VoLTE in Xiaomi smartphones: why you need, how to turn off and when it is safe

What is VoLTE and why is it coming to Xiaomi?

If you notice the word VoLTE in the status bar of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, This means that your phone uses voice technology through the 4G-network, unlike traditional calls (2G/3G), VoLTE is digitally broadcasting voice, which should theoretically improve communication quality, but in practice, many users face unexpected problems: fast battery drain, communication interruptions, or even the inability to make a call in some regions.

Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology is being actively implemented by operators around the world, and Xiaomi defaults to include it on most modern models - from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14. However, not all operators fully support this feature, and in some cases it can conflict with local network settings. For example, in Russia, after the departure of foreign vendors and changes in the infrastructure of 4G/5G VoLTE can work unstable, especially on firmware with global regional settings.

Before you turn off VoLTE, you need to know if you need it at all, and in some cases, the technology is really useful.

  • ๐Ÿ“ž Fast connection โ€“ calls are connected almost instantly (without a delay of 1-2 seconds, as in the case of a phone call). 3G).
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Clear sound โ€“ no noise and interference typical of analog communication.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Parallel Internet - during a conversation you can use the mobile Internet at full speed (in the Internet) 3G It's impossible).

But there is also a downside: some users complain of problems with registration in the network (the phone does not catch the network after restarting), increased battery consumption (module) 4G more active or incompatible with local SIM-If you're faced with something like this, shutting down VoLTE could be the solution.

๐Ÿ“Š You have noticed problems with VoLTE on your Xiaomi?
Yeah, the connection's getting worse.
Yeah, the battery goes down faster.
No, it's working steadily.
I don't know what that is.

How to check if VoLTE is enabled on your Xiaomi

Before you turn off the function, make sure it's actually active. There are several ways to check this:

  1. Status bar indicator: If VoLTE, HD or 4G+ is displayed next to the network signal level during a call, the function is enabled.
  2. Settings menu: Open Settings โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks. Choose yours. SIM-Check VoLTE or Improved Calls โ€“ if the switch is active, the technology works.
  3. Test call: Call another phone and notice the network icon. If the indicator stays 4G while you're talking (rather than switching to 3G), then VoLTE is used.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global or HyperOS), the option with the VoLTE settings may be hidden, in which case the engineering menu will help:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the phone application.
  • ๐Ÿ”ข Enter the combination ##4636##.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Go to the phone information tab and find the VoLTE provisioned line. If it's 1, the function is active.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, check the VoLTE settings for each. SIM-Charts separately โ€“ they may differ!

Step-by-step: how to disable VoLTE on Xiaomi

If you've decided to deactivate VoLTE, there are a number of ways to do it, and let's start with the simplest one, which is through the standard MIUI or HyperOS settings.

This method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with the latest firmware:

  1. Open the Settings.
  2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or mobile network on HyperOS).
  3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to disable VoLTE for.
  4. Find VoLTE, Improved Calls, or 4G Calls and move the switch to the off position.
  5. Confirm the changes and restart the phone (required!).

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparing for VoLTE shutdown

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Through the Engineering Menu (for hidden settings)

If you don't have VoLTE in your standard settings, try the engineering menu. Be careful, if you do something wrong, you can disrupt your network!

  1. Open the Phone app and type ##4636##.
  2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
  3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
  4. Select the LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM/WCDMA option (without mentioning VoLTE) or 3G.
  5. Save the settings and restart the device.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60) may require an additional step:

On the engineering menu:


1. Go to "Phone information."




Press three points (โ‹ฎ) in the upper right corner.




3. Select "IMS Service Status".




4. disable "VoLTE provisioned" and "VoWiFi provisioned".

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
On some firmware (e.g., Chinese versions of MIUI), code ##4636### may be blocked, in which case try alternative code: #86583## (for VoLTE testing) or install the MTK Engineering Mode app from the Play Market (for MediaTek processor devices only).

Method 3: Disconnect via APN (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can try changing the APN settings (access points), which is suitable for users who have VoLTE enabled automatically by the operator.

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ†’ [Yours. SIM] โ†’ Access points (APN).
  2. Select your current APN profile (usually referred to as your carrier, such as MTS Internet).
  3. Find the Type field APN (APN type) and remove the ims, xcap or volte settings (if any).
  4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Incorrect settings APN If the network is lost after the changes, return the standard settings or contact the operator for the correct settings.

What to do if the VoLTE is not shut down?

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, VoLTE continues to work, and this can happen for several reasons:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The VoLTE switch in the settings is inactive (gray)The operator is forced to activate VoLTE at the level SIM-mapContact the salon with a request to disable the service or replace the SIM with an older version
After the reboot, VoLTE is turned on again.The firmware resets the default settingsInstall custom recovery (TWRP) and edit the build.prop file by adding a line persist.radio.volte_off=1
No VoLTE item in the settingsHidden by the manufacturer or operatorUse the engineering menu or ADB-teams (see below)
VoLTE only works on one of them. SIM-mapThe two-sim mode limits the functionDisable the second SIM or check the network priority settings for each card separately

For the most persistent cases, you can use ADB-commands (requires a computer and enabled debugging on the USB):

adb shell settings put global volte_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global enhanced_4g_lte 0

After you complete the commands, restart your phone. If you don't know ADB, you'd better not take risks and go to the service center.

๐Ÿ’ก

If VoLTE is not software-enabled, the problem may be at the firmware or operator level, in which case only flashing the device to the custom version of MIUI without forced activation of VoLTE will help.

Consequences of disabling VoLTE: pros and cons

Before you give up VoLTE, consider the possible consequences.

  • โœ… Pluses: ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery savings - module 4G It will be less likely to switch between modes. ๐Ÿ“ถ Stability of communication in some regions 3G It works better than the โ€œrawโ€ VoLTE. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Fewer failures โ€“ network registration problems will disappear after the reboot.
  • โŒ Cons: โณ Delayed calls โ€“ the connection can take 1-3 seconds (as in the old ones) 3G-network). ๐Ÿ“‰ Sound quality โ€“ interference is possible, especially in areas with poor coverage. ๐ŸŒ No Internet during the call - in 3G Network data is blocked during the conversation.

Critical: on some carriers (e.g. Tele2 or Yota), disabling VoLTE can make it impossible to make calls if the 2G/3G network in your region is disabled. Before deactivating, check if your carrier supports voice communication without VoLTE.

  1. Put it in. SIM-card to another phone without VoLTE (e.g. an old iPhone) 5s or Samsung Galaxy S5).
  2. Try making an outgoing call.
  3. If the call passes, you can turn off VoLTE on Xiaomi, and if you don't, you'd better leave it as it is.

โš ๏ธ Note: On virtual operators (e.g., SberMobile, Tinkoff Mobile), disabling VoLTE often leads to blocking outgoing calls. These operators use VoLTE as the primary (and sometimes only) way to communicate with voice.

Alternatives to VoLTE: What to use instead?

If you have disabled VoLTE, but the quality of communication is not satisfied with you, there are several alternatives:

  • ๐Ÿ“ž Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) calls: Many operators support voice over Wi-Fi. It is enabled in the same settings as VoLTE (Settings). โ†’ SIM-map โ†’ Wi-Fi calls: suitable for places with poor mobile network coverage.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Messengers with voice calls: WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber allow you to call over the Internet.
  • ๐Ÿ“ก 3G-Manual network: you can force the phone to switch mode 3G (Settings โ†’ Mobile network โ†’ This will solve the problems with VoLTE, but will limit the speed of the Internet.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Change of operator: if your provider is not supportive 3G, Consider switching to an operator with a more stable infrastructure (for example, MTS or Beeline in Russia).

For users who travel frequently, it is useful to know that in some countries (such as the United States or Japan), VoLTE is mandatory - without it, the phone will not be able to make calls in principle.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before traveling abroad, save your operatorโ€™s APN settings โ€“ they can reset in roaming, and VoLTE will stop working even if you need it.

Frequent VoLTE Disconnection Errors and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience problems after disabling VoLTE due to incorrect actions, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Not rebooted: changes to VoLTE settings only apply after you reboot.If you forgot to do so, the feature may remain active.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ VoLTE is only disabled for one person. SIM-cards: dual-symbol phones have the settings applied separately for each slot.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Changed settings. APN without backup: if after editing APN The Internet is gone, return the standard settings. To do this, delete the current profile and select Reset to the standard settings.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Didn't check the cover. 3G: in some regions 3G-Networks are already disabled (for example, in Moscow or St. Petersburg). Before turning off VoLTE, make sure that your operator still supports the service. 3G.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Ignored battery discharge: if after the VoLTE shutdown the phone began to discharge faster, it may be constantly switching between the two. 3G and 4G. In this case, it is better to return VoLTE and look for the cause in another (for example, in the background consumption of applications).

If you experience a permanent communication breakdown or inability to make a call after disabling VoLTE, try the following steps:

  1. Turn on 2G Only mode in your network settings and check if the calls are working.
  2. If yes, the problem is 3G-Return VoLTE or change operator.
  3. If not, it may have been damaged. SIM-card or lock at operator level.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about VoLTE on Xiaomi

โ“ Why my Xiaomi doesnโ€™t have a VoLTE option in the settings?
This may be due to: outdated firmware (update MIUI/HyperOS), an operator that hides settings (try the engineering menu), regional restrictions (on some Chinese firmware, VoLTE is disabled by default), if the phone is bought in China, you may need to reflash it to the global version.
โ“ Can you turn off VoLTE for just one thing? SIM-map?
Yes, Xiaomi's dual-symbol phones have VoLTE settings applied separately for each slot. โ†’ SIM-Maps and mobile networks, select the desired SIM and turn off the function only for it.
โ“ Will mobile internet work during a call without VoLTE?
No. Without VoLTE, the phone switches to 3G or 2G when it calls, where the Internet doesn't work at the same time as voice, which is a limitation of standard networks.
โ“ Why all calls disappeared after VoLTE shutdown?
Your carrier is likely using VoLTE as the primary (or only) voice communication method, as is the case with: Virtual carriers (SberMobile, Tinkoff Mobile), operators that have disabled 2G/3G in your region, and the solution: return VoLTE or change operator.
โ“ How to return VoLTE if I accidentally disabled it through the Engineering Menu?
Return the default settings: Open the engineering menu (#4636##.) Go to Phone information. In the Set preferred network type box, select LTE/UMTS auto (PRL) or similar option with VoLTE mentioned. Reboot your phone.