How to switch from 4G to 3G on Xiaomi phone: all the ways and nuances

Moving from the current 4G (LTE) standard to the legacy 3G (UMTS) may seem like a strange step in the era of high-speed Internet, but there are good reasons for this decision. Xiaomi smartphone owners (including Redmi and POCO sub-brands) often face the need to force a switch to 3G due to coverage issues, battery savings or the specific requirements of some applications. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to change the network mode from standard settings to hidden engineering menus.

It's important to understand that the MIUI interface has undergone significant changes in recent years. Instructions that worked on MIUI 10 may not be suitable for MIUI 14 or HyperOS. We've taken these nuances into account and prepared universal solutions that are relevant to most models of 2018-2026 release. If your phone is released before 2018, some menu items may differ, we'll mention this too.

Before you start setting up, check two key points: first, whether your Xiaomi supports 3G network (some budget models may not have a 3G module), and second, whether your carrier provides communication in this standard. For example, in Russia, since 2026, some operators have begun to turn off 3G networks in certain regions, replacing them with 4G/5G.

Why you need to switch from 4G to 3G

At first glance, it seems counterintuitive to abandon high-speed internet, but there are situations where 3G is preferable:

• 📶 Weak signal. 4G: In remote areas or buildings with thick walls 4G It can be unstable, but it can be 3G It provides a more stable, albeit slow, connection.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Module 4G It consumes 15-30% more energy than 3G. When using the mobile Internet, switching to 3G Can extend the phone’s life by 2-4 hours.
• 📞 Problems with voice calls: In networks 4G It uses VoLTE technology for calls, which doesn't always work properly. 3G Calls are made according to the classical scheme (CSFB), which eliminates the problem of cliffs.
• 🎮 Compatibility with older devices: Some gadgets (e.g. car recorders or GPS-Trackers require a phone connection via 3G-modem.
• 💰 Traffic savings: On 3G It is more difficult to accidentally download large files or view high-resolution videos, which is important for users with limited tariffs.

Interestingly, in some countries (such as India), operators are still actively using 3G to cover remote regions where 4G deployment is unprofitable, so manufacturers, including Xiaomi, continue to support this standard even in new models.

⚠️ Note: If your phone is released after 2022 (like the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12), check the specifications on the official website. 3G favorably 5G and 4G.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for most models)

The easiest method is to use built-in firmware options, which is suitable for 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices on MIUI 11-14 and HyperOS.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to SIM cards and mobile networks (or Mobile network in older versions of MIUI).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to change your settings for (if you have two SIMs).
4. Tap on Network Type (in some firmware it may be called Preferred Network Type or Network Mode).
5. In the menu, select one of the options: 3G (or WCDMA/UMTS) — compulsory regime; 3G/2G (car - priority 3G, but with a fall on 2G absent-signal; 2G/3G (car - priority 2G, what is not appropriate for our task.

Save the changes and restart the phone (required!).

After rebooting the status bar (top right corner of the screen), 3G or H+ (enhanced 3G) should appear instead of the 4G or LTE icon. If this does not happen, check if the settings after the reboot have reset, which is a rare but possible MIUI error.

Make sure you select "Only 3G" mode in the settings |Reboot your phone | Check the network icon in the status bar | Run a speed test (e.g., via Ookla) | Try making a stability check call-->

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

If standard settings don’t work (e.g., 3G Only is missing), you can use a hidden engineering menu that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, but you need to be careful that wrong actions can disrupt the network.

Instructions for entering the engineering menu:

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## Some models may have an alternative code: ##36446337###
3. After entering, the Testing menu will open. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information in English firmware).
4. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
5. Select WCDMA only (this is 3G).
6. Go back and restart the phone.

Example of settings via Network Signal Guru:

1. Install the app from Google Play (root required).
2. Start it and give root access.
3. Go to the Network Type tab.
4. Select WCDMA only (3G) or GSM/WCDMA auto (3G/2G).
5. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

The advantage of this method is that it can be fine-tuned, for example, by blocking a specific 4G frequency that doesn’t work well in your region, leaving only stable 3G bands.

⚠️ Note: Using root applications may violate security policies MIUI And it can cause you to lose your warranty, and it can cause you to have incorrect settings. IMSI-Departure (loss of registration in the network), which will require flashing the phone.

Problems after switching to 3G and their solutions

Even after a successful switch, you may encounter problems, and consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

If you notice that the battery is discharged faster than 4G after switching to 3G, this may indicate two problems:

1. The phone is constantly trying to find a 4G network (even in 3G Only mode) Solution: reset the network settings or use the engineering menu to force a 4G shutdown.
2. Weak 3G signals make the module work at the maximum power. Solution: check the signal level in the Signal Strength menu. If it's below -100 dBm, you'd better go back to 4G.

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If mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) have stopped working after switching to 3G, check the security settings in the banking app. Some banks block transactions when the network type changes.

How to bring back 4G after experimenting with 3G

If you’ve switched to 3G for a while and now want to go back to 4G, do the following:

1. Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Network type.
2. Choose 4G/3G/2G (auto) or LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto.
3. Reboot the phone.

If 4G is not restored:

• Check if the option is turned on (in some firmware it is turned off when you change the type of network).
• Update your phone’s firmware – sometimes network issues are solved with newer versions of MIUI.
• Reset network settings through Settings → Memory → Reset settings → Reset network settings.

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) post-return 4G You may need to re-activate eSIM (if you use it). → Mobile network → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Addition of eSIM.

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If after all the manipulations 4G It never worked, check if you have the mode "Saving traffic" in the settings. SIM-It can block the connection to the map. LTE.

FAQ: Frequent questions about switching between 3G and 4G