How to Force 4G on Xiaomi: All Ways to Switch to LTE

Your Xiaomi is stubbornly clinging to the slow 3G-net, though there are many towers around 4G? Or the smartphone doesn’t see at all. LTE, And although the SIM card supports this technology, the problem is familiar to many device owners. MIUI — The operating system sometimes forgets or limits network priorities because of energy savings. 4G on Redmi smartphones, POCO Mi, including hidden settings, engineering menus, and even editing configuration files.

The reasons Xiaomi doesn't switch to 4G automatically can be different, from the operator's ban for debts to software failures after the upgrade. We won't be guessing on the coffee grounds, instead we'll offer concrete actions explaining why they work. Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but most solutions are available without them. Let's start with the simplest and move on to the advanced ones.

Checking the basic conditions before setting up 4G

Before you delve into your smartphone settings, make sure the issue is not on the operator or SIM card side.

• 📶 Network coverage: Open your carrier’s coverage card (e.g, MTS or Tele2) and check if there is any 4G In your neighborhood, in basements and remote areas. LTE Maybe just not catching.
• 💳 Rate and SIM card: call the operator (or check in your personal account) whether your tariff supports 4G. Outdated SIM cards (released before 2015) may not work with the SIM card. LTE.
• 🔄 Reboot: Turn off your smartphone for 30 seconds and turn it on again. Sometimes the communication module "hangs" on the phone. 3G post-update.
• 📱 Flight mode: turn on and off flight mode - this will reset the connection to the network and force the smartphone to reconnect.

If everything is fine, but 4G still isn't coming, go to MIUI settings. Start with the obvious one: manually selecting the type of network.

Method 1: Manually switching a network type in MIUI settings

The safest and most versatile method is to change the priority of the network in standard settings. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the model and version of MIUI (12 to 14).

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Go to Network Type (or Preferred Network Type).
4. Set a 4G value (preferably) or 4G only (if available).

On some firmware (e.g., POCO F3 with global MIUI), the item may be called Preferred network type. If there is no 4G on the list, then the firmware hides this option, move to the next method.

💡

On dual-SIM smartphones, set up 4G separately for each, sometimes one SIM blocks LTE for the other due to a conflict of priorities.

After changing the settings, the smartphone should automatically connect to 4G within 10 to 30 seconds.

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📡 Manually select the operator network in Settings → SIM-map → Network Selection (Disable Automatic Search).

Method 2: Engineering Menu Codes for Forced 4G

If standard settings don't work, try activating 4G through the engineering menu. This is a hidden section that is accessible by special codes. Attention: don't change the other options in this menu - this can disrupt the communication module!

Enter one of the codes in the dialer (depending on the model):

• #4636## is a universal code for most Xiaomis.
• ##2263## is an alternative code for some Redmi models.

After you enter, the Testing menu will open. Go to the Phone information section and follow the steps:

1. Scroll down to Set preferred network type.
2. Choose LTE only (4G only) or LTE/WCDMA auto (automatic choice between 4G and 3G).
3. Press Turn off radio (turn off radio), then Turn on radio (turn on).

If 4G doesn't show up after this action, check if the settings have reset after the reboot. Some firmware resets the engineering menu to default values.

Method 3: Edit the build.prop file (for advanced)

If previous methods failed, you can manually prescribe 4G priority in the system file build.prop. This method requires root rights or access to ADB (without root you can not save changes).

Instructions for users with root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop.
3. Find a line. ro.telephony.default_network And change it to: ro.telephony.default_network=9 (where 9 — priority LTE).
4. Save the file, restart the smartphone.

For users without root, you can try temporarily changing your settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), connect your smartphone to your PC, turn on USB Debugging, and follow the command:

adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 9

This method will not work on all firmware, as Xiaomi can block changes in system parameters. If after the reboot the settings are reset, try an alternative method - installing a modified module Magisk.

Method 4: Installation of Magisk module for forced 4G

If you have root rights and installed Magisk, you can use special modules that force activate 4G. One of the most reliable is 4G Only Mode or Network Signal Guru.

Instructions:

1. Download the 4G Only Mode (check compatibility with your Android version).
2. Install it through Magisk Manager (Module section).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

The module blocks switching to 3G/2G, leaving only LTE. This can be useful in regions with unstable coverage, where the smartphone constantly "jumps" between standards.

⚠️ Note: In some cases, the coercive regime LTE It can cause loss of communication in places where 4G - not available (e.g. in the subway or outside the city) If calls become unavailable, disable the module or return settings to the LTE/WCDMA auto.

An alternative is the Network Signal Guru module, which allows you to flexibly set network priorities through a graphical interface, and can be found on XDA Developers.

Method 5: Reset network settings and update firmware

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be a failure in the configuration of the communication module, in which case resetting network settings or updating the firmware will help.

Resetting network settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

This will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile Internet settings, but will not affect personal data. After reset, set up 4G again via Network Type.

Firmware update:

• 📲 Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 If there are no updates, try to reflash your smartphone manually through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are on the official Xiaomi website).

Sometimes 4G bugs are fixed in newer versions of MIUI. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro before version 12.5.4 had a problem with forced switching to 3G, which was fixed in subsequent updates.

💡

Network resets are the safest way to bring 4G back to work if the problem is caused by a software failure, and only in cases of hardware failures (such as antenna damage).

Table: Compatibility of methods with popular Xiaomi models

Not all methods work equally well on different smartphones, and the table below shows proven methods for popular models (data based on user feedback from 4PDA and XDA):

If your model isn't in the table, try the methods in the order of simple to complex. New smartphones (2023-2026) usually have enough standard settings or engineering menus.

What if 4G never works?

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware or operator lockdown.

• 📡 Antenna or communication module: physical damage (e.g. after a fall) may disrupt the operation of the system 4G. Check if the smartphone catches other networks (3G, 2G). If not, take them to the service.
• 🔒 Lockdown IMEI: If your smartphone is purchased by hand, check it out. IMEI The device may have been blacklisted by the operator.
• 📱 Incompatible firmware: some Xiaomi for the Chinese market 4G It only works with Chinese SIM cards, so the solution is to flash the global version. MIUI.

It’s also worth checking if the power saving mode is on, which can limit the operation of the 4G module.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Turn off energy saving or super energy saving.
3. In the Battery Settings → Select the mode set Performance.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware forced on 4G It may be in conflict with VoLTE (voice calls over the Internet). LTE). If, after activation, 4G Calls have stopped working, return settings to LTE/WCDMA Auto or contact the operator to configure VoLTE.

FAQ: Frequent questions about 4G on Xiaomi