How to turn on mobile Internet on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with pictures

Why Xiaomi can’t have mobile internet?

Have you just bought a new Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 or upgraded your firmware to the POCO X6 Pro, but the mobile internet is stubbornly refusing to work? This problem is familiar to many users of Xiaomi smartphones - from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Mi 14 Ultra. The reasons can be several: from banal settings to hardware malfunctions.

The most common scenarios: the phone connects to the operator’s network (there is a signal), but the pages do not load; icon 4G/5G Yes, but the speed is like dial-up. 90-x; or the device does not see the mobile network at all. 80% In some cases, the problem is solved for 5 You just need to know where to look, and then we'll look at all the ways that you can get mobile Internet on Xiaomi, from basic to advanced.

It is important that you use two SIM-Check if the cards are in conflict with each other. some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Automatically disconnect mobile Internet to the second SIM, If the first one is active, you should also consider that 5G may work unstablely in regions with poor coverage - in this case, it is better to forcibly switch to the 4G (LTE).

Check basic settings before turning on mobile internet

Before digging deep into the settings, make sure the problem isn't on the surface.Here are 4 key points to check first:

• 📶 Network signal level: if the indicator shows 1-2 If you have a stick or a cross, the problem may be on the operator's side.
• 💳 Balance and tariff: make sure you have enough money in your account and the tariff includes a mobile Internet package. Sometimes operators block traffic with zero balance, even if there is no limit.
• ⚙️ Flight mode: seemingly obvious, but many forget to turn it off after the flight.
• 🔄 Reboot device: classic turn-on solves 30% of connection problems. On Xiaomi, press the power button and select Reboot.

If all of this is OK, but the Internet is still down, we'll go into a deeper setup, and let's start with mobile data, which is kind of elementary, but even here, there's some nuances.

How to enable mobile data on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Mobile Internet inclusion on Xiaomi differs depending on the version of the MIUI shell. In the latest versions (MIUI 14 and later), the path has changed a little, but the logic has remained the same.

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (some models may be called Mobile Networks or Dual Networks). SIM mobile).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to turn on the Internet for (if there are two) opposite the one you want to use. SIM The green switch should be on.
4. Activate Mobile Data Slider (or Data Transfer) if it's already on, try turning it off and turning it back on.
5. Make sure there is a tick below opposite Enable 4G (or Enable 5G if your tariff supports).

On models with MIUI 13 and older, additional confirmation may be required: the system will ask if you want to use this SIM to transfer data by default.

If the Internet has not worked after this manipulation, check if you have a traffic restriction. SIM-maps and mobile networks find the item Data Use and see if there is a limit.

⚠️ Note: on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) When you first turn on mobile data, a request for setting up may appear APN. If you missed it, the Internet will not work – read about it in the next section.

Setting up APN for mobile internet on Xiaomi

APN (Access Point Name) is a kind of "address" that your phone connects to the carrier's Internet. If it's configured incorrectly or not at all, mobile Internet will not work. Fortunately, you can manually configure Xiaomi APN.

Here's how to do it:

1. Go to Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-Map and tap on the access point (APN).
3. If there are already some settings, try to select them (usually operators automatically add their APN). If not, click Add in the upper right corner.
4. Fill in the fields according to your operator’s data, below is a table with the current settings for the main Russian operators (2026).

After filling the fields, click Save (floppy disk icon in the upper right corner). Then select the newly created APN from the list and restart the phone. If the settings are correct, mobile Internet should be up in 1-2 minutes.

💡

If the APN is missing from the list after saving, check if the APN Type and Authentication Type fields are incorrect. For most operators, it is enough to specify default,supl in the APN Type field.

⚠️ Note: if you use a virtual operator (e.g. Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobile), settings APN Check them on the operator's website or in the app "My {name of operator}".

The choice of network type: 4G, 5G or automatic mode?

Xiaomi can manually set your preferred network type: 2G (GSM), 3G (WCDMA), 4G (LTE) or 5G (NR). By default, it is usually Automatic, but sometimes this leads to problems - the phone can "stick" on a slow network or constantly switch between standards.

To change the settings:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Slip on the preferred type of network.
4. Choose the right option: 🔄 Automatically, the phone chooses the best network (recommended for most users). 📶 Only 4G (LTE) — compulsory regime 4G, fitting 5G floundering. ⚡ Only 5G (NR) — compulsory regime 5G, It may not work in areas with poor coverage. 📞 Only 3G — If you only need to make calls and SMS internetless.

5G-enabled models (such as Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5) can have an optional 5G-enabled switch – make sure it’s active if you want to use a fifth-generation network.

If the Internet is gone after the network type change, return the settings to Automatic and restart the phone. Sometimes Xiaomi needs a reboot to apply the changes.

Mobile Internet Problems on Xiaomi: Diagnostics and Solutions

If, after all the manipulation, the mobile Internet is still down, it's time to move on to diagnosis. Here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

• 🔴 No network icon (cross or exclamation point): Check if inserted SIM-Take out the tray and reinstall the map. Also make sure that you SIM It is not damaged (the chips must be intact).
• 🔄 Constantly switching between 3G and 4G: It could be a weak signal. Try manually asking just 4G If it doesn't work, the operator's problem.
• 📵 The Internet works, but very slowly: Check if the speed limit is worth the tariff settings (sometimes operators throttle traffic after the limit is exhausted). VPN, if it's on.
• 🔒 Websites won't open, but messengers work: This could be due to incorrect settings DNS. Try to manually prescribe. DNS Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) in Wi-Fi or mobile settings.

If nothing works, try resetting your network settings.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Network reset will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings.

If the mobile Internet never worked after the reset, the problem may be in the firmware or hardware (for example, the communication module is damaged), in which case contact the service center - self-repair can aggravate the situation.

Features of setting up mobile Internet on popular Xiaomi models

Despite the fact that the shell MIUI is unified, some Xiaomi models have their own nuances with the setting of the Internet.

• 📱 Redmi Note 12/13: On these models, there is a separate switch in the network settings Improved coverage 4G (in the Mobile Network section → Including it can help in areas with weak signal.

On models with a hybrid slot (for example, Redmi 10 or POCO M5) Make sure you don’t put the second one in. SIM It's a memory card slot. SIM no-one will work.

💡

If you have Xiaomi with eSIM support, check if virtual SIM conflicts with physical SIM, and sometimes you need to turn off one of them to keep the Internet running.

Frequent questions about mobile Internet on Xiaomi