Previous article12 proven ways to speed up 4G/5G

You’ve noticed that Xiaomi has slowed down page loading, video slows down, and messengers are updated with a delay — even though the indicator shows the full signal level? Mobile Internet problems on Redmi, Poco or Mi smartphones are more common than you think, and this may be due to both the software limitations of MIUI and hardware features of budget / mid-range models (for example, weak modems in the Redmi Note 12 or Poco X5).

In this article, 12 working methods to improve mobile internet speed on Xiaomi without buying a new phone. We will break down network settings, firmware optimization, hardware tricks (including replacing a SIM card), and even hidden engineering menu features. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and models from 2020-2026. Importantly, some methods require root rights, we will note them separately.

Before you start, check the basics: restart your phone, make sure the carrier doesn't have any technical work, and compare the speed to another device on the same SIM card. If the problem is only on Xiaomi, read on.

1.Selecting the right type of network: 4G vs 5G vs "LTE Only"

By default, Xiaomi often installs Auto mode (2G/3G/4G/5G), which can lead to “jumps” between standards and a drop in speed, especially in regions where 5G is still unstable and 3G is disabled, the phone is wasting time searching for a non-existent network.

The best option for most users is a forced LTE Only (4G) mode, which will prevent switching to slow standards.

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Go to Network Type (or Preferred Network Type).
4. Install LTE only (or 4G if the first option is not available).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 10, Poco) M4 Pro) after this setting, the possibility of calling may disappear. If so, return the Auto and try the following method.

2.APN setup: Hidden settings for speed

APN (Access Point Name is the gateway between your phone and the carrier's network. APN may limit the speed to 3G-level, even if the indicator shows 4G. Often the problem occurs after resetting settings or updating. MIUI.

How to check and fix the APN:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the current APN profile (usually the operator name).
3. Check the following fields (if not, add them manually): APN: Internet (for MegaFon / MTS) or Internet.beeline.ru (for Beeline). Type APN: must be default,supl,mms (or default,supl for some operators). APN protocol and Roaming Protocol: install IPv4/IPv6.

Save the changes and restart the phone.

🔹 The secret trick: For Tele2 and Yota add to the Type field APN The dun is a semicolon value (example: default,supl,dun). This can increase the speed by 10-15%.

3. Engineering menu: hidden modem settings

Xiaomi has a hidden engineering menu (Engineer Mode) where you can manually configure modem settings, including Band Lock (band-to-frequency binding) and CA (Carrier Aggregation) – one of the most effective ways to improve mobile internet, but it requires caution.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block – here you can force LTE Only (an analogue of the method from the first section, but with a large selection of options).

For advanced users:

• 📶 Band Lock: In the engineering menu, go to Band Selection and manually select your operator’s frequencies (for example, for MTS in Moscow this is Band 3, 7, 20.
• 🔗 Carrier Aggregation (CA): Enable the Enable option CA, If it's turned off, it allows the phone to use multiple frequencies at once to increase speed.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect settings in the engineering menu can lead to total network loss. If you are not sure, take a screenshot of the current settings before changing. X3) The engineering menu can be blocked, in which case root will be required.

4. MIUI optimization: disabling background processes

MIUI is known for aggressive optimization of background processes, but sometimes it works against the user: messengers and other applications are not updated in the background, and the system limits the speed of mobile Internet to “battery savings”, this is especially noticeable on models with 4/64 GB of memory (Redmi A1, Poco C40).

How to fix it:

• 🔄 Turn off Adaptive Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Optimize the battery and turn off the option. This will allow applications to use the Internet in the background.
• 📱 Add apps to “No Limits”: In the same section, select apps that need constant communication (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp, Google Play Services) and set them to No Limits mode.
• 🚫 Turn off "Data Limitation": In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transmission check that background restriction or limit warning is not included.

💡 Useful tip: If after these changes the battery began to sit down faster, turn on the mode Saving charge manually, but add critical applications in the exceptions.

5. Hardware methods: SIM card, antenna and case

Mobile Internet problems are not always software-related, but are often to blame:

• 📱 Old or damaged SIM-map: Micro-SIM or nano-SIM that has served more than 3–5 It can physically limit speed, replace it with a new one in the cabin (free of charge). 5G — Older SIMs do not support new standards.
• 📡 Bad antenna contact: If the phone fell or disassembled, the antenna plume could move away, and you can check this by slightly pressing the back cover in the upper left corner (where the antenna is usually located) - if the speed temporarily improves, the problem is the contact.
• 🛡️ Metal case or magnetic holders: They shield the signal. Try to remove the case and test the speed without it.

📊 Interference Test: Install Network Cell Info Lite (free on Google Play) and check the signal level in dBm:

⚠️ Note: If the signal level is lower -100 dBm, and the operator says that everything is fine in your area — the problem may be in the phone's communication module. 2020–2022 years (Redmi Note) 9 Pro, Mi 10T) This is a frequent malfunction that requires repair.

6. Update of firmware and modems

Manufacturers regularly release updates for modems (radio firmware), which are responsible for communication. If your Xiaomi has not been updated for a long time, it can use outdated network connection algorithms. Especially for owners of Poco F3, Redmi K40 and other models with Qualcomm Snapdragon - these chips modems are updated separately from the main firmware.

How to update:

1. Check out the current version of MIUI: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. If the version is older than the official website, update via Settings → System Update.
3. For forced modem reinstallation: Download the full firmware package for your model from Xiaomi's website (choose Fastboot or Recovery). Reflash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).

Critical information: On some models (Redmi Note 11, Poco X4 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 15, 5G may disappear. This is a firmware bug - a temporary solution: roll back to MIUI 14 or wait for a patch.

🔧 For advanced: If official updates don't help, you can manually flash the latest modem through Fastboot. 4PDA or XDA Developers (e.g. for Snapdragon 870 in Poco) F3 There are separate packages of modems).

💡

Updating modems via Fastboot is the most effective way to fix 5G/4G issues, but requires technical skills.

7.Alternative methods: VPN, DNS and utilities

Sometimes the problem isn't the phone, but the operator's routed traffic, and then you can use:

• 🌐 Shift. DNS: Xiaomi is using the default DNS Operator that may be overloaded: Set 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Settings DNS.
• 🔒 VPN To circumvent restrictions: Some operators throttle (slow down) traffic for certain services (e.g. YouTube or Torrent). VPN Like ProtonVPN or Cloudflare’s Warp can get around it.
• 📊 Monitoring applications: NetMonster or LTE Discovery shows the real speed, frequencies used and nearby towers, which will help you understand whether the phone is having a problem or the coverage.

⚠️ Attention: Use VPN It can increase ping in games (e.g., in games). PUBG If you care about the speed of reaction, test different servers. VPN or give it up.

Extreme measures: reset, root and replacement of the module

If none of the above has worked, radical methods remain:

• ⚙️ Reset to factory settings: Sometimes network settings "break" after updates. back up and reset through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🔓 Root access and modifications: With root you can: Remove system restrictions MIUI Install a custom core with optimized modem drivers, use applications like Network Signal Guru to deep-tube the network.
• 🛠️ Replacement of communication module: If the phone does not see the network at all or the speed does not exceed 1 Mbps, it may have burned down RF-module (responsible for receiving the signal) The cost of replacement is from 1,500 to 4000 rubles depending on the model.

💰 For phones older than 3 years (for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro 2019), replacing the communication module is often impractical - it is cheaper to buy a new Xiaomi budget line (Redmi). 13C POCO M6 Pro).

💡

Before resetting, write down the phone's IMEI (type *#06#). In rare cases, it can reset to 00000000 after reset, and it will not be possible to restore it without a backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about mobile Internet on Xiaomi