Xiaomi’s VoLTE sign: What it is and how to turn off the feature in 2026

If you see a mysterious VoLTE sign next to your network indicator on your Xiaomi screen, don’t panic. This icon signals the enabled voice technology through the 4G- network, which has become the standard for most modern carriers. However, not all users understand its purpose — and some even want to get rid of it because of suspicions of accelerated battery discharge or connection problems.

In this article, we will discuss what VoLTE is in practice, why it is activated automatically on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, and most importantly, how to properly disable this feature in different versions of MIUI firmware.

Now, let's just say, the way you turn off VoLTE on Xiaomi is different depending on the phone model, the MIUI version, even the carrier, and you'll have to dig through the engineering menu somewhere, and we've put together all the current ways for 2026, from the simplest to the most surgical.

What is VoLTE and why is it needed in Xiaomi?

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a technology for transmitting voice traffic over fourth-generation (4G) networks, instead of traditional 2G/3G.

✅ Fast connection. The call is set up almost instantly, without the latency that is typical of older networks.

✅ Better sound quality. The technology supports the HD Voice codec, which makes the voice of the interlocutor clearer.

✅ Parallel Internet operation: High-speed network connectivity is not interrupted during a conversation (unlike 3G, where the Internet is “slowing down”).

But there's a downside to VoLTE, and some users complain about:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (especially on budget Redmi models)
• 📶 Coating problems in remote areas (where 4G is unstable)
• 🔄 Switching between VoLTE and regular calls

On Xiaomi smartphones, the VoLTE icon appears automatically if the operator supports the technology, and the phone activates the option “Enhanced Calls”, while in some regions of Russia (for example, in remote areas), the function may not work stable, which is why users are looking for a way to turn it off.

How to check if your Xiaomi VoLTE supports

Before you turn off the feature, make sure your smartphone supports it at all. Here's how to do it:

1. Model check. Almost all Xiaomi released after 2018 are VoLTE compatible. Except for some budget models for the Asian market (e.g. Redmi 7A in the version for India). A full list of supported devices can be found on the Xiaomi website.

2. Operator verification: VoLTE officially supports:

• 📡 MTS (ubiquitous)
• 📡 Beeline (in most regions)
• 📡 MegaFon (limited)
• 📡 Tele2 (in major cities only)

You can specify the coverage on the website of your operator or by calling in support.

Verification through settings:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. If you have Improved Calls (VoLTE) – the function is supported.

⚠️ Warning: On some firmware MIUI (especially custom ones), the VoLTE option may be hidden even with hardware support, in which case manual activation via the engineering menu will be required.

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

The method of disabling depends on the version of MIUI. We have collected the latest methods for MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

Method 1. Through standard settings (the simplest)

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Find Improved Calls or VoLTE and move the slider to the Off position.
4. Reboot your phone (required!).

Method 2. Through the engineering menu (if there is no item in the settings)

This method is suitable for models where the VoLTE option is hidden. Be careful - incorrect actions in the engineering menu can disrupt the network!

1. Open the phone app and dial the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
4. Select LTE only or 3G/2G (auto) mode (without mentioning VoLTE).
5. Save the settings and restart the device.

Method 3. For firmware without Russification (Chinese versions of MIUI)

On unofficial or Chinese firmware, the path to settings may differ:

1. Go to Settings → Mobile Network → SIM 1 (or SIM 2).
2. Find VoLTE calls or Enhanced 4G.
3. Turn off the option and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Some models of the POCO (e.g., POCO X3 Pro) may lose access to the mobile Internet after the VoLTE is disabled, in which case return the settings back or use the method with the engineering menu.

What to do if the VoLTE is not shut down

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the VoLTE icon continues to burn, and calls still go through 4G.

🔄 Automatic operator activation: some operators (e.g. MTS) force VoLTE activation on compatible devices.

• Call the operator support and ask to disable the service "Voice via 4G" or "HD- Calls".
• Use a SIM- card from another carrier (e.g., Tele2) – VoLTE is often disabled by default.

📱 Firmware with bug. On some versions of MIUI (especially beta versions), VoLTE settings may be reset after rebooting.

• Update your firmware to the latest stable version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• If the update doesn’t help, reset your network settings: Settings → Memory → Resetting → Network settings reset.

🔧 Dual SIM conflict. On two-symbol Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), VoLTE can activate automatically for the main SIM- card.

• Change the SIM- card in places (move the main one to the second slot).
• Turn off VoLTE for both SIMs in the settings.

🛠️ Hardware lock. On some models (e.g., Xiaomi 12T for the European market), VoLTE is locked at the modem level.

• Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and patch the patch to unlock VoLTE.
• Contact the Xiaomi service center to flash the modem.

VoLTE vs ViLTE vs VoWiFi: What’s the difference and what’s better to disable

On Xiaomi smartphones, you can find other similar technologies besides VoLTE, and see what they mean and whether they should be turned off:

💡 Tip: If you turn off VoLTE because of battery drain, check ViLTE too, which consumes even more power. But VoWiFi is not worth turning off, because it helps save power when the cellular signal is weak.

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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), disabling VoLTE automatically deactivates ViLTE, and to return video calls, you will have to manually turn them back on in the SIM- card settings.

How to get VoLTE back if something goes wrong

If you have problems after turning off VoLTE (for example, calls stopped working or mobile Internet disappeared), here is how to return everything to its original state:

1. Through settings:

Repeat the steps from Method 1, but enable the Improved Calls option.

- Reboot the phone.

2. Through the engineering menu:

- Dial ##4636## → Phone information → Set preferred network type.

Select LTE/UMTS auto (PRL) or NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM auto (for 5G- models).

3. Through resetting:

- Go to Settings → Memory → Resetting → Resetting network settings.

After the reboot, VoLTE will turn on automatically if the operator supports it.

4 via SIM- card:

- Change the SIM- card to another (for example, from Beeline to MTS) - sometimes this resets the VoLTE settings.

Or move the SIM to another slot (if the phone is two-sim).

⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations, VoLTE never worked, check:

• 📶 Signal level 4G (VoLTE does not work with a weak coating).
• 🔄 Settings APN (must be set automatically by the operator).
• 📱 Model compatibility with VoLTE (on Xiaomi website).

Alternatives to VoLTE: How to call without 4G

If you have decided to abandon VoLTE, but want to maintain the quality of communication, consider these options:

📞 Normal calls via 3G/2G:

• Pros: lower battery consumption, stability in remote areas.
• Cons: Longer connection, worse sound quality.

To switch, select 3G/2G (auto) mode in the network settings.

📶 Calls over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi):

• Pros: saves mobile traffic, works with a weak network signal.
• Cons: Depends on the quality of Wi-Fi, it can lag.

Activated in Settings → SIM-cards → Wi-Fi calls.

💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber):

• Pros: free calls, good quality with a stable Internet.
• Cons: Both parties must be online.

📱 Applications for IP-telephony (Zoiper, Linphone):

• Pros: cheap international calls, additional functions (recording, translation).
• Cons: require adjustments, can be blocked by the operator.

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If you travel frequently or live in an area with unstable 4G, it is better to turn off VoLTE and use regular calls via 3G/2G or VoWiFi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about VoLTE on Xiaomi