In modern conditions, the coverage of networks of the fourth generation covers almost all major cities, but the owners of smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi often face a situation where the speed of the network is very high. LTE It becomes unstable or inaccessible in certain locations, and in such cases, the device begins to constantly search for a signal, which leads to a critical battery consumption and heating of the housing. 3G (or UMTS/HSPA+) allows you to stabilize the connection, provide more confident reception in areas of weak signal and significantly extend the battery life of the gadget.
The MIUI shell interface or the new HyperOS by default hides the ability to manually select the preferred network type, leaving the user only the “Auto” mode. This is done to simplify interaction with the device, but experienced users and specialists often require more subtle control over the radio module. In this article, we will discuss in detail the safe methods of changing the priority of networks, including the use of engineering menus and third-party utilities that do not require root rights.
Before you start manipulating, it’s important to understand that reducing data speeds to third-generation standards is a deliberate compromise for the sake of voice stability or energy savings. If you’re in a zone of confident LTE reception, but the Internet is slow due to base station congestion, switching to 3G may be the only working solution for basic tasks such as navigation or instant messengers.
Why you should switch to 3G: an analysis of the benefits
The main reason Xiaomi users are looking for a way to turn off 4G is because of the physics of radio waves. LTE operates at higher frequencies, which are worse at penetrating thick walls, metal structures, and other rooms. When a smartphone is on the edge of coverage, it starts frantically switching between 4G and 3G in an attempt to hold a connection. This process, known as handover, consumes a tremendous amount of power.
Lower frequencies used in third-generation networks have better penetration. By forcing UMTS or HSPA+ to prioritize, you force the modem to ignore the weak LTE signal and hold onto a stable, albeit slower, 3G. This is especially true in rural areas, in older buildings with thick walls, or in basements where the display on the screen is constantly jumping.
In addition, in some regions, operators still use 3G networks to ensure the quality of voice calls (CSFB technology), since VoLTE (LTE voice) is not configured by all providers or is not supported by a tariff. If your Redmi constantly drops calls when 4G is turned on, switching to 3G may be the only way to restore normal telephone service without losing batch data.
Standard network settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Before resorting to hidden menus, you need to check the standard features of the system. In the latest versions of Xiaomi firmware, the company gradually removes the ability to manually select the type of network from the usual interface, but in some models this functionality is still preserved. To check, go to the Settings section, then select the item SIM-maps and mobile networks.
Here you need to choose an active SIM card if there are two, and find Network Type or Preferred Network Type. If the dropdown list has 3G Only or 3G Preference option, the problem is solved. However, in 90% of cases, modern Redmi only offer a choice between 5G/4G/3G/2G (auto) and 2G Only. The absence of an intermediate option is a software limitation of the shell.
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If the standard menu does not have a 3G Only option, don’t try to find this option in other settings sections – it is software hidden by the developers of MIUI for ordinary users.
It is worth noting that on some global versions of firmware menus may differ from Chinese counterparts. If you have a global version of MIUI Global, the probability of having a manual switch is lower than on the Chinese version of China ROM. In any case, if the standard methods of switching failed, you will have to use the engineering menu, which is a universal tool for all Android smartphones.
Using an engineering menu to change the type of network
The Engineering Mode is a hidden partition of the system designed to test equipment and set up radio modules in the factory, which can be accessed on Xiaomi via a standard dial. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##4636##. If the code works, the hidden Verification menu will immediately open.
In the list that opens, select Phone Information. Here is the setting: Set Preferred Network Type. In the drop-down list, you will see many options that include the acronyms LTE, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA and GSM. To go to 3G, you need to select the option that contains WCDMA (for European standard networks) without mentioning LTE.
☑️ Check before changing network settings
It's important to pick the right parameter from the list. WCDMA Only (Only) 3G) or WCDMA Preferred (preferred) 3G). After selecting this item, the smartphone will instantly reconnect to the network, and the icon 4G/LTE status bar shift 3G or+. If after selecting the settings, the network is completely lost, then there is no coverage in your location. 3G, And you have to choose the mode. WCDMA/GSM, So the phone can switch to 2G absent 3G.
⚠️ Note: Do not select parameters that contain «NR» (New Radio, if you don’t want to use it 5G, and avoid options «LTE Only" if you are in a poor coverage area, as this can lead to a complete loss of communication and the possibility of emergency calls.
Alternative method through Force LTE Only
On some new Redmi models with Android 11, 12 and above, the standard engineering menu code ##4636### can be blocked by the manufacturer or operator, in which case specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue, which use the same system APIs to access the radio module settings. One of the most popular and proven solutions is the Force LTE Only application (4G/5G).
After installing and running the app, you will be offered two working methods: "Method 1: Android 11" and "Method 2: Android 10 and older." For modern Xiaomi, the first method is usually suitable. The app will open the same engineering menu as mentioned above, but will do this bypassing dial lock. The interface will be identical: find the drop-down list and select WCDMA Only.
Security of Third Party Applications
The advantage of using such utilities is convenience: the app widget can be brought to the desktop and switch between 4G and 3G in one click, without typing codes every time. This is especially convenient for users who often move between areas with different coverage and want to quickly change the modem modem to save battery.
Comparison of Communication Standards: What to Choose
Understanding the differences between communication standards will help you make informed decisions based on the current situation. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the networks available on Xiaomi smartphones.
| Characteristics | 2G (GSM/EDGE) | 3G (UMTS/HSPA+) | 4G (LTE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | up to 0.4 Mbps | up to 42 Mbps | up to 1 Gbps |
| Stability in the building | Tall. | Medium/High | Low/Mediocre |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | Moderate. | High (when searching) |
| Quality of calls | Low. | Average. | High (VoLTE) |
As you can see from the table, 3G is the middle ground, providing speeds that are good enough to navigate, listen to music and video calls in average quality, while consuming significantly less power than LTE’s constant search mode. However, 3G may not be enough to watch 4K videos or download heavy files.
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The ideal 3G scenario is to work in an office with a bad signal, to save charge at night, or to be in an area where 4G is available, but it is unstable.
It’s also worth mentioning that disabling 4G can affect some services, such as multimedia messaging (MMS) or group chats in instant messengers can take longer to load, but for most tasks like messaging on Telegram or WhatsApp, the difference in speed between 3G and 4G in real use is almost imperceptible due to the small amount of data being transferred.
Possible problems and solutions
After the forced switch to WCDMA You may encounter a situation where the internet has stopped working, although the icon 3G It's burning. It often means that the access point settings (APN) The parameters are specified only for 4G. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) and try to reset to standard settings or select your operator’s access point with the Internet prefix rather than lte.
Another common problem is that you can't have outgoing calls. 3G You can't call, check if Data Only or similar restriction is enabled. SIM-The card supports the work of networks 3G (All modern cards are supported, but old ones can be stitched under the 2G/4G).
⚠️ Note: If you have accidentally chosen the "only" mode GSM» (2G) You lose communication, and the menu is not available, just restart the device. When you boot, the smartphone will reset the temporary settings of the radio module and return to automatic network selection.
In rare cases, especially on custom firmware, settings can get stuck. If a standard reboot doesn't help, try turning on Flight Mode for 10-15 seconds and then turning it off, which will force the device to re-register on the network with new parameters.
The Impact of Network Mode on Autonomy
Many users underestimate the impact of network type on Redmi's lifetime. 4G/LTE with active search for a signal or in the area of uncertain reception can consume up to 30-40% More power than a module 3G. This is due to more complex signal encoding algorithms and higher frequency of base station surveys.
Tests show that in a remote zone where 4G catches 1-2 divisions, switching to 3G can increase the standby time of a smartphone by 5-8 hours. For those who use the phone as a navigator in a car or on a hike, where every minute matters, this can be a salvation.
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For maximum energy savings at night, when the Internet is not needed, it is better not just to switch to 3G, but completely turn off data transmission or turn on the Do not disturb mode with a restriction of background activity.
However, if you are in a 4G confident area, the difference in consumption will be minimal, since the module is running normally without overloading, so switching only makes sense when you see the network indicator jumps or feel the heating of the bottom of the smartphone where the modem is located.