How to put only 4G on Xiaomi Redmi: expert guide

Modern smartphones, including popular Xiaomi Redmi models, are set to automatically select the type of network by default. This is convenient when you are in the zone of confident reception, but becomes a problem in the conditions of weak signal, when the device constantly jumps between 2G, 3G and 4G, draining the battery and breaking the connection. Forced installation of only 4G mode allows you to stabilize the Internet and reduce power consumption.

Device owners often face a situation where the phone “clings” to an overloaded 3G tower, negating faster LTE. The solution lies in deep system settings that are hidden from the average user. In this article, we will discuss safe and proven ways to lock the network on the LTE standard using both standard MIUI functions and engineering menus.

It is important to note that the interface MIUI It may vary depending on the Android version and the firmware region (Global, China, EEA). However, the basic principles of working with the radio module remain the same for the entire ecosystem. SIM-card 4G, a the tariff plan allows the use of high-speed Internet.

Why Smartphones Are Constantly Switching Network Modes

Xiaomi’s modem algorithm is designed to ensure continuity, not maximum speed. If the LTE signal becomes unstable, the system instantly switches to 3G or even EDGE to avoid interrupting incoming call or data transfer, which leads to constant network search and ping jumps in games.

The main causes of unstable connection:

• 📉 Weak signal from base station LTE in your area, which makes your phone unable to hold the connection.
• 🏗️ Operator tower overload during peak hours, which causes the device to look for free frequencies in other bands.
• ⚙️ Errors in the modem software or incorrect settings APN after system update.

Fixing on one communication standard helps avoid these swings, but it is important to understand that when you turn on LTE only, you may lose the ability to receive voice calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE), in which case incoming calls will simply not arrive until you return to automatic mode.

⚠️ Note: Compulsory inclusion only 4G This can cause a complete loss of communication in areas where the cover LTE Make sure you are in a confident reception area before applying the settings.

Checking support for SIM-card and tariff

Before you get into the system menus, you need to eliminate the problems on the operator side. Even if Redmi is technically capable of working on a fourth-generation network, without the appropriate service on the SIM card, it will not be useful. Modern SIM cards released in the last 5-7 years usually already have 4G support, but older copies may need to be replaced.

Check the access point settings APN. Sometimes the operator automatically sends settings that prioritize the settings. 3G. Go to the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose. SIM → Access points (APN). Make sure that the protocol parameters APN chosen IPv4/IPv6, The network type is not limited by outdated standards.

It’s also worth checking if your carrier has activated VoLTE, and without it, 4G-only voice calls won’t work. Large carriers (the Big Four) often have this feature enabled by default, but require phone support. In Xiaomi, the VoLTE switch can be hidden, and activation requires additional action through the engineering menu.

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If, after the replacement, SIM-new-card 4G The speed hasn't changed, try inserting the SIM card into another slot.On two-symbol Redmis, the first slot often takes priority in supporting high frequencies.

Using an engineering menu to select a network

The most effective way to make a phone work exclusively on an LTE network is to use an engineering menu, a hidden part of the system designed for testing by engineers, where you can manually select your preferred network type, ignoring the standard limitations of the MIUI interface.

Open the Phone app and dial the combination ##4636#. If the code works, the Testing menu will open where you select Phone Information. If the code doesn't work, your firmware version may block that entry and you'll have to use third-party apps.

In the menu that opens, find the "Set Preferred Network Type" section. The drop-down list will have many options. You need to select a line containing LTE Only. Often it is an LTE Only or TD-LTE Only option. Once selected, the network will restart, and only the 4G icon will remain in the status bar.

⚠️ Attention: After the choice of the mode LTE Only your phone may stop seeing the network if there is no coverage in your location at all. 4G. In this case, the screen will just write "No Network." Go back to the menu and select any other mode to reconnect.

Alternative methods through applications

If the standard engineering menu code doesn’t work or the interface is too trimmed, specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue. They use the same system APIs, but provide a more user-friendly interface and often bypass the manufacturer’s restrictions on pure Android.

One of the most popular and trusted applications is Force LTE Only (4G/5G), which is free and requires no root permissions for basic functionality. Once installed, launch the application and select the method "Method 2: Android 11+" or "Method 1", depending on your system version, the application will open the desired system settings window.

Another useful tool is NetMonster, which is more monitoring-oriented, but also allows you to manage your preferred networks, and it shows you which tower you're connected to and what frequency you're working on, and it's useful for diagnostics: if you see that your phone is holding 4G but the speed is low, maybe the tower is overloaded and fixing won't help.

Using third-party software is safe, because it doesn't change the system files, it just sends commands to the radio module. However, once the phone is restarted, the settings can be reset to standard, and the procedure will have to be repeated. For regular users, this can become a common ritual when the device is turned on.

Possible problems and solutions

Transition to compulsory regime 4G The most common problem is the disappearance of the Internet or the network icon, which happens if the chosen frequency range is not supported by your operator in a given location, in which case you need to go back to the engineering menu and select the mode. LTE/WCDMA/GSM (automatic).

Another problem is that you can't make outgoing calls, and as mentioned earlier, this is solved by turning on VoLTE. If the VoLTE switch is hidden in the standard menu (Settings). → SIM-maps), it can be activated through the engineering menu in the Phone Information section, ticking against VoLTE Provisioned.

Users also complain about the fast battery discharge in 4G mode. This is paradoxical, but if the LTE signal is very weak, the phone starts operating at maximum transmitter power to hold the connection, in such cases it is better to allow switching to 3G, since in the area of poor reception 3G can be more stable and economical.

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If after all the manipulations the Internet did not appear, reset the network settings: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This will remove configuration errors.

Impact of the operating mode on autonomy

The issue of power consumption is acute for owners of Redmi with worn-out batteries. 4G mode only theoretically should save charge, since the modem does not waste resources on scanning the frequencies of 2G and 3G. However, the real picture depends on the quality of the signal.

In ideal reception (full scale divisions), fixing on LTE really extends the life of the battery. The phone doesn't perform constant handover between towers of different standards. But once the signal weakens, the phone starts screaming into the air, trying to break through the noise, which will dramatically increase the consumption current.

To maximize autonomy in low-course conditions, experts recommend, on the contrary, a forced switch to 3G (WCDMA Only), speeds will be lower, but the connection is more stable, and the charge is consumed evenly, this is especially true when traveling outside the city or in buildings with thick walls.

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