How to enable only 4G on Xiaomi: hidden settings and engineering menu

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face an obsessive problem: the device spontaneously switches between 2G, 3G and 4G communication standards. This happens even in areas of confident reception, which leads to sharp jumps in ping during games or interruption of video calls. Especially relevant question for users whose SIM cards or tariff plans are optimized for high-speed Internet, and voice communication via VoLTE works stably.

Forced mode fixation on LTE Only eliminates these differences. However, with the standard Settings menu, this option is often hidden from the eyes of the average user. It will require access to the system debugging menu or the use of special commands, which we will discuss in this article. It is important to understand that interference with the radio module requires care, since incorrect settings can temporarily deprive you of communication.

In this guide, we will discuss safe switching methods relevant to MIUI and HyperOS shells. You will learn how to activate the hidden test menu, what commands to enter the engineering mode and what to do if you reset after a reboot, and we will also touch on the topic of using third-party switching applications, which can be a convenient tool for managing network modes without deep immersion in system code.

Why fix 4G mode on Xiaomi smartphones

The main reason users are looking to turn on 4G mode only is the instability of mobile operators in border areas of coverage.The smartphone, in an effort to save battery power or find a slightly stronger 3G signal at 900 MHz, switches from LTE. As a result, the Internet speed drops by dozens of times, and ping in online games becomes unplayable.

In addition, network fixing is useful for tariff owners with unlimited traffic, which often only operates on fourth-generation networks. If the phone falls into 3G, traffic can start charging at standard, more expensive rates, or simply run out of the high-speed packet limit. Forced LTE Only ensures that the device will use the exact channel you need.

But there's a downside to this, too: If you're in an area where 4G coverage is missing or very weak, and VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is not supported by your carrier or enabled in your settings, you may lose the ability to receive incoming calls, so the phone simply won't be able to switch to 2G/3G for voice, and callers will hear "Subscriber is unavailable."

It’s important to note that modern Qualcomm and MediaTek processors installed in Xiaomi are capable of quickly switching between towers, but in static environments, such as when you’re sitting at home or in the office, manually choosing a communication standard is the optimal solution for connection stability.

Preparing for changes in network settings

Before you start activating hidden functions, you need to make sure that your smartphone is ready to make changes to the modem. SIM-standard 4G. If the card is very old and was released more than 10 years ago, it may have to be replaced in the cabin of the operator, as it will not be able to work in the network. LTE.

The second important step is to check the VoLTE settings, without this technology, with "Only" on. 4G» Incoming calls won't work. Go to Settings to activate. → SIM-maps and mobile networks, select the SIM card you want and make sure the VoLTE switch is active. If it's not on the menu, try entering the ##86583### code, which should force this option to be displayed.

⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to your network system settings, make sure you have an alternative way to communicate. If your modem settings fail, you may be temporarily left without mobile internet and voice.

Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving the algorithms of working with the network, and in new versions of MIUI or HyperOS, the problem of “jumping” between communication standards can be solved software without the need for crutches.

Method of activation through the Engineering Menu (CIT)

The most common and safe way to switch your smartphone to 4G mode is to use the built-in engineering test menu, which is available on most Xiaomi devices without the need for root permissions. To log into the menu, you need to open the standard Phone application and type a special combination of characters.

Enter the code ##4636##. If it goes well, the screen will blink and the Testing menu will open. Here you are interested in Phone Information. In the list that opens, find the Set Preferred Network Type section. In the drop-down list, select LTE Only.

Once you select this setting, the network icon in the status bar may disappear for a second, and then the 4G or LTE indicator will appear. Now your phone will ignore 2G and 3G towers, running exclusively in the fourth generation of communication. If there is no LTE Only item on the list, try to choose LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA or a similar option where LTE is first and 2G/3G is absent.

Remember that after a full reboot of the device settings in this menu can be reset to standard ("5G/4G/3G/2G Auto"). This is normal behavior of the system, designed to protect the user from loss of communication, in which case the procedure for selecting LTE Only will have to be repeated after each turn on the phone, or use automation through Tasker or third-party utilities.

Using Xiaomi’s Hidden Menu for Advanced

There is another, deeper menu in the MIUI and HyperOS shell, often referred to as the Xiaomi Menu or the Customer Inspection Test (CIT), designed for service engineers, but it can be useful for ordinary users. To get there, dial ##6484## in the phone app. However, it is the Android menu described above that is more often used to manage network modes, or the specific codes for Qualcomm modems.

For Qualcomm processor owners, the code ##3646633## that opens the Engineering Mode is sometimes useful. In this menu, you go to the Telephony tab, then Network Selecting. Here, you can also select the forced LTE mode at Set Preferred Network Type. Be careful: there are many parameters in this menu that can disrupt the radio module.

If you accidentally change the extra settings and the connection is gone, don't panic. Usually, a simple restart of the device helps. In extreme cases, in the same engineering menu, you can find the Restore Default button, which will return the factory settings of the radio module.

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If the 4G icon is missing after selecting the mode, try turning on Air Mode for 5 seconds and then turning it off. This will cause the modem to re-register with new options.

Problems with returning settings after rebooting

One of the main complaints of users is that after turning off and on the phone, the LTE Only setting flies off, and the phone again begins to “jump” on 3G. This is because Android reads the operator configuration file (Carrier Config), which dictates the standard priorities of networks.

To get around this limitation, you can use automation. There are script applications that automatically open the menu when you boot the system and select the desired item. However, because of the aggressive optimization of the battery in MIUI, such applications can be killed by the system. You need to give the application permission to autostart and work in the background.

Another option is the use ADB (Android Debug Bridge, from a computer. You can send a command to a device that will capture the preferred network type at a deeper level, although this does not guarantee 100% retention after resetting the network settings. ad shell service call phone 41 i32 13 (Parameters may vary depending on the Android version).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands require connected debugging mode on USB Incorrectly entering parameters can lead to a software failure of the communication module.

The most reliable, though not the most convenient way, is to check the status of the network after each reboot. Fortunately, the ##4636## menu opens instantly and the switch takes only a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Compulsory 4G on Xiaomi is an effective way to stabilize the internet, but requires monitoring the availability of VoLTE coverage to keep up with the ability to receive calls.