How to enable 5G on Xiaomi phone: a detailed guide

Xiaomi’s current smartphones have powerful hardware that can support the fastest mobile standards. However, even if you buy a flagship model with support for the fifth generation, the user may find that the 5G indicator will not appear in the status bar, often due not to a device breakdown, but to the need to manually activate certain parameters in the system or operator settings.

The transition to a new communication standard requires not only a compatible gadget, but also an appropriate one. SIM-maps and coverage in your location. POCO Sometimes it is forgotten that by default the phone can be set to priority. 4G In this article, we will go through all the stages of setting up so that you can enjoy the maximum speed of the Internet.

Before you go into technical manipulation, make sure your plan does include the new standard. Many operators require a separate option connection or change. SIM-More modern, supportive maps USIM. Without these basic conditions, software settings may be useless.

Verification of equipment compatibility and tariff

The first step should always be to verify the technical capabilities of your device. Not all Xiaomi models, even recently released, have an integrated modem with support for frequencies used by Russian operators. Global versions of smartphones sometimes lack support for certain ranges, such as n7 or n20, which are critical for stable operation in some regions.

It is also important to check your status. SIM-Older cards issued by more 5-7 In the past, you may not have the security and encryption protocols that are required for fifth-generation networks. MIUI HyperOS won’t help until you get new plastic in the phone.

⚠️ Note: Even if the phone specifications are supported 5G, Make sure the model is certified to work in your area.Chinese versions (CN) They can’t see local frequencies without flashing.

To quickly check your device’s model and specifications, you can use the built-in engineering menu or third-party utilities. Enter the phone app code ##4636## to access advanced information, and you can see not only the processor model, but also lists of supported frequency bands.

☑️ Checking readiness 5G

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Basic activation through the settings menu

The main way to enable high-speed mode is in the standard operating system interface. Xiaomi shell user interface hides some important switches, so you need to be careful when navigating. The algorithm of actions can vary slightly depending on the version of Android and regional firmware.

Go to the Settings section, then select a paragraph. SIM-maps and mobile networks. You need to choose a specific one. SIM-card if there are two, as the settings apply individually for each slot. Find the preferred network type and click on it.

In the list that opens, select the option that contains the 5G designation. It usually looks like “Prefer 5G” or “5G/4G/3G/2G (auto).” If there is no such option, it is possible that your current firmware version hides this option for the selected region.

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If you don’t have a network type selection, try temporarily changing your device region to India or Singapore in the “Additional” → “Region” settings, which often unlocks hidden menus.

Once the mode is selected, the phone may lose the network for re-registration at the base station for a few seconds. SIM-The card is active. In some cases, you need to restart the device to apply the changes.

Using an engineering menu to select frequencies

If standard methods fail, you can use deep modem settings through the engineering menu, which allows you to force the device to NR mode, which is the technical name of the fifth generation. Be careful, changing the wrong parameters can lead to signal loss.

Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##. The Check menu will open for you. Select Phone Information. In this section, find the drop-down list "Install preferred network type."

In the list, you need to select an option that starts with NR. For example, NR/LTE/GSM/WCDMA. Selecting the option NR Only is not recommended for everyday use, as when you leave the 5G coverage area, the connection will completely disappear.

Type of networkDescriptionRecommendation
NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA...Automatic Selection with 5G PriorityRecommended for daily use
NR OnlyOnly 5G.Only for speed testing
LTE OnlyOnly 4G.To save batteries in areas of weak 5G
GSM/WCDMAOnly 3G/2GFor areas with extremely weak signal
What if the code doesn't work?
On some global firmware, dialing is blocked, so you can try installing the Activity Launcher app from Google Play, find Testing activity, and run Phone Info.

Setting up APN access points

Often, the problem is that the Internet Access Point (APN) is not configured correctly. Operators may require specific parameters to log in to the next generation core. Standard settings that come with SMS sometimes don't contain all the necessary fields.

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose yours. SIM → Access points (APN). Press the menu button (three dots or gear) and select Reset to original or New Access Point. If you create a new one, enter the data provided by your operator.

Note the APN Protocol field. Make sure that IPv4/IPv6 is selected. In some cases, activating 5G requires changing the APN type to dun or adding parameters to the Access Point Type field, but this depends on the specific operator.

After making changes, be sure to save your profile and select it as active. Then turn on and off flight mode so that the communication module re-registers on the network with the updated settings.

📊 What kind of operator do you have?
MTS
Beeline
Megaphone
Tele2
Other

Influence of region and firmware version

Xiaomi’s policies and laws affect the availability of features in software, and Global ROMs often have certification restrictions in Europe or other regions where 5G frequencies are distributed differently than in Asia.

If you use the Chinese version of a smartphone with global firmware (the so-called “overstitched Chinese”), you may have problems with Bands. In such devices, certain frequencies can be software-disabled, which will make it impossible to connect to the operator’s towers operating at these frequencies.

⚠️ Warning: Self-flashing from the Chinese version to the global version can lead to locking the bootloader or loss of warranty.

It's also worth checking if the phone's power saving mode is on: Aggressive MIUI optimization algorithms can turn off the 5G module if the battery charge drops below 20%, switching the phone to a more economical 4G to extend battery life.

Solving Problems with Instable Connection

Even after setting it up properly, you may notice that the phone often “flys” from 5G to 4G. This may be because the coverage area at your location is borderline.

In such situations, it is useful to lock the network. Go back to the engineering menu (#4636###) and try to select NR/LTE mode, eliminating 2G and 3G, but leaving 4G as a fallback. This will prevent the fall to very slow EDGE speeds, but will allow you to stay in the 4G/5G zone.

Another reason could be that the modem is overheated, because if you use navigation for a long time or download large files on fifth-generation networks, the temperature of the device rises, and if the protection system works, it will force you to limit the speed or shut down the high-speed module.

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The stability of the 5G connection depends on the temperature of the smartphone case and the density of construction in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is 5G a badge but the internet is not working?
The problem is probably in the settings. APN Check if the traffic restriction is worth the settings. SIM-Sometimes it helps to clean the cache of Google Play services and framework services.
Does 5G powering on affect battery discharge rates?
Yes, the 5G module consumes significantly more power, especially in areas of uncertain reception, when the phone is constantly looking for a signal, and in such conditions, it is recommended to switch to 4G to save charge.
Can I turn on 5G on an old Xiaomi phone software?
No, it's impossible. Support for the standard depends on the physical presence of the appropriate modem and antennas in the device. Software hacks can't add hardware support where there isn't.
Should I change? SIM-work-card 5G?
In most cases, yes. SIM-The cards may not support the required authentication algorithms. USIM-map.
Why is there no 5G selection option in the Settings menu?
This could be due to the region installed in the phone, or the firmware version. Try changing region to India or using the engineering menu to force a network type switch.