VoLTE on Xiaomi: what it is, why you need and how to turn on the icon

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often notice in the status bar next to the network divisions, an incomprehensible icon that looks like a phone handset with the inscription HD or just an acronym for VoLTE. For many users, the appearance or, conversely, the disappearance of this indicator becomes a cause for concern. VoLTE is a technology for voice transmission over fourth-generation networks, which radically changes the quality of voice communication.

Unlike the old standards, where the phone was forced to switch to 2G or 3G when it was called, the new technology allows you to stay on a high-speed 4G LTE network while you talk, which means you can talk and use fast Internet at the same time without delay, and if you see this icon, your smartphone and carrier support this protocol, and the sound quality will be much higher than usual.

However, simply having support from the operator does not guarantee automatic activation of the function on the device. In the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, there are hidden menus and engineering codes that allow you to manually control this setting. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to force the icon to turn on, why it may disappear, and what settings you need to check for stable operation.

VoLTE technology: how it works and why it is necessary

Abbreviation Voice over LTE Literally translated as “voice through” LTE». Traditionally, cellular networks were built so that voice calls were transmitted over channels. 2G (GSM) or 3G (UMTS), a) the data transmission took place on the 4G. When the call came in, the phone's radio module had to switch from a high-speed channel to a slower one, causing the Internet connection to break. VoLTE technology eliminates this problem by packing the voice stream into a single channel. IP-packets, just like messengers do, but with the highest priority in the operator’s network.

The main advantage of the technology is not only the simultaneous operation of the Internet and calls, the sound becomes broadband (HD Voice), which makes the conversation more natural and legible, removing the characteristic noise and distortion. In addition, the connection time with the subscriber is reduced by many times: the beeps begin almost instantly after pressing the call button, whereas in older networks the wait could take 5-7 seconds.

It is important to understand that the technology requires three conditions to work simultaneously: First, your plan must support the service, although most modern carriers have it enabled by default; second, your location must have a confident 4G LTE network coverage. Third, the Xiaomi smartphone itself must be certified by the operator or have the appropriate settings in the firmware.

What does the VoLTE icon in the status bar mean?

The appearance of an indicator in the upper right or left corner of the screen indicates that the phone is registered in the network. IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem. It's a complex subsystem that's responsible for multimedia services. If you see an icon, it means that the voice channel is ready to go at any time. On Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi devices, this icon can look different: Sometimes it's just letters, sometimes it's a tube with the number 4 or a prefix. HD.

Note that the icon doesn’t always burn all the time. In some versions of MIUI firmware, it only appears when you’re talking or making a video call. If the indicator is always on, it indicates that the communication module is always ready. The absence of an icon when the function is on in the settings may indicate that the phone is only in 2G/3G coverage or the operator is not currently providing the IMS service.

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If the VoLTE icon is gone after the firmware update, try restarting your device or temporarily switching network mode to 3G and back to 4G/LTE.

There is a common misconception that running 4G more quickly drains the battery. In fact, the modern Qualcomm and MediaTek modems used by Xiaomi are optimized to work in a single standard. Constantly jumping between 3G and 4G on each call consumes charge much more than stable operation on the same network, so having an active VoLTE icon prolongs battery life rather than shortens it.

How to enable VoLTE through the standard settings menu

The easiest and safest way to activate the feature is to use the regular Android settings menu.In most modern Xiaomi models, such as the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 or Poco F5, The switch is prominently displayed, and first you have to make sure that the phone is installed. SIM-support-card 4G and mobile data transmission is enabled.

The sequence of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the HyperOS shell or MIUI. Usually the path is as follows: go to Settings, select a paragraph. SIM-Next, click on the SIM card (if there are two) and find the switch Use VoLTE or Calls on LTE. After activation of the slider in the status bar should appear the appropriate icon.

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions for certain regions, this switch may not be available. This does not mean that the phone does not support the technology. Often manufacturers hide this option if the carrier has not added its profile to the device database. In this situation, the icon may not appear, but calls can still go through LTE if the operator forcibly redirects calls.

Activation of hidden engineering menu for Xiaomi

If you don't have a standard switch, you can use an engineering menu that gives you access to the deep settings of the radio module, which works on most devices with MediaTek and Qualcomm processors. To log in to the menu, you need to open the Phone app and type in a special code. Be careful when changing parameters, as incorrect settings can lead to unstable communication.

Dial the code ##86583##. If you did everything right, a pop-up notification will appear on the screen saying "VoLTE Carrier check was disabled" (or enabled). This message means that you have removed the software restriction that the VoLTE switch was hiding in the settings. Then go back to the standard settings menu. SIM-maps - there should appear previously missing tumbler.

Codes for entering the engineering menu:


#86583## – Unlocking VoLTE (MediaTek/Qualcomm)
#4636## General phone and information testing
##426## — Google Play Services (FCM)

Another useful code is ##4636##. When you click on it, select Phone Information. Scroll down to "Install preferred network type." Make sure you select a mode that contains LTE, such as "LTE only" (test only) or "LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM." There may also be a "VoLTE provisioned" option that you need to activate.

Setting up APN and carrier profiles

Often the problem with the lack of an icon lies in the wrong access point (APN). This is a set of parameters through which the phone connects to the Internet and the operator's services. APN The protocol type was correctly spelled out -> SIM-maps and mobile networks -> Names of access points (APN).

Select your operator’s active profile (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2 Click on it to edit. Find the "Type" field. APN» (APN Type. It should contain default,supl,ims, and ims is critical to voice calls through the Internet. LTE. If it is not, add manually through a comma without spaces.

After making changes, be sure to save your profile and restart your smartphone. Without rebooting, the new profile may not be used by the system. If the icon does not appear after the reboot, try removing old, unused APN profiles, leaving only one current with the correct ims settings.

Problem Solving: There is a badge, but calls are not coming

There are times when the indicator is on, but when you try to make a call, you crash or switch to 3G. This may indicate a software conflict or problems on the base station side. First of all, try resetting the network settings. Go to Settings -> Connection and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will return all network settings to factory values.

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Resetting your network settings will not delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but saved Wi-Fi passwords will have to be re-entered.

It's also worth checking if Traffic Savings or Flight Mode is activated in the background. MIUI aggressively restricts the work of background services IMS. Go to the battery settings, find the Phone and Services app SIM-maps" and set the energy saving mode in the "No restrictions" position».

⚠️ Note: If you are roaming, VoLTE may not work even if you have an icon. Most operators have a fee or require a separate connection before traveling abroad.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the physical SIM-If your SIM is more than 5-7 It may not support the current security and encryption standards required for LTE Voice. Contact the operator's salon for a free replacement SIM-new card with support 4G/Usim.

Impact of firmware and region on function

Xiaomi devices come in different versions: Global, European (EU), China, Russia. Chinese versions of firmware often do not have pre-installed profiles for European or Russian operators, so the VoLTE icon may not appear out of the box.

If you have reflashed your phone or upgraded from Chinese to global (or vice versa), there may be conflicts in the carrier database, in which case cleaning the Carrier Services cache through the application menu helps. Find this application in the list of all programs, click Storage and select Clear Cache.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware or obtaining Root rights may disrupt certification keys DRM and IMS. In this case, it will be impossible to restore the work of VoLTE by standard methods without returning to stock firmware.

Remember that Xiaomi regularly updates carrier listings through system updates, and if the feature stopped working after the update, it may be that the new build contains an error, in which case you should wait for the next security patch or temporarily roll back on the previous version of the software.