The problem of low mobile Internet speed on Xiaomi smartphones is familiar to many users, especially in areas of unstable coverage or high load on the operator’s network. Often the device defaults to choose a suboptimal protocol or uses standard DNS settings that do not always provide maximum performance in a particular region. Owners of budget models of the Redmi and POCO series face this more often due to less powerful modems, but even the flagship Mi lineups may require manual adjustment of parameters to achieve the perfect ping.
In this article, we’ll not only look at the obvious steps like rebooting, but also delve into the hidden settings of MIUI and HyperOS. You’ll learn how to force a phone to run in 4G/LTE mode even as it tries to switch to 3G, and what commands unlock the potential of an antenna. Traffic optimization is a complex process that affects both the software limitations of the shell and the physical parameters of connecting to a base station.
Before making a change, it’s important to understand that there’s no magic “get the internet fast” button, but the combination of the right settings can work wonders. We’ll look at methods ranging from simple actions that everyone can do to advanced point manipulation. Connectivity stability has a direct impact on navigation, streaming services, and the quality of voice calls through instant messengers, so this aspect of smartphone operation cannot be ignored.
Diagnostics of the current network status and operator selection
The first step should always be to assess the situation honestly: is it really a problem in the phone or is it a carrier coverage? Often users try to “overclock” Xiaomi when the cell tower is overloaded or too far away. First, check the signal level at different points in the room and on the street. If the bars of the indicator jump, no APN settings will help — the physical signal is too weak for high data rates.
The second important thing is the type of SIM card and the plan. Old SIM cards, released more than 5-7 years ago, may not support modern encryption and frequency standards, which limits speed. Also make sure that your tariff has no hidden restrictions on the amount of high-speed traffic. Many operators after exhausting the main package “cut” the speed to a minimum, in which case acceleration on the phone side is impossible.
⚠️ WARNING: If you’re in a basement, elevator, or deep room with thick walls, your smartphone can aggressively switch between the two. 3G and 4G It creates the illusion of lags. In these situations, forced activation is only possible. 4G It can cause complete loss of communication.
For accurate diagnosis, use built-in system tools or third-party applications. MIUI has a hidden engineering menu that shows the real signal power in dBm, not just conventional "rods." A value above -95 dBm is considered good, while indicators below -110 dBm indicate an extremely weak signal, where high-speed Internet is not necessary.
Basic setting of APN access points
The most effective and safe way to affect speed is to adjust the APN (Access Point Name) access points correctly. By default, the smartphone substitutes standard values that may not be relevant to your region or network type. Errors in these parameters cause traffic to go through remote gateways, increasing ping and reducing the overall channel capacity.
To change the settings, go to the Settings menu. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks. Select your SIM card and click on "Access Points (APN)». In the list that opens, find the active point (usually marked with a green dot) or create a new one by clicking on the plus at the bottom of the screen.
In the field "Typical" APN» Make sure you specify default,supl. GPS-navigation, and its absence can slow down the determination of location, which indirectly affects the operation of maps and taxis. APN better put IPv4/IPv6, Some modern services work faster through the new protocol, while the old ones still use the classic one.
- 📶 Name: Enter any name, such as FastInternet.
- 🌐 APN: enter the address of your operator’s access point (for example, Internet.mts.ru).
- 🔒 Type of authentication: select PAP or CHAP (Experiment if one doesn’t work).
- ⚙️ Protocol APN: strictly IPv4/IPv6 for maximum compatibility.
After making the changes, be sure to save the profile by clicking three dots in the corner of the screen and selecting Save, and then activate it. It is not superfluous to turn on and off flight mode so that the phone is re-registered on the network with new parameters. This action resets the connection session with the base station and often gives an instant speed gain.
☑️ Checking settings APN
Forced switching of network modes
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are set to automatically select the type of network (5G/4G/3G/2G). The logic of the system is simple: it tries to keep the connection any way it wants, but in border areas where the signal is 4G The phone can be constantly “jumping” between 3G and 4G, It's more effective to force the system to lock in. LTE Only or 4G Preferred.
There are several ways to do this. The easiest way is through the standard menu. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → If you have a dual-sim phone, the settings are applied individually to each card. LTE». That's not gonna let the phone go to 3G, unless 4G never disappear.
A more advanced method is to use a hidden test menu. In the Phone app, dial ##4636##. The Verification menu will open where you select Phone Information. In the Select Preferred Network Type list, select LTE Only. Be careful: In this mode, incoming calls may not pass unless the operator supports VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology.
| Network mode | Description | Impact on speed | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G/4G/3G/2G (Auto) | Automatic selection of the best signal | Medium (frequent switching) | Unstable ping in coverage areas |
| LTE Only | Only 4G networks. | High (stable connection) | No incoming calls without VoLTE |
| 3G/2G (Auto) | Only the old standards. | Low (for modern tasks) | Inability to use heavy applications |
| LTE/WCDMA | 4G and 3G without 2G | Tall. | Minimum, optimal balance |
If, after the introduction of the regime LTE Only voice is missing and the internet is fast, which means your carrier or tariff doesn't support voice transmission. 4G. In that case, go back to the regime. LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA Or just, "Prefer to it." LTE», To keep the phone open.
What if the #4636## code doesn’t work?
Change of change DNS-servers to speed up response
One of the common reasons for slow loading pages, especially “heavy” sites with many scripts, is low speed. DNS-server. DNS (Domain Name System translates the user-friendly site addresses into IP-server addresses, if your operator is using overloaded DNS, The browser will wait a long time for a response before downloading content, and replacing them with fast public servers from Google or Cloudflare can significantly reduce response time.
In modern versions of Android and shell MIUI 12/13/14 HyperOS has a built-in “Private” function. DNS» (Private DNS), coder DNS-requests and allows you to use fast servers without root rights. → Connection and sharing → Private DNS. By default, there is “Auto” or “Disconnected».
Select the Private DNS Provider Host Name mode and enter the address of one of the fast servers. The most popular and reliable options are:
- 🚀 Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com (frequently).
- 🔒 Google DNS: dns.google (stable worldwide).
- 🛡️ AdGuard DNS: dns.adguard.com (blocks advertising at the network level).
Once you enter the address, click Save. The effect can be noticeable immediately: pages will start to open in jerks, but faster, long waits will disappear when loading items. If the selected server is not available in your region or from the operator, the Internet may stop working completely - in which case, just return the setting to the Auto position.
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Use the DNS Benchmark or Ping & DNS app to check the response rates of various servers in your location before setting up. What works fast in Moscow can slow down in Vladivostok.
Cleaning the network cache and resetting parameters
Over time, network settings, conflicting configurations, and junk cache files accumulate in the system, which can slow down the modem, especially after updating the firmware or changing the SIM card, and resetting the network resets all connection parameters (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile Internet) to factory values, eliminating software conflicts.
It's important to understand that this step won't delete your personal photos, contacts or apps. It will only affect network configurations. You'll have to re-enter passwords from Wi-Fi networks and reconfigure APN access points if you've changed them before. However, it often solves problems when the Internet "seems to catch" but pages don't load.
Resets can be done via Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. At the bottom of the screen will be the Reset button. The system will request confirmation and a screen unlock code. Once the phone restarts, it will start looking for a network with clean settings, which often improves connection stability.
⚠️ Warning: Before resetting, make sure you remember passwords from important Wi-Fi networks. IP-Addresses for printers or smart homes, they will have to be re-registered.
Additionally, it is worth checking whether the traffic saving mode is included, which can artificially limit the background activity of applications. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Save traffic make sure the feature is off, or add important apps to exceptions.Aggressive battery saving in MIUI It can also “kill” background download processes, so in the battery settings for browsers and instant messengers, you should choose the “No restrictions” mode».
Hardware restrictions and SIM card selection
Entry-level smartphones often feature modems that only support certain frequencies (Band). If your carrier uses a frequency that the phone does not support (for example, Band 7 or Band 20, popular in Europe and Russia for 4G), there will never be high speed. You can find out the supported frequencies in the characteristics of a particular model on the official website or in specialized applications like Cell Info Lite.
The age of the SIM card also plays an important role: If your plastic SIM is over 5-7 years old, it may not work properly on 4G networks, especially if it was cut with scissors to the size of Nano-SIM. Chip damage or a violation of geometry during pruning leads to unstable contact and loss of data packets. Replacing the SIM card in the operator’s cabin is a free procedure that often solves speed problems.
Finally, look at the case. Metallic cases or magnetic latch cases can shield the smartphone antenna, reducing the signal level by 10-15 dB. Remove the case and check the speed - if it has grown, the problem is in the accessory.
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A comprehensive approach, including setting up APN, changing DNS and checking the physical state of the SIM card, gives a better result than using one method.