Owning a modern smartphone from Xiaomi implies not only the use of multimedia capabilities, but also the need to control the quality of communication. Often users are faced with a situation where the stated speed of the Internet is not true, and the indicator shows four divisions, but the pages are loaded for a long time.
The operating frequency not only diagnoses coverage problems, but also adjusts antennas or selects the optimal operator. Unlike conventional indicators, hidden system data provides an accurate picture of what is happening on the air, and this is especially true for owners of Redmi and Poco models, which are often used as basic working tools.
In this article, we will look at all the available ways to get technical information about the network: you will learn how to enter the engineering menu, what codes to use and what applications will help visualize the signal. The exact frequency in MHz is a key parameter for setting up external amplifiers and understanding the real bandwidth of the channel.
Why do users need to know the frequency of the signal?
Many people think that if the Internet works, the technical details don't matter. But knowing the band helps us understand why one part of the house is great and the other part is lost. Different frequencies have different penetrating power: low frequencies are better at going through walls, but have less capacity, while high frequencies provide huge speeds in open space.
For owners of Xiaomi devices with two SIM-This information is vitally important in the cards, and it often happens that one SIM card occupies the best range, displacing the other on the other side.EDGE or 3G. Understanding this mechanism allows you to manually redistribute priorities or choose another operator for the second line.
Also, when buying a new smartphone or modem, knowing the frequencies your carrier supports helps avoid compatibility issues. Not all models, especially those imported from China, support the full range of European or Russian LTE frequencies.
Use of the Engineering Menu through Codes
The fastest way to access technical information is to enter special character combinations in the Phone app. In the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, these codes often work without additional permissions, but it is worth considering that on some global firmware versions, access to certain partitions may be limited by the manufacturer.
The standard command set is usually used to enter the test menu. Type ##4636## in the dialer. If the code doesn't work, try the alternative ##3646633##, which is typical of MediaTek processors often used in Redmi's budget models.
⚠️ Note: The engineering menu contains settings that may cause a complete loss of communication or a module to function incorrectly. Do not change the values in the sections that you do not know the purpose of, especially the transmitter power parameters.
Once you have successfully entered the code, the Testing menu will open, and here we are interested in the Phone Information section, and this section shows your current connection status, network type, and most importantly, your Band Number.
What if the code doesn't work?
Analysis of data in the menu "About the phone"
The standard MIUI hides detailed technical data but provides basic information. Go to Settings → Phone → General information. Here you will see the current network status, but without detailing by frequency. To get more detailed data, you need to click several times in a row on the "Kernel Version" or "Inner Version", although in recent versions of Android this method is often replaced by code input.
A more efficient way is to use a hidden SIM card menu. Go down the Settings path. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose. SIM-Some versions of the firmware show the type of network (LTE, 5G), But the frequency is hidden, so it's more suitable for initial diagnosis of the type of compound than for precise engineering.
If your Xiaomi smartphone is powered by a Snapdragon processor, you can see more detailed information in the logs, but you need to read them with superuser rights (Root). Without root rights, the standard menu gives only a general idea of signal quality in the form of a dBm level.
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Note the RSRP. This is the signal power level. A value above -90 dBm is considered excellent, a value above -90 to -105 dBm is good, and anything below -110 dBm indicates poor reception, even if the indicator shows a full scale.
Third-party applications for network monitoring
Because standard Android tools often restrict access to a radio module, the best solution is to install specialized software, which reads data directly from the modem and displays it in a convenient graphical form, and shows not only the current frequency, but also the history of the signal change.
The most popular tool is Network Cell Info Lite. Once installed, the app will request permissions to access the location and phone. On the home screen, as a speedometer or a cell tab, you will see an EARFCN (for LTE) or ARFCN (for 3G/2G) setting that corresponds to a specific frequency.
- 📶 CellMapper – allows you not only to see the frequency, but also to build coverage maps, noting the towers of operators on the map.
- 📡 G-NetTrack Lite is a professional tool with detailed logs showing the Band, channel and interference level.
- 📊 Signal Check Pro is a simple app that clearly displays the current Band and frequency in MHz in large print.
Using these programs, you can see in real time how the frequency changes as you move around your apartment, and you'll notice that the phone can jump between 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz in search of a better signal. That's normal behavior, but constant reconnection can slow down.
Decoding of indicators and frequency ranges
Once you get the numerical values, you need to interpret them correctly: in the application menu and engineering utilities, frequencies are indicated by band numbers (Bands). For Russia and CIS countries, the most relevant LTE bands are divided into low, medium and high.
Low frequencies (Band 20, 800 MHz) provide broad coverage in rural areas and good penetration into buildings. Medium (Band 3, 1800 MHz and Band 7, 2600 MHz) give the main speed in cities. High frequencies (Band 38, 2600 MHz TDD) are used to offload the network in crowded places.
| Range (Band) | Frequency (MHz) | Characteristics | Wherever used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 20 | 800 | High penetration | Countryside, basements |
| Band 3 | 1800 | Balance of speed and coverage | Cities, trails |
| Band 7 / 38 | 2600 | High speed. | Urban centres |
| Band 31 | 450 | Very large cover. | Countryside |
Understanding this table helps you choose the right antenna. If you live in an area where only the Band 20 is caught, buying a 2,600 MHz antenna will not work. On the contrary, in the center of a metropolis, an 800 MHz antenna may not realize the potential of the network.
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Knowing a specific band is more important than just knowing the frequency in MHz, as it is the range that the equipment is configured and the compatibility with the operator is determined.
Configure the preferred type of network
In some cases, Xiaomi's Android system can't choose the optimal mode of operation by constantly switching between 3G and 4G. This often happens at the coverage boundary. A forced network-type installation can stabilize the connection even if the speed is lower, but more stable.
To change your settings, go back to the engineering menu using code ##4636##. Select Phone Information and find the drop-down list “Install preferred network type «LTE only” (Only LTE), What will make your phone ignore? 3G and 2G.
☑️ Checking the stability of the network
However, be careful: when selecting LTE Only mode, incoming calls may not pass if your carrier and phone do not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE), in which case you will be left without communication until you return to automatic mode, and in some regions, when switching to this mode, a second SIM card may disappear.
⚠️ Attention: Regime «LTE Only" can lead to something you can't accept. SMS-codes from banks during a conversation or when leaving the zone 4G. Use this mode only for speed testing or in places with very unstable speeds. 3G-signal.
The effect of frequency on speed and battery
The signal frequency directly affects the power consumption of the Xiaomi smartphone. Operating at high frequencies (2600 MHz and above) requires more intensive operation of the radio module, especially if the signal is weak.
If you are in a high frequency receiving zone, the phone will discharge and heat up quickly, and in such a situation, forced switching to a lower frequency (for example, from 2600 to 1800 or 800 MHz) through the selection of a different SIM card or moving can significantly extend battery life.
In addition, Carrier Aggregation, where the phone uses multiple bands to increase speed at the same time, also increases energy consumption. In standby mode, modern smartphones can effectively manage this process, but with active downloading files, the difference is noticeable.