How to install 4G Only on Xiaomi smartphones

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners face a problem: the device is constantly “jumping” between communication standards. You are in the zone of confident reception of the fourth generation, but the phone suddenly switches to 3G or even 2G, which makes the Internet slow and pages stop loading, which is especially annoying when traveling or using the mobile Internet for work and navigation.

Android’s standard settings often offer network priority but don’t provide a strong guarantee. The system can decide that the 4G signal is too weak and switch to a more stable but slow 3G. To solve this problem, there is a 4G Only mode that forcibly blocks switching to other communication standards. In this article, we will discuss safe and advanced methods for activating this feature.

It's important to understand that this mode has its own peculiarities: If you find yourself in an area where 4G coverage disappears, your phone will simply lose its network and will not be able to make regular voice calls unless VoLTE is enabled, so it's important to be clear about why you need it and the risks of such a setup in everyday use.

Why you need 4G Only mode on Xiaomi

The main reason users are looking for a way to only install 4G on Xiaomi is the unstable Internet. In places where coverage areas of different towers border, the smartphone can constantly reconnect, breaking the connection. Forced fixation on LTE eliminates these gaps, ensuring stable ping in games and fast download content.

In some regions, operators are actively redistributing frequencies, and 3G-The signal may be more powerful than 4G. The phone, following the logic of the "best signal", chooses to 3G. Regime. 4G Only ignores the signal level of other standards and keeps the communication module strictly on the LTE. This can also have a positive impact on autonomy, as the module stops wasting energy on constant search and switching between towers of different generations.

But there's a downside to this: fourth-generation voice calls are only possible with VoLTE (Voice over LTE) backed by your carrier and your data plan. If VoLTE doesn't work, turning on hard 4G will make you unable to make or receive a call. The Internet will work, but the connection will become unavailable.

Verification of VoLTE support and preparation SIM-map

Before you go into technical manipulation of the engineering menu, you need to make sure that your infrastructure is ready to work in LTE Only mode. The first step is to check the support of VoLTE technology by your carrier. Without it, forced 4G will turn a smartphone into a tablet with the ability to access the network, but without voice communication.

The second important aspect is the setting up SIM-Make sure you have an up-to-date version of the operator profile. SIM-Cards that have been in use for years don't have the right settings to work with new voice protocols, and it's also worth checking if the service is activated. 4G/LTE in the personal account of your mobile operator, as at some tariffs it can be disabled by default.

⚠️ Attention: After the regime is activated 4G Only check outbound calls. If the call is not coming and the Internet is working, VoLTE is not active. In an emergency, you will have to temporarily return your network settings to automatic mode to call.

To activate VoLTE on Xiaomi, it is often enough to simply turn on the appropriate switch in the settings. → SIM-If the "Use VoLTE" switch is missing, you can try activating it through a hidden menu or code, but this already depends on the regional firmware and device model.

Activation through the engineering menu (CIT code)

The most common and safe way to switch is to use Xiaomi’s built-in engineering menu, which does not require root rights or third-party software, but the interface of this menu may vary depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS.

To enter the menu, you need to open the standard Phone app and type a special code. Immediately after entering the last digit, the hidden testing interface will open. We are interested in the section related to phone information or network settings. Different versions of the firmware may call the path differently, but the logic remains the same.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• 📞 Enter the code ##4636## in the Call App.
• 📱 Select the phone information (Phone Information).
• 📡 Find the drop-down list "Set Preferred Network Type).
• 🔒 Select the value LTE Only.

Once you select the setting, the network will disappear for a moment and reappear with the 4G or LTE icon. If the icon is gone completely or H+/3G appears, then there is no LTE coverage in your locality and the mode did not work correctly. Return the settings back to LTE/TD-SCDMA/CDMA/EV-DO/GSM/WCDMA (or similar long option marked Preferred) to restore normal operation.

Use of Force LTE Only application

On newer versions of Xiaomi shells, access to the engineering menu through code is often blocked by developers, in which case specialized applications from Google Play that use the same system calls come to the rescue. One of the most popular and proven tools is the Force LTE Only (4G/5G) application.

The app doesn’t require any extra software or complex settings. Once launched, it offers two main methods of working: the first method (Method 1) works on most Android 6-11 devices and uses the standard settings interface. The second method (Method 2) is designed for newer versions of Android, where access to network settings has been limited.

The activation process through the application:

1. Download and install Force LTE Only.
2. Run it and select Method 1: Android 6-11.
3. In the menu, look for the Set Preferred Network Type.
4. Change the value to LTE Only.

And it's important to note that once you reboot your smartphone, you can get a little bit more customized. It's normal for Android security to be able to run the app and reset the mode, and some users create automation, but that requires a lot more knowledge about how to set up the system.

Comparison of network switching methods

How you activate the mode depends on your phone model and operating system version, and to make it easier for you to navigate, we have prepared a comparative table of available methods, which will help you to understand which option is suitable for your case.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the best option is to use specialized applications or standard code. Methods using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) require connection to a computer and input commands, which can be difficult for an untrained user, but gives more flexible control.

Using modified firmware or obtaining Root rights for a single network switching function is impractical, it can disrupt banking applications and reduce the overall security of the device, and only if you are an experienced user and understand the risks.

Possible problems and solutions

After the regime has been activated LTE Only you can run into a number of non-standard situations, and the most common problem is that you don't have any communication, which means that there's really no coverage in the current location. 4G, yours SIM-The card is not logged in to the network LTE. Don’t panic: Just return your network settings to automatic mode.

Another common problem is that incoming calls are not possible, and as mentioned, this is due to the lack of VoLTE, and if the carrier does not support voice over LTE in your area, the phone will simply not register with the network for voice calls, since 2G and 3G standards are now “banned”.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use the mode 4G Only permanently if you move frequently between the city and the countryside. LTE often absent and you will be left completely unconnected, including emergency services.

It's also worth mentioning the effect on the battery. While locking on a single frequency theoretically saves charge, in practice, if the 4G signal is very weak, the modem will run at the power limit to hold the connection, which can lead to accelerated battery discharge and heating of the device body in the area of uncertain reception.

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If the phone starts to run out quickly after 4G Only is turned on, check the signal level. If it is below -110 dBm, it is better to return to automatic mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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4G Only is a great solution for stationary mobile internet use where there is reliable LTE coverage, but it requires caution when moving due to the risk of loss of voice communication.