Xiaomi Smartphone Mi8, Released in 2018, it still remains a popular device thanks to its powerful Snapdragon 845 processor and high-quality hardware. AMOLED-However, many owners face a situation where the device does not switch to high-speed mode. LTE, net-bound 3G or 2G, This may be due to software limitations of the region, incorrect access point settings or firmware features. MIUI.
Enabling 4G often requires not just selecting a menu item, but also a deep setup of system parameters, especially if you are using a Global ROM or a Chinese version of the device with flashing. It is important to understand that the Xiaomi Mi8 supports modern communication standards, and the problem almost always lies in the software configuration, not in the hardware. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to activate high-speed Internet, from basic settings to using the engineering menu.
Before you start complex manipulations, make sure your SIM-The card supports the standard 4G and the tariff plan is activated for work in networks LTE. Sometimes operators block access to high-speed Internet at old rates or at zero balance. SIM-The card has no physical damage, as contamination of contacts can lead to unstable connection.
Basic network settings in MIUI
The first step should always be to check the standard settings of the system. MIUI Network mode management is included in a separate menu, which is sometimes hidden or has limited functionality depending on the version of the software. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks. You should choose active networks. SIM-map, if there are two, and find the "Network Type" or "Preferred Network Type" item».
In the list you must select the option Preferably LTE (Preferred LTE). If there is no such option, but only 3G or 2G, This may indicate that the system does not see support. 4G in the current profile or SIM-The map is in compatibility mode. Try to extract SIM-You can then wipe the contacts and paste them back, then reboot the device, and often the system reads the operator's profile again and offers available modes.
In some cases, manual operator selection helps: Go to network settings, turn off automatic selection, and wait until the search for available networks is over. Then select your operator manually, which causes the smartphone modem to re-register with new parameters, which can force the device to switch to a tower with 4G LTE support.
💡
If, after the choice of the operator, 4G It didn't appear, try to rearrange it. SIM-The second slot is on Xiaomi. Mi8 The first slot is often a priority for the modem, but there are exceptions depending on the version of the radio module.
Verification and Configuring of the APN Access Point
Often the reason for the lack of high-speed Internet is not the lack of a signal, but the incorrect setting of the access point. APN (Access Point Name Even if the phone shows the icon 4G, The Internet may not work or work slowly if the access point parameters do not meet the operator's requirements. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
In the list of access points, select the one that is currently active, or create a new one by clicking the New Access Point button. You will need to enter data that can be found on your operator's official website. Pay special attention to the APN fields, Username and Password. Error in even one character can lead to the network only working in GPRS/EDGE mode.
☑️ Setting up APN for LTE
Once you have entered all the settings, be sure to click the “More” button (three dots in the corner) and select “Save.” Then go back to the list of access points and make sure that the new setting is active (green dot burns). If the settings are reset or not applied after saving, there may be restrictions on the phone from the operator, and you need to reset the network to the factory settings.
Below is a table with examples of APN settings for popular carriers that are often used with the Xiaomi Mi8.Please note that the data may change, so always check for up-to-date information.
| Operator. | APN (Access Point) | Type APN | Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | internet.mts.ru | default,supl | IPv4/IPv6 |
| Megaphone | internet | default,supl | IPv4/IPv6 |
| Beeline | internet.beeline.ru | default,supl | IPv4 |
| Tele2 | internet.tele2.ru | default,supl | IPv4/IPv6 |
Use of the Engineering Menu to Activate LTE
If standard methods didn’t work, you can use the hidden Android engineering menu.It’s a powerful tool for diagnosing and configuring the radio module that allows you to force certain frequency bands on or off. To log into the menu on Xiaomi Mi8, open the Phone app and type in the code ##4636##. If the code doesn’t work, it’s possible that your firmware will block this access and you will need to install a third-party application, such as 4G LTE Switcher.
Once you have successfully logged in, select Phone Information. Scroll down to Set preferred network type. In the dropdown, select LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA/CDMA/EvDo/GSM/WCDMA. Selecting LTE Only is useful for checking if the network is on the phone, so the switching priorities are a problem.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing a regime LTE Only you may lose the ability to make and receive regular voice calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE technology. In this mode, the phone will only work with data!
In the same menu, you can find the Run Ping Test button, which allows you to check the quality of the connection to the server in real time. If the ping is high or packets are lost, the problem may not be in the settings of the phone, but in the congestion of the operator's base station in your area.
What if the code doesn't work?
Change of region and hidden settings
One of the specific features of Xiaomi smartphones is that some features and frequency bands are tied to a selected region. If you are in Russia or Europe, but the phone settings are set to China or India, some ranges are set to the region. LTE (For example, Band 7 or Band 20 can be disabled software. To change the region, go to Settings. → Additional settings → Region and select your country.
After changing the region, the phone may need to reboot. This is normal, as the modem configuration files change. In some cases, it is also useful to clear the Settings and Phone app cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the desired application, click Clear, and select Clear All.
There is also a hidden LTE activation function via the About Phone menu. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly tap 10 times on the Kernel Version or MIUI Version. Depending on the firmware version, this can open an additional testing menu where you can check the IMEI status and network status. If the IMEI is displayed as "Null" or "Unknown", then LTE cannot be enabled without restoring service codes.
Problems with firmware and radio module
The Xiaomi Mi8 is not seeing 4G, often after flashing from the Chinese version (China ROM) to the global version (Global ROM) or installing custom firmware, the fact is that the radio module (baseband) must match the version of the system. If you flashed only the system and left the old radio module, or vice versa, there can be conflicts leading to the disappearance of LTE.
To solve this problem, it is recommended to perform a complete flashing of the device using the Mi Flash Tool utility.It is important to select the Clean All mode to erase all old configuration files.Be sure to check the bootloader version before that: if it is blocked, you will need to unlock through the official Xiaomi website, which will take 3 to 7 days.
⚠️ Warning: Flashing with the bootloader unlock can result in a loss of warranty and reset of all data. Make sure the battery is at least 60% charged, and back up important files before starting the procedure.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of “following” IMEIs. If you have lost IMEI after a firmware or failed update, the 4G network will not work. You can check this by typing the code *#06#. If the fields are empty, you will need to restore the NVRAM backup or contact the service center to note new identifiers.
Hardware limitations and frequency ranges
Although the Xiaomi Mi8 is a global device, there are different modifications for different markets.The Chinese version may not support some European or Russian LTE frequencies that your carrier uses.For example, the lack of Band 20 (800 MHz) support can lead to poor 4G reception in rural areas or inside buildings with thick walls.
You can check what frequencies your particular device supports, through an engineering menu or special applications like Network Cell Info Lite. In the application, you need to look at the EARFCN setting or directly at the band number (Band) to which the phone is connected. If the phone constantly keeps 3G where other devices catch 4G, most likely it is the lack of support for the desired frequency of your model.
Also, the reception quality is affected by the antenna module. Xiaomi Mi8 has a glass case, but the antenna inserts are located specifically. If the phone fell, the antenna plume could move away. In such cases, the software settings are powerless, and you need to disassemble the device to check the connectors of the antenna.
💡
If no software method has worked and your carrier’s other 4G devices are working perfectly, a hardware malfunction of the Xiaomi Mi8 antenna module or radio part is likely.