How to enable mobile data transfer on Xiaomi phone: all ways

You just put it in. SIM-The new Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but the internet isn't working? or after the update MIUI This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone users - despite the intuitive interface, data settings are sometimes "reset" or require manual configuration. In 80% of cases, the solution takes less than a minute, but without the exact instructions, you can spend hours digging into the menu.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn on mobile internet on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from basic settings to hidden settings for power users. You’ll learn how to check APN, what to do if the 4G/5G icon doesn’t appear, and why a simple reboot sometimes helps. And if you encounter an error called “No Internet connection,” at the end of this article there’s a diagnostic section and a table of solutions for popular carriers (MTS, Beeline, Megaphone, Tele2).

Basic method: Including mobile data in a quick menu

The fastest method is to use the notification bar.It works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version (even on the old Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

• 📱 Swipe down from the top of the screen (with one finger for a quick menu, two for a full menu).
• 🌐 Find the Mobile Data icon (usually an antenna with up/down arrows) and if it's not there, click Edit (the pencil in the upper right corner) and add it to the panel.
• 🔄 If it turns blue or green, the data is switched on. The color depends on the theme of the design. MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) When you turn on mobile data, you may see a "Background Limit" notification, which means that applications in the background will not use traffic. To turn off the restriction, go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Limiting the background and deactivating the slider.

Manual activation in system settings

If you don't have fast access or the icon is inactive, you'll have to go to the settings menu, and this is universal, and it works even if the notification bar is "glutty."

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (some firmware may refer to as “Mobile Network” or “Dual Network”) SIM»).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to activate the Internet for (if there are two of them).
4. Activate the Mobile Data slider.
5. Make sure that the name of the operator is marked with the words “Connected” or “4G/5G”.

🔍 Why can't it work? If the Internet never came on after it turned on, check it out:

• 📶 Network signal level (top panel next to clock) If there are no sticks, there is a problem in the coverage area or SIM-map.
• 💳 Is it inserted correctly? SIM-map (on some Xiaomi models tray for the second) SIM It is combined with a microSD slot – make sure the card is inserted into the correct slot).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes it helps even with the right settings.

Make sure that mobile data is included|Check the signal level of the network|Reboot the phone|Try the second. SIM-card (if any)-->

3. Set up APN access points for your operator

If mobile data is enabled but the internet is not working, the settings are most likely not configured. APN (Access Point Name: This is the address that connects the phone to the operator's network. SIM-Settings cards are usually applied automatically, but sometimes they have to be entered manually.

📌 How do I add? APN Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map → «Access points (APN)».
3. Click on “Add Access Point” (the + icon in the upper right corner).
4. Fill in the fields according to your operator’s data (see the table below).
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: If, after preservation, APN missing from the list - check if the tick is next to another profile. APN Also make sure that in the "Type" field APN» Default or default,supl is indicated for some operators).

4.The 4G/5G problem: why the phone doesn't catch the next generation network

You turned on mobile data, but the phone persistently shows 3G or H+ instead of 4G/5G?

• 📡 Operator does not support 4G/5G in your area (check the coverage on the provider’s website).
• 📱 Priority is chosen in the phone settings 3G or 2G.
• 🔄 SIM-The card is old and does not support new standards (replacement is required). USIM).
• 🛠️ Software failure after update MIUI.

🔧 How to forcefully turn on 4G/5G:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map → «Network type (or preferred network type»).
3. Set the value: For 4G: LTE (recommended) or 4G/3G/2G (auto). For 5G: 5G/LTE/3G/2G (not available on all models).

Reboot the phone.

💡 Tip: On some firmware MIUI (particularly POCO) option 5G To activate it, type ##4636## in the Phone app, go to Phone Information and select "Install preferred network type." Be careful not to change the other settings in this menu so as not to disrupt the communication module.

💡

If after turning on 5G, the phone began to discharge faster, return to 4G mode. 5G module consumes 15-20% more power, especially in low signal conditions.

5. Diagnostics of trouble: what to do if the Internet is not working

If you have completed all the steps but your mobile data is still inactive, use this table to diagnose:

⚠️ Note: If the saved Wi-Fi passwords are lost after resetting the network settings (point 1 in the table), they will have to be re-entered. This reset also removes all associated Bluetooth devices (earphones, smartwatches, etc.).

💡

In 90% of cases, the problem with mobile Internet on Xiaomi is solved by checking APN, restarting the phone or changing the network type to LTE.

6. Features for double SIM-cards (Dual) SIM)

Xiaomi smartphones with support for two SIM-Cards (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13T) You can only use mobile data on one card at a time, if you activate the Internet on the other card. SIM, And it's not working, check it out:

• 🔀 In the settings SIM-maps and mobile networks have the right data slot (the option "Mobile data" should be active only for one of them). SIM).
• 📵 Maybe the second. SIM It's used for calls, and the main one is used for the Internet (and vice versa».
• 🔄 Some operators block the simultaneous operation of two SIM into 4G-Try to turn off the mobile data on the second card.

📌 How to change SIM internet-based:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Slip on the label "Mobile data" (not a slider!).
3. Choose the right one. SIM-map.
4. Confirm the change and restart the phone.

💡 Lifehack: On some models POCO You can switch between quickly SIM For the Internet, by holding the mobile data icon in the notification panel, a menu with a choice of map will appear.

7. Hidden settings for experienced users

If standard methods do not help, you can use the engineering menu or USSD codes. These methods are suitable for advanced users and can help in unusual situations (for example, after a failed firmware update).

🔧 Method 1: Codes USSD diagnostic

• Check the registration: ##4636## → “Phone Information” → see the status of the Service State (should be “In Service”).
• Reset network settings: ##7263867## (not working on all models)
• IMEI check: *#06# – if zeros are displayed instead of the number, IMEI recovery is required (this is a separate procedure).

🔧 Method 2: Manually changing the parameters of the communication module

If you're confident in your actions, you can manually adjust Band for better reception.

1. Enter the code ##4636##.
2. Go to “Phone Information” → “Install Network Type”.
3. Select LTE only or NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM (for 5G).
4. Go back and tap "Update."

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect settings in the engineering menu can lead to loss of network or inability to make calls. If you are not sure, do not change the settings that you do not understand).

FAQ: Frequent questions about mobile data on Xiaomi