How to set up your preferred network type on Xiaomi: 2G before 5G

Choosing the right preferred network type on a Xiaomi smartphone can dramatically change the quality of mobile Internet – from download speed to connection stability. Many users do not even suspect that their device defaults not using optimal settings, and old standards like 3G or 2G, In this article, we'll look at how to manually prioritize networks (5G, 4G/LTE, 3G or 2G) on any Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphone POCO, including models with MIUI 12–14 hyperos.

The problem is that automatic settings don't always choose the fastest or the most stable option, for example, in low-cost environments. 4G The phone can hold onto it instead of a reliable one. 3G, And that leads to permanent connection breakdowns, or vice versa: if your tariff supports it. 5G, But the smartphone is stubbornly ignoring this network, and we're going to show you how to fix it manually, and we're going to show you which settings are best for all sorts of scenarios, from battery savings to top speed.

Why it is important to manually set up the type of network

Xiaomi smartphones use Auto mode by default, which should theoretically choose the best network, but in practice this algorithm is often wrong.

• 📶 Weak coverage 4G/5G: If your region has an unstable signal of new networks, the phone will constantly switch between standards, which eats up the battery and slows down the Internet.
• 🔋 Saving charge: networks 5G and 4G They consume much more energy than 3G or 2G. With a low charge, it makes sense to forcefully switch to a less voracious standard.
• 💰 Fare restrictions: some operators (e.g. Tele2 or Iota) may block 5G cheap rates, and the phone is wasting time searching for an unavailable network.
• ⚡ Maximum speed: if you know that your location is stable 5G, But the smartphone is sitting on the 4G, Forced switching will increase the speed to 300-500 Mbps (with operator support).

In addition, manual tuning helps avoid a common problem when the phone sticks on a slow network, such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro can connect to an overloaded tower. 4G and not switch to free. 3G, Although the latter will currently give the best ping for online gaming.

What types of networks support Xiaomi smartphones

Before you change your settings, it’s important to understand what communication standards your device supports. Modern Xiaomi smartphones (released after 2019) usually work with the following types of networks:

Please note that even if your Xiaomi supports you, 5G, It doesn't guarantee it's going to work:

• 📡 Coverage 5G in your area (check the operator's coverage map).
• 💳 Supported tariff 5G (MTS, Beeline or MegaFon are usually tariffs from 500-700 ₽/moss).
• 📱 Updated software: some models (for example, POCO F3) supported 5G only after updates MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If you do not see the option in the network settings 5G, But your model should support it, update the firmware through Settings. → The phone. → System Update: Sometimes the manufacturer blocks the function until the stable version of the software is released.

Step-by-step: How to change your preferred network type

The setup process is the same for most Xiaomi smartphones, but may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI We'll look at a universal method that works on the Redmi Note. 10/11/12, Xiaomi 11/12/13, POCO X3/X4/X5 other models.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and follow the following steps:

1. Go to SIM cards and mobile networks (or Mobile network in older versions of MIUI).
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to change your settings for (if you have two SIMs).
3. Tap on Preferred Network Type (in some firmware it may be called Network Type or Network Mode).
4. In the menu that opens, select the desired standard from the available options.

The list of options available can vary, and here are the basic points:

• 🔄 Auto (recommended) – the phone chooses the network itself (usually priority is given to the network). 4G, later 3G and 2G).
• 📶 Only 4G (LTE) — enforcement 4G, drop-off 3G/2G.
• ⚡ 5G/4G/3G/2G (car - priority 5G, later 4G etc. (available on supported models).
• 🔋 Only 3G — useful for battery saving or in areas with poor 4G.
• 🐢 Only 2G — extreme option for maximum charge savings (speed will be minimal).

Make sure SIM-The card supports the selected standard (for example, 5G)

Check the network coverage in your area

Battery charge not lower than 20% (when switching, there may be a short-term disconnection of communication)

Remember the current settings in case of rollback-->

After choosing the type of network, the smartphone will lose connection for 10 to 30 seconds, which is normal. If the Internet does not work after changing, try restarting the device or returning the settings to Auto mode.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) post-inclusion 4G This is due to VoLTE technology. LTE). If calls stop working, return settings to Auto or enable VoLTE manually in the Settings menu. SIM-map → Challenge 4G.

Optimal settings for different scenarios

There is no universal "best" type of network, it depends on your tasks.

1. Maximum Internet speed

If you need a high download speed (for example, for streaming in the Internet) 4K, Online games or downloading large files):

• 🏆 Choose: 5G/4G/3G/2G (car (if available) 5G) or 4G (if 5G no).
• 🔧 Additional: Include Improved LTE (if it is in the settings - this activates frequency aggregation to increase speed.

2. Battery saving

If the battery is running out too quickly and the Internet is only for instant messengers and social networks:

• 🔋 Select: Only 3G or 2G (if the cover permits).
• ⚠️ Cons: Speed will be low, and some apps (e.g. YouTube) HD) They can work with delays.

3. Stable connection in travel

If you move around frequently (for example, in transport) and need stability without breaks:

• 🚆 Select: Auto (3G/2G) — This will reduce the number of reconnections between towers.
• 📡 Alternative: Only 4G, but with VoLTE turned off (unless calls are important).

4. Calling problems

If the phone calls are lost or terminated after the network change:

• ☎ Solution 1: Return settings to Auto and enable VoLTE in Settings SIM-map.
• ☎ Decision 2: Choose 3G — This will guarantee the voice service, but the Internet speed will drop.

💡

If after changing the settings, the Internet disappeared completely, try to manually select the operator in the Settings menu. → Mobile network → Network operators → Manual search. Sometimes automatic search sticks to a broken tower.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you manually configure a network type, Xiaomi users often encounter common errors, and we've collected the most common and corrective ways to do so.

1.No option. 5G customized

If your model supports you 5G (for example, Xiaomi 11T or Redmi K40), But there's no corresponding item on the menu:

• 🔄 Update to the latest version MIUI or hyperos.
• 📋 Check the firmware region: some global firmware is blocked 5G Install firmware for your country.
• 🔧 Activate the hidden menu: enter in the phone dialer ##4636##, Select Phone Information and manually turn on NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM auto.

2 After the change of the network, the mobile Internet disappeared

If the internet stopped working,

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes a simple reboot helps.
• 📡 Turn on/off flight mode for 10 seconds.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → Reset → Reset network settings (does not delete data, only network settings).

3.The phone does not hold the selected network

If the smartphone is constantly switching between standards (for example, with the 4G on 3G):

• 📶 Check the signal level: if 4G weak (1-2 divisions), the phone will fall on 3G. Try to choose tendentiously. 3G.
• 🔋 Turn off battery savings for applications that use the internet.
• 🔧 Update. PRL (List of preferred networks: #775## → Update PRL.

Hidden network settings: engineering menu

For power users who need advanced settings, Xiaomi has a hidden engineering menu that lets you manually select frequencies, lock certain standards, or even force you to connect to a specific tower.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Network Type Installation block.

Here you will see the advanced options, for example:

• 📡 LTE only - compulsory 4G drop-off 3G.
• ⚡ NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM auto-priority 5G.
• 🔒 GSM only 2G (maximum battery savings).

⚠️ Attention: In the engineering menu, you can accidentally turn off critical parameters (for example, block all frequencies). Do not change the settings unless you are sure of their purpose. To reset to factory parameters, type ##4636## → Radio reset.

Also in the engineering menu you can see the current network parameters:

• 📶 Signal level in dBm (e.g, -90 dBm is a good signal, -110 dBm is weak).
• 🔄 Type of connection (e.g, LTE CA It means frequency aggregation to increase speed).
• 📡 Cell ID (helps you determine which tower you are connected to).

💡

The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous. Only change the settings that you know what they're going to do. For most users, the standard settings in the main menu are enough.

How to check if the settings have been applied

After changing the preferred network type, it is important to make sure that the smartphone is actually using the chosen standard.

1. Through the network icon in the status bar

Look at the top panel of the screen:

• 📶 5G — badge 5G.
• 📶 4G/LTE — badge 4G or LTE.
• 📶 3G — badge 3G or+.
• 📶 2G — effigy (EDGE) or G (GPRS).

2.Using the engineering menu

Enter ##4636## → Phone information and see the Network Type line, which will show the current standard (e.g, LTE or UMTS).

3. Through network analysis applications

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 📊 NetMonster – shows network type, signal level and neighboring towers.
• 📈 LTE Discovery – Details the parameters 4G/5G, including frequency aggregation.
• 🔍 Network Cell Info Lite – Visualizes Signal Strength and Connection Type.

These apps will also help you determine which networks are available in your location, for example if you have chosen to use the network. 5G, But the app only shows 4G, So the cover-ups 5G Not yet.

FAQ: Frequent questions about network setup on Xiaomi