Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular Redmi 9, feature advanced voice technologies that are designed to improve conversation quality. However, in practice, users often face more problems than benefits in implementing VoLTE (Voice over LTE), which can be manifested in the inability to make calls with a weak signal or in the constant switching between 4G and 3G modes, which consumes battery power.
Many subscribers notice that after updating the firmware or changing SIM-The card on the device appears icon HD Or VoLTE, and then the connection becomes unstable, and in such cases, there is an urgent need to deactivate this option to return the phone to normal behavior and stable network reception. The shutdown process is not always obvious, as hardware manufacturers and telecom operators often hide these settings in the depths of the system menu.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to manage voice calls over LTE on your gadget. We will look at standard methods through the settings menu, use of the engineering menu for advanced users, and also touch on compatibility issues with various carriers. Understanding these processes will allow you to flexibly customize the Redmi 9 to your needs.
Why do users want to disable VoLTE?
The main reason Redmi 9 owners are looking for a way to remove the VoLTE icon is because of the instability of fourth-generation mobile networks in some regions: When a phone tries to support voice calls over LTE, but the signal is not strong enough, communication interruptions or the effect of “robotic” voice can occur. It is often easier to switch to standard 3G for conversations, leaving 4G only for the Internet.
Another important aspect is compatibility with a specific carrier. SIM-The cards work correctly with the technology IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem, which underlies VoLTE. Profile conflict can cause the smartphone to stop seeing the network altogether or cannot make outgoing calls while the function is active.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to your network settings, make sure your plan supports voice calls through the network. 3G/2G, If you plan to completely disconnect LTE Otherwise, you may be left without communication in areas without coverage. 4G.
Also worth mentioning is the effect on device autonomy: Constantly searching and holding an LTE signal for voice calls can consume more power than working in 3G mode, especially in poor reception conditions. For users who spend a lot of time on trips or places with a weak signal, turning off this feature becomes a way to extend the Redmi 9’s life from a single charge.
Finally, there is a category of users who are just annoyed by the visual aspect of having extra icons in the status bar. While this seems like a trifle, for many it is important to have a clean and minimalist interface without the distracting HD or 4G+ indicators that can interfere with the review of notifications.
Standard way to disable through settings
The safest and easiest method to manage VoLTE function is in the standard smartphone settings menu. MIUI, The Redmi 9 system provides the user with direct access to the settings. SIM-However, the location of the switch may vary depending on the Android version and regional firmware.
First, you need to open the main menu and select Settings. Next, go to the section. SIM-maps and mobile networks. Here you'll see a list of installed SIM-Click on the one you want to change the settings for. In the menu that opens, find a switch called Use VoLTE or Calls over the network. LTE.
If the switch is active (blue or green), just tap it to deactivate.Then the HD icon should disappear from the top of the screen and the phone will go to 3G/2G standby for voice calls.In some cases, it may be necessary to reboot the device to apply the changes.
It is important to note that in newer versions of MIUI firmware, this switch can be hidden or blocked by the operator.If you do not find this option, this means that the settings are applied automatically based on the operator profile, and other methods will be required for manual control, described below.
Using the Engineering Menu for Hidden Settings
When standard methods fail, the Android Engineering Menu comes to the rescue, a hidden diagnostic interface designed to test hardware by engineers, but accessible to ordinary users, and accessed by a special code in the Phone app on Redmi 9.
Open the call app and dial ##4636##. If the code is correct, the menu will open automatically. You need to select Phone Information. In the settings list that opens, find the section related to network settings or VoLTE.
There may be a VoLTE Provisioned or Allow LTE switch, which allows you to force your phone to stop using LTE for voice calls, and be careful: changing other options in this menu can lead to loss of communication or unstable operation of the module.
It’s worth remembering that some global versions of MIUI may have code-based access to the engineering menu, so you can try using third-party applications like Activity Launcher to run hidden system activities, but this requires more in-depth knowledge.
⚠️ Never change parameters that you do not know the value of, especially those associated with a radio module or a radio module. IMEI. Careless actions in the engineering menu may lead to the need to flash the device.
Forced choice of network type
One of the most radical but effective ways to get rid of VoLTE is to prevent a phone from using 4G/LTE networks for voice communication by changing the preferred type of network.If the device does not connect to LTE, it will automatically switch to 3G (WCDMA) or 2G (GSM) for calls.
To do this, go to the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose yours. SIM-map → Network type. In the list of available options, select Preferred 3G (2G/3G) Or a similar item. This action will force you to shut down. LTE-sim-card.
This approach ensures that VoLTE is not activated, as the technology runs exclusively on top of the system. LTE. However, this method has a significant drawback: the speed of mobile Internet will significantly decrease, as you abandon high-speed Internet access. 4G-linkage.
This method is ideal for those who use a smartphone mainly for calls and SMS, or in regions where 4G coverage is available, but it is extremely unstable for voice communication and 3G is more stable.
☑️ Check before changing network settings
Comparison of network modes
To better understand the consequences of disabling VoLTE, it is useful to compare different modes of operation of the radio module. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, which affect the quality of communication and data transfer speed.
| Parameter | VoLTE (4G) | 3G (WCDMA) | 2G (GSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | High (HD) | Average. | Low. |
| Internet speed during a call | High (4G) | Low (fall to 3G/2G) | Very low (Edge) |
| Stability in the room | Depends on the operator. | More often. | Maximum |
| Battery consumption | Medium/High | Medium. | Low. |
As you can see from the table, turning off VoLTE puts the device into a mode where sound quality may be lower, but connection stability is often higher, a classic trade-off between modern technology and the time-tested reliability of old communication standards.
It’s also worth noting that when VoLTE is disabled during an incoming or outgoing call, the phone can briefly switch to 3G mode, even if you’re in a 4G confident reception zone. This phenomenon is called CSFB (Circuit Switched Fallback) and is normal behavior for networks without support for voice calls over LTE.
Why are operators imposing VoLTE?
Impact of operator settings
Remember that the network settings on Redmi 9 are often duplicated or overlapped by profiles that come from the carrier. SIM-The card phone can automatically download a configuration file that forcibly activates VoLTE.
If you disabled a feature in the menu but it turned on again after the reboot, it may be because of updating the operator profiles. Check Settings → About Phone → All Options → General Operator Name. Sometimes you can find additional settings here or see the activation status of services.
In some cases, you need to contact your carrier's support team, and a specialist can remotely disable the VoLTE service on the network side, which will prevent it from activating on any device, especially if the phone does not allow you to control the switch.
It is also useful to check for system updates. Sometimes Xiaomi will release patches that fix carrier-specific compatibility issues. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI to check for new versions of the software.
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If the VoLTE icon is missing but calls are still going through LTE (check the 4G indicator while you talk), try turning on flight mode for 10 seconds and then turning it off.
Possible problems and solutions
The process of disabling VoLTE on Xiaomi Redmi 9 can not go smoothly. Users often find that after turning off the function, the phone stops seeing the network or the icon returns by itself, this can be due to caching settings or software errors.
One common problem is when the phone stops receiving incoming calls after the VoLTE shutdown, which happens when the operator requires a mandatory LTE login to route the call, in which case the only option is to re-enable the function or change the tariff.
Another problem is sticking the 4G icon without the ability to access the Internet. This is solved by resetting the network settings. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will delete the stored Wi-Fi passwords.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your network settings does not delete personal data, photos or apps, but you will have to re-enter passwords from all Wi-Fi networks and reintroduce Bluetooth devices.
If nothing helps and the phone continues to behave incorrectly, you might want to consider installing a global firmware version if you're using the Chinese version, or vice versa. Global firmware often has more standard network settings adapted to international standards.
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If a standard shutdown doesn’t help, the most effective solution is to reset network settings or ask the operator to turn off server-side service.