Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are equipped with powerful communication modules that by default seek to capture the signal 4G/LTE However, in some situations, the user is required to force the device to switch to the standard. 3G or 2G. This can be caused by network instability in a particular area, where the phone is constantly “jumping” between standards, draining the battery, or the need to save traffic and battery power.
The procedure for deactivating high-speed internet is not always obvious, as the manufacturers of MIUI and HyperOS shells often hide these settings in the back of the system menu. In some cases, standard switches are missing, and you have to resort to engineering codes or third-party utilities.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all known ways to limit the frequency range on Xiaomi devices. You will learn how to hide the choice point of the network, how to return it through hidden settings and what risks a complete disconnection of the LTE module in modern communication conditions carries.
Why do users need to abandon 4G networks?
The main reason smartphone owners are looking for a way to turn off LTE is a coverage problem: In remote areas, suburban villages or in moving transport, the fourth generation signal can be extremely weak. The phone, trying to hold the connection, starts to run at its limits, which leads to rapid heating of the processor and battery discharge.
In some regions, the plans still require separate charges for high-speed internet, or the quality of voice communication in VoLTE mode leaves much to be desired. 3G switching (WCDMA) often provides a more stable voice channel and less power consumption by the modem.
⚠️ Attention: Forced switching to 2G/3G This can lead to the inability to use modern instant messengers and navigators in real time, as these applications require a stable broadband connection.
It is also worth mentioning the situation. SIM-In this case, the cards that may not work properly in the networks of the new generation, causing permanent breaks in the connection, in which case manually configuring the preferred type of network becomes the only way out for comfortable use of the gadget.
Standard method through the Android settings menu
The first and most secure way to change network priority is to use the standard operating system interface. Most Redmi and POCO models have standardized paths to settings, although the name of items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.
First, you need to go to the Settings section, then select the item SIM-You can choose an active SIM card if there are two, and find the preferred network type. 3G» or "Only" 3G/2G».
☑️ Checking network settings
If the phone continues to switch to LTE after selecting 3G, it may be that the carrier is forced to broadcast the signal, or there is a restriction in the system, in which case you should try to restart the device in flight mode, and then return the connection.
It’s important to understand that newer versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS often hide the option of choosing 3G Only or 2G Only, leaving only the option “Preferred” to improve the user experience, but limiting the fine-tuning options.
Using the Engineering Menu for Hidden Settings
When standard methods fail, the engineering menu, a hidden part of the system designed to test equipment, comes to the rescue. USSD-code in the appendix "Phone».
Dial ##4636##. If the code is entered correctly, the "Testing" or "Testing" menu will open. You must select Phone Information. Here is the drop-down list "Install preferred network type".
What if the code doesn't work?
You need to find a value that does not contain the acronym LTE, such as WCDMA only (3G only) or GSM only (2G only), after selecting the setting, the setting is applied instantly, and the 4G icon in the status bar will disappear.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other parameters in the engineering menu, especially those related to radio frequencies or screen calibration. Incorrect values can lead to signal loss or incorrect touch screen operation.
It's worth noting that after a smartphone reboot, the settings that have been changed through the engineering menu can be reset to standard settings, which is normal system behavior that requires repeating the procedure after each device is turned on.
Application of third-party applications for network management
If the engineering menu is closed and the standard settings do not allow you to select the desired mode, you can use specialized software from Google Play. Applications like Force LTE Only (4G/5G) or NetMode allow you to control the radio module through the system API.
The principle of such utilities is to create a shortcut that opens a hidden system window for selecting the type of network, after installing the application, you need to run it, select the method (usually “Method 2: Android 11+” or “Method 1”) and click the open settings button.
In the window that opens, which looks like part of the engineering menu, you should select the modem mode you want, which allows you to bypass the limitations of the MIUI shell and lock the network to the desired standard without root rights.
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Use the app widget on your desktop to quickly switch between 4G and 3G. This will save time if you need to constantly change modes throughout the day.
However, be careful when installing these programs, always check the permissions that the application requests, some of which may require excessive access rights to contacts or the file system, which is not necessary for their operation.
Comparison of modes of operation of the communication module
Understanding the difference between communication standards will help you choose the optimal balance between speed and power consumption, each mode has its own specifications and use cases.
| Network mode | Maximum speed | Energy consumption | Stability of voice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G (NR) | Very high. | Critically high | Depends on the coverage |
| 4G (LTE) | Tall. | High. | Good (VoLTE) |
| 3G (WCDMA) | Medium | Moderate. | Great. |
| 2G (GSM) | Low. | Minimum | Basic |
As you can see from the table, turning off LTE and switching to 3G can significantly reduce energy consumption, which is critical in low-signal conditions, but data rates will drop by many times, making it impossible to watch high-resolution video.
2G (GSM) mode is ideal for “grandmother phones” or situations where you only need to take calls and SMS. In this mode, the phone can work on a single charge for several days, but modern Internet will work extremely slowly or not at all.
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The choice of network mode is always a compromise between the speed of the Internet and the battery life of the device in specific conditions of reception of the signal.
The impact of LTE disconnection on smartphone autonomy
The communications module is one of the main power consumers in a smartphone. When a device is in an unstable 4G reception zone, it constantly scans the airwaves, trying to find the best base station, which makes the processor and the radio work in enhanced mode.
Switching to 3G or 2G mode reduces the strain on the antenna, as these standards have a larger radius of coverage and better penetrate through the walls of buildings, resulting in less phone loss network and spends less resources on its restoration.
The effect is particularly noticeable at night: if you leave a phone with LTE on in the bad reception zone, it can run 10-15% by morning just in standby mode, limiting the network to 3G allows you to save almost all the charge.
If you are in a safe place of reception. 4G, The difference in energy consumption between modes can be minimal, and in such conditions, it makes no sense to limit the functionality of the device, since modern technology is not the only way to do this. LTE-The modem can effectively go into sleep mode.
Possible problems and solutions
When you manually change your network settings, you can have a number of difficulties, and the most common problem is that you can't make outgoing calls, because in some regions, operators have completely moved voice traffic to VoLTE, and when you turn off 4G, the network stops seeing the phone as a voice-based device.
Another problem is “loss of life» SIM-Once you reset or update the system, the manually selected mode may conflict with the operator profile, in which case the SIM card extraction, contact cleaning and re-installation helps.
It is also worth considering that in two-symbol smartphones, changing the settings for one SIM-The cards may affect the second card, for example, if one card only works in the second card. 2G, And you're forced to turn it on. 4G, It can stop logging in if it does not support this frequency range.
⚠️ Note: If after experimentation with settings disappeared IMEI or the phone says "Unknown" in the base version box, don't panic. Usually, a full reset or flashing of the device helps, but in rare cases, recovery through the service center is required.