Are you tired of the constant “jumping” between 3G and 4G that slows down the Internet on your Xiaomi? or want to maximize the speed of the mobile network by eliminating automatic switching to outdated standards? Enabling 4G Only (LTE) mode solves these problems - but it is not always obvious where to look for this setting in the MIUI firmware.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to force a 4G switch, from standard settings to hidden engineering menu commands, why a smartphone can ignore your settings, how to check carrier support, and what to do if the 4G Only option is lost after the upgrade, and a unique method for models with a MediaTek processor that does not require root rights.
Why Xiaomi’s smartphone will automatically switch from 4G to 3G/2G
By default, Xiaomi (like most Android devices) uses 4G/3G/2G (auto) mode, which means that the phone chooses the network itself depending on:
- 📶 Signal level: if 4G weak, the device switches to 3G call stability.
- 🏢 Operator policies: some providers forcibly "reset" the connection to 3G resource-saving.
- 🔋 Energy saving: in battery mode 3G consumes less energy than 4G.
- 📱 Hardware constraints: budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) They may not support VoLTE, which is why 4G shuts down during calls.
The problem is that the automatic switching algorithm is far from perfect: often a smartphone gets stuck on 3G even with good 4G coverage, or vice versa, stubbornly holds onto a weak LTE signal, losing communication. Manually turning on only 4G mode helps:
- ⚡ Increase internet speed (especially in densely populated areas).
- 📞 Avoid VoIP calls (WhatsApp, Telegram).
- 🎮 Reduce ping in online games.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) compulsory regime 4G This can result in a loss of call ability if the carrier does not support VoLTE. Before setting up, check if you have this feature active (see section below).
Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (the simplest method)
On most Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-15, the option to enable only 4G is available directly from the settings menu.
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to SIM cards and mobile networks (or Mobile network on older versions).
- Choose. SIM-The card you want to change your settings for (if there are two of them).
- Tap on the network type (or preferred network type).
- Select 4G (LTE) or 4G preferred.
If there is no 4G option on the list, then:
- 📱 Xiaomi model does not support the forced mode LTE (It is important to use old smartphones on Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx).
- 🔄 Firmware MIUI modified (e.g. custom or regional version).
- 📡 The operator blocks manual switching (found in virtual operators such as Tele2 or Yota»).
Make sure that SIM-card 4G|Check the network coverage in your area|Activate VoLTE (if you plan to call)|Reboot your smartphone after the changes-->
After selecting 4G mode, a smartphone can lose communication for a few seconds, which is normal. If the Internet does not appear after 30 seconds, check:
- 🔄 Is Flight Mode on.
- 📶 Does the metal cover block the antenna.
- 🔋 Does the battery run below 15% (some models limit the battery life) 4G low-charge).
Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)
If the standard settings do not have 4G Only, you can activate it via the Engineering Mode, which works on most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11, POCO F3 and Mi 11. Importantly, don’t change the other options in the engineering menu so as not to disrupt the network!
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## Some models may require: ##36446337##
- Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
- In the drop-down list, select LTE only (or 4G only).
- Press OK and restart your smartphone.
If the network does not appear after the reboot, return the settings to LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto and try an alternative method (see the next section).
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9T or POCO M3) The engineering menu may not include an option LTE In this case, use the method of USSD-codes (section 4).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 3: USSD-command 4G
Some Xiaomi operators and models support hidden USSD-These commands work even without an engineering menu, but their list varies by region and version. MIUI.
Try to enter these commands in turn in the Phone app (as a regular number):
| Team team. | Description | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| ##4636## | Opens the engineering menu (alternative method) | All models. |
| ##2263## | Shows the current network mode | Qualcomm chips |
| ##36446337## | Allows you to select LTE only | MediaTek (Redmi 9/9A/9C) |
| ##7263867## | Reset network settings (if 4G does not work) | All models. |
After entering the command ##36446337##:
- Choose BandMode.
- Slip on LTE (a green tick should appear).
- Save the settings and restart the phone.
If no team is working, then your Xiaomi model is blocking. USSD-access to the network settings, and in this case, the only thing left is the method of ADB (section).
Standard settings MIUI|Engineering menu|USSD-team|ADB (advanced)|Nothing helped.-->
Method 4: ADB-Teams (for experienced users)
If previous methods failed, you can force LTE only mode via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and enabled USB debugging, but is guaranteed to work on all Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note 8 Pro and Mi A3).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
- On your smartphone, turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
adb
adb devicesThe name of your device should appear.
LTE only
adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 9To return to automatic mode, use:
adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 10Reboot your smartphone.
Network mode codes for the team preferred_network_mode:
- 9 is LTE (4G) only.
- 10 - LTE/WCDMA/GSN (automatic).
- 7 - WCDMA (3G) only.
- 1 is GSM (2G) only.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially custom ones, this command can reset after rebooting. To fix the setting, use the app. 4G Only Mode from Google Play (requires root rights).
💡
If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try installing Xiaomi USB Driver drivers or using the original cable from the kit. Cheap cables often don’t support data transfer.
Verification of VoLTE support and solution of call problems
One of the biggest fears of 4G Only is that you can't call, which happens if your carrier doesn't support VoLTE, and without it, your phone can't hold 4G and make calls at the same time, so you're forced to switch to 3G/2G.
How to check if you have VoLTE active:
- Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks.
- Choose yours. SIM-map.
- Find the 4G (or VoLTE) call point.
- If the switch is active, the calls will only work in 4G mode.
If VoLTE is disabled or not in the settings:
- 📞 Contact the operator and request activation (some providers have it for free).
- 🔄 Update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version (in new builds, VoLTE is often added for older models).
- 📱 Check if your smartphone supports VoLTE on Xiaomi’s support site.
List of operators in Russia that support VoLTE on Xiaomi:
| Operator. | Support for VoLTE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MTS | Yes. | It works on all models with MIUI 12+. |
| Beeline | Yes. | Required. SIM-map (USIM) |
| MegaFon | Yes. | VoLTE is activated automatically |
| Tele2. | Partially. | Only for new tariffs (2023+) |
| Yota | No. | It uses its own network, VoLTE is not supported. |
If VoLTE is not available but it is critical that you stay on 4G, consider:
- 📲 Use of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) for calls.
- 🔄 Temporary switching to mode 4G/3G during the call (through the notification panel).
- 📱 Buying dual SIM-cards with VoLTE support (for example, MTS or Beeline).
What to do if 4G does not work after the mode is turned on
You only turned on 4G, but the Internet is gone or is not working smoothly?
- Check coverage: Open the OpenSignal or NetMonster app and see the 4G signal strength. If the signal is weak (less than -100 dBm), try moving closer to the window.
- Reset network settings: Go to Settings → Settings Reset → Network Reset. After reset, reset your smartphone and reset to Only 4G.
- Check APN: Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Access Points (APN). Make sure you have the right profile (usually {operator} internet). If you have multiple profiles, try each one in turn.
Update the firmware:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- If an update is available, install it (sometimes 4G bugs are fixed in newer versions of MIUI).
If nothing helps, try an alternative method:
- 🔧 Install Network Signal Guru (requires root) for manual frequency selection 4G.
- 📡 Buy a signal repeater. 4G (country-house).
- 📱 Contact Xiaomi Service Center – the problem may be in the antenna or communication module.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 8A) compulsory regime 4G It can cause the processor to overheat if the network signal is weak.
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If after all the manipulations 4G has not worked, most likely the problem is on the operator's side.