Setup of mobile Internet on Xiaomi Redmi: from SIM to 4G

A modern smartphone is impossible to imagine without access to the world wide web, and for owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices, the first priority is often a competent data transmission setup. SIM-The Internet does not work automatically, requiring manual intervention in system parameters, this can be caused by the absence of pre-set operator profiles, and failures in the shell software. MIUI or a new HyperOS.

In this guide, we will look at all the steps in activating mobile traffic, from the physical installation of the card to fine-tuning the APN access points. You will learn how to choose the right type of network to ensure maximum connection speed, and what to do if the 4G indicator is on, but the pages do not load. Understanding these processes will allow you to avoid unnecessary calls to support and yourself to fix most typical faults.

Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that the physical connection of the SIM card is correct. Often Internet problems on Xiaomi Redmi arise from oxidation of contacts or improper positioning of the chip in the tray. Make sure that the card is inserted before the click, and its golden contacts are clean and have no visible damage.

Primary inspection SIM-card-slots

The first step in diagnosis should always be to check the status of the SIM card in the system. On Xiaomi devices with two slots, it is common to see a situation where the Internet is assigned to a card that does not have an active tariff plan or balance. Go to the settings and carefully check which slot is chosen for data transfer by default.

The MIUI shell allows you to flexibly manage SIM cards, assigning one for calls and another for the Internet. If you just inserted a new card, the system can request confirmation of its use. In some rare cases, you need to reboot the device in order for the modem to correctly read the operator's data and register with the network.

If you only see a G or E icon, you can see that the phone is running in EDGE or GPRS mode, where data rates are extremely low, and if you want to work properly, you need to switch to 3G, H+ or 4G/LTE.

⚠️ Note: If the status bar displays a crossed-out SIM card icon or the words "No service", do not immediately try to change the settings. APN. First, make sure that SIM-active, not blocked PIN-The phone and the code support your operator’s frequencies.

It's also worth checking if In-Aircraft mode is on, which shuts down all wireless modules completely. Sometimes this mode can stick to software, and turning it back on and off helps reset network login errors. Make sure the mobile network slider in the notification curtain is activated.

Activation of data transfer in MIUI settings

After a physical check, we move to the software part. In Xiaomi smartphones, mobile Internet management is placed in a separate menu, accessed through the main settings of the system. Navigation may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same for all models of the Redmi series.

You need to open the Settings menu and find the section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks. In some versions of the interface, this item may be called simply Mobile Network or located inside the Connectivity and Sharing tab. This is where the key switches that control the modem operate.

Inside the SIM management menu, find Use the Mobile Network (or Mobile Internet) and activate it. If you have two SIM cards installed, you will see the Mobile Internet option below, where you need to specify the specific slot (SIM 1 or SIM 2) through which you will access the network.

• 📱 Make sure the mobile internet switch is lit blue, which signals its active state.
• 🔄 When changing the main SIM For the Internet, the system can automatically reconfigure some parameters, but requires confirmation.
• ⚙️ The menu is often available under the "Use" option. LTE", which must also be included for the work 4G.
• 📶 Check if data roaming is activated if you are outside the operator’s home network.

It is important to note that some global versions of MIUI firmware may have a restriction on LTE usage in certain regions. If you can't enable 4G, it may be worth checking the region of the device in the Additional -> Region settings, setting up India or Singapore, for example, which will sometimes unlock hidden modem features.

Manually configuring the APN access point

The most common reason for the lack of Internet access when a signal is present is an incorrect or missing access point. APN (Access Point Name is the gateway through which your device connects to the operator's network. Usually, settings come automatically from the operator's network. SMS-message, but in case of failures, they must be manually written.

To enter the settings menu, go on the Settings path -> SIM-maps and mobile networks -> select the desired SIM card -> Access points (APN). In the list that opens, you'll see current profiles. If the list is empty or the Internet is not working, click the button. + (New access point) or menu icon in lower right corner.

When creating a new profile, the APN field (Access Point) must be entered into the APN field (often simply “internet”, “mts”, “beeline” or “tele2”), and the remaining fields, such as username and password, are often left blank unless the operator has otherwise done so.

Once you have entered all the parameters, be sure to click the More button (three dots in the corner) and select Save. You can't just go back without saving, all the data you enter will be lost. Then select the profile you created by clicking on the circle next to it to activate it.

Selection of preferred network type

The quality and speed of mobile Internet depends on the chosen communication standard. In the menu, the preferred network type (located in the same section of the SIM card settings), the user can set the modem's priority mode. For modern Redmi smartphones, the optimal choice is the LTE mode.

If you’re in an area with unstable coverage, the phone can constantly “jump” between 4G and 3G, leading to connection breaks and increased battery consumption, in which case it makes sense to force the device to 3G mode (WCDMA/GSM), which will provide a more stable, albeit slower connection that is better suited for navigation or background synchronization.

Note that choosing LTE only mode can cause incoming calls to stop coming if your carrier does not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology or it is not configured on the device, in which case the phone simply cannot switch to 2G/3G for voice calls.

• 🚀 LTE/4G — maximum speed, suitable for streaming and downloading files.
• 📡 3G/WCDMA — stable coverage in rural areas and buildings with thick walls.
• 📞 2G/EDGE — only for emergencies when other networks are not available.
• ⚖️ Auto – The phone chooses the best network, but can spend more energy on constant search.

To force 4G on some Xiaomi models, there is a hidden engineering menu. To get there, type ##4636##. From the menu that opens, select Phone Information and from the Set Preferred Network Type drop-down list, select LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA/CDMA EvDo/GSM/WCDMA.

⚠️ Note: Use code ##4636## and select mode"LTE Only" can cause total loss of voice communication if the operator does not support VoLTE. Use this method only for speed testing or in areas where the operator is not able to use the service. 4G Yes, but the phone doesn’t want to switch to it.

Reset network settings and eliminate errors

If all settings are correct, but the Internet on Xiaomi Redmi never worked, you should resort to more radical measures. Often, software errors accumulate in the system that interfere with the correct operation of network modules. Network resets return all connection parameters to factory values, removing stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but without affecting the user’s personal data.

Resets can be done via the Settings menu -> Connection and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI). Once confirmed, the phone will reboot and you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords, but APN settings are often restored automatically.

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Before resetting your network settings, take a screenshot of the current APN settings if specific corporate settings have been made there so as not to lose them irretrievably.

Another effective method is to temporarily switch to flight mode for 10-15 seconds, which causes the modem to completely disconnect and re-enter the network by requesting current parameters from the base station, a simple but effective way to shake up the connection.

In rare cases, the problem may lie in the incompatibility of the old SIM-cards with modern encryption standards, if your SIM is more 5-7 In the years, it makes sense to contact the operator for a free replacement with a new one with support. 4G and USIM.

Optimizing traffic and saving charge

After successfully setting up the Internet on Xiaomi, you should think about optimizing your consumption. The MIUI shell has powerful traffic control tools that allow you to limit the background activity of applications, which not only saves money, but also prolongs battery life.

The Security app (green lightning icon) has a Data Transfer section, where you can deny specific applications access to mobile Internet, leaving them only Wi-Fi. It is also useful to activate the Restrict Background Data Feed for heavy applications that do not require a permanent online connection.

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Competent setting of traffic restrictions in MIUI can reduce mobile Internet consumption by up to 30% without compromising the comfort of using a smartphone.

Remember to check data usage statistics periodically. A spike in consumption may indicate a malfunction of an application or malware. Set your traffic limit in your settings so that your phone alerts you to approaching the tariff limit or automatically shuts down the Internet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)