How to switch Xiaomi from 4G to 3G: Step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the device in certain locations stubbornly clings to the fourth-generation network, even if the signal there is unstable, which leads to rapid battery discharge and constant connection breaks. In such cases, it is necessary to forcely switch the modem modem from the 4G/LTE more stable 3G or 2G.

The MIUI operating system on which modern Redmi and POCO are based hides the ability to manually select a communication standard from a regular menu by default, which is designed to simplify the interface, but makes life difficult for users in areas of poor coverage. Fortunately, there are proven methods to circumvent this restriction without obtaining root rights.

In this article, we will discuss in detail several ways to change the priority of networks: you will learn how to use hidden engineering menus, system settings and third-party utilities. Changing the mode to 3G can significantly increase battery life in an environment where 4G catches “in one division.”

Why you should switch to 3G forcing

The main reason users are looking for a way to turn off LTE is energy saving: When a smartphone is at the edge of coverage, its radio module starts operating at maximum power, trying to hold down a weak 4G signal. This causes the case to heat up and a rapid loss of battery power.

In addition, in some regions, the infrastructure of third-generation networks (UMTS/HSPA+) is better developed and works more stable than congested 4G towers. Switching allows for more confident voice communication and stable Internet for instant messengers, even if the speed of loading pages will be lower.

Also worth noting is the roaming situation: when traveling abroad, mobile Internet tariffs on networks 4G It may be much higher, or SIM-The operator card may not support local standards LTE. In such cases, manual transfer to the mode 3G Preferred is the only way out.

Method through CIT's Hidden Engineering Menu

The fastest and most reliable way to do this without additional software is to use Xiaomi’s built-in engineering menu, which is designed to test hardware components, but also allows you to control the radio module.

To enter the menu, you need to open the standard "ringer" and type a special code. Note that on different versions of MIUI, the command set may vary slightly, but the main code is universal. Once you enter the last character, the menu will open automatically.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• 📞 Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
• 📱 In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information).
• 📶 Find the drop-down list “Set Preferred Network Type).
• 🔽 Choose an option containing WCDMA preferably 3G preferred.

It is important to understand that after rebooting the device, the settings in this menu can be reset to automatic. If you need to constantly switch, this method will have to be used every time you turn on the smartphone, or use more advanced methods described below.

Use of Activity Launcher App

If the engineering menu doesn’t open or doesn’t have the right item, Activity Launcher will come to the rescue.This system application allows you to run hidden Android activities that are usually not available to the user through the standard interface.

First, you need to download and install APK-Launcher file from a trusted source. Once installed, launch the application and wait until all system processes are scanned.

Next, follow the following steps:

1. In the search inside the application, type the word “Radio” or “Network”.
2. Find the item on the list that relates to mobile network settings (often called Call Settings or has an antenna icon).
3. In the menu that opens, find the section “Preferred network type”.
4. Change the value to 3G (WCDMA) only or 3G/2G.

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When using Activity Launcher, be careful: running unknown system activities can cause the interface to work unstable.

The advantage of this method is that it works even on versions of MIUI where the manufacturer has blocked access to the engineering menu through code. The app simply opens the same system dialog, but bypasses the restriction on displaying the icon in the launcher.

Customization through ADB-team-up

For users who aren’t afraid of the command line, the most flexible tool is Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to send direct commands to the system without going through the GUI, and is especially useful if you need to automate a process or menu hidden.

Before you start, you need to activate the USB debugging mode in the Developer menu. Then connect the smartphone to your computer and make sure the drivers are installed. The switching command is as follows:

adb shell svc prefer 3g

However, in modern versions of Android, the direct command svc may not work without root rights, in which case you can use a more complex path through hidden devices. API, But it requires knowing the exact preference value for your modem, and often just selecting the right item on the menu that you call up through the modem is enough. ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings$PreferredNetworkTypeActivity

Use of the ADB It gives you maximum control, but it requires caution. SIM-map before rebooting. Always have a reboot button on hand.

Comparison of network modes

So to make an informed decision about which mode to choose, let's compare the basic characteristics of the available communication standards, and understanding the difference between them will help you avoid situations where the Internet is "lost" altogether.

As you can see from the table, 3G is the middle ground, and HSPA+ is fast enough for navigation, social media, and even HD video, while power consumption is much lower than LTE. 2G mode should only be used in extreme environments where voice is the only thing you need.

VoLTE is also worth mentioning, because if your carrier supports 4G voice, switching to 3G can make it impossible to talk and use the Internet at the same time, and 3G networks only allow HSPA+.

Possible problems and solutions

After the network standard is forced to switch, users may face a number of specific problems, most often due to the operator's base station not having time to reconfigure or reconfigure. SIM-The card has old settings.

⚠️ Attention: If, after switching to 3G Internet is missing, check the settings of the access point (APN). Sometimes 3G other parameters than for 4G, Although 99% of the time they are identical.

Another common problem is jumping between standards: the phone can see a weak 4G signal and constantly try to switch to it, ignoring your settings, in which case only 3G Only mode (WCDMA Only) helps, which completely disables the LTE module.

• 📶 No signal: Try to extract SIM-map, wipe the contacts and paste back.
• 📶 Internet is not working: Turn on and off the Reim flight for 10 seconds.
• 📶 Settings reset: If nothing helps, reset the network settings in the Settings menu → Connections and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.

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The most common reason for failure is the old APN settings, so save them with a screenshot or copy the data before experimenting with the network.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the SIM-If she's more than that. 5-7 It may not work properly with modern encryption standards in networks. 3G. Replacing the SIM in the operator cabin often solves the problem of unstable connection.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions