How to Force 4G on Xiaomi: All Ways (MIUI 12-14)

Why your Xiaomi is stubbornly clinging to 3G or 2G, tower-to-tree 4G/LTE? The reasons can be different: from incorrect settings SIM-But the good news is that you can manually prioritize the network, even if the system stubbornly ignores your wishes.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the working ways to force 4G on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (relevant to MIUI 12-14), learn how to get around standard restrictions through hidden menus, engineering settings, and even editing configuration files, and if something goes wrong, you’ll find solutions to problems ranging from no network to an “eternal” search for an operator.

⚠️ Important: Not all methods are equally secure. Changing engineering settings or system files can result in loss of communication or reset IMEI. Make a backup of data before experiments!

1. Standard method: settings SIM-map

To start with, the official network selection menu works on most Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12-14, but some carriers (like Tele2 or virtual MVNOs) can block manual selection.

How to get into the settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks (or mobile network on some firmware).
3. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
4. Tap on the network type or preferred network type.

Here you will see the options:

• 📶 4G (preferably)/3G/2G (Auto: Standard mode (recommended for most users).
• 📶 Only 4G (LTE) — compulsory priority 4G, without falling 3G/2G low-signal.
• 📶 3G/2G (Auto) - outdated mode, can be used to save charge.

Select 4G only, save the settings, and restart the phone. If that's not available, your carrier or firmware will block it.

2. Engineering menu (#4636##)

The hidden engineering menu allows you to manually prioritize your network, even if standard settings don’t allow it, and works on most Xiaomi devices, but it requires caution – incorrect settings can disrupt communication.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (some firmware may require #4636633###).
3. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.

You will be able to find options (depending on the model and firmware):

• 🔄 LTE only - compulsory 4G (recommended).
• 🔄 LTE/WCDMA auto — 4G fall-on 3G.
• 🔄 WCDMA only 3G (don't choose!).
• 🔄 GSM only 2G (emergency only).

Select “LTE only” and click OK. If the connection disappears after that, go back to the menu and select “LTE/WCDMA auto”.

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If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try entering the code through Google’s Dial (install it from Play Market).

3. editing the build.prop file (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, and allows you to force 4G priority at the system level, bypassing operator restrictions.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of build.prop can lead to bootloop (cyclic reboot) or loss of IMEI. Make a backup copy of the file before changes!

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop.
3. Find the lines (if there are no lines, add them to the end of the file):

ro.telephony.default_network=9


telephony.lteOnGsmDevice=1

Where:

• ro.telephony.default_network=9 — forced 4G (LTE only).
• telephony.lteOnGsmDevice=1 — permit LTE device-wise 2G/3G-modem.

Save the file, restart the phone, and check the network. If 4G doesn't show up, go back to the standard settings.

4.APN settings for forced 4G

Sometimes, an operator restricts 4G at the APN level, which is true for virtual carriers (MVNOs) or old tariffs, and you can fix this by creating a new APN manually.

How to add APN:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Press Add Add Add. APN (or ⋮ → New APN).
3. Fill in the fields according to your operator’s data (examples below).
4. Save and select your new APN as active.

APN options for popular operators:

Once saved, reboot your phone. If 4G doesn't show up, check if your tariff supports this type of network (for example, some "talk" tariffs are limited to 3G).

✅ Make sure that SIM-card 4G (check on another phone)

✅ Check the balance and activity of the fare (some operators block the service). 4G zero-balance)

✅ Turn it off. VPN Proxies (they may interfere with network definition)

✅ Restart your phone before changing APN-->

5 Problems and Solutions: Why 4G Doesn’t Work

You did it by the instructions, but 4G never came along? Let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone can see 4G but not connect.

• 🔍 Reason: The operator blocks access due to non-payment or tariff restrictions.
• 🔧 Solution: Check balance, call operator support asking to "activate" 4G». Sometimes changing the tariff helps.

Problem 2: There is no 4G option in the settings.

• 🔍 Reason: The firmware or operator hid the option.
• 🔧 Solution: Use the engineering menu or reflash the phone to the global version MIUI (for example, MIUI EU).

The 3:4G problem appears, but the speed is like 3G.

• 🔍 Reason: Operator throttles speed (limits bandwidth).
• 🔧 Solution: Check the traffic limit on the tariff or try to change the tariff APN on the Internet without specifying the operator).

Problem 4: After changing the settings, the signal disappeared completely.

• 🔍 Reason: Wrong settings in build.prop or engineering menu.
• 🔧 Solution: Reset network settings (Settings) → System system → Reset → Reset network settings) or return standard values.

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If none of these methods worked, check your phone's IMEI, a damaged or zero IMEI blocks access to mobile networks, and can be restored through an engineering menu or specialized utilities (such as Maui META).

6. Alternative methods: applications and firmware

If standard methods don't work, try third-party solutions that are suitable for devices without root or with a locked bootloader.

Method 1: Network Signal Guru Application

This app allows you to manually select networks and base stations, even if the operator hides them.

1. Run the network scan.
2. Select a 4G network manually (marked as LTE).
3. Connect to it bypassing automatic selection.

Method 2: Custom firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience)

Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or ArrowOS) offer advanced network settings, and note that installing them will require:

• 🔓 Open the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• 🔧 Install custom recovery (TWRP).
• 📱 Make a full data backup (installation of firmware erases everything!).

Method 3: Update modem

On some devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3), 4G issues are solved by updating the radio modem.

1. Download the latest firmware version for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Remove the NON-HLOS.bin file from the archive.
3. Fastboot: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin

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Before you run the modem, check the version in the engineering menu (#4636## → Phone Information → Baseband Version). If it matches the new version, the update won't help.

7. Frequent Questions (FAQ)