A modern smartphone without access to the World Wide Web loses most of its functionality, turning into a regular “bell ringer” with an advanced alarm clock. Owners of the popular Xiaomi Mi 8 model often face the need to quickly and correctly adjust network settings after buying a new device, replacing it with a new one. SIM-map or factory reset. Correct configuration of access point APN is a key factor in ensuring stable connection and high data transfer speed in networks 4G.
Mobile traffic activation on MIUI devices is usually automated, but in some cases manual user intervention is required, which may be due to specific mobile operator, regional restrictions or software failures in the Android system. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps necessary to get your gadget back online.
Special attention should be paid to the correctness of the input parameters, since even one mistaken letter in the name of the access point can lead to a lack of connection. We will consider not only standard settings, but also ways to solve common problems when the network indicator is on, but the pages in the browser do not open. Following the instructions, you can diagnose and troubleshoot without going to the service center.
Initial preparation of SIM-card and tray
Before you go to the software settings in the menu of the smartphone, you need to make sure that the physical health and correct installation of the SIM card. Xiaomi Mi 8 is equipped with a hybrid tray, which requires care when installing media. Make sure that the Nano-SIM standard card is installed smoothly and the contacts are not damaged.
If you just got a new one. SIM-the card from the operator, it may require activation through a call or SMS Before you start surfing the Internet, it's also critical to check if your SIM card supports the technology. 3G and 4G, as the old standard cards 2G They will not be able to provide high-speed access.
When you install it, pay attention to the position of the chip: it should fit tightly to the tray contacts. A loose fit often causes periodic connection breaks when the phone sees the network, it loses it. If the card is old and has signs of severe wear, it is better to replace it in the cabin of the operator.
- 📱 Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1, if you plan to use it as a primary for the Internet.
- 🔒 Check if it's taken. PIN-code from the card, or remember it, as the system may request it when downloading.
- 📶 Make sure your area has coverage of the network of the operator of choice, especially if you are roaming.
⚠️ Attention: Don't try to insert SIM-If the card doesn't come in freely, you may be using the wrong size or inserting it with the wrong side, which can damage the contacts inside the smartphone.
After you physically install, turn on the device and wait for the network signal to appear. If the 4G or H+ icons appear in the status bar, then the base connection to the tower is established, and you can proceed to configure the data parameters.
Activation of data transfer in the settings menu
The first software step is to enable mobile traffic, and in the MIUI shell, you can do this in two ways: through the Quick Access Panel or through the main settings menu, and most users use the notification curtain by swiping from top to bottom.
If you can't turn the Internet on through the curtain or the icon doesn't activate, you should go to the deep menu. Find Settings, then select the section SIM-Maps and mobile networks, and this shows all the maps installed and their status.
In this section, you need to find the Use Mobile Data switch and activate it. SIM-Network mode selected preferred 4G or 4G/3G/2G. If there is a regime "Only" 2G», High-speed internet will not work.
Often, the slider is turned on, but the Internet is not working, in which case you can switch the network mode to 3G Only, wait for the signal to appear, and then return it back to 4G. This action will force the device to re-register in the operator's network.
- 📶 Check if data roaming is activated if you are outside the operator’s home network.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after turning on all the switches to apply the changes.
- 📉 Keep track of traffic consumption in the same menu to avoid unexpected charge-offs.
Once you do this, the status bar data icon should be active, and if there is an icon but the sites are not loading, the problem lies in the access point settings, which we will discuss later.
Manually configuring the APN access point
The most common reason for the lack of Internet when a signal is present is the incorrect or missing configuration of the APN access point (Access Point Name), which usually comes automatically in the form of SMS from the operator, but sometimes they have to be entered manually.
To access the settings, go on the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks. Choose yours. SIM-map, then click on the Access Point (APN). In the list that opens, you'll see current profiles. If the list is empty or the settings are incorrect, you need to create a new profile.
Click the New Access Point or Plus button in the corner of the screen, and you will see a form where you need to enter data provided by your carrier, which can be found on the operator's official website or obtained from support.
Name: MTS Internet
APN: internet.mts.ru
User name: mts
Password: mts
Type of authentication: PAP or CHAP
Type APN: default,suplNote that for different operators, the field names may be the same, but the values will be different. For example, for Beeline, the APN field often spells Internet.beeline.ru, and for Megafon, Internet. After you enter all the data, be sure to save the profile and select it by setting a marker next to the name.
- ✍️ Enter data carefully, observing the register of letters, although in most cases the system is not register sensitive.
- 💾 After creating a new access point, be sure to restart the smartphone.
- 🗑️ If you have created many extra profiles, delete them so that the system does not try to use non-working settings.
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Save a screenshot of your carrier’s APN settings to the cloud drive or send it to your messenger, which will allow you to quickly restore the Internet in the event of a phone reset.
A properly configured access point is the foundation of a stable connection. If the Internet does not appear after saving and restarting, check whether the created profile is selected as active (green dot burns or checks the box).
Checking the balance and tariff plan
Even perfect technical settings won’t help if you don’t have money or traffic limits, and modern tariffs often have a limit on high-speed Internet, after which the speed can drop to a minimum or access is completely blocked.
Check the status of your tariff through the official application of the operator or dial USSD-Make sure that the mobile Internet service is active in your tariff. At some archival rates, network access may be closed by default.
Also, you should pay attention to the possibility of blocking by the operator due to suspicious activity or non-payment, sometimes the lock is not removed immediately, even after replenishing the account, in such cases, the temporary activation of the flight mode helps.
| Operator. | Balance check team | Traffic check team | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | *100# | *100*102# | Auto-renewal of packages |
| Beeline | *102# | *102*20# | Family access |
| Megaphone | *100# | *100*3# | Unlimited options |
| Tele2 | *105# | *105*6# | Options Market |
If the balance is positive and traffic is not exhausted, and the Internet does not work, perhaps the problem lies in linking the service to a particular device (IMEI). Some operators are blocking SIM-A card when you change your device abruptly, and that's solved by a call for support.
⚠️ Note: When using unlimited rates to distribute Internet to other devices (modem mode), the operator may limit speed or block access.
In some cases, operators are carrying out maintenance work on towers or upgrading equipment, usually reported on the operator's website or news, and if the problem is widespread, we can only wait.
Resetting network settings and additional parameters
If manually configuring APN and checking the balance did not work, you should use the network reset function, which will return all parameters of mobile communication, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to factory values, removing possible software errors.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or Advanced Settings) → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Press Reset and confirm action. The smartphone can reboot.
Once you reboot, the phone will look for the network as a new device, and you'll need to re-enter the Wi-Fi passwords, but the access point settings are often automatically reloaded, and this is an effective method of treating the radio module's "glitch."
☑️ Actions in network resetting
Also in the hidden engineering menu, you can check the status of the IMEI and the radio module. Type ##4636## in the dialer. Select "Phone Information" and see if the phone is logged in and what type of connection is being used.
- 🔍 In the test menu, check if the mode is "Only" GSM», if you want 4G.
- 📡 Make sure that the “Set up your preferred network type” line is selected LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM or LTE.
- 📶 If IMEI displayed as “Null” or “Unknown”, the problem may be hardware or firmware-related.
You should not use the engineering menu often unnecessarily, because changing certain parameters can lead to unstable communication, but this tool is very useful for diagnosing Internet problems.
Solving common problems with 4G/LTE
One of the common problems with the Xiaomi Mi 8 is when the phone “sees” 4G, but the connection speed is extremely low or the pages do not load at all, this can be due to overloading towers or the wrong choice of frequencies.
Try to switch the network type manually through the engineering menu or standard means, making the phone only work in 3G, and then return 4G. Sometimes it helps to turn off and turn on the flight mode for 10-15 seconds, which causes the modem to reconnect to the nearest and less busy tower.
If problems are only seen in certain applications, check the network access settings for each. MIUI has a traffic saving feature that can block the internet for background applications.
Secret code for resetting radio module settings
It’s also worth checking if you have modified firmware or third-party firewalls that can block the connection, and owners of global firmware versions are less likely to experience frequency compatibility issues than users of Chinese versions.
In rare cases, the problem is that the antenna is mechanically damaged after a fall, and if the phone is dropped and then 4G is lost, even though 2G is working, the antenna plume may have gone, in which case only disassembly and reconnection or repair in the service will help.
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If resetting network settings and flashing doesn’t help, but on other devices SIM-map works – high probability of hardware malfunction of the antenna module Xiaomi Mi 8.