How to amplify weak Internet signal on Xiaomi and Redmi

Modern Xiaomi Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with powerful communication modules, but owners often face a situation when the device loses the network in areas of insecure reception, this can be caused by software failures of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, and physical factors affecting the quality of the radio signal.

Before you bring your gadget to the service center, you should try a set of software and hardware methods of setting up. In most cases, unstable Internet can be stabilized without replacing the equipment. We will look at proven ways to help return a confident reception on your device, using the hidden capabilities of the system.

Basic diagnostics and reboot of communication modules

The first step is always to diagnose the current state of the network, often the system simply “hangs” in the tower search mode or uses a suboptimal connection protocol, and to start with, you need to completely reboot the device, since a simple transfer to air mode does not always clear the cache of network services.

After you turn on your smartphone, go to the settings menu and reset the network settings. This action will return all settings of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile data to factory values, removing possible profile conflicts. Please note that after this procedure you will have to re-enter passwords from wireless networks.

If your phone supports 5G but does not have such coverage in your region, the device will waste battery life and CPU time constantly searching for a non-existent tower, which reduces the overall signal strength.

  • 📶 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network.
  • 📶 Choose the option Preferably LTE or 3G/2G (car, if 4G snatch.
  • 📶 Disable the Wi-Fi Assistant feature, which may incorrectly switch data streams.
  • 📶 Check if the traffic saving mode limiting background activity is activated.
📊 What type of network is more stable?
4G (LTE)
3G
2G (EDGE)
5G
Wi-Fi

An important nuance is to check the physical condition SIM-Old SIMs with large necklines or scratches on the contacts can make poor contact with the phone receiver. SIM-cards to a new operator often solves the problem of signal jumps 30-40%, The new chips have improved antenna performance.

Setting up APN access points to speed up the internet

One of the most common reasons for slow Internet is the incorrect setting of the access point (APN). Operators periodically update their gateways, and the old settings prescribed in the phone may not provide the maximum data rate. APN.

Go to the mobile network settings, select your SIM-Map and find the "Access Points" item (APN)». Click the button “New Access Point” or “Create” APN». It is important to enter the exact data of your operator, which can be found on the official website of the provider. Do not copy the settings from unverified sources, as this can lead to a complete loss of access to the network.

☑️ Checking settings APN

Done: 0 / 4

Once you have entered all the parameters, be sure to save the profile and activate it by ticking the appropriate box. Restart your phone and check the speed through measurement services, such as Speedtest. If the result has not changed, try changing the protocol type from IPv4 to IPv4/IPv6 or vice versa.

There is a myth that change DNS-servers in settings APN It actually only affects the response rate when you open a site, but it doesn't increase the bandwidth of the channel. DNS Google or Cloudflare can help if the provider blocks some requests.

⚠️ Note: When editing fields APN Don't change the values of the fields MMSC, MMS Proxy and MCC/MNC, If you are not sure of their correctness, otherwise they will stop coming. MMS-communications and operator services.

Using an engineering menu to enhance the antenna

Android, including the MIUI shells, has a hidden engineering menu that allows you to control the parameters of the radio module at a low level, which can force the phone to use only certain frequencies, which often improves the stability of the connection in the noisy ether.

To enter the menu, dial ##4636## in the phone book. If the code is not working, your firmware version may be blocking access and you will need to install a special activator application. From the menu that opens, select Phone Information.

What if the code doesn't work?
If the standard code doesn’t open the menu, try installing the “Force LTE Only (4G/5G)” app from Google Play, which allows you to access hidden settings via ADB or system calls, but requires caution when using it.

Find the "Set Preferred Network Type" section, which defaults to "ALL", meaning that you automatically choose between 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. Try LTE Only mode, which will prevent your phone from switching to slower communication standards.

Network modeDescriptionWhen to use
NR OnlyOnly 5G.In areas of confident reception of 5G
LTE OnlyOnly 4G.For a stable Internet, if 3G/2G interferes with the Internet
WCDMA OnlyOnly 3G.In places where 4G is missing, but you need a voice
GSM OnlyOnly 2G.Only for emergency calls in discharge

Please note that the regime LTE Only can disable incoming and outgoing voice calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE technology. In this case, the phone simply will not see the network for calls, although the Internet will work perfectly «LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA» or similarly complex.

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LTE Only is ideal for modems and tablets, but on smartphones it can block voice calls without VoLTE technology.

Optimizing Wi-Fi Connection on Xiaomi

Wi-Fi problems are often not with the phone itself, but with router settings or interference on the air. Xiaomi smartphones have a “Wi-Fi Assistant” feature that automatically switches the device to the mobile Internet if the Wi-Fi signal becomes weak.

To improve reception, try changing the router's broadcast channel. In apartment buildings, many neighborhood networks operate on the same frequencies, creating a "porridge" of signals. Use Wi-Fi analysis apps to find a free channel, and write it in the router's settings.

Also worth paying attention to is the frequency range. If your router is dual-band, connect your phone to a 5GHz network. This range provides faster speeds and is less prone to interference, but has a shorter range and passes through walls worse than 2.4GHz.

  • 📶 Forget Wi-Fi in your phone settings and connect again.
  • 📶 Turn off the "random" function. MAC-address in the properties of your Wi-Fi network if the router is old.
  • 📶 Make sure your phone doesn’t have power saving mode on, limiting Wi-Fi performance in the background.
  • 📶 Check if the static is installed. IP-conflict address in settings DHCP.

⚠️ Attention: 5GHz frequency barely breaks through load-bearing walls. If you're far from the router, switch to 2.4GHz for better stability, even if the speed is lower.

Influence of covers and external factors on the signal

Physical obstacles are one of the main enemies of the radio signal. The antennas in modern Redmi and Xiaomi smartphones are located around the perimeter of the case, often in the upper and lower parts of the frame. Using cases with metal inserts, magnetic holders or too thick silicone can shield the signal.

Try removing the cover and checking the signal level. If you notice a difference, replace the accessory with a thinner one or one made of materials that do not interfere with the passage of radio waves. The signal can also deteriorate if you hold the phone with a certain grip, covering the antenna areas with your hand.

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Metallic films or “signal enhancers” stickers that are glued to the battery or under the lid are 99% marketing ploy and do not work, and sometimes even worsen reception, creating additional interference.

Another factor is the overheating of the device. At high temperatures, the radio module can reduce its power to protect the components, which leads to a drop in the signal level.

Resetting settings and updating firmware

If the software methods didn’t help, there may have been a build-up of errors affecting the modem drivers, and the last thing you can do before you go to the service is to completely reset your settings. Before you do this, make sure to back up all the important data, as the information will be deleted.

Also check for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that fix bugs in radio modules and improve switching algorithms between towers. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click the update check button.

In some cases, flashing the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility helps, but this requires certain skills and carries risks. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to limit yourself to resetting through the recovery menu (Recovery Mode).

Why is the phone signaling but the internet is not working?
This phenomenon is called the “signal illusion”; the phone sees the tower pilot, but the data channel is overloaded by subscribers or blocked by the operator due to debt, and the cause may be a DNS failure or the wrong date and time on the device.
Does a crowded memory affect internet speed?
However, if the system partition or RAM is critically filled, the phone may be slow and the browser will process the data for a long time, creating the impression of a slow Internet.
Should I take it out? SIM-map?
Take it out SIM-The card is not required for a program reset, but it is desirable, which ensures that there is no accidental sending during the reset process. SMS Resetting the operator, although modern Android systems usually isolate this process.