How to turn LTE on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 4X, which was released a few years ago, is still popular due to its reliability and autonomy. However, many owners face a situation where the device does not catch the fourth generation network or runs exclusively in 3G mode, despite the availability of coverage from the operator. This is often puzzling, because the device technically supports LTE standards, but software restrictions or incorrect settings hide this possibility.

The problem of not having high-speed internet can be a variety of factors, from simple choices of the wrong region in the system settings to deeper firmware conflicts. In some cases, the carrier does not provide automatic settings, and in others, the user accidentally switched the network mode to save charge. Understanding how your phone's radio module works will help quickly return high data rates.

In this article, weโ€™ll look at all the possible ways to activate 4G, from simple SIM card checks to hidden engineering menus. Youโ€™ll learn why choosing the right region is important and how to force your phone to search for LTE networks if automatic mode doesnโ€™t work. Follow the steps consistently to rule out all possible causes of malfunction.

Compatibility check SIM-maps and fares

Before you go into deep system settings, you need to make sure that your hardware is compatible with fourth-generation networks. SIM-The card may be of an old pattern issued in times prior to widespread distribution. 4G. If your SIM is more than 5-7 You have never changed it in the cabin, chances are it doesnโ€™t physically meet the standards. LTE.

Also important is the tariff plan, and some mobile operators default to speed limits or not to include a module. 4G At the old rates, requiring the connection of an additional option, even if the phone is fully functional and configured, without the permission of the operator, high-speed Internet will not work. USSD-request to clarify the status of the service.

Pay attention to the physical condition of the SIM card contacts. Oxidation or scratches can lead to an unstable connection, causing the phone to reset the connection to 3G or 2G.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contact your carrierโ€™s communications salon for a free replacement SIM-new card with support 4G/USIM.
  • ๐Ÿ“ž Call support to make sure that the room is not blocked high-speed Internet.
  • ๐Ÿ’ณ Check the balance and availability of traffic packets, as with a zero balance, the network can not let in. 4G.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Try installing the SIM card in another slot, as in Redmi 4X The first slot is often a priority LTE.

โš ๏ธ Note: If after replacement SIM-new-card 4G-compatible phone still does not see the network, the problem lies deeper - in the settings of the device or firmware.

Basic network configuration in the MIUI interface

The standard MIUI shell interface provides the user with all the necessary tools to manage mobile communications. However, the default mode is Auto, which does not always correctly switch between towers with different communication standards. To ensure stable operation of 4G, you need to manually choose the preferred network type, this is especially true in areas of uncertain reception, where the phone constantly โ€œjumpsโ€ between 3G and 4G, consuming the battery.

To start, go to the settings menu. The path may be slightly different depending on the Android and MIUI versions, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section for SIM cards and mobile networks, and there's a key switch that will force the modem to search only for LTE networks.

Sometimes it helps to simply restart the communication module, turn on and off the flight mode so that the phone re-registers in the operator's network with updated parameters.

The sequence of actions for activation:

  1. Open the settings on the main screen.
  2. Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  3. Select the SIM card through which you plan to go online.
  4. Click on Network Type or Preferred Network Type.
  5. In the list, select Preferably LTE or 4G/3G/2G (auto).

โš ๏ธ Note: If there is no mention in the list of available network types LTE or 4G, This means that the system does not see support for the standard at the driver level or the region is configured incorrectly.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of operator do you have?
MTS
Beeline
Megaphone
Tele2
Other

Changing the region for activation LTE-range

One of the most common reasons why Xiaomi Redmi 4X doesn't work 4G is because it's not the right region. Xiaomi software limits certain frequencies depending on the geographic location specified in the settings, this is done to comply with the laws of different countries and to certify the equipment. If you have India or the USA on your phone and you are in Russia, the frequency ranges may not match.

Changing a region is a secure procedure that does not require root rights or erase data; it only changes the list of available frequencies for a radio module. For Russia and the CIS, the most optimal regions are Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia or Singapore. In these regions unlocked the most common frequencies LTE, locally operated.

Once the region is changed, the phone can automatically restart the radio module, and if that doesn't happen, manually restart the device so that the changes take effect.

Instructions for changing the region:

Settings โ†’ Additional settings โ†’ Region โ†’ Select โ€œRussiaโ€ or โ€œIndonesiaโ€

After this procedure, wait 1-2 minutes, the network status at the top of the screen should change, and if the signal level appears L or 4G, then the method worked.

๐Ÿ’ก

The Indonesia region is often a one-stop solution for unlocking all frequencies on global versions of MIUI firmware if standard choice doesn't help.

Using an engineering menu to force inclusion

If standard methods fail, you can use a hidden diagnostic tool called the engineering menu, a powerful interface for testing hardware components, including antenna and modem, which allows you to manually prioritize the network, ignoring the software limitations of the shell, and be careful: changing unknown parameters in other menu sections can lead to unstable phone operation.

The menu is logged in with a special code that is typed in the Phone app. On a Redmi 4X with a Qualcomm processor (which is the one installed in this model), the code may differ from the devices on MediaTek. The main code for entering the Qualcomm engineering menu is ##4636##. If it doesn't work, try the code ##3646633#, although it is more typical of MTK chips.

Once in the menu, select Phone Information. Scroll down to the Set Preferred Network Type. In the dropdown list, select a value that contains LTE. For most operators, the LTE/TD-SCDMA/CDMA/EVDO/GSM/WCDMA option is suitable, or simply LTE Only (but be careful with the latter: LTE Only mode may not come with normal voice calls if the operator does not support VoLTE).

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Enter the code ##4636## in the call.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Select the first tab of Phone Information 1 (for the first SIM).
  • ๐Ÿ“ก In Set Preferred Network Type, select Supported Mode LTE.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Make sure the Mobile Data button is turned on (burns green).

โš ๏ธ Warning: Don't choose the mode "LTE Only" if your carrier does not support VoLTE technology, otherwise you will be left without incoming calls (LTE/WCDMA/GSM).

What if the code doesn't work?
If you don't open the menu when you enter the code, your version of the Phone app may be blocking access to engineering functions, so you can try installing a third-party MTK Engineering Mode app from the Play Market, although it's less efficient for Qualcomm processors, and access may be closed on some localized firmware.

Comparison of modem and operator frequency ranges

The technical side of the issue is often overlooked. Xiaomi Redmi 4X came in several versions, and not all of them support the full range of LTE (Band) frequencies used in your region. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 modem installed in the phone is quite versatile, but the physical limitations of the antenna can play a role. If your operator operates predominantly at Band 20 (800 MHz) and in the phone this range is cut down software or hardware, 4G will not work in buildings and out of the city.

Below is a table of the main LTE bands supported by Redmi 4X and their correspondence to the frequencies of Russian operators.

Range (Band)Frequency (MHz)Operators of the Russian FederationSupport for Redmi 4X
Band 31800MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2Complete.
Band 72600All operators (cities)Complete.
Band 20800All operators (outside)Limited/Depending on version
Band 382600 (TDD)Megaphone (rarely)There is.

As you can see from the table, the main urban frequencies (Band 3 and Band 7) are well maintained, and the most common problems are with the Band 20, which provides coverage in the countryside and penetration into homes. If you're in an area where only 800 MHz is caught and the phone doesn't see 4G, that's the hardware limitation of a particular board or firmware revision.

๐Ÿ’ก

For stable 4G in the city, support for Band 3 and Band 7, which are available in all versions of Redmi 4X, is enough.

Solving firmware problems and resetting settings

In situations where the software settings are correct, the SIM card is new and 4G still doesn't appear, the cause may be a failure in the firmware configuration files. This often happens after a failed update or installation of custom MIUI builds. In such cases, resetting the network settings to factory values helps, this action will not delete your contacts or photos, but will clear the stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings.

Itโ€™s also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix radio module errors. Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update and check the versionโ€™s relevance. If you have a Chinese firmware (CN) installed and you use your phone in Europe, frequency conflicts may occur.

Before drastic measures, try resetting the APN settings, and sometimes the wrong access point settings block the transition to 4G.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checklist of actions in the absence of 4G

Done: 0 / 5

The sequence of resetting network settings:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Go to Advanced Settings (or Additional).
  3. Find the Recovery and Reset item.
  4. Select Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
  5. Confirm the action and restart the device.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If all of the above methods are not activated LTE, It could be damage to the antenna plume (often after falls), oxidation of the connector. SIM-If you have a card or a radio module malfunction, you'll need a diagnosis at a service center, and you'll also need to check the phone with the SIM card of another operator, if you have another SIM card. 4G This means that the problem is only in the compatibility of your operator and this phone model in your region.
Does unlocking the bootloader affect LTE work?
Unlock Bootloader alone should not disable LTE. However, if you install custom Recovery (TWRP) and third-party firmware after unlocking, it may not have proprietary modem drivers (RILs), a common cause of 4G missing on custom Androids, the solution being to return to stock firmware or search for a fixed RIL.
Why does 4G disappear during a conversation?
This is normal behavior if the operator does not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology. In normal mode, when an incoming or outgoing call is made, the phone switches to a 3G or 2G network for voice communication, since the old standards do not transmit voice through the 4G channel. To ensure that 4G does not disappear, you need to enable VoLTE in the SIM card settings (if the function is available from the operator).