How to turn off LTE on Xiaomi: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones that work on the shell MIUI or HyperOS, which by default, want to use the highest possible speed of mobile Internet, which means that the device will cling to the signal. 4G/LTE Even in areas where the coverage is unstable, which often leads to increased battery consumption and heating of the case. Many users face a situation where there are constant jumps between the two. 3G and 4G interfere with the normal operation of messengers or calls, making the connection intermittent.

Turning off LTE mode may be necessary not only to save energy, but also when you are in an area with poor coverage of high-speed networks. Forced switching your phone to 3G or 2G mode allows you to capture a more stable, albeit slow, signal, this is especially true in rural areas, in basements or in buildings with thick walls, where the communication module has difficulty holding a fourth-generation connection.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the priority of networks, from standard interface settings to using the engineering menu. You will learn how to properly configure Xiaomi to work on old networks, what risks there is a complete disabling of 4G and how to return all settings back if necessary. We will also touch on the topic of hidden Android codes that owners of some models may need.

Why you might need to turn off 4G on your smartphone

The main reason users are looking for a way to turn off LTE is the autonomy of the work. The communication module, constantly scanning the airwaves in search of a stable 4G signal in the absence of it, consumes a significant amount of energy. If you are on a trip and every minute counts, switching your smartphone to 3G mode can extend the life of the device by several hours.

The second important aspect is the stability of voice communication. In some regions, operators still have not implemented VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology, which allows voice to be transmitted over 4G channels. In such cases, when an incoming or outgoing call is made, the phone forcibly resets the network to 3G or 2G. If the 4G signal is weak, this process can take time, leading to missed calls or beeps instead of a connection. Fixing to 3G eliminates this lag.

⚠️ Attention: Forced shutdown LTE may result in the inability to use services that require high data transfer speeds, such as video calls in the HD-quality or streaming.

Also worth mentioning are situations where the operator’s base station is overloaded: 4G can run slower than a 3G unloaded network during peak hours. In this case, manual network mode switching acts as a traffic optimizer. In addition, in some older buildings or bunkers, the 4G signal simply does not break through, while lower 2G/3G frequencies provide basic communication.

Standard way through network settings

The safest and easiest method that is suitable for most users is to use the standard MIUI interface. This method does not require root rights or installing third-party software. However, it is worth noting that newer versions of Xiaomi firmware sometimes hide the ability to choose a specific type of network, leaving only the “Preferred Network Type” switch.

First, you need to go to the SIM management menu, and this is done through the Settings section, where you select the item. SIM-So, if you have two SIM cards, you have a customization for each of them, so you can leave one on the other, for example. 4G for the Internet, and the second to be translated into 3G call-only.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Choose the right one. SIM-map from the list (Sim 1 or Sim 2).
• 📡 Click on Network Type or Preferred Network Type.
• 📉 In the menu, select the option Preferably. 3G or 3G.
• ✅ After the badge is selected "4G" or "LTE" The upper line of the state should disappear, changing to "3G" or+".

If the list does not include the item "Only 3G", and there is only "preferably 3G", this means that the phone will try to hold on to third-generation networks, but in their absence can briefly switch to 2G. Completely prohibit switching to 4G in this mode is difficult without using the engineering menu, which will be discussed below.

Using an engineering menu to force switching

The Engineering Mode is a hidden partition of the Android operating system that is designed to test hardware by manufacturers, and it allows you to access deep settings of the radio module that are not visible in the normal interface, which is most effective if the standard settings do not produce the desired result or if the network selection point is blocked by the operator.

The most common way to log into the engineering menu on Xiaomi smartphones is to type in a special code typed in the Phone app. However, depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, China, EU), the codes may differ or be blocked. The most common way is to type in the combination ##4636##. If the code works, the Test menu will open.

In the window that opens, you need to find the Phone Information section. Inside this section, scroll down to Set preferred network type. Here's a drop-down list with a lot of technical notations. You need to choose an option that doesn't have LTE.

• 🔹 WCDMA only 3G (UMTS).
• 🔹 GSM only 2G (EDGE/GPRS).
• 🔹 WCDMA/GSM Auto – Automatic choice between 2G and 3G.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu can lead to temporary loss of the network. If after selecting the parameter, the connection is completely lost, try selecting the "Enable radio module" mode or restart the device.

Once you select the right setting, the changes are applied instantly. You will see how the network icon in the status bar changes. If you choose WCDMA only, the phone will stop seeing 4G towers even if they are in close proximity. This ensures that the device does not waste resources on scanning LTE frequencies. However, beware: some combinations can make the SIM card invisible to the network before resetting.

Hidden codes and alternative methods

In some cases, the standard engineering menu code ##4636## doesn't work on Xiaomi devices, because of MIUI security policy or carrier locks, and you can try alternative methods of accessing the radio module settings, one of which is using the MTK Engineering Menu (for MediaTek processors) or similar utilities from Google Play if you have a Qualcomm processor.

There is a code for owners of devices based on MediaTek ##3646633##, So you can go to the Telephony tab, then you can go to BandMode, and you can check the boxes from the frequency bands used to make the menu. LTE (Usually bands are bands. 3, Band 7, Band 20 and others that depend on your operator, leaving only groups UMTS/GSM, You're effectively off. 4G.

Another method that sometimes helps is to create an activity shortcut, and through third-party launchers or shortcut applications (like Shortcut Maker), you can try to find the system activity that makes you choose your network. Look for the Mobile Network Settings or Preferred network type feature in the application list.

Impact of LTE Disconnection on Device Operation and Communication

Before you finally lock your smartphone into 3G, it’s important to understand the implications of this step. The main change will be Internet speed. If you’re used to speeds of 20-50 Mbps or higher on 4G networks, 3G rarely exceeds 3-6 Mbps (H+), and EDGE (2G) only has a few tens of kilobits, which is critical for navigation, video streaming and heavy page loading.

On the other hand, voice quality in 3G (WCDMA) is often better than in 2G, thanks to the use of high-quality codecs. However, if you are in an area where the operator has already started to turn off 3G towers (the process of repharming frequencies under 4G/5G), then forced switching to 3G Only mode can lead to a complete loss of communication.

Also, consider the impact on the work of applications: Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) will work fine, but media files will take longer to load, applications of banks and government services may work slower due to increased server response time (ping), some modern services may even fail to work if they find too low connection speeds or lack of support for certain security protocols characteristic of old networks.

Comparison of network modes

To make it easier for you to decide which mode to choose, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of networks, which will help you to weigh the pros and cons of each communication standard in the context of your current tasks.

As you can see from the table, 3G mode is the middle ground between speed and power consumption, and also provides good voice quality without the need for complex VoLTE settings. However, in today’s metropolis, where 4G tower density is maximum and 3G can be downloaded or disabled, returning to old standards can be a step backwards in the comfort of using a smartphone.

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If you have disabled LTE to save battery, also try to turn on the flight mode for 5-10 seconds and then turn it off.This is forcing modem to restart the network search and gain a foothold on the nearest 3G tower more stably!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Disabling LTE is an effective way to extend battery life in a low-reception area, but it requires understanding the features of your carrier’s coverage in a specific location.

To sum up, Xiaomi’s network mode management gives users a powerful tool to optimize their device performance: Whether you need to save battery, stabilize voice calls, or simply troubleshoot connection issues, knowing how to toggle LTE is a valuable skill. Use these methods carefully, and your smartphone will become even more user-friendly.