How to strengthen mobile Internet on Xiaomi smartphones: from settings to hardware solutions

Bad mobile internet on Xiaomi is a problem faced by one in five users of the brand. 4G Indoors, whether it's a constant connection break when you're moving, or a slow speed even when you're stuck on the grid, and it can be caused by software settings on your smartphone, by hardware limitations on your model, or by mobile operators.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to strengthen the mobile Internet on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic settings to advanced methods, including modem modification and hardware solutions, it is important to understand that there is no universal recipe: the effectiveness of each method depends on the specific model, firmware version. MIUI even the region of use.

Before you start settings, check the obvious points: make sure that you have an active tariff with mobile Internet, and in the coverage area of the operator is available. 4G/5G (not 3G or EDGE). If the problem is only in one place (for example, at home), it may not be the phone that is to blame, but the poor network coverage - in this case, a repeater or a change of operator will help.

Also consider that some Xiaomi models (especially the budget Redmi A series or the Redmi A series) are not available. POCO M) equipped with simplified modems that are physically unable to provide high speed or stable signal in weak networks, in which case hardware solutions (e.g., an external antenna) may be the only way out.

1. Optimization of mobile network settings in MIUI

The first thing you should do is check and adjust the basic mobile Internet settings, and even if you haven't changed anything, some of the settings may have gone wrong after the update. MIUI or reset.

Open the Settings menu → SIM-Maps and mobile networks. Please note the following points here:

• 📶 Network mode: select 4G (preferably 5G (if supported. Option 3G/2G speed limit.
• 🔄 Automatic Network Selection: Disable it and select the operator manually – sometimes Automotive Mode connects to a less powerful network.
• 📡 Access points (APN): Check that the parameters correspond to the recommendations of your operator. For example, for MTS it is Internet.mts.ru, for Beeline - Internet.beeline.ru.
• 🔋 Traffic Savings: Turn off this option if it’s active – it can artificially limit speed.

Pay special attention to the item Network type. MIUI (Especially global, the default may be LTE What prevents the phone from switching to 5G or 3G It's a low signal — 4G/3G/2G (car 5G/4G/3G/2G (vehicle (if supported).

If the signal has not improved after the changes, try restarting the phone - sometimes the settings are applied only after the reboot.

2. Reset network settings and update firmware

If the basic settings didn't work, the next thing you should try is resetting your mobile network settings, which will delete all the saved settings, including the ones you've saved. APN, Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth devices, but often solves connection problems.

For reset, go to:

Settings → About phone → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings

After confirmation, the phone will restart and you will have to re-enter the settings. APN (They can be found on the operator’s website).

Another common cause of poor Internet is outdated firmware, and manufacturers regularly release updates to fix modem errors to check the relevance of the update. MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the latest version if available.
3. After the update, reset your network settings (as described above).

If your model hasn’t received updates in a long time (such as the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9), consider installing custom firmware with an up-to-date modem. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and may take away warranty.

💡

Before resetting the network, save your Wi-Fi passwords in a notebook or take screenshots with settings APN — This will save time after the reboot.

3. Modification of modem parameters through the engineering menu

For advanced users, there is a way to fine-tune the modem through an engineering menu (also known as a "menu"). MTK Engineering Mode or Qualcomm Service Mode, depending on the processor. This method allows you to manually specify network settings that may not be optimal by default.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Type the code on your phone keyboard: ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.

So here you can experiment with network modes.

• 📶 LTE Only - forcefully uses only 4G (It can help if the phone is constantly switching to the 3G).
• 🔄 LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM Auto – optimal for most regions of Russia.
• 🚀 NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM Auto – if your phone supports you 5G.

You can also include Carrier Aggregation in the engineering menu, which increases speed by combining multiple frequencies.

1. Return to the main menu of the engineering mode.
2. Choose. UE Setting & Info → Setting → Protocol → NAS → Network Control → Band Combination.
3. Activate all available combinations (or select those your carrier supports).

⚠️ Warning: Do not change settings that you do not know what you want to do; incorrect settings can cause a complete loss of network or even overheating of the modem. If the Internet is lost after changes, reset the network settings (section 2).

4. Verification and replacement SIM-map

It would seem that it could go wrong with SIM-In practice, worn or improperly cropped SIM It's often the cause of a bad signal:

• 🔍 Physical condition: check the card for scratches, chips or dirt. Contacts should be clean and shiny.
• 📏 Form factor: If you use nano-SIM in a micro-SIM slot (or vice versa) with an adapter, it can worsen contact.
• 🆕 Age of the card: SIM-Cards older than 5-7 years may not work properly due to the wear of the chip, and replacing them with a new card (free in the cabin) sometimes solves the problem.
• 📶 Type of card: for 4G/5G need USIM (not obsolete SIM). Ask the operator what type of card you are issued.

If you’ve recently switched to eSIM, make sure the profile is activated correctly. on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi). POCO F5) eSIM may conflict with physical SIM, If both are active at the same time, try turning off one of them in the settings.

It is also worth checking whether yours supports you. SIM-VoLTE card (voice) 4G). If not, the operator can force you to switch to the 3G When you call, which can make your Internet speed worse:

Settings → SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks → [Select SIM] → Enable VoLTE

5. Hardware methods of signal amplification

If the software didn't work, the problem could be the hardware limitations of the phone.

• 📡 External antenna: some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ or POCO X3 Pro) support connection of an external antenna via the connector IPEX (This radically improves signal in low-cost areas.
• 🔋 Signal amplifier: A device that captures a signal from the outside and relays it inside the room, suitable if the problem is only at home/office.
• 🛠️ Replacement of the communication module: if the phone fell or got wet, the modem chip or antenna tracks could fail, in which case only repairs at the service center will help.
• 📱 Metal cover: some covers will shield the signal. Try removing the cover and see if the connection improves.

To connect an external antenna, you will need:

1. Disassemble the phone and find the connector IPEX (It is usually located next to the camera module or battery).
2. Solder or connect the adapter for the antenna (sold on AliExpress or in radio stores).
3. Excel the antenna cable outside (for example, through the headphone hole).
4. Connect an antenna with a magnetic or suction mount (for example, 4G LTE 12 dBi-magnified antenna).

⚠️ Warning: Disassembly of the phone is warranty-free and can damage the board if you have no experience with electronics.

If you are often in places with a bad signal (such as basements or outside the city), consider buying a portable one. 4G-It's a router with an external antenna, and it's going to give the Internet to your phone over Wi-Fi, and it's going to provide a stable connection.

6.Challenges with specific Xiaomi models and their solutions

Some Xiaomi models have typical problems with mobile internet, such as hardware or firmware, and the most common cases are:

If your model is not listed in the table, look for information in thematic forums (for example, for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers: Users often share unique solutions for specific devices.

On models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO M4 Pro signal 5G It can be weaker than Qualcomm Snapdragon because of less optimized modems, and in such cases, only replacing the phone or using an external antenna will help.

7. Alternative methods: VPN, change DNS and other tricks

Sometimes the problem is not the signal, but the operator’s limitations or traffic blockages, and the following methods may help:

• 🔒 VPN: Some operators throttle (slow down) traffic for certain services (e.g. torrents or videos). VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or Warp from Cloudflare can bypass these restrictions.
• 🌐 Change of change DNS: default DNS Try replacing them with 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google).
• 📱 Plane mode: Turn it on and off in 10 to 15 seconds, and that force the phone to reconnect.
• 🔄 Shift. IMEI: This is an extreme method that can help if your IMEI But it's illegal in most countries and it's fraught with legal problems.

To change the DNS to Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Private network (VPN) → Private DNS.
2. Select the host name of the private DNS provider.
3. Enter dns.google or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com.
4. Save and restart the phone.

If you suspect that the operator artificially limits the speed, check it through the service Speedtest or nPerf. If the speed is lower than the stated rate (for example, 10 Mbit / s instead of 50 Mbit / s), contact the operator with the requirement to understand.

Internet speed on another phone (to rule out network problems)

Settings APN (must comply with the operator's recommendations)

Work. SIM-card

Updates to the firmware on the phone-->

8.When to contact the service center

If none of these methods worked, it may be a hardware malfunction, and here are some signs you should contact the service:

• 📵 The phone does not catch the network at all (even after resetting the settings).
• 🔥 Modem overheats when using mobile Internet.
• 💥 Signal disappears after falling or getting moisture.
• 📉 Internet speeds have dropped for no apparent reason (for example, after an update).
• 🔧 The engineering menu displays modem errors (e.g., Modem crash or No service).

The service center will be able to:

• Diagnose the antenna module and modem chip.
• Reflash the modem separately from the main firmware.
• Replace damaged elements (e.g, RF-signal-filters).
• Restore IMEI, If it was lost after a failed update.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself and do not install custom firmware - this will void warranty obligations).

The cost of repairing the communication module varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model and the complexity of the work. ~2,000 rubles, and repair of modem chip on Xiaomi 12 – up to 5,000 rubles.

💡

If the phone stops catching the network after falling or getting wet, don't dry it with a hair dryer or battery, it will aggravate the damage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about strengthening mobile Internet on Xiaomi