VoLTE icon on Xiaomi: decryption and 4 ways to turn off in 2026

Have you noticed a mysterious VoLTE icon next to your network indicator on your Xiaomi screen and don’t know what it means? Or does it bother you by constantly blinking in the status bar? This article will take a look at the nuances of Voice over LTE technology, explain its advantages and disadvantages, and most importantly, show you how to remove this icon from the screen on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones with MIUI 12-14 firmware.

Now, the VoLTE icon only appears when you're on an active call or in standby mode, if your carrier supports this technology and it's enabled in your phone settings. It doesn't always mean problems -- it's often just an indicator of improved connectivity. But if it's annoying or you suspect that VoLTE is causing your battery to go down faster, our instructions will help you turn it off in 2 minutes.

What is VoLTE and why is it needed in Xiaomi?

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) — This is a voice transmission technology. 4G-A network that replaced outdated standards 2G/3G. Unlike traditional calls, where voice is transmitted over separate channels, VoLTE uses batch data transmission, as when surfing the Internet:

• 📞 Instant connection – the call starts in 1-2 seconds (versus 5-10 seconds per phone) 3G).
• 🎙️ Pure sound – wide bandwidth allows voice to be transmitted in format HD Voice (up to 22 kHz vs 8 kHz in) 3G).
• 📶 Stability – the call does not break when switching between 4G Wi-Fi (if Wi-Fi Calling is supported).
• 🔋 Battery savings – the phone does not switch to 3G during a conversation, which reduces the load on the communication module.

However, there are also disadvantages to the technology that some Xiaomi users want to disable VoLTE:

• 📵 Problems with coverage in some regions 4G-Networks are unstable and calls may be interrupted.
• 🔄 Conflicts with operators – not all Russian and foreign mobile networks work correctly with VoLTE on Xiaomi (especially on custom firmware).
• 📱 Fast battery discharge – on older models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro) the VoLTE module can increase power consumption.

If you notice that after the appearance of the icon VoLTE phone became worse to catch the network or discharge faster, it is worth checking the settings - perhaps the problem lies in the incorrect operation of the technology.

Why VoLTE icon appears on Xiaomi: 3 main reasons

The VoLTE icon in Xiaomi’s status bar can be displayed in three cases.

1. The technology is turned on by default. On most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi Note 9 and Mi 10), VoLTE is activated in the MIUI firmware out of the box. This is done for compatibility with operators who are gradually abandoning 2G/3G (for example, MTS and Beeline in Russia have already begun to decommission 3G networks).
2. Some mobile networks (such as Tele2 or Yota) automatically activate the technology for subscribers with supported phones, in which case the icon will appear even if you did not manually enable VoLTE.
3. The firmware update resets. After installing a new version of MIUI (for example, when switching from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the network settings can return to factory settings, and VoLTE will turn on itself.

To understand why this icon appeared on your Xiaomi, check:

1. The phone model (whether it supports VoLTE)
2. Firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14).
3. Settings SIM-Cards (possibly the operator has forced the technology to activate).

How to remove the icon VoLTE on Xiaomi: 4 working ways

If the VoLTE indicator is bothering you or you suspect that it has caused a deterioration in the quality of communication, try one of four methods of disabling. 3G-Networks that can reduce sound quality.

Method 1: Disabling in the settings SIM-maps (the simplest)

This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if two of them).
3. Click on Network Type (or Preferred Network Type)
4. Choose the 3G/2G (auto) or 3G Only option.
5. Reboot the phone.

Once you reboot, the VoLTE icon should disappear, and if it doesn't, check if the technology is included in your call settings.

Sign missing from status bar | Calls go through 3G (check network settings) | Communication quality has not deteriorated | Battery discharges more slowly

-->

Method 2: Deactivation through call settings

On some models (e.g. POCO F3 or Redmi K40), VoLTE is controlled separately.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Calls.
2. Select Call Settings → VoLTE (or Improved Calls).
3. Switch the slider to the off position.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI If you don't have one, use Method 1 or Method 3.

Method 3: Use of an engineering menu (for power users)

If the standard settings don't work, you can turn off VoLTE through the engineering menu.

1. Open the phone app and dial the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to Set preferred network type.
4. Select the LTE/WCDMA auto or WCDMA only option (without mentioning VoLTE).
5. Click Turn off VoLTE provisioning (if any).
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose!

Method 4: Reset network settings (extreme case)

If nothing helps, reset the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (or Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth Reset).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After the reset, VoLTE will be disabled, but you will have to reconfigure your connection to Wi-Fi and other networks.

💡

If after the VoLTE shutdown calls stopped passing – check if your operator supports the phone. 3G-In some cases, you may need to return to VoLTE or change the tariff.

Table: Compatibility of VoLTE with telecom operators in 2026

Before disabling VoLTE, make sure that your operator supports this technology correctly.

If your operator is not listed in the table or you use a foreign operator SIM-card (for example, when traveling), check VoLTE support on the official website of the provider. In some countries (for example, in the United States or Europe), disabling VoLTE can lead to a complete loss of the ability to call, since operators have already abandoned the service. 2G/3G.

What to do if after the shutdown of VoLTE lost calls

In rare cases, deactivation of VoLTE can cause the phone to stop ringing altogether, which occurs if:

• Your operator has completely shut down. 3G-network in your region (for example, MTS has been doing this in some cities in Russia since 2026).
• The phone has lost the APN (access point) settings.
• SIM-The card is old and does not support switching between standards.

To get back the chance to call:

1. Check the settings. APN: Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN). Make sure you choose the right configuration for your operator (usually it is loaded automatically). APN - no - add it manually (options can be found on the operator's website).
2. Update your firmware: Sometimes MIUI bugs cause network failures. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Contact the operator: If none of these methods worked, there may be a problem on the mobile network side. Call support and check if your calls are blocked due to VoLTE being disabled.

💡

If you travel frequently, we recommend leaving VoLTE enabled, but adding an APN to your phone settings to help you avoid problems with your overseas communications.

VoLTE vs Wi-Fi Calling: What’s the difference and what’s better on Xiaomi

Many users confuse VoLTE with another technology - Wi-Fi Calling. both functions improve the quality of communication, they work in different ways:

On Xiaomi smartphones, these technologies can be used together or separately, for example, if you have a bad 4G catch, but you have stable Wi-Fi, it makes sense to turn off VoLTE and turn on Wi-Fi Calling:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Activate the Wi-Fi Call Switch.
4. If necessary, enter the data for authentication (they can be obtained from the operator).

Wi-Fi Calling is especially useful in places with poor mobile coverage (such as basements or outside the city), but requires a stable Internet connection.

FAQ: Frequent questions about VoLTE on Xiaomi