How to check the signal level of cellular communication on Xiaomi: all the ways from the engineering menu to applications

Mobile quality has a direct impact on internet speed, call stability, and instant messengers. If your Xiaomi is losing its network, slow loading pages, or interrupting conversations, the first thing to do is check the cellular signal strength. But standard sticks in the status bar are often lying: two or three divisions can mean both great reception and a weak signal on the cliff edge.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to measure the real signal power on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO — From hidden engineering menus to specialized applications, you will learn what dBm values are considered normal, how to distinguish between SIM card problems and communication module malfunctions, and what to do if the signal is weak even in the operator’s coverage area.

All methods tested on current firmware MIUI 14/15 They work on models from Redmi Note. 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Some of the ways will require root rights -- we'll mark them separately.

1. Signal check via engineering menu (#4636##)

The fastest way to get accurate signal strength data is to use a hidden engineering menu, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones without additional apps, but the path to it may vary depending on the version. MIUI.

To open the menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636### (some models may require ##0011###).
3. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down to the Signal Strength Block.

Here you will see the signal parameters for each SIM card (if there are two).

• 📶 dBm is the signal power in decibels. The smaller the value (module), the better, -70 dBm is a great signal, -110 dBm is very weak.
• 📡 ASU — random units of signal level (from 0 to 31). = maximum level, 0-5 = barely a link.
• 🔄 LTE/5G RSRP — net-reference 4G/5G. Optimal: from -85 dBm -60 dBm.

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If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try entering the code through the Calculator app (enter numbers and symbols as a mathematical expression).

You can also see on this menu:

• 📱 IMEI Your device (to verify the originality of your device).
• 🌐 Type of network (LTE, GSM, 5G NR etc.).
• 📡 Neighboring towers (if supported).

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The signal values in the engineering menu are updated in real time, so to get accurate data, do not move the phone and wait for the stabilization of the indicators (5-10 seconds).

2.Use of USSD-link-check

If the engineering menu is not available (for example, on some firmware for the POCO), take advantage USSD-They don't show the technical parameters of the signal, but the quality of the communication from the operator's point of view, which is useful for diagnosing problems with the SIM card or tariff.

Codes for the main Russian operators:

After you have the code, you will receive SMS Or a pop-up with data:

• 📌 Network type: if instead of 4G/5G indicated GSM or EDGE, The problem may be in the phone settings or coverage area.
• 🔄 Registration status: If not registered, check the SIM card or contact the operator.

USSD-The codes don't give you an exact value in dBm, but they help you quickly figure out if the operator is to blame for the poor communication. 4G, A in the status bar is E, the problem is most likely in the settings of the phone.

3. Signal monitoring applications (NetMonster, LTE Discovery)

If you want to continuously monitor the signal level, rather than just measure it once, (like looking for dead zones in your home), it's more convenient to use specialized applications that visualize data, store history, and often show tower locations.

Top.-3 apps:

• 📊 NetMonster (free, no ads) – shows dBm, RSRP, SINR And a tower map. 5G.
• 🔍 LTE Discovery - displays detailed information about the cell, including the frequency and width of the channel.
• 📡 Network Signal Info is a simple interface with a widget for the notification bar, showing the signal of Wi-Fi and mobile network simultaneously.

How to use (in the example of NetMonster):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start and allow access to network data.
3. Go to the Signal tab – here the current dBm values are displayed and ASU.
4. On the Map tab you can see the nearest towers and their identifiers.

Advantages of applications over the engineering menu:

• 📈 Signal change schedules – convenient for analyzing problems in motion (e.g. in a car).
• 🗺️ Map of towers – helps to understand why in some places communication is lost.
• 🔔 Notifications – you can configure alerts when the signal drops below a predetermined level.

4. Verification through settings MIUI (codeless)

If you do not want to install third-party programs or enter engineering codes, MIUI There's a hidden way to see signal strength through standard settings, which works on most Xiaomi models, but may not be available on some firmware for the first time. POCO.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 5-7 times in a row on the item Version MIUI, Until the message comes out, you become a developer!.
3. Return to the main Settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the Debugging by USB and turn it on.
5. Scroll down to the Network block and select Mobile Network Information.

Here you'll see:

• 📶 Signal level in dBm and ASU.
• 📡 Type of network (LTE, NR for 5G, UMTS for 3G).
• 🔄 Status of registration (registered/not registered).

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If there is no mobile network information, try to enable Developer Mode through Settings. → Special facilities → Developer mode (on some models).

This is convenient because it doesn't require any additional software to be installed, and it works even without the Internet, but it's less updated than in the engineering menu or the applications.

5. Checking the signal through ADB (for advanced users)

If you want the most accurate data or want to automate signal monitoring (for example, to test coverage area), you can use the data. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a computer and basic command line skills.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB Xiaomi.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Commands for signal verification:

adb shell


su




service call telephony 19 i32 1 # For SIM1




service call telephony 19 i32 2 # For SIM2

The result will be code that needs to be decoded, like Result: Parcel output(00000000 00000004 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000064) This means that the signal level is equal to -100 dBm (value) 0x64 hexadecimal).

ADB-method suitable:

• 🔧 Diagnostics of hardware problems (for example, malfunction of the communication module).
• 📊 Statistics collection (you can write scripts to log the signal).
• 🛠️ Testing after repair (e.g., replacing an antenna).

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ADB It gives you the cleanest access to the data in the communications module, but it requires technical skills.

Diagnostics of communication problems: what to do if the signal is weak

If the test indicates that the signal level is lower -100 dBm (or ASU < 10), And the connection is always interrupted, so we need to look for the cause:

🔍 Problems with SIM card or operator:

• 📱 Check if the SIM card is inserted correctly (on some Xiaomi the SIM tray is easy to bend).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the communication module freezes».
• 📞 Call from another phone to your number - if not to be called, the operator has a problem.

📡 Phone problems:

• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 📲 Update the firmware: old versions MIUI They may not work well with new towers. 4G/5G.
• 🛠️ Check the antenna: If the phone fell or got wet, the antenna contacts could have moved away.

🏠 Coating problems:

• 📶 Use apps like OpenSignal to find a place in the home with the best signal.
• 🔌 Buy a repeater (amplifier) signal if the tower is far away.
• 🌐 Switch to another operator – coverage can vary greatly in one area.

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If the signal is only lost in a specific location (e.g. in an elevator or basement), the problem is likely to be the shielding, metal structures and thick walls blocking radio waves.

🚨 Critical symptoms that require help from a service center:

• The phone doesn’t catch the network anywhere, not even on the street.
• In the engineering menu is displayed Invalid IMEI.
• After falling or getting wet, the connection disappeared completely.

Table: Normal and critical signal values

To assess how bad or good your signal is, use this table:

🔹 Important: If your phone shows dBm in range -100…-110, But the connection is stable -- maybe the tower is close, but the power is weak -- in which case the Internet speed will be low, and the calls may be interrupted.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the signal on Xiaomi