How to change the mode of mobile network on Xiaomi: from 2G before 5G

Change the mode of the mobile network on Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphones POCO — It's a simple but critical setup that affects Internet speed, connection stability, and even battery life. 4G can eliminate problems with switching between standards, and disabling 5G This will save up to 15 percent of your daily charge, and many users have been using factory settings for years, without even knowing that their smartphone supports more modern (or, conversely, energy-efficient) modes.

In this article you will find the relevant instructions for MIUI 12–14 (including global and Chinese firmware, understand the differences between standards 2G/3G/4G/5G, And you can also learn how to get around common mistakes, like when you lose your mobile Internet after a regime change, or your smartphone hangs around finding your network. 11T Pro (5G) before the budget Redmi 10A (only 4G), Instructions are suitable for 90% brand.

Why to change the network mode Xiaomi: 5 real reasons

Most users never look into mobile network settings, believing that the smartphone “knows” which standard to use. 4G/5G) It's not always optimal. Here are the specific situations where manual adjustments can save you:

• 🔋 Battery savings: Forced only 2G or 3G reduces the power consumption of the communication module by 20-30% (relevant for trips where there is no socket).
• 🚀 Maximum speed: if your rate supports 5G, But the smartphone is stuck on 4G, manual switching will speed up file loading by 2-5 times.
• 📶 Stability of connection: in areas with poor coating 4G can permanently "break" the connection, and 3G or 2G They will work more sustainably.
• 🔒 Bypassing locks: some operators (for example, Tele2) restrict access to the Internet when roaming, if the smartphone is connected to the Internet. 4G. Transition to 3G Sometimes it solves the problem.
• 🛠️ Fault diagnosis: If the mobile Internet is lost, testing different modes helps to determine whether the operator, firmware or hardware is to blame.

It is important to understand that not all Xiaomi models support the 5G — Even if the specifications are specified in the standard, it may not be in your modification (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro). 5G There's a version only with 4G Support can be checked in the settings or through the app CPU-Z (section → Network).

How to find out the current network mode on Xiaomi

Before you change the settings, check which standard is currently in use. There are three reliable ways to do this.

1. Icon in the status bar: 📶 H/H+ — 3G (before 42 Mbit/s). 📶 4G/LTE — 4G (before 150–300 Mbit/s). 📶 5G — 5G (from 500 Mbit/s). 📶 E or G — 2G (before 0.4 Mbit/s).

Please note: on some firmware icons 4G It is displayed even when connected to 3G — it's a bug MIUI.

Settings menu:

Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Type of network

LTE preferred

Secret engineering code:

Phone.

#

#

Phone information

Set preferred network type

💡

If nothing happens after you enter ##4636##, check if your firmware has disabled access to the engineering menu. MIUI This code is blocked.

Step-by-step instructions: how to change the network mode

The process differs depending on the version MIUI And the next one is a universal algorithm that works on 95 percent of Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO (including new models 2023-2026).

Make sure that SIM-The card is active and recognized by the smartphone|

Check the balance of the fare (some operators block the price). 4G/5G negative-balance)|

Remember the current settings (take a picture of the screen)|

Reboot your smartphone if your mobile internet has not worked before-->

Method 1: Using standard MIUI settings

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the SIM-cards and mobile networks section (on some firmware - Mobile Network).
3. Choose yours. SIM-card (if two of them).
4. Tap on the network type (or preferred network type).
5. Select one of the available modes (see table below).
6. Confirm the change and restart the smartphone (required!).

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard settings do not have the desired mode (for example, only 5G), Use the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and type ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type section.
4. Select the desired standard from the drop-down list (for example, LTE only for compulsory 4G).
5. Press OK and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Not all modes from the engineering menu work consistently on Xiaomi. NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA (5G/4G/3G) If the Internet goes down after the change, return the settings to Automatically.

What to do if the network mode does not change

Sometimes, when you change your settings, your smartphone ignores the change or loses the connection altogether.

• 🔄 Reboot: 30% of problems are solved by a banal reboot of the device. After switching on, wait 1-2 minutes - the communication module is initialized not instantly.
• 📱 Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings → Memory. → Resetting settings → Reset mobile network settings, which will delete stored Wi-Fi networks and cellular settings.
• 🔧 Update of the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12.5) there may be no options for 5G. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📋 Verification SIM-Cards: some operators (e.g. MTS) link support 5G Check with the operator if the service is included.

⚠️ If after the change of mode the smartphone stopped catching the network at all (even 2G), Check if the flight mode is activated in the notification curtain, and try physically removing and pasting. SIM-map - sometimes contacts are oxidized.

Optimal settings for different scenarios

The choice of network mode depends on your tasks. Below are the recommendations for setting up for typical situations, tested on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and models. POCO X5.

🔋 Maximum battery savings

If you only need Internet for instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and calls:

• Select Only. 2G or 3G.
• Turn it off. 4G and 5G customized.
• Activate Traffic Saving Mode in Settings → Connections → Saving traffic.

➡️ Result: Autonomy will increase by 20-30% (based on tests with Redmi) 10C mode 2G against 4G).

🚀 Maximum Internet speed

To upload large files, streaming in 4K or online gaming:

• Choose Better. 4G (if 5G not available).
• For 5G: Just set it up. 5G (NR) or 5G/4G/3G.
• Turn off traffic savings in the settings.
• Turn on the Enhanced. LTE (VoLTE) for a more stable connection.

⚠️ Attention: In mode 5G Smartphones can overheat (especially in summer) if temperatures are above 45°C, forcefully switch to 4G.

📶 Stable connection on travel

If you travel frequently or visit places with poor coverage:

• Select Only. 3G — This standard has the widest coverage in Russia and the CIS.
• Turn off automatic network selection (so that the smartphone does not waste charge on search) 4G/5G).
• Enable data roaming (if you are traveling abroad).

💡

On models with support 5G (for example, Xiaomi 12T) compulsory choice “Only 5G" This could lead to a total loss of communication in regions where this standard has not yet been deployed "4G/5G automatic".

Difference between regimes 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G Xiaomi

To make a conscious choice of settings, you need to understand how the standards differ technically and how this affects the user experience. Below is a comparison table with an emphasis on the implementation features of Xiaomi smartphones.

💡 On Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) switching 4G and 5G It is more smooth than on models with MediaTek chips (for example, POCO M5). The latter can “hang” for 2-3 seconds when changing the standard.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when setting up a network. TOP-5 Failures and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Ignoring reboot: After changing the network mode, always restart your smartphone. Without this change, it may not take effect (especially on firmware). MIUI 12 and below).
• 🔌 Incompatible SIM-map: Old SIM (released 2015 years may not be supported 4G/5G. Replace her with USIM or eSIM for the operator.
• 📡 Unaccounted for coverage: Choice only 5G In a region where this standard is not deployed, it will result in a complete lack of communication. 5G or MTS 5G).
• 🔒 Operator Blocking: Some tariffs (for example, Beeline’s Smart) limit speed on the Internet. 4G 10 Mbps. Please specify the conditions with the operator.
• 🔄 Conflict of the two SIM-If you have two cards SIM, One of them can block the other's mode change. Try temporarily disabling the second card in the settings.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the network settings menu may be very different, and in such cases use the engineering menu (#4636##) or applications like Network Signal Guru.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions