Budget smartphone owners often face a situation where a new communication feature brings more trouble than comfort. - Redmi Model 9A, Despite its popularity, it sometimes works incorrectly with voice data transmission technology through the Internet. 4G-Users notice that during overclocking, the phone starts to warm up, and the Internet connection becomes unstable or disappears altogether.
Disabling this option may be the only solution to improve communication quality in areas of insecure reception. In some cases, carriers do not have full VoLTE support in your region, which causes the device to constantly switch between 3G and 4G standards, wasting battery power.
It is worth noting that the interface of the MIUI shell may vary depending on the firmware version and region. If standard methods do not work, deeper interventions will be required. Below we will look at each step in detail so that you can choose the right option for your situation.
Why you should turn off VoLTE on budget devices
Voice over LTE is designed to improve voice quality and allow for simultaneous use of the Internet and calls. However, on entry-level devices such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9A, processor resources are limited. The constant processing of voice traffic through the LTE network creates additional stress, which can lead to micro-latency and audio artifacts.
Another critical issue is carrier base station compatibility, and if you're at the edge of 4G coverage, the phone will try to keep the high standard of call communication even if the signal is weak, leading to frequent connection breaks and a "Network Search" mode, which has a significant impact on autonomy.
Many users note that after the feature is turned off, the phone starts to work more stable in standby mode, the battery stops running out abruptly, and the device itself heats up less in the pocket, this is especially true for those who use the smartphone as the main โbell ringerโ.
- ๐ Reducing the load on the processor and RAM during a conversation.
- ๐ Increased battery life by eliminating continuous monitoring 4G-voice-signal.
- ๐ก More stable connection in areas with uncertain signal reception LTE.
Importantly, voice quality when using 3G (WCDMA) or 2G (GSM) is often higher on older networks.The phone simply switches to the verified frequencies without trying to "pull" its voice over a shaky Internet channel.
Standard method of disconnection through settings SIM-map
The easiest and safest way to change communication settings is through the basic settings menu. Smartphone manufacturers provide the ability to manually control communication standards for each SIM card separately, without requiring superuser rights or a computer connection.
First, you have to open the main menu and find the wireless section. In modern versions of MIUI, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. First, we switch the type of network, and then we remove the tick from the voice call function.
โ๏ธ Algorithm of action
When you change the network type, the phone can lose its signal for a few seconds, and that's normal behavior, because the communication module is reconfigured to work with other frequencies, and if the HD or VoLTE icon in the status bar is gone after switching, then the procedure was successful.
โ ๏ธ Attention: After switching to 3G Mobile Internet speed can go down a lot. If you want a fast web, you can put it back.
Remember that in some regions, operators block the ability to disable this feature at the software level, and if the slider is missing or inactive, you will have to use alternative methods described below.
Using the Engineering Menu to Change Priorities
If standard settings don't work, you can turn to the engineer's hidden interface, which is a powerful tool for diagnosing and fine-tuning the modem. On Xiaomi devices, access to it is often closed, but the Redmi 9A often runs a standard input code.
To enter the menu, you need to open the Phone app and dial a special character combination. Most often it is ##4636#. Once you enter the last digit, the test menu should open. If this does not happen, your firmware version may block this entry.
In the list that opens, select Phone Information. You'll see a lot of options here. Find the drop-down list "Install preferred network type." In this list, you'll select an option that doesn't contain the words LTE or 4G, such as WCDMA Only or GSM Only.
WCDMA preferred
GSM only
LTE only
WCDMA onlyOnce the mode is selected, the network will restart. To return everything back, you just need to select LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM mode. Be careful: random change of other parameters in this menu can lead to unstable operation of the communication module.
What if the code doesn't work?
The engineering menu allows you to force the phone to stop using 4G for any task, which is guaranteed to disable VoLTE. However, this is a radical method that should be used only if other methods have not worked.
Configure the preferred type of network
Flexible communication standards management is key to solving VoLTE problems. In the network selection menu, you can tell your phone which technologies to use first. Three basic modes of operation are relevant for the Redmi 9A, each with its own characteristics.
4G Only will leave you without voice communication if the carrier does not support VoLTE. 3G only will provide stable calls, but slow Internet. The optimal option is often "preferably 3G", where the phone itself will switch to 4G only to download data, but will call over 3G.
| Network mode | Quality of calls | Internet speed | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G/4G/3G/2G (Auto) | High (HD) | Maximum | High-pitched |
| Only 4G (LTE) | Depends on VoLTE. | Maximum | Medium. |
| 3G only (WCDMA) | Standard. | Low. | Low. |
| 2G only (GSM) | Low. | Very low. | Minimum |
When you choose a particular mode, you're actually dictating the operating conditions of the radio module, and if your goal is to maximize energy savings and you're willing to sacrifice the speed of web surfing, then 3G is the right choice.
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For quick network mode change, add the "Switch" widget. SIM-maps" or "Network Type" to the desktop through the widget menu MIUI. This will change the communication standards in one click.
Remember that in some areas 3G coverage may not be completely available, in which case switching to 3G only mode will result in a complete loss of communication (โNo networkโ).
Hidden settings through Activity Launcher
Newer versions of the MIUI often hide direct VoLTE switches, but the system files that handle these features are still there, and can be accessed through a third-party activity launcher.
Activity Launcher allows you to view all the hidden activities of the system. You need to find activity related to mobile network settings. It is usually in the section associated with com.android.settings. Look for items that say "Mobile Network Settings" or "Call Settings."
Inside the hidden menu, you might see additional ticks that aren't in the standard interface, like "Enable VoLTE" or "VoLTE Provisioned," and if you uncheck that box, you'll programmatically stop the phone from logging in to a voice-enabled LTE network.
Using third-party tools requires care. Don't change settings that you don't know what you're trying to do. Your goal is to find a specific switch associated with voice calls and deactivate it.
This method is considered more advanced and suitable for users who are not afraid to experiment with system menus, and is especially effective when the operator imposes VoLTE services and hides the shutdown button.
The influence of the region and the flashing device
One common cause of intrusive VoLTE is the region of the device. Global firmware versions may differ from Chinese or Indian builds. In some regions (for example, Indonesia or India), the presence of VoLTE is a mandatory requirement of regulators, so the shutdown button can be deliberately hidden.
Change of region in settings "Additionalยป โ ยซRegion sometimes helps unlock hidden features. Try setting up Singapore, Ukraine or Russia. After rebooting, check if the switch appears on the menu. SIM-map.
If software methods are powerless, there is a firmware change option; switching from Global to China ROM (or vice versa) can drastically change the modemโs behavior, but it is a complex procedure that requires unlocking the bootloader.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Flashing the device voids the warranty and risks turning the phone into a brick.
In most cases, the Redmi 9A simply changes to a less demanding VoLTE region, a safe method that requires no special skills or tools.
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Changing the region to Singapore or Indonesia often brings hidden network switches back to Xiaomi's menu.