How to completely disable 3G on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Disabling 3G on Xiaomi smartphones can be necessary for a variety of reasons, from saving battery power to forced switching to more stable 4G/LTE or 2G in poor coverage. Although most modern devices Redmi, POCO and Mi automatically choose the optimal mode of communication, sometimes manual control of networks becomes necessary.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to deactivate 3G on Xiaomi, from standard MIUI settings to hidden engineering menus, and focus on the nuances for different firmware versions (MIUI 12-14) and popular models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X5). You’ll also learn how to check if 3G is disabled, and what to do if your smartphone ignores your settings.

Why you might want to turn off 3G on Xiaomi

At first glance, disabling UMTS (3G) seems pointless, because it is faster than 2G (EDGE/GPRS).

• 🔋 Battery savings: in conditions of weak signal 3G The module consumes much more energy than 4G or 2G, thrust.
• 📶 Unstable coverage: in some regions 3G worse 4G, The smartphone is constantly switching between networks, which leads to communication interruptions.
• 🚀 Priority 4G: If your tariff supports VoLTE, disable 3G force the device to use LTE Even for calls, improving their quality.
• 🛡️ Security: In rare cases, protocol vulnerabilities 3G This can be used for a downgrade attack).

It is important to understand that a complete 3G shutdown is not always possible at the MIUI level. Some operators (such as MTS or Beeline) will force this mode to be compatible, in such cases additional manipulations will be required, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for most models)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12-14.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to SIM cards and mobile networks (or Mobile network on some models).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to change your settings for (if there are two of them).
4. Click on Network Type (or Preferred Network Type).
5. In the list of available options, select: 4G only (preferably) or LTE for forced use of 4G; 2G only if you need to completely disable 3G and 4G; 3G/2G (auto) if you want to leave only these standards (without 4G).

Note that some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3) may not have 4G Only option, due to chipset hardware limitations (e.g. Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx or MediaTek Helio Gxx).

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

If standard settings do not work, you can use the Engineering Mode, which requires caution, as incorrect actions can disrupt the mobile network, and is suitable for models based on Qualcomm chipsets (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) and MediaTek (for example, POCO X3 Pro).

Instructions for Qualcomm:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
4. Choose one of the options: LTE only 4G; GSM only 2G; LTE/GSM auto — 4G and 2G (without 3G).

For MediaTek, the combination is different: ##36446337## (Engineer Mode → Connectivity → BandMode) where you can manually disable 3G bands, but you need to know the frequencies your carrier supports.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu do not persist after rebooting on some Xiaomi models.If the network is lost after applying the settings, go back to the menu and select Automatic or restart the device.

Method 3: Network management applications (alternative)

If the built-in methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 Network Signal Guru – allows you to manually select the type of network and block ranges 3G. Supports most Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets.
• 🛠️ 4G Only Mode is a simple utility for forced inclusion only 4G (Requires root rights on some devices).
• 🔧 MTK Engineering Mode – a specialized application for smartphones on MediaTek (for example, Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro).

Example of Network Signal Guru:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch the utility and give access to phone functions.
3. Go to the Network Type tab.
4. Choose LTE Only or GSM Only (depending on the purpose).
5. Confirm the changes and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, 4G Only Mode requires root access. If you're not ready to get root, use only those utilities that work without it (like Network Signal Guru.

Checking the results: how to make sure that 3G is turned off

After you have set up the settings, it is important to make sure that the changes have taken effect. Here are some ways to check:

A critical feature for Xiaomi: on some models (for example, Redmi) 9T or POCO M3 Pro) even after forced disconnection 3G Smartphones can connect to this network for a short time at a weak signal 4G. It's about firmware. MIUI and not a mistake.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off 3G on Xiaomi, users face typical difficulties, and consider the most common ways to eliminate them:

• 🔄 Settings are not saved after rebooting: this is typical for devices with MediaTek chipsets. the solution is to use the Network Signal Guru app or update the firmware to the latest version.
• 📵 Disappeared network after changes: if the smartphone stopped catching the network, return settings to Automotive mode or reset network settings in Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings.
• 🔒 The operator blocks changes: some operators (for example, Yota or Tinkoff Mobile) force activate the changes. 3G Solution: Contact support and request that the network search service be disabled".
• ⚡ Fast battery discharge after shutdown 3G: If the smartphone starts to discharge faster, it may be constantly scanning the network 4G/2G. The solution is to turn on the Energy Saving mode or return the network settings to the original state.

⚠️ Attention: If after the shutdown 3G Calls have stopped working, check if your operator supports VoLTE technology (voice on the phone) LTE). If not, the smartphone will not be able to make calls on the network. 4G, And I'll have to return. 3G use 2G voice-over.

💡

If you travel frequently, create a shortcut to quickly switch network types. Add the Settings widget to the home screen and select the Mobile Network option, which allows you to change modes without diving deep into the menu.

Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when working with networks.

Devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 10A or POCO C31) may need to install a patch through Magisk if standard methods fail, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights, which voids the warranty.

💡

On 5G-enabled smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K50), disabling 3G can automatically activate the 5G NSA (non-autonomous) mode, which uses 4G for data transfer and 5G for speed increase.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions