How to enable and configure mobile Internet on Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide

Mobile Internet on Xiaomi smartphones sometimes refuses to work immediately after buying a device or after updating the firmware. The reasons can vary from banal data transmission to errors in the APN settings. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on mobile Internet on Redmi, POCO and Mi phones, from basic to advanced, including fault diagnosis.

The feature of Xiaomi devices is in the corporate shell MIUI, It can hide some settings or change their location depending on the version, and we'll take these nuances into account and show you universal methods that work on most models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14. If you have a problem with no network after resetting or changing SIM-maps, here you will find the solution.

It is important to understand that problems with the mobile Internet are divided into two categories: software (phone settings) and hardware (problems with mobile devices). SIM-We'll start with simple ways and gradually move on to more complex ways so you can diagnose the cause yourself.

Checking the basic conditions before setting up

Before digging into your smartphone settings, make sure that the minimum requirements for mobile internet are met. Often users miss the obvious points by wasting time looking for non-existent problems.

1. Active. SIM-- A card with a fare. SIM-map:

• 📱 Inserted into the slot correctly (contacts should be directed downwards, beveled corner - upwards).
• 💳 Supports data transfer (some operators block the Internet on new ones) SIM pre-activation).
• 📡 Connected to the tariff with mobile Internet enabled (check the balance through the USSD-command, for example *100# for MegaFon).

2. Network coverage area. Even if the screen displays the "sticks" of the signal, this does not guarantee the availability of the Internet.

• 📶 Signal level in the status line (if instead of 4G/5G E or H on fire+, speed will be minimal).
• 🌍 Being in the zone of your operator (use coverage cards on the sites of MTS, Beeline, Tele2).

3.No locks: Some Xiaomi models (especially those purchased abroad) may have the lock function activated. SIM-If the phone is making an error, it's not a good idea «SIM-The card is not supported, you will need to unlock through Settings → Mobile network → Advanced settings → Operator Choice (select manual search and wait for your network to be discovered).

Method 1: Enabling mobile data transfer in MIUI settings

The most obvious but often overlooked step is to check if mobile internet is enabled in the settings, and in MIUI, the path to this option may vary depending on the version of the shell, but the overall algorithm is the same.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on your desktop) and follow the following steps:

1. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or Mobile Network in older versions).
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if two of them).
3. Activate the mobile data switch (should turn blue).
4. Make sure that the name of the operator is marked with the words Internet or 4G/5G.

If the switch is inactive or switched off immediately, this may indicate:

• 🚫 Hardware locking (e.g., the phone is tied to another operator).
• 🔄 Conflict with settings APN (below).
• 📵 Problems with SIM-Card (damage or incompatibility with the network) 4G/5G).

Open "Settings»|Selected section «SIM-maps and mobile networks»|The switch "Mobile data" is activated»|Network mapping checked (4G/5G/E)|Reboot the phone after the changes-->

An extra step for two SIM-If you have Xiaomi with Dual-SIM support, make sure the internet is turned on for the right one. SIM. In the mobile network settings, select Use for mobile data and specify the desired slot (SIM 1 SIM 2).

Method 2: Manually configure APN access points

If the mobile Internet is turned on but not working, the most likely cause is an incorrect APN (Access Point Name) setting, which is the "address" the phone uses to connect to the carrier's Internet, and most of the time, APN settings are set automatically, but sometimes manual adjustments are required.

To set up APN on Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map and press Access Points (APN).
3. If you already have configurations in the list, select the one that matches your operator (for example, Internet.mts.ru for MTS).
4. If there is no list or the settings are reset, click Add Access Point and enter the settings manually.

Below are the current APN settings for popular Russian operators (2026):

After you enter the settings, save the settings and restart the phone. If the Internet does not work, check:

• 🔍 Correctness of the data entered (typos in the APN — frequent).
• 📋 Additional fields (e.g., the authentication type should be used) PAP or CHAP).
• 🔄 Try to remove all existing ones. APN And create a new one from scratch.

Method 3: Reset network settings and reboot communication module

If manually configuring APN didn't work, the next step is to reset network settings, which will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile Internet settings, but often solves connection problems.

To reset network settings on Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click Reset (or Backup and Reset in older versions).
3. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the phone to restart.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will automatically load the settings. APN from the operator (can take up to 5 minutes).
• 📱 Reboot the device again – this will help the communication module to “wake up.
• 🔍 If the internet is not available, check the settings. APN They could have reset before default).

Critical information: On some Xiaomi models (e.g., on some Xiaomi models, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) After resetting the network, the option of choosing a communication standard may disappear (4G/5G). In this case, return the settings manually through Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network and select 4G/5G.

💡

If after the network reset, the phone stopped seeing SIM-You can take the card out, wipe the contacts dry and put them back in. Sometimes it helps to change the slot. SIM slot 1 to slot 2).

Method 4: Network mode selection (2G/3G/4G/5G) and module diagnostics

Xiaomi smartphones usually have automatic network mode by default, but sometimes the phone gets stuck on slow standards (such as 2G or 3G), which leads to no Internet connection.

To manually select the network mode:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Click on Preferred Network Type.
4. Install 4G (preferably) or 5G/4G/3G/2G (auto).

If the Internet does not appear after the change of the mode, perform a diagnosis:

• 📡 Check if the network is defined: type ##4636## in dialer, select Phone Information and see network status. If the Service State bar says Out of service, the problem is on the operator's side or SIM-map.
• 🔋 Make sure the Flight mode is turned off (even if the icon doesn’t burn, sometimes it is activated software).
• 📵 Try inserting. SIM-card to another phone - if the Internet does not work there, the operator has a problem.

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If the phone is not catching 4G/5G, but 2G/3G is working, it may indicate a malfunction of the communication module or antenna, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

Method 5: Verifying software conflicts and updating firmware

Sometimes mobile internet on Xiaomi doesn’t work due to firmware bugs or conflicts with installed apps, especially after MIUI updates when newer versions contain bugs.

Firmware update:

• Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
• Click Check Updates and install the latest version of MIUI.
• If the update is available but not installed, try downloading it manually from en.miui.com and installing it through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select an update file.

2.Diagnostics of conflicts with applications:

• 🛡️ Temporarily shut down. VPN (If you use it, it can block mobile traffic.
• 🔒 Check if Traffic Savings mode is activated in Settings → Battery and productivity → Saving traffic.
• 📱 Launch your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → Safe Mode. If it's running the Internet, the problem is with one of the apps installed.

3. Reset to factory settings (last resort):

If nothing works, do a full phone reset. Pre-backup your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

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After the reset, don't restore the data from the backup right away - first check if the internet is working. If so, the problem was in settings or apps.

Resolving hardware problems

If the software methods didn't work, it could be hardware, and here are the most common malfunctions and the ways to diagnose them:

1.Problems with SIM-card-slot:

• 🔍 Look at this. SIM-card for physical damage (scratches, chips on a chip).
• 📵 Try inserting another one. SIM-card (for example, from another operator) If it works, the problem is in the first SIM.
• 🔧 Clear the slot contacts for SIM-cards with alcohol wipes (do not use liquids!).

Failure of the antenna or communication module:

• 📡 If the phone doesn’t catch the network at all (even for calls), the antenna plume may have gone out or the module may have failed.
• 🛠️ Check if there were falls or phone hits – this is a common cause of contact breaks.
• 🔧 In the service center, you can check the operability of the module using special equipment.

Problems after repair:

If the phone was recently repaired (for example, changing the screen or battery), the antenna plume may have been damaged or the communication module connector disabled.

• 🔧 Return to the service center and ask to check the integrity of the plumes.
• 📡 Make sure that all the connectors are properly connected after the repair (especially if the motherboard was removed).

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect a hardware malfunction, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself - this could lead to a loss of warranty.

Frequently asked questions