How to Increase Signal on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Network Setup

The situation when the screen of a smartphone Xiaomi or Redmi instead of confident divisions of the scale appears barely noticeable icon “E” or “G”, familiar to many users. It is not just an annoyance, it is a direct road to missed calls, unsent messages and inability to use the navigator at the right time. Weak reception can be caused by a variety of reasons, from the remoteness of the tower operator and terrain features to banal failures in the software of the device itself.

Before you sound the alarm and carry the gadget to the service center, it is worth trying a number of software methods that often allow you to significantly improve the quality of communication without financial investment. Modern smartphones have hidden tools for diagnosing and setting up the radio module, which the average user may not know. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods, from simple reboots to working with the engineering menu.

It's important to understand that you can't programmatically stretch a physical antenna, but you can make the modem work more efficiently by eliminating interference and choosing the optimal frequency range. SIM-A cartridge or a mismatched case that blocks the signal. Let's go through all the steps of optimizing your device to maximize reception.

Basic Diagnostics and Simple Actions

The first step should always be to check the equipment and simulate a network reset. Often the communication module “hangs” in network search mode or incorrectly switches between towers when a subscriber moves. A simple reboot of the device resets the temporary cache of the radio module and forces it to re-register in the operator’s network, choosing the best available base station.

Pay attention to the physical condition SIM-If you've been using one SIM for years or you've cut it out of the format yourself. mini/micro In nano, the contacts may have oxidized or damaged. Removal and re-installing of the map, as well as wiping the contacts with soft dry cloth, in 30% Also check if your protective case covers the area of the antenna location - some metal or thick silicone accessories can shield the signal.

You can use the flight mode to force the registration update on the network. 10-15 This action causes the phone to completely disable the radio module and start it again, which is more effective than a normal reboot for tasks related to network search.

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Before extraction SIM-Make sure to turn off your smartphone to avoid damaging the card's file system or phone contacts.

If you're in a room with thick walls or in a basement, try going to the window. Glass transmits radio waves much better than concrete or metal. Sometimes you just need to move a couple of meters to increase the signal level by 1-2 divisions, which is critical for switching from EDGE to 3G or 4G.

Configure the preferred type of network

One of the most common reasons for a floating signal is the automatic choice of network type.The smartphone tries to grab onto the fastest available standard (for example, the smartphone is a very popular one, 4G/LTE), even if the signal is weak and unstable, ignising the older, but stable signal. 3G. Forced switching of the mode of operation can radically change the situation.

To change the settings, go to the Settings menu. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose yours. SIM-map → The preferred type of network. Here you'll see options like, "Preferred." LTE», «Only 3G» or "Only" 2G». If in your location 4G If you can barely catch, try to select “Only” 3G» (WCDMA). The speed of the Internet will be lower, but the connection will become more stable, and the battery will be spent more economically, since the phone will not have to constantly search for a lost tower. 4G.

Some MIUI or HyperOS firmwares have Band Locking, a more advanced method that prevents the phone from connecting to overloaded or long-range frequencies that don’t provide good speed, but standard menus can’t do that, requiring access to an engineering menu or third-party utilities.

It is worth noting that forced on 2G Only mode can be useful in emergency situations when you need to save battery power at all costs and ensure the possibility of voice calls in an area of very poor coverage. Voice communication in the GSM standard often breaks through where 4G is already completely absent.

Using an engineering menu to amplify the signal

The Engineering Menu is a hidden section of the Android operating system designed to test hardware and fine-tune radio modules, and it’s where the most powerful tools for those who want to maximize the signal on their Xiaomi are hidden.

Open the Phone app and dial the combination ##4636##. If the code is correct, the Testing menu will open. Select Phone Information. Here you will see a lot of technical options. We are interested in the "Install preferred network type" section. In the dropdown list, you can select modes that are not available in the normal settings menu, for example, "LTE Only" (LTE only) or "WCDMA Only".

⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when choosing a mode «LTE In this mode, your phone may stop accepting incoming voice calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE (Voice over) technology. LTE). You can only call yourself or use instant messengers, but normal calls will not pass.

In the same menu, you can find the signal power or signal level option, which displays real values in dBm. The closer the value to zero (for example, -80 dBm), the better the signal. Values below -110 dBm indicate critically poor reception. Also, the option "Run a ping test" is sometimes available here, allowing you to check the stability of the connection with the operator's server in real time.

Remember that changes to the engineering menu are reset once the device is restarted. If you find a good combination of settings, you will have to reuse it after each phone switch off, or use special script applications (requires Root rights), which apply the settings automatically when you boot the system.

Operator change and frequency selection

Often the problem is not the phone, but the coverage of the operator in your area. Buildings, terrain and distance to the tower play a crucial role. Different operators use different frequency ranges: low frequencies (for example, 800 MHz, Band 20) penetrate walls better and work over longer distances, and high (2600 MHz, Band 7) give high speeds but have a short range.

Checking which frequencies your Redmi or Poco is currently running on is possible with the help of analyzer applications such as Network Cell Info Lite or Celllular-Z. These programs will show the current Band (range) and signal level in dBm. If you see that the phone is clinging to a high-frequency range with a level of -115 dBm, and the neighboring operator catches a low frequency with a level of -95 dBm, choosing a SIM card from another operator will be the only right decision.

Using two SIM cards can create additional interference. If one SIM card is constantly searching for a network in the area of poor reception, it can “muffle” the signal of the second card, even if the second one is in the zone of confident reception. Try to leave only one SIM card on the phone during the tests to see if this affects the signal level.

Resetting network settings and software updates

Accumulated errors in the configuration of network profiles can lead to malfunctioning of the communication module. Reset network settings returns all parameters (APN, preference network types, Bluetooth pairing) to factory values. This will not delete your personal files, contacts or applications, but will require re-entering passwords from Wi-Fi networks.

You can reset via the Settings path → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. After this procedure, the phone will restart and re-request the Internet settings from the operator. This often helps if after updating the firmware or traveling to another region the connection became unstable.

Also, don’t ignore the system updates. In newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS, Xiaomi regularly updates the database of operator profiles and modem drivers. If you have an older version of the software installed, the phone may not work properly with new towers or use outdated frequency switching algorithms.

⚠️ Note: Before performing a network reset, make sure you know or save passwords from important Wi-Fi networks, as they will be deleted from the device’s memory.

Check for updates in Settings → About Phone. If the system says you’re using the latest version but problems persist, you can try checking for updates manually by clicking on three dots in the corner of the screen and selecting the appropriate item, although this rarely gives a new result officially.

External amplifiers and alternative solutions

If the software methods didn't work and the signal remains weak, you'll have to resort to hardware solutions. In your home or office, a GSM/4G repeater (signal amplifier) is a great option, which consists of an external antenna that is installed outside the building and an internal unit that relays the amplified signal indoors.

There are also special antenna stickers for smartphones that stick inside the case (require disassembly) or on the back cover. Their effectiveness is controversial and often depends on the phone’s specific model and the design of its antennas. In most cases, modern smartphones have a well-shielded body, and a sticker on the outside may not give any effect or even make things worse.

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The most effective way to improve signal in a stationary location (home, office) is to install an external directional antenna connected to a router or repeater, rather than manipulating the phone's settings.

Another solution is to use Wi-Fi Calling (VoWiFi), and if your carrier and plan support this feature and there is Wi-Fi in the room, the phone will use the Internet to make calls and make calls. SMS, You can turn on this function in the settings, without ignoring the lack of a cellular signal. SIM-maps: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Wi-Fi calls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)