Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, by default are set to maximize the use of 4G and 5G networks. One of these features is VoLTE (Voice over LTE), which allows you to transmit voice calls over the Internet protocol, providing high sound quality and fast dialing. However, not all users are satisfied with this state of affairs, since in some regions coverage is unstable, and charging can be conducted by gigabytes, not by minutes.
Disabling this option is often required to save battery power, as constantly searching for a 4G signal in the bad reception zone quickly lands the battery.In addition, some subscribers prefer to use standard 2G/3G voice channels for calls, leaving the mobile Internet for data. In this article, we will discuss in detail where the hidden menu of engineering settings is located and how to safely deactivate the function on different versions of the firmware.
The process of disabling can vary depending on your device model and operating system version. Sometimes there is no standard switch in the settings menu, and you have to resort to more complex methods. We will look at all the available methods, from simple actions in the interface to using special codes to access hidden system functions.
Why to turn off VoLTE on your smartphone
The main reason Redmi and POCO owners are looking for a way to turn off voice calls over LTE is the unstable network in their region: If the operator has not optimized voice, calls can be interrupted, and the interlocutor will hear a metal sound or delay, in which case forced switching the phone to 3G mode for calls solves the quality problem of communication.
Another important aspect is the battery life of the device: VoLTE technology requires constant maintenance of a connection to the 4G tower even in the background. If you are in the zone of insecure reception, the smartphone starts to consume more energy in an attempt to hold the signal.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to your network settings, make sure that your plan does not include free minutes only if VoLTE is activated, as this may affect the cost of services for some operators.
It is also worth mentioning the compatibility with some of the older ones. SIM-When traveling abroad, automatically switching to VoLTE may result in the inability to make a call or receive a call. SMS-In these situations, manual management of network protocols becomes a necessity.
Standard way through the settings menu
The simplest and safest method of deactivating a function is available right in the system interface, but manufacturers often hide the switch or remove it from the visible menu if the carrier imposes its standards, but it is this way to start diagnosing it to check for a standard tool.
To start, you need to go to the SIM card settings section. The path usually looks like this: → SIM-Maps and mobile networks. This shows all the cards you have installed in your device. Select the SIM card that you want to change if you have two.
Within the menu of a particular SIM card, look for an item called "Use VoLTE" or "LTE Calls." If the switch is active and pressable, just put it in an inactive state. The system can warn you that the quality of communication may change, which you need to agree to.
☑️ Checking standard settings
It is important to note that on some global firmware versions, this item may be called differently or combined with network-type settings. If you do not find the switch, this means that the operator or manufacturer has blocked the ability to manually control through the standard menu, in which case you will have to use alternative methods described below.
Using the Engineering Menu to Disable
If the standard path is closed, the engineering menu, a hidden part of the system designed for testing equipment, comes to the rescue. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is often accessed through a special code in the Phone application. Type the combination ##4636## and wait for the transition to the testing menu.
In the list that opens, select "Phone Information" and here is a detailed list of radio parameters. Find "Set Preferred Network Type." When you click on the dropdown list, you'll see many options for network modes.
To disable VoLTE, you need to choose a mode that does not have the acronym IMS or VoLTE in its name. Usually these are options like LTE Only (Internet only) or WCDMA Only (3G only), but for normal calls, you should choose NR/LTE/WCDMA/GSM without consoles. If there is an option on the list “VoLTE provisioning”, it can also be switched to Disable state.
⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when choosing a mode"LTE In this mode, the phone may not receive incoming calls, as it stops registering on networks. 2G/3G, where voice communication is performed without VoLTE.
Once you change the settings, the phone can lose the network for a few seconds, and that's the normal reaction of the device to reconnect to the base station with the new settings, check if the HD or VoLTE icon has disappeared from the status bar, and if the icon is gone, then the function has been successfully deactivated.
What if the code doesn't work?
Hidden settings through Activity Launcher
When the engineering menu is unavailable or hidden, users often resort to using third-party utilities to run hidden Android activities. One of the most popular tools is the Activity Launcher app, which allows you to see all the hidden menus of the system that are not displayed in the usual settings interface.
Once you install and run the app, it scans the system and it gives you a long list of all the actions available. In the search bar, type in the word "VoLTE" or "IMS." The system can offer several options related to the SIM card settings. You need to find the item that leads to the function switch.
Often, the item you want is hidden deep within the Android settings structure. Look for sections starting with com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter. Clicking through these links can open a hidden menu where the cherished switchboard will be available. This method works on most versions of MIUI, including the latest updates.
| Access method | Difficulty | Risk of error | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard menu | Low. | Minimum | Medium |
| Engineering code | Medium | Medium. | Tall. |
| Activity Launcher | Tall. | Medium. | Tall. |
| ADB team | Very high. | High-pitched | Maximum |
Advanced method: Disconnection via ADB
For users who are not afraid of the command line and want to gain full control of the device, there is a method of disconnecting through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having drivers installed, and allows you to change system flags that are not available through the usual interface.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Then turn on Debugging via USB from the "Additional" menu. Connect the phone to your PC and start the command line with administrator permissions.
Enter the following command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is determined, you can try to change the settings through the settings database.
adb shell settings put global volte_enabled 0However, in modern versions of Android and HyperOS shells, direct change of global settings can be blocked, in which case the command for a specific SIM card sometimes helps, but the syntax may differ depending on the model of the processor (Snapdragon or MediaTek), this method requires experimentation and a deep understanding of the structure of Android.
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Before using ADB, make sure to make a full backup of important data. Errors when working with system settings through the command line can lead to unstable operation of the communication module.
Possible problems and solutions
After disabling the feature, users may encounter a number of nuances: for example, the phone may stop seeing the 4G network and only work in 3G/H+ mode. This is the expected behavior if you choose the appropriate network mode, but sometimes the device gets stuck in this state even after the settings return.
In some cases, the badge HD It may disappear from the status bar, but calls will still go through the LTE. This suggests that the operator forcibly redirects traffic, and it is almost impossible to influence this from the subscriber without a change of traffic. SIM-card-plan.
If after all the manipulations, the phone stopped catching the network at all, try resetting the network settings. This will not delete your personal data, but will return all connection parameters to factory values. Path to reset: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting network settings will delete all saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks, other lists of Bluetooth devices.
It’s also worth checking if you have firmware beta installed. In MIUI test builds, the features may not work properly. If the problem occurs after the update, you may want to wait for the stable version to come out or roll back to the previous build.
Impact of shutdown on communication quality and battery
After successfully shutting down VoLTE, you may notice a change in the device’s driving behavior, especially battery life. In low-light 4G areas, the phone will warm less and discharge more slowly as the communication module moves to a more energy-efficient 3G mode.
Voice quality may change, and if it used to be crystal clear (HD Voice), it may now become deafer, typical of older GSM standards. However, in remote areas where 4G catches poorly, communication quality may improve due to a more stable 3G hold signal.
It is important to understand that the speed of switching between modes (for example, during a call, when the Internet falls from 4G to 2G) will also change. Without VoLTE, breaking the data connection during an incoming call is normal for networks that do not support CSFB (Circuit Switched Fallback) technology in fast mode.
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Disabling VoLTE is a trade-off between voice quality in ideal conditions and communication stability/autonomy in poor coverage.