Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation where the operator's automatic network selection does not meet the user's expectations. 4G It can be unstable, quickly put down the battery or simply absent from the area where you are, which causes the phone to constantly search for the network and lose charge. 3G or 2G stable-connection.
The process of deactivating high-speed Internet at the system level is not always obvious, as manufacturers try to simplify interfaces by hiding advanced settings. However, the Android operating system with the shell MIUI or HyperOS provides several ways to solve this problem. You can use the standard menu or turn to hidden engineering codes if standard methods do not work.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of disconnection. LTE. We will consider the standard settings, the use of special USSD-You'll also learn why your phone can't see. 4G Network even when the option is turned on and how to fix it.
Why to turn off 4G LTE on your smartphone
At first glance, it may seem strange to abandon the fastest available data technology. However, there are a number of scenarios where turning off LTE is not a whim, but a necessity. For example, in places with a very weak 4G signal, the phone starts constantly switching between standards, which leads to connection breaks during calls.
In addition, in some regions, 3G coverage may be more stable and faster than congested 4G. If you are in the area of “leaky” coverage, forced switching to 3G will ensure continuous Internet without constant speed jumps.
- 📉 Reduce battery consumption, as the modem does not waste energy searching for a powerful signal 4G.
- 📞 Improved quality of voice communication in areas of unstable reception, where 4G break off.
- 🛡️ Improved safety when using old SIM-Cards that may not support modern encryption protocols LTE.
It is also worth mentioning that some of the old plans or SIM-The cards may not work properly with current standards, in which case the high-speed mode shutdown helps to avoid errors in the operator's network registration.
Standard Method Through Android Settings
The safest and easiest way to change the type of network is to use the built-in menu of the smartphone, which does not require root rights and is suitable for most users. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic of actions remains the same.
First you need to get into the settings section. SIM-This is the main switch that controls the radio module. Note that on dual-symbol devices, the settings are applied individually to each card.
☑️ Algorithm of action
Once you select the right item, the system automatically re-registers on the network, and you will notice that the 4G or LTE icon at the top of the screen has disappeared, changing to 3G, H+ or E. If after a while the phone switched to 4G again, it may be that the operator forcibly returns you to this mode, and then you will need a deeper setup.
It's important to understand that in some firmware for certain regions, this item may be hidden. If you haven't found the switch, try using alternative methods described below. SIM-map.
Using an engineering menu to disable LTE
If the standard settings don't work, or if the network selection point is not available, the engineering menu comes to the rescue, and it's a hidden part of the system that's designed to test the hardware, and it's accessed through a special set of commands in the dialer.
For devices based on MediaTek and Qualcomm processors, the codes may differ. The most universal method for Xiaomi is to use the code ##4636#. Once you enter this combination, the menu will open automatically, without having to press the call button.
⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful in the engineering menu. Changing unknown parameters may cause the communication module to fail).
Once you open the menu, select Phone Information. Find a drop-down list called "Set Preferred Network Type." From this list, select the option that does not contain the words LTE or 4G. The optimal choice is WCDMA only (3G only) or GSM only (2G only).
It's worth noting that once the device is rebooted, the settings in this menu can reset to factory values, and then you have to do it again, and some users use third-party apps to fix these settings, but you can't do it with the usual tools.
What if the code doesn't work?
Application USSD-Operator commands and codes
Another effective way to manage a network is to use USSD-The good thing about this is that it's on the operator's server side, and it's still there even after you've restarted your phone or reset your phone. SIM-card.
Every major carrier has its own codes for managing services, and they often allow you to ban or allow the use of 4G networks. This is especially true if you have an old tariff that has not automatically connected new communication standards.
| Operator. | 4G shutdown command | 4G Including Team | Status check |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | *111*1911# | *111*1910# | *111*191# |
| MegaFon | *150*61# | *150*60# | *150*6# |
| Beeline | *118*012# | *118*011# | *118*0# |
| Tele2 | *155*611# | *155*610# | *155*61# |
After entering the command, you will receive SMS-Notification of successful service change.Please note that the change can take between 1 and 10 minutes to take effect.
Using carrier codes is the only way to guarantee that LTE is disabled at the network level, which sometimes helps to solve problems with jumping between standards when the phone itself is working.If the codes are not working, check your account balance, as some services may be paid or require a basic package connection.
Hidden opportunities through apps and ADB
For advanced users who don’t fit standard methods, there are deeper customization tools. apps from Google Play, such as Force LTE Only (4G/5G), allow you to access hidden menus even on newer versions of Android where standard codes are locked.
These applications work by shortcutting hidden system activity, which doesn't require root rights, but can require special permissions through a computer with an ADB installed, which is a safe method if you download the application from a trusted source.
adb shell pm grant com.android.phone android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGSThis command (if required for a particular application) gives permission to change the protected settings, but in most cases, modern assistant applications do without a computer, using vulnerabilities in access to the test menu. After installing such an application, you can select the mode LTE Only or vice versa, WCDMA Only.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing a regime "LTE Only" in the engineering menus through apps, your phone may stop receiving and making regular voice calls if the carrier does not support VoLTE technology.
Using third-party software is a trade-off between convenience and stability. If you need to temporarily turn off 4G for speed measurement or test, this method is ideal.
💡
Before using a network change app, take a screenshot of the current settings in the engineering menu, which will allow you to quickly return everything to the same way as before if the Internet stops working correctly.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may face a number of challenges when turning off LTE, the most common being the inability to register with 3G. This often happens in areas where operators have already begun to turn off 3G towers (frequency repharming) in favor of 4G.
If, after switching, the 3G Preferably lost and the Internet, and the connection, so in your area 3G There's no coverage, so you have to return the automatic mode or find the best place to go. SIM-map.
- 📱 Old one. SIM-Card: Replace plastic with new in the operator’s cabin, as old cards may not support all frequencies 3G.
- 📡 Firmware failure: Try resetting the network settings in the Recovery and Reset menu.
- 🔋 Energy saving: Ultra-energy saving regime can be forced to turn off 4G, Check the active profiles.
Another common problem is when the phone shows 4G, but the Internet doesn't work. In this case, turning off LTE won't help, you need to check the settings of the APN access point. Often resetting the APN settings to the factory solves the problem of access to the network.
💡
If after all the manipulations the network did not appear, perform a complete reset of network settings (not data!), this will eliminate software conflicts of the operator profiles.