How to enable 4G on Xiaomi: full instructions for all models

Have you bought a new Xiaomi smartphone or upgraded your firmware, but your mobile Internet is slower than expected? Or refuses to connect to 4G? The problem is often not the operator, but the device settings that are wrong. Even experienced users sometimes miss key points — for example, forget to activate LTE mode manually or do not know about hidden network settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to enable 4G on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from basic settings to hidden engineering menus. You’ll learn how to test your model’s network support, why your smartphone can “decline” 4G and how to make it work at maximum speed. And if standard methods don’t work, we’ll show you alternative solutions, including resetting and manually editing APN.

Check 4G support for your Xiaomi model

Before you try to turn on 4G, make sure your smartphone supports this technology at all. Even Xiaomi’s budget models of recent years have an LTE module, but older devices (such as Redmi 2 or Mi 3) can only work on 3G networks.

Compatibility can be checked in several ways:

• 🔍 Official website: Find your model on Mi.com and explore the Characteristics section» → «Look for references. 4G LTE, FDD-LTE or TDD-LTE.
• 📱 Phone Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → General information → Model: Type the model name into a search engine for “specifications».
• 📡 Verification services: Use databases like GSMArena or Kimoviles that list all supported frequencies.

Important: Some Xiaomi models (for example, POCO M3 for India, may not be supported 4G-If your smartphone is purchased abroad, check the frequency compatibility on the operator's website.

⚠️ Note: If your model does not support 4G, but you see the badge «4G» in the status bar, this may be a false display (for example, when connecting to a 3G+). You can check the real speed through services like Speedtest.

Basic 4G settings on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If your smartphone supports LTE, but the Internet is slow or only connects to 3G, first check the basic settings. 90% of the time the problem is solved in 2 minutes.

Open the settings and follow the instructions:

1. Go to SIM cards and mobile networks (or Mobile network in older versions of MIUI).
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Click Network Type (or Preferred Network Type)
4. Set a 4G (preferably) or LTE value. If there is no such option, select 3G/4G (auto).
5. Activate the option to Enable VoLTE (if available) – this will improve the quality of calls.
6. Return to the main settings menu and restart the phone.

After you reboot, check the network icon in the top bar. If it changes to 4G or LTE, the problem is solved. If it doesn't, move to the next section.

The right type of network (4G/LTE) is selected

VoLTE enabled (if supported)

SIM card activated and recognized

Phone reboots after changes-->

MTS

Beeline

MegaFon

Tele2.

Yota

Other-->

Manual setting up APN for 4G on Xiaomi

If the basic settings don’t help, the problem may lie in the access points. APN (Access Point Name: Operators automatically send configurations APN first-activation SIM-cards, but sometimes these settings get lost – for example, after resetting the phone or updating the firmware.

To set up the APN manually:

1. Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map and press Access Points (APN).
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select a New Access Point.
4. Fill in the fields according to your operator’s data (see the table below).
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

If after manually setting up the APN, the Internet does not work:

• 🔄 Delete all the others. APN from the list, leaving only the hand-made.
• 📞 Call the operator and ask to send an automatic configuration (usually arrives). SMS customized).
• 🛠️ Check if the firewall is blocking. MIUI mobile traffic (in Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).

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If the Internet works after setting up the APN, but the network icon remains “3G”, do not worry – this may be a visual MIUI bug. You can check the real connection through the engineering menu (see the next section).

Hidden network settings: engineering menu and USSD-code

If standard methods don't work, it's time to dig deeper. Xiaomi smartphones hide a number of technical parameters that can be changed through engineering menus or special ones. USSD-These tools are for professionals, but when used carefully, they will help to wake up» 4G.

Warning: Incorrect changes to the engineering menu can lead to network loss or even a “brick” of the communication module.

Method 1: Engineering Menu (MTK or Qualcomm)

Depending on your smartphone’s processor, the path to the engineering menu will be different:

• 🔧 For MediaTek processors (MTK): Open the phone app. Enter the code: ##4636##. Select Phone Information. Scroll down to Set your preferred network type. Select LTE only LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto.

For Qualcomm Snapdragon processors:

1. Enter the code: ##4636## → Phone information.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Network Settings.
3. In the LTE Band section, check if your carrier’s bands are active (e.g., Band 7 for MTS).

⚠️ Note: If after the entry USSD-code the smartphone has stopped catching the network at all, reset the network settings: → SIM cards and mobile networks → Reset the network settings, and that brings all the settings back to the factory.

Xiaomi’s 4G problems: Frequent mistakes and solutions

Even when set up properly, 4G can be unstable, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If none of these solutions worked, the problem could be hardware, such as damage to an antenna or a communication module, in which case, contact the service center.

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Before visiting the service center, be sure to back up the data and check if the warranty period has expired. Repair of the communication module can cost up to 50% of the price of the smartphone.

Alternative ways to speed up the Internet on Xiaomi

If 4G is enabled but the speed is poor, try these methods to optimize the connection:

• 🚀 Turn off auto-select network: In the engineering menu (##4636##) choose LTE Only – this will prevent the smartphone from switching to 3G/2G.
• 📵 Use Airplane Mode: Turn on and off Airplane Mode – this will reset the current connection and force the phone to reconnect to the tower.
• 🔄 Change. DNS: In the settings Wi-Fi/install a mobile network DNS Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN: Some of them VPN-Services are forced to slow down. Check settings in Settings → VPN.
• 🔋 Check the background limitations: In Settings → Battery → Background restriction ensure that there are no restrictions for the browser and messengers.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Put it in. SIM-The card is re-extracted (sometimes it helps to physically extract the card).
• 📲 Wait for the automatic setup APN (might come SMS operator).
• 🔧 Reset your mind. 4G Instructions from the second section.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) may be missing after reset IMEI. To avoid this, write down your own before resetting. IMEI (Type *#06# and save it in a safe place. IMEI You can use the engineering menu or service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about 4G on Xiaomi