Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi is catching the 4G- network worse than other phones in the same place? Or has your mobile data stopped working after a trip abroad? The reason may lie in the unsupported frequencies of the 4G. Operators in different countries use different bands, and if your smartphone is not compatible with them, Internet speed will suffer.
In this article, weβll look at how to test Xiaomiβs 4G frequencies in every way possible, from standard settings to hidden engineering menus, what ranges your model supports, how to force the right frequency on, what to do if the network doesnβt catch, and how to avoid the typical mistakes when setting up mobile Internet.
Important: Verification methods may vary depending on the Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 vs POCO X5 Pro) and the MIUI firmware version.
1.Why itβs important to know 4G frequencies on Xiaomi
Many users are unaware that the quality of mobile Internet depends not only on the signal level, but also on the frequencies supported.
- π Roaming overseas: operators in Europe, Asia and America use different bands. If your Xiaomi doesn't support local frequencies, the internet will run at speed 2G.
- πΆ Poor coverage: In some regions of Russia, operators (e.g. MTS or Tele2) may use rare frequencies (e.g., B20 800 MHz) if the phone does not "see" them, the communication will be unstable.
- π Firmware updates: After the MIUI update, the network settings are sometimes reset and the phone stops using optimal frequencies.
- π± 5G Support: Even if your Xiaomi supports 5G, it needs the right 4G- frequencies to work consistently (e.g., n78 often pairs with B3).
A case in point: a Redmi Note 10 Pro user complained about the lack of internet in Moscow, even though the signal was showing, and it turned out that the phone didn't support B20, the main frequency of Yota in this region, and after the band was forced to turn on, the problem disappeared.
β οΈ Warning: Some frequencies (e.g., B28 700 MHz) may be blocked by the operator even if the phone supports them, in which case only replacing the SIM- card with a new (VoLTE-enabled) one will help.
2. Method 1: Checking through phone settings (without applications)
The easiest method is to look up the network information directly from Xiaomiβs menu, which works on all models with MIUI 12 and later (including POCO, Black Shark).
Instructions:
- Open the Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
- Tap by Network Type (or Preferred Network Type).
- At the bottom of the screen, the current network will appear with a standard (e.g. LTE B3+B20).
If the line is empty or only shows LTE without range numbers, then your version of MIUI doesn't display that information.
Signal level indicator (in dBm)
Network type (LTE, 4G, 5G)
Supported range numbers (e.g. B1/B3/B7)
Name of operator-->
Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) can be seen with more detailed information:
Network: LTE (B3 + B20 CA)
Speed: 150/50 Mbps (DL/UL)
VoLTE: Includedβ οΈ Warning: If the settings show 3G or H+ instead of LTE, your phone is not connected to the 4G- network. Try manually selecting LTE mode or restarting the device.
Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced users)
The Engineering Mode is a hidden partition where you can see all the frequencies you support, the signal level, and even force the bands you want to turn on, but beware: the wrong settings can lead to network loss.
How to open the engineering menu on Xiaomi:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the combination: ##4636###.
- Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
Here you'll see:
- π Current network standard (LTE, UMTS, GSM).
- π‘ Ranges (e.g., LTE Band: 3.20).
- π Signal level in dBm (the closer to -70, the better).
To see all the supported frequencies, go to Band Mode and select LTE. A list of available bands will appear (e.g. B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28).
How to return to automatic network selection?
| Range (Band) | Frequency (MHz) | Used in Russia | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 2100 | Yes (MTS, Beeline) | The main range for cities |
| B3 | 1800 | Yes (all operators) | The most common in Russia |
| B7 | 2600 | Yes (MegaFon, Yota) | High speed, but weak coverage |
| B20 | 800 | Yes (Yota, Tele2) | Good coverage in rural areas |
| B28 | 700 | Partially (Tele2) | Requires VoLTE support |
π‘
If the engineering menu doesnβt have Band Mode, try entering another code: ##36446337## (for some POCO models).
Method 3: Applications for Network Analysis
If standard methods don't show you the right information, use third-party apps that not only show you the current frequencies, but also help you optimize your communication.
Top.-3 apps:
- π± NetMonster -- shows ranges, signal strength and neighboring towers. There's support for 5G NSA.
- π‘οΈ LTE Discovery -- analyzes speed, ping, and supported frequencies. It runs without root.
- π Network Cell Info Lite β displays a tower map and connection history.
Example of NetMonster's work:
After launch, the application will show:
Operator: MTS RUS
Network type: LTE-A (CA)
Ranges: B3 (PCC) + B7 (SCC)
Speed: 85/20 Mbps
Signal level: -85 dBm (good)If the app shows No Service or incorrect ranges, it means:
- π SIM- card does not support 4G (replacement with USIM).
- π΅ The phone is locked for a specific operator (anlock required).
- π The wrong mode is selected in the network settings (e.g., 3G only).
π‘
Network analysis apps show the real frequencies the phone is currently using, not just the ranges supported.
Method 4: Telephone model check (official data)
If you need to know all the frequencies you support (not just the ones youβre using now), check your model specifications on official resources.
Where to look:
- Xiaomi official website: Go to your model page (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro) and search for the Network & Connectivity section.
Examples for Xiaomi 13T Pro:
4G LTE:
B1 (2100), B2 (1900), B3 (1800), B4 (1700/2100),
B5 (850), B7 (2600), B8 (900), B18 (800),
B19 (800), B20 (800), B26 (850), B28 (700),
B38 (2600), B40 (2300), B41 (2500), B66 (1700/2100)Pay attention to:
- π Regional versions: for example, the Redmi Note 12 for Europe (EEA) and for India (IN) support different bands.
- π‘ Support CA (Carrier Aggregation): If the specification says B3+B7, then the phone can combine the two bands to increase speed.
- π Firmware updates: sometimes new frequencies are added after the update (e.g., B28 for POCO X4 Pro).
β οΈ Warning: If the spec spec spec spec spec spec spec specs say B41 (2500 MHz) but the carrier doesn't use it in your region, it doesn't mean the phone doesn't support it. It's just that the network isn't broadcasting at that frequency.
Method 5: Manual frequency switching (for advanced)
If your Xiaomi supports the desired range but does not use it, you can try to force the frequency on. This helps when the phone sticks on a weak signal (for example, B20 instead of B3).
Instructions (root or ADB required):
- Install the MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Service Menu (for Snapdragon).
- Go to the Band Selection section.
- Select LTE and manually mark the desired ranges (e.g. B3+B7+B20).
- Save the settings and restart the phone.
For Snapdragon, you can use ADB- commands:
adb shell
su
setprop persist.radio.lte_band 3,7,20
rebootRisks:
- π¨ Network loss if unsupported bands are selected.
- π Increased battery consumption (the phone will be constantly scanning the towers).
- π΅ Locking SIM- cards when settings are incorrect (solved by resetting).
How to reset network settings to factory?
7. Frequent problems and solutions
Even if your Xiaomi supports all the right frequencies, there may be problems.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 4G is available, but the internet is not working. | Not set up by APN | Update the access point to Settings β Mobile Network β APN |
| The phone does not catch a B20 (800 MHz) | No support for VoLTE | Update the firmware or replace the SIM with USIM |
| 4G speeds are low (1-5 Mbps) | The phone uses a B20 instead of a B3+B7. | Force CA to be included in the engineering menu |
| After the update, 4G disappeared. | Resetting network settings | Restore your APN settings or reset your APN. |
If none of these methods helped, check:
- π§ Firmware updates: Sometimes network bugs are patched in newer versions MIUI.
- π± Hardware problems: If the phone can't see any network, the communication module may be damaged (repair required).
- π‘ Operator problems: check the network status on the MTS/Beeline website.
π‘
If you travel frequently, save a screenshot of your Xiaomiβs supported frequencies β this will help you set up your network quickly in a new country.