find this option in the section Additional → Resets → Resets Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.

Once reset, the phone will reboot. You'll have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and set up Bluetooth headsets, but this often solves the problem of sticking to 3G. The system is re-registered in the operator's network with clean parameters.

It’s also worth checking if you have a traffic saving mode or a “Smart Mode” that can artificially limit speed or network type to save battery life.

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If you don't have the Internet after you reset your network, try removing the SIM card, erasing the contacts with a pin and pasting them back in, and contact oxidation is a common cause of signal problems.

In rare cases, the MIUI firmware itself is the culprit. If the problem occurs after an update, wait for the patch or, conversely, roll back to the previous version. Global firmware sometimes has bugs with frequencies of specific regions.

Effect of covers and physical factors on the signal

And the physical layer, too, is that the antennas in modern Redmi smartphones are located around the perimeter of the body, and dense metal cases or magnetic-clasp cases can shield the signal, preventing the phone from switching to 4G.

Try to remove the case and check the signal level. If the number of sticks grew and the LTE icon appeared, then the accessory was the problem, and it also matters how you hold the phone in your hand, blocking the antenna areas.

The temperature of the device plays a role, too. When the processor and modem are overheated, they can throttling, which can also affect the quality of the connection. If the phone is hot, let it cool.

In buildings with thick walls, 4G signal may be weaker than 3G, due to higher wave frequency. In such cases, the phone can automatically switch to a lower standard for maintaining the connection.

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Physical obstacles and accessories affect the signal as much as software settings. Metal and water (including the user's hand) absorb radio waves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)