How to Disable Band 20 on Xiaomi: 3 Proven Ways (with Risks and Consequences)

Band 20 (800 MHz) band is actively used by Russian operators for coverage 4G, But sometimes turning it off helps solve connectivity problems, reduce module heat, or avoid conflicts with other frequencies, and on Xiaomi smartphones, this setting is hidden from the user — it can not be changed through the standard menu. In this article, we will discuss three working methods for disabling Band 20, including the engineering menu, ADB-commands and edit configuration files, and explain why the network may disappear in some regions after disabling this frequency.

Before you start, consider that interfering with your modem settings can lead to loss of warranty, network instability, or even a “brick” device. If your goal is simply to improve Internet speed, first check out alternative solutions: resetting network settings, firmware update or change SIM-More modern cards (for example, with VoLTE support).

What is Band 20 and why you should turn it off on Xiaomi

Band 20 (800 MHz) is a low-frequency channel that provides broad 4G coverage over long distances, but with lower data transfer speeds compared to high-frequency bands (for example, Band 3 or Band 7), which is actively used by operators Beeline, MegaFon and MTS to cover remote areas.

Reasons to turn off Band 20:

• 📶 Frequency conflict: the device sticks on a weak Band signal 20, Ignoring higher speed bands (e.g. Band) 3/7/38).
• 🔥 Modem overheating: Constant scanning of low-frequency range increases the load on the chip.
• 🚫 Operator-Blocked: Some tariffs restrict access to Band 20, leading to frequent communication interruptions.
• 🛡️ Coating experiments: In urban settings, Band 20 may be redundant, and turning it off will speed up switching to a new location. 5G.

However, there are risks:

• ⚠️ In rural areas or on highways, the network can be completely lost – the Band 20 is often the only available range.
• ⚠️ On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) disabling Band 20 causes VoLTE to malfunction.
• ⚠️ After updating the firmware settings can be reset.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone supports Dual SIM, Band 20 shutdown could affect second-generation SIM-maps – some models use this range to aggregate channels.

Method 1: Disable Band 20 through the Engineering Menu (without root)

The easiest method is to use a hidden engineering menu (##4636## or ##36446337##). It works on most Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm processors (like Snapdragon). 720G/860/870) It doesn't require super-user rights. It's on Mediatek chips, like Helio. G95) This method may not work.

Instructions:

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 and select LTE only (if you want to disable 3G/2G).
4. Click on the NR/LTE Band (or LTE Band) and the list of supported bands will open.
5. Uncheck Band 20 (or enter 20 in the exclusion box if there are no ticks).
6. Save the settings and restart the device.

If #4636### doesn’t work, try the alternative codes:

• #36446337## for Qualcomm devices
• #36446338### for some Redmi models
• ##2263## - displays a list of supported ranges (no editing option).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially global versions, the engineering menu can be blocked. ADB (method 2) or set up custom recovery (TWRP).

Method 2: Disconnect Band 20 via ADB (Universal Method)

If the engineering menu is not available, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all Xiaomi devices, but requires a connection to a computer and enable debugging over USB.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, through the Mi Flash Tool) and open the command prompt in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Run the command to disable the Band 20: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.RadioInfo This will open the hidden menu of the radio module. If the command doesn't work, use the alternative: adb shell su setprop. persist.radio.lte_band_disable 20 reboot
6. After the reboot, check the settings through the NetMonster Engineering Menu or app.

To return the Band 20, use the command:

adb shell


su




setprop persist.radio.lte_band_disable 0




reboot

If the su commands don't work, you don't have root permissions on your device, so you'll have to use Magisk to temporarily get root access or move to Method 3.

Method 3: Editing a configuration file (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users with root rights or custom restoration (TWRP). It allows you to permanently disable the band. 20 by editing the system file persist.radio.lte_band_disable.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/ Find the build.prop file or persist.radio.properties (depending on the model).
3. Open the file in the text editor and add a line: persist.radio.lte_band_disable=20 If the line already exists, write it down,20 comma (e.g., comma, persist.radio.lte_band_disable=13,20).
4. Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the device.

Alternatively, editing via TWRP:

1. Download to TWRP (hold Power + Vol Up when enabled).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /system/etc/ and edit persist.radio.properties.
4. Add a line. lte_band_disable=20.
5. Swipe to confirm the changes and restart.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a Mediatek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9 or POCO M3) editing system files can cause modem to crash. Make a backup of the partition before making changes /system through TWRP.

How to check if Band 20 is disabled

After applying the changes, you need to make sure that the settings are applied correctly.

Method 1: NetMonster Appendix

• 📱 Install NetMonster from Google Play.
• 📊 Go to the tab. LTE Bands.
• 🔍 Check if the Band 20 is marked as Disabled or not on the active list.

Method 2: Engineering menu

• Enter ##4636### → Phone information.
• Check out the current range in the LTE Band section.
• If the device is connected to the network but Band 20 is not in use, the settings are applied.

Method 3: ADB teams

adb shell


getprop persist.radio.lte_band_disable

If there's 20 in the answer, the range is off.

💡

If the network is lost after disabling Band 20, try manually selecting the operator in the settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Sometimes automatic search sticks to inaccessible frequencies.

Possible problems and solutions

Disabling Band 20 can have unexpected consequences, so let's look at the typical scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The network is gone completely.

• 📵 Reason: Band 20 is the only available band in your region 4G.
• 🔧 Solution: Return the Band 20 through the Engineering Menu or ADB. Check the coverage of the operator on the site (for example, coveragemap.ru). If the network does not recover, reset the modem settings: # # #72786##.

Problem 2: VoLTE or video calls are not working

• 📞 Reason: Some operators (e.g. Tele2) use Band 20 for VoLTE.
• 🔧 Solution: Enable VoLTE manually: Settings → SIM-map → If it doesn't work, return Band 20 and turn it off. 3G (via the preferred network type → LTE only).

Problem 3: Internet speeds have deteriorated

• 🐢 Reason: The device switched to congested range (e.g. Band 3).
• 🔧 Solution: Turn off automatic network selection and select 4G Use Network Signal Guru to analyze channel loads. If speed is critical, return the Band 20 and try to disable other bands (e.g., Band 8).

💡

If you have network problems after the Band 20 shutdown, first check if your operator supports alternative bands in your region. For example, in Moscow, MegaFon actively uses Band 3 and Band 7, and in regions can only rely on Band 20.

Alternative solutions: when not to turn off the Band 20

Before you interfere with your modem settings, check for safer ways to improve communication:

• 🔄 Resetting network settings: Settings → SIM-map → Resetting mobile network settings. This often solves problems with sticking on a weak signal.
• 📶 Manual operator selection: Sometimes automatic search picks a suboptimal tower. Try manually specifying the operator.
• 🔧 Update of the firmware: In new versions MIUI Improved switching logic between ranges. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Replacement SIM-maps: Old SIM (Especially Mini-SIMs, you may not be able to support modern bands.
• 🛡️ Disconnecting energy saving for SIM: B Settings → Battery → Energy saving for applications add SIM-supplant.

If you want to increase the speed of the Internet, try:

• 🚀 Channel aggregation: In the engineering menu, enable the option LTE CA (Carrier Aggregation).
• 📡 5G: Supported models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi) K50) turn on 5G In Settings → SIM-map → Type of network → 5G.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Band 20 on Xiaomi