How to improve the 4G signal on Xiaomi phone: from simple settings to hidden chips MIUI

The weak 4G signal on Xiaomi is a problem that one in three users encounter: From pages in the browser load for eternity, to videos on YouTube constantly “buffering”, then calls are interrupted with a characteristic “squeak” in dynamics, the reasons may lie in both the hardware limitations of the device and in the software settings of MIUI, which by default are not optimized for maximum signal reception.

In this article, we will discuss 10 proven ways to improve 4G/LTE signal on Xiaomi, Redmi and phones POCO — from the base (reset and change) SIM-maps) to advanced (manual frequency setting and modification of build.prop files). MIUI 14/15, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which can increase the stability of the communication 30–50%. All methods tested on Redmi Note models 12 Pro+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T low-signal (1–2 indicator).

Important: If the problem is only in a specific location (e.g., at home or at work), first check the coverage of the operator through official maps - perhaps not the equipment, but the infrastructure.

Basic checks: SIM-map, flight mode and reset

Before digging deep into the settings, make sure the problem is not solved by "little blood": In 40% of cases, a weak signal is associated with banal crashes that are fixed in 2 minutes.

• 🔄 Reboot your phone. Prolonged work without a reboot leads to an accumulation of errors in the communication module. On Xiaomi, just press the power button and select "Reboot».
• 📶 Turn on/off flight mode for 10 to 15 seconds, which will reset the connection to the tower and cause the phone to re-search for the best frequency.
• 🪪 Check it out. SIM-Remove it and inspect it for damage (scratches, chips). If the card is older than 5 years, replace it with a new one - modern nano-SIMs work better with the new card. 4G.
• 📱 Update your firmware. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches. MIUI 14+ Fixed bugs with communication module for models on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Dimensity 9000.

If the signal hasn’t improved after this manipulation, then please move on to the next steps. Please note that some firmware (e.g., Global ROM for POCO X5 Pro) may need to reset network settings after the update – see Section 3 for more on this.

2. Optimization of network settings in MIUI

MIUI hides a few parameters that directly affect the quality of communication, and most users are unaware of their existence, although they can increase Internet speed by 20-40%.

Open the Settings. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and follow the following steps:

1. Select the priority of the network. Tap yours. SIM-map → «Type of network» → set up 4G (preferably, if available 5G, But the coating is unstable, it is better to turn it off - in conditions of weak signal. 5G often 3G, worse than stable. 4G.
2. Activate VoLTE. In the same menu, turn on the option “Voice over LTE (VoLTE)” to improve the quality of calls and accelerate the transition between 4G and 3G.
3. Turn off automatic network selection. Go to Network Selection → turn off Automatic and manually select your operator (e.g., MTS RU instead of MTS) This will prevent constant jumping between towers.

For models on the Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as the POCO F4 GT or Redmi K60), there is a hidden engineering mode where you can manually adjust the frequencies.

Enter the phone code in the app: ##4636##


Go to the tab "Phone Information"




Scroll down to the "Installation Network Type" block

Here, choose LTE only (if you want maximum internet speed) or LTE/WCDMA (if both calls and data are important). Don't choose GSM only, this will turn off 4G completely.

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If you manually select the network, you've lost the signal, you've got to return the settings to automatic mode and restart the phone, and sometimes the communication module freezes when you force the tower to change.

3. Reset network and APN settings

Incorrect APN settings or conflicting network settings can cause a weak signal, especially after a change of operator or firmware update.

To reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to Default Values.
3. If the Internet doesn't work after the reset, add APN manually.

After adding APN, restart your phone — changes only apply after the reboot. If the signal is still weak, try resetting your network settings completely:

Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.

⚠️ Warning: this reset will remove all stored Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices.

4. Checking the antenna and body of the phone

Physical damage to the antenna or the metal body of the phone can block the signal. For example, on the Xiaomi 12T Pro, antenna lines run along the side frames, and if you hold the phone in your hand, the signal can be weakened by 1-2 divisions.

How to check:

• 🔍 Inspect the body for cracks or dents, especially in the upper part (where the antenna is usually located).
• 📏 Check the case. Metal or magnetic cases (such as those with a stand) can screen the signal. Take off the case and check the difference.
• 🤲 Change the position of your hand. Try holding your phone so that your fingers don't overlap the top and bottom of the back.

If you suspect antenna damage (for example, after a phone crash), check the signal in the engineering menu:

Enter the code ##4636##


Go to the tab "Phone Information"




Pay attention to the parameters:




- "Signal strength" (must be at least -90 dBm)




- "Network type" (should be displayed by LTE)

If the signal strength is below -100 dBm even in open areas, it may indicate a hardware malfunction of the antenna module, in which case only the service center will help.

5. Manual LTE frequency change (for advanced)

If your Xiaomi supports LTE bands that are poorly covered in your region, you can manually turn off unnecessary frequencies, forcing the phone to focus on the most stable.This method requires root rights or the use of ADB.

First, find out what frequencies your operator uses, for example, for MTS in Moscow:

• Band 3 (1800 MHz)
• Band 7 (2600 MHz)
• Band 20 (800 MHz)

To disable unnecessary frequencies through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type: adb shell su setprop persist.radio.lte_band_mask 0x400800000000000 Here. 0x400800000000000 — range-mask 3, 7 and 20 (For other operators, masks are different.
3. Reboot the phone.

If you don’t have root, try Network Signal Guru (available on Google Play) which shows the current frequencies used and allows you to manually block problem ranges (not all features work without root).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect frequency settings can lead to total network loss.Before experimenting, write down the current settings or create a backup through the network. TWRP.

Know the ranges supported by the phone (via 4GMark or specs)

Checked the operator's coverage in his area

Created a backup of current settings (screenshots of the engineering menu)

I got it. ADB-PC-driver

Prepared a USB cable (preferably original)

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6. Signal amplifiers and modification of build.prop

There are applications that optimize the communication module, and there are system files that can improve reception, and let's look at both.

Signal amplification applications

• 📡 Network Signal Speed Booster – Analyzes nearby towers and suggests the optimal position of the phone.
• 🛠️ MTK Engineering Mode (for phones on MediaTek) – allows you to manually adjust the antenna transmission power.
• 📊 LTE Discovery – shows detailed information about the cell you are connected to (signal level, tower loading).

Beware of applications that promise “magic” signal amplification – most of them are empty and only load the system.

Editing by build.prop

The build.prop file contains system parameters, including those that control the radio module, to edit it:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Open /system/build.prop in any text editor (e.g. Root Explorer).
3. Add the following lines to the end of the file: ro.telephony.default_network=22 persist.radio.modem.cap=8 persist.radio.plmn_name_cmp=1 These parameters make the communication module more actively search for networks. 4G and hold the connection longer.
4. Save the file, set the rights to 644, and restart the phone.

The effect of building.prop editing is different, depending on the phone model and firmware, and on some devices (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), this gives a signal gain of 1-2 divisions, on others, the changes may not be noticeable.

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Editing system files without a backup can lead to a phone "brick." Always back up via TWRP before making changes.

7.Alternative solutions: repeaters and external antennas

If software methods didn’t help and the signal is critically weak (e.g., in a basement or country house), consider hardware solutions:

• 📶 4G-A repeater, a signal amplifier, like a Huawei. B525 or ZTE MF286D They pick up a weak signal from the outside and relay it inside the room. ₽.
• 📡 External antenna: Connects to the phone via an adapter (e.g. Poynting) XPOL-1). Requires installation skills and proper orientation to the tower.
• 🌐 Mobile router. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Router) 4G) They are better at catching a signal than a smartphone and distributing it over Wi-Fi.

Before buying a repeater, check:

• Supported ranges (should match your operator's frequencies)
• Maximum gain (optimally 60-70 dB).
• Certificate of Roskomnadzor (uncertified devices can be seized by customs).

For a cottage or a country house, the best solution would be an external antenna + repeater combination. For example, the 12 dBi + Netgear LB1120 LTE MIMO 2x2 antenna will provide a stable signal even 20 km from the tower.

8. Frequent errors that degrade the signal

Many Xiaomi users, unwittingly, are impairing their signal reception due to incorrect actions.

• 🚫 Always on VPN. Some of them VPN-Services (e.g., ProtonVPN or NordVPN) redirect traffic through remote servers, which increases ping and can trick the communication module into switching to less stable frequencies.
• 🔋 Battery savings in energy saving mode MIUI It restricts the radio module, which causes 1-2 divisions to be lost. → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 📱 Use of the two SIM-On most Xiaomi phones (except flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra) the second SIM-map is running 2G, if the first use is 4G. This is due to the hardware limitations of the Qualcomm Snapdragon module.
• 📡 Manual selection of network 5G If your phone supports you, it's in a low-cost area. 5G, But the tower is far away, the constant attempts to connect to it only consume charge and worsen stability. 4G.

The signal can also be degraded by overheating of the phone. If the processor is heated above 60°C (e.g. during games), the system automatically reduces the power of the radio module. To check the temperature, use the AIDA64 application.

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On Xiaomi phones with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10C) The weak signal problem is often associated with module drivers. MIUI usually solves the problem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions