Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 10 feature a host of advanced communications technologies, including Voice over LTE, which allows voice calls to be transmitted over fourth-generation networks, providing high audio quality and fast dialing, but in some situations users are faced with the need to deactivate this mode of operation.
The reasons for disconnection can vary from unstable operator operation in a particular region to increased battery consumption in areas of uncertain reception. Sometimes switching to standard 3G or 2G mode is the only way to keep communication on the trip. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for managing this function.
It's important to understand that the MIUI shell interface may vary depending on the firmware version and the region for which the device is released. Despite the visual differences, the logic of how the system settings work remains the same throughout the Xiaomi ecosystem. We will look at both standard methods and more advanced options for solving the problem.
What is VoLTE and why turn it off
Voice over LTE is a technology that allows voice communication directly over 4G data channels, bypassing switching to older communication standards. It provides crystal clear sound and the ability to use the Internet and phone line simultaneously. On Redmi 10 devices, this feature is often enabled by default if the operator supports the appropriate standards.
However, it is not always the presence of advanced technology that means comfortable use. In some cases, users notice that the smartphone begins to discharge faster, constantly switching between network modes in areas with unstable coverage. In addition, some old tariff plans or SIM cards may not work properly with new protocols, causing call interruptions.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling VoLTE may cause your phone to temporarily switch to mode during an incoming or outgoing call 3G or 2G, and the mobile Internet speed at this point will decrease or the connection will be interrupted.
It is also worth noting that in some regions or in certain carriers, this function can be implemented with software-level errors, which leads to poor communication quality even with a full signal, and in such situations, forced transition to classical communication standards often becomes the only working solution.
- 📉 Increased battery consumption due to constant signal search 4G.
- 📞 Problems with connection or call interruption.
- 🌐 Impossibility of using the Internet and voice simultaneously in some configurations.
- 📱 Conflicts with specific SIM card models or operator tariffs.
Before making changes, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. If you do not have obvious communication problems, it is better to leave the default settings, as this ensures the best quality of communication in modern conditions.
Standard method through the settings menu
The easiest and safest way to manage communication features is to use the built-in Android settings menu. In the MIUI shell installed on Redmi 10, the path to these options is usually standardized, but there may be slight variations. First, you need to open the main app menu and find the Settings icon.
Then you go to the section that's responsible for wireless networks, and depending on the version of the system, it can be called «SIM-Maps and mobile networks, or simply Mobile Network, is where the main levers of control over your device's communication parameters are concentrated.
☑️ Pre-switch check
Inside the SIM selection menu, you need to find a item associated with the use of 4G networks. Often the VoLTE switch is located next to the choice of the preferred network type. If the operator supports the function, the slider will be active.
In some versions of Xiaomi firmware, the direct switch may be hidden, in which case you need to select “Preferred Network Type” and manually select a mode that does not support VoLTE, such as “3G is preferred”, which will force the communication module to switch to a mode where voice calls go through 3G/2G channels.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value for disconnection |
|---|---|---|
| Type of network | Preferably 4G (LTE) | Preferably 3G |
| VoLTE | Included. | Off. |
| Data roaming | Off. | No change. |
| Access Point (APN) | Automatically. | Automatically. |
After making the changes, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the communication module to fully re-register in the operator's network with new parameters, usually the process takes no more than a minute.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users
If standard settings are not available or hidden by the operator, you can use the Android engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system, designed for testing equipment and diagnostics, and on Redmi 10 it is accessed through a special code entered in the Phone application.
To enter, open dialer and dial ##4636##. If the code is suitable for your version of the system, the Test menu will open. Here, select Phone Information. In the list that opens, look for VoLTE Provisioned or Set Preferred Network Type.
What if the code doesn't work?
In the "Set preferred network type" section, you can select a mode that does not physically support VoLTE. For example, choosing WCDMA only or GSM only mode is guaranteed to turn off work over LTE. However, be careful: choosing LTE only mode without VoLTE support can make it impossible to make calls.
Changes to the engineering menu are applied instantly, but do not persist after the device is restarted on some firmware. If the settings are reset after the restart, you will have to repeat the procedure or find a way to fix them through the device. ADB-commands that require a connection to a computer.
- 🔍 Access to hidden system functions.
- ⚙️ Possibility of fine-tuning network modes.
- 🚀 Instant application of changes without rebooting.
- ⚠️ Risk of incorrect settings leading to loss of communication.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change parameters that you do not know the value of. Incorrect setting of the radio module in the engineering menu can lead to temporary loss of signal or inability to register with the network.
Influence of the firmware version and region on settings
Xiaomi’s policy is to adapt the software to specific markets, and Global ROMs may differ from China ROMs or India ROMs in terms of the presence or absence of specific switches, and this is directly related to the management of VoLTE functions.
For example, in some regions, operators require VoLTE to work on 4G networks, so manufacturers remove the ability to turn this feature off through the standard menu. In other cases, the opposite feature can be added software, even if the hardware of the smartphone or SIM card does not fully meet the requirements.
The Android version also plays a role. With the release of new versions of the operating system, Google changes the requirements for certification of devices, which can affect the availability of certain communication settings. On Redmi 10, which originally came with one version of Android, subsequent updates could change the logic of the network stack.
If you have recently upgraded and noticed the switch disappearing, it may be due to changes in security policies or agreements with carriers, and in such cases, the ability to return to control is often only possible by rolling back on the previous version of the firmware or using the superuser rights (Root), which is not recommended for ordinary users.
It is also worth considering that custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), installed by enthusiasts, often lack the limitations of stock MIUI. In them, network settings are usually more flexible, but installing such firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and carries the risk of losing warranty.
Problems with SIM card and communication operator
Often the problem lies not in the smartphone Redmi. 10, Older Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM cards, trimmed with nano, may not work properly with modern protocols. 4G/VoLTE.
In addition, your carrier may not have the technical ability to provide VoLTE services in your area, despite having 4G internet coverage, in which case the phone will constantly try to sign up for VoLTE mode, fail and switch to 3G, causing battery and communication issues described above.
To diagnose the problem, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
- 🔄 Transfer the SIM card to another slot (SIM 1 SIM 2).
- 📞 Call the operator support and clarify VoLTE support on your tariff.
- 💳 Replace the SIM card with a new one in the operator’s communication salon (usually free of charge).
- 📱 Check the SIM card in another smartphone with support 4G.
💡
Try clearing the cache of Phone and Settings apps through the application management menu. Sometimes accumulated cache errors can block the network options from being displayed correctly.
If replacing the SIM card and contacting the operator did not help, and the problem persists only on your device, it is likely that it is the software settings of Xiaomi. In rare cases, resetting network settings to factory values helps, but this will require re-entering passwords from Wi-Fi.
Alternative solutions and resetting network settings
When none of the methods yields the desired result, or if the communication problems do not disappear after disabling the function, it is worth considering the option of a complete reset of network settings. This action will return all connection parameters (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Network) to the factory state, but will not affect your personal files, photos or contacts.
To reset on Redmi 10, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Confirm and wait for the reboot of communication modules. Once you turn on the phone, you will have to reconfigure the system: enter Wi-Fi passwords and re-activate the desired functions.
As a radical measure, you might consider installing third-party apps from Google Play that manage network settings, but the effectiveness of such programs on modern versions of Android is limited by security policies, which often require special permissions that are difficult to obtain without root rights.
💡
Network resets are a safe and effective way to fix software errors related to network registration and VoLTE operation if other methods have not worked.
If this does not help, there may be a hardware malfunction of the antenna module or a software conflict after an unsuccessful update, in which case it is recommended to contact an authorized service center for professional diagnostics.