Owners of Xiaomi brand devices often face situations where automatic network type selection is not the optimal solution. In some regions, fourth-generation coverage may be unstable or completely absent, leading to permanent connection breaks. Forced switching to a third-generation standard allows you to stabilize voice communication and save battery power.
Modern smartphones tend to reach the Internet's maximum speed by default, ignoring the quality of voice calls. If you're in the zone of weak LTE signal, the phone will constantly try to catch the network, wasting energy. Switching to WCDMA or GSM solves the problem of "jumping" indicator of communication.
This procedure does not require root rights or complex software, and all the necessary tools are already built into the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Below we will discuss in detail the regular methods and hidden features of the engineering menu for managing network modules.
Why you might need to shut down 4G
The main reason for the move to older communication standards is poor coverage of operators in remote locations. 4G It has a shorter wavelength than 3G, So it's worse at penetrating thick walls and terrain, and it can show the full scale, but it's not as good at that_calls_ will break off.
The second important aspect is power consumption: the communication module is in a constant search mode for the best base station if the signal is weak, which leads to a rapid discharge of the battery, even if the screen is turned off. Forced 3G only mode reduces the load on the radio module.
⚠️ Attention: Forced switching to 3G This method will significantly reduce the speed of mobile Internet, and only use it if the stability of voice communication is more important to you than the speed of loading web pages.
There are also scenarios where the old ones SIM-The cards are not working properly on the next generation of networks. UMTS or GSM This is especially true for low-end phone models, where the antenna module may be less sensitive.
Standard method through MIUI settings
The safest and easiest method is available to every user without the risk of damaging the system. The MIUI shell interface allows you to flexibly manage your network preferences. To start, open the main menu and find Settings.
Next, we need to move to the section. SIM-Select an active SIM card if you have two. In the menu that opens, find Preferred Network Type. Here you will find several options, among which you will need to choose. 3G or preferably 3G.
After selecting the setting, the phone will restart the communication module. The indicator at the top of the screen will change from 4G or LTE to H+ or 3G. If after a few seconds the icon returned to 4G, then in your zone the fourth generation coverage is very powerful and the phone automatically returns to it.
☑️ Checking network settings
Some versions of the firmware may not have a direct 3G button, in which case the system will prioritize 3G, but with a strong signal can switch to 4G for background tasks, a behavior that is laid down by Qualcomm or MediaTek algorithms.
Using an engineering menu to change the network
If the standard settings don't work, you can use the hidden engineering menu, which is designed for testing equipment by engineers, but is also available to ordinary users. To log in, open the Phone app and type the combination ##4636##.
Once you enter the last digit, the menu will open automatically. Select Phone Information. Find a drop-down list called Set up your preferred network type. This list contains many codes that meet different communication standards.
To force only the third generation, select WCDMA only. If you want a mode where 3G is a priority but 2G is allowed as a backup, select WCDMA preferred. Changes take effect instantly, without the need to reboot the device.
| Regime code | Description of the standard | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| NR only | Only 5G. | Testing of new generation networks |
| LTE only | Only 4G. | Stable Internet without calls (VoLTE) |
| WCDMA only | Only 3G. | Stable voice communication in the village |
| GSM only | Only 2G. | Savings on charge, only calls and SMS |
⚠️ Warning: Don't choose the mode WCDMA Only if your carrier does not support voice calls on the network 3G In your area, otherwise incoming calls may not be available.
Setup for MediaTek and Qualcomm processors
Xiaomi smartphones are available on different platforms, and access to hidden settings may vary. On devices with MediaTek processors, an advanced engineering menu is often available. It may require the installation of a special application to activate it, since standard code can be blocked by the operator.
For Qualcomm processors, the standard code ##4636## works most of the time, but newer versions of Android may not allow it, so you can try to type in the code ##3646633##, which opens the EngineerMode menu.
In the engineering test menu, go to the Telephony tab, where you can find more detailed radio settings, the Network Selecting section allows you to manually select the operator and network type, which is useful if the phone is clinging to a weak roaming signal instead of a powerful home tower.