Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have powerful communication modules that can provide high mobile Internet speeds. However, users often face a situation where the device only works in 3G or even 2G mode, ignoring the availability of fourth-generation coverage, this can be caused by software restrictions, incorrect settings or features of the selected region.
Enabling full 4G LTE on Xiaomi is a process that usually doesn’t require complex manipulation, but knowing the hidden parameters of the system solves 90% of problems with an unstable Internet. In this article, we will discuss all the activation methods, from simple switches in the menu to using the engineering menu to force the choice of network type.
Before you start deep tuning, make sure your SIM-The card supports the standard LTE And the carrier has coverage in your location, and sometimes the problem isn't with the phone, but with the data plan or the physical condition of the SIM card, which may be too old to handle high speeds.
Basic network type configuration in MIUI interface
The first and most obvious step that is often overlooked is checking the standard network settings. MIUI or HyperOS Network Priority Management is listed in a separate menu. → SIM-So you can pick an active SIM card, if you have two, and you can open the menu of the preferred network type.
In the list of available options, select "Preferred to 4G (LTE)" option. If 3G is the default, the phone will ignore the fourth-generation towers, even if the signal is excellent, a common reason for slow speeds after moving to another area or changing the operator.
Sometimes, when you select the right location, the Internet doesn't appear instantly, and then you can reboot the communication module in a simple way. 10-15 It's going to force the modem to re-register with new priority settings.
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If switching the network type didn’t help, try extracting it. SIM-So you can erase the contacts with a pin and put them back in. Contact oxidation is a common cause of signal loss. LTE.
It is worth noting that in some versions of firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM), the interface may differ from the global one, in which case the logic remains the same, but the item names can be written in English or Chinese, which requires careful navigation on the menu.
Selecting the Right Region to Activate LTE
One of the most common reasons Xiaomi doesn’t have 4G is because it’s not the right region, and Xiaomi software restricts the use of certain frequencies and features based on the geographic location specified in the phone’s settings, to comply with local regulations.
If you are in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Kazakhstan, but your phone settings are China or the United States, your phone may not see or work with local 4G towers. To fix this, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Region.
It is recommended to set the region "Russia" or "Ukraine" (depending on your location). After changing the region, the phone will suggest rebooting or apply the settings automatically. In some cases, for example, to activate certain Band 20 frequencies, users choose the region "India" or "Indonesia", because there are wider band requirements, but this can affect the operation of NFC and other services.
It is important to understand that changing the region also affects the set of pre-installed applications and the operation of some system services, such as Mi Video or Mi Music. So after setting up the network and checking 4G, the region can be returned to the value corresponding to your actual location, if this becomes necessary for the proper functioning of the ecosystem.
Configure APN Access Points for Stable 4G
Even if the network type is chosen correctly, the lack of proper access point (APN) settings can prevent data transmission. Communication operators require specific parameters for authorization on a 4G network. Automatic settings come to SMS, but often they are incorrect or outdated.
For manual verification and editing, go on the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks → (Choose. SIM) → Access points (APN). At the bottom of the screen, click the button "New access point" or "Reset to the original".
In the menu that opens, you need to enter your operator's details. Usually, just fill in the fields "Name" and "Access Point (APN)". The remaining fields, such as username and password, are often left blank. Below is a table with the main parameters for popular carriers.
| Operator. | APN name | Access Point (APN) | Type APN |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS (MTS) | mts internet | internet.mts.ru | default,supl |
| Beeline (Beeline) | Beeline Internet | internet.beeline.ru | default,supl |
| Megafon (MegaFon) | Megafon Internet | internet | default,supl |
| Tele2 | Tele2 Internet | internet.tele2.ru | default,supl |
Once you have entered, be sure to tick the access point you created and restart your device. If the Internet does not appear after the reboot, check if the Always Active 4G LTE function is activated in the engineering menu, which will be discussed below.
☑️ Checking settings APN
Using the Engineering Menu for Forced 4G
If standard methods don't work, the Android engineering menu comes to the rescue, which is a hidden part of the system designed for testing equipment by engineers, where you can force the modem to 4G mode only, which often solves the problem of constant slipping into 3G.
To enter the menu, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##4636##. If the code doesn’t work, your firmware version may block that entry and you’ll need to install a third-party application, such as the 4G LTE Switcher from the Play Market store.
From the menu that opens, select Phone Information. Find the drop-down list Set Preferred Network Type. You can select the option that contains LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA.
⚠️ Attention: Regime"LTE Only" can cause your phone to stop accepting incoming calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE technology. Use this mode only for Internet distribution or when calls are not important.
After selecting the mode, the phone can lose the network for a few seconds, and then an icon appears. 4G or LTE. If the Internet is working, but the calls are missing, return the setting to mode"LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)" which allows switching between voice standards.
What if the code doesn't work?
Resetting network settings as a method of solving problems
Sometimes software errors accumulate in the system that prevent the available networks from being displayed correctly. Network resets return all connection settings to factory values, removing stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but this often "cures" the 4G problem.
Resets can be done via Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. The system will warn you that all saved networks will be deleted. Confirm action and wait for the interface to restart.
This method is especially effective if you have recently updated your firmware or rearranged it. SIM-The system could confect the old configuration files with the new operator settings.
- 📱 Remove all stored Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
- 📡 Resets the settings of access points APN factory-wise.
- 🔗 Clears the list of conjugated Bluetooth devices.
- 🔄 Do not delete personal files, photos or contacts.
Once reset, you'll have to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and configure your access points if they don't come automatically, but if the goal is to keep mobile internet running smoothly, these temporary inconveniences are worth it.
Hardware Limitations and Frequency Support
Smartphones imported from China may not support Band 7 (2600 MHz) or Band 20 (800 MHz), which are actively used by operators in Europe and the CIS to cover 4G in cities and cities, respectively.
To test your device's frequency support, you can use Kimovil or FrequencyCheck to drive a phone model. If your Xiaomi doesn't support Band 20, you may not catch 4G in rural areas, and no settings will help.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a phone on AliExpress or other platforms, always check the version (Global Version vs Global) ROM). Chinese versions (CN Version) often have a reduced frequency set compared to global counterparts.
If your SIM card is over 5-7 years old, it may not be USIM-standard and may not support the encryption required for 4G networks. In this case, the solution is to replace the SIM card in the cabin of the operator with a number.
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If the phone doesn’t support Bands hardware, software tweaking won’t help. Check model specifications before buying or using in a specific region.