Disabling unnecessary frequencies on Xiaomi: why it is necessary and how to do it correctly

Modern Xiaomi smartphones support dozens of LTE and 5G-Frequency bands not only consume battery power for constant network scanning, but can also impair connection stability by forcing the device to switch between weak signals. This is a particularly important issue for Redmi Note 12 Pro owners.+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5, hardware-support 5G Implemented through several modules simultaneously.

In this article, we will discuss which frequencies can be safely turned off without losing communication quality, how to do this through an engineering menu or third-party applications, and what to do if the mobile Internet is lost after changes, and why mobile operators do not always use all the declared ranges, and how to check what frequencies are active in your region.

Why Xiaomi should turn off the extra frequencies

Each active frequency range is an additional load on the smartphone modem, even if you are not using it. 5G, The phone continues to scan the available networks, which leads to:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (up to) 10-15% Standby while actively searching 5G).
• 📶 Unstable connection when the phone jumps between weak frequencies instead of using optimal connectivity.
• 📱 Processor overheating (especially relevant for Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3 Xiaomi flagship 14).
• 🚫 Conflicts with the operator if non-standard ranges are used in your region (for example, in the case of a mobile operator, n78 instead n1).

According to GSMArena tests, disabling unused 5G-ranges on Xiaomi 13T Pro has increased the battery life on 8-12% However, it is important to understand that not all frequencies can be turned off at random, which can lead to complete loss of network in some locations.

What frequencies can be turned off without risk

Before you turn something off, you need to understand what ranges your operator is actually using. In Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus, the following are the most common: LTE/5G-frequency:

* — n1 It is used in limited ways, mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

🔹 What can be turned off:

• 🌐 Regional ranges not used by your operator (e.g, B28 or B32 Europe).
• 📡 5G-Frequency if you are not using 5G or your tariff does not support it.
• 📵 Outdated. 2G-frequency (B5, B8), If you are not calling in the remote areas.

🔹 What can't be turned off:

• 🚨 The main range of your operator (for example, B20 for MegaFon in Russia).
• 🚨 Frequencies used for emergency calls (B3 nearly everywhere).
• 🚨 Ranges that are activated in roaming (if you are travelling).

💡

Before you turn off frequencies, check the coverage in your region on the carrier’s website or through an application like NetMonster (Android) or CellMapper (iOS).

Method 1: Disconnecting frequencies through the engineering menu (without root)

The most reliable method is the use of an engineering menu (MTK Engineer Mode or Qualcomm Service Menu.It runs most Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphone POCO with Snapdragon or MediaTek processors.

📌 Instructions for Snapdragon (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, POCO F4/F5):

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. Select Phone Information → Network settings.
3. In the Set Preferred Network Type section, select LTE only (if you want to disconnect) 5G).
4. For fine-tuning frequencies, go to Band Selection and uncheck the unneeded ranges.

📌 Instructions for MediaTek (Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO M5):

1. Enter the phone app: ##36446337##
2. Go to BandMode. → LTE Band.
3. Only mark the frequencies that your operator uses (see the table above).
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The engineering menu can be blocked, and in this case, use applications like Network Signal Guru (requires permission). ADB).

Method 2: Applications for frequency management (with and without root)

If the engineering menu is not available or you want a more flexible setup, you can use third-party utilities.

🔧 No root rights:

• 📱 Network Signal Guru – shows active frequencies and allows you to disable unnecessary ones through the network ADB (need a computer).
• 📊 NetMonster – analyzes coverage and offers optimal settings.
• 🔍 CellMapper – builds a coverage map based on user data.

🔧 With root rights:

• 🛠️ MTK Engineering Mode – Full control of the modem on MediaTek.
• 📡 Qualcomm Band Selector for smartphones on Snapdragon.
• 🔧 NSG Modem Tools – Advanced Settings for Power Users.

📌 How to use Network Signal Guru:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
3. Enter in the command line: adb shell pm grant com.ebytech.signalguru android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
4. In the app, select Band Selection and turn off unnecessary ranges.

How to check which frequencies are active right now

To understand what ranges your phone is actually using at the moment, you can use hidden codes or apps.

📡 Method 1: Codes for diagnosis

• For Snapdragon: ##4636## → Phone information → Here you will see the current frequency in the format LTE Band X or NR Band nX.
• For MediaTek: ##36446337## → Network Information

📱 Method 2: NetMonster Appendix

1. Install NetMonster from Google Play.
2. Open the Network tab → Cellular network.
3. In the Band section, you will see the current active range (e.g., the band, B3 or n78).
4. The Neighbors tab will show the nearby towers and their frequencies.

📌 An example of decryption:

• LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz) – the main range for most operators.
• NR Band n78 (3500 MHz) — 5G-frequency used in Russia and Europe.
• GSM Band 8 (900 MHz) - obsolete 2G-range, you can turn off.

💡

If your phone is constantly switching between frequencies (for example, with a B3 on B20), This might indicate a weak signal, so you'd better keep both bands active or use a repeater.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience problems when they turn off their frequencies, such as losing their network, deteriorating call quality, or losing their mobile Internet, and consider common mistakes and their solutions.

❌ Mistake 1: Shutting everything down 5G-The phone is still looking for frequencies.

🔹 Reason: In the network settings selected mode 5G/4G/3G, Not just LTE.

🔹 Solution: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred network type and select only LTE.

❌ Mistake 2: Internet goes missing in some places

🔹 Reason: Disabled the range that is used in the subway, shopping center or in the country.

🔹 Solution: Return the settings to the factory or add back B20 (800 MHz – it passes through walls better.

❌ Error 3: After the reboot, the settings reset

🔹 Reason: Not all changes to the engineering menu are permanently saved.

🔹 Solution: Use applications with support ADB (For example, Network Signal Guru or get root rights for permanent changes.

💡

If the quality of calls deteriorates after the frequency is turned off, check if you have turned off the range. B20 (800 MHz) or B8 (900 MHz – they are responsible for the coverage in buildings.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with Snapdragon) 732G) range-off B1 or B3 This can cause a total loss of the roaming network. Before traveling abroad, return all settings to their original state.

Disconnecting frequencies on specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique features when working with frequencies.

📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra / 14 Ultra

• Supporting. 8x 5G-The range, but actually used 2-3.
• To shut down 5G Go to Settings. → SIM-map → Type of network → Only LTE.
• The menu is opened with the code ##4636##.

📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G

• It uses MediaTek Dimensity 1080, which is prone to overheating when active. 5G.
• Turn it off. n78 and n79, if you don't use 5G.
• To access the frequency settings, use the code ##36446337##.

📱 POCO F5 / F5 Pro

• On Snapdragon 7.+ Gen 2 5G It is not stable in some regions.
• It is recommended to leave only LTE B3/B7/B20 stability.
• Network Signal Guru is rootless.

📱 Xiaomi 12T / 12T Pro

• Supporting. 5G SA/NSA, but SA (Standalone is almost unused.
• Turn it off. n1, n3, n5 — They are not used by local operators.
• To reset your network settings, use ##4636## → Reset.

💡

On Xiaomi's flagships (13/14 switch off 5G It can improve the autonomy of the 10-15%, But it's going to be losing support for VoLTE in some regions. LTE post-mortem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions