VoLTE in Xiaomi smartphones: what it is, how it works and how to disable

Have you ever noticed VoLTE in your Xiaomi status bar and wondered what it means? Or suddenly faced problems during calls — communication interruptions, poor sound quality or fast battery discharge? Perhaps it’s this technology. In this article, we will discuss in detail what VoLTE is, how it affects the operation of your smartphone, and most importantly – how to turn it off on Xiaomi devices if necessary.

Voice over LTE (VoLTE) has become the standard for today’s 4G/5G networks, but not everyone understands its features, some believe it’s just “enhanced calls,” and some face unexpected challenges, from not being able to call when a signal is weak to conflicts with some carriers, we’ll tell you when VoLTE is really useful and when it’s best to deactivate, and we’ll give step-by-step instructions for different Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO and flagship series).

What is VoLTE and how it works in Xiaomi smartphones

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a 4G LTE voice technology that has replaced traditional 2G/3G calls. Unlike regular voice calls, where voice is transmitted over a separate channel, VoLTE uses batch data transmission, as when surfing the Internet, this has several key advantages:

• 📞 Clearer sound — thanks to the HD Voice codec, the voice of the interlocutor sounds more natural, without noise.
• ⚡ Fast connection – the call is set up almost instantly (in 1-2 seconds vs 5-10 for conventional calls).
• 📶 Internet concurrently – you can talk and use mobile internet at the same time (unlike 3G where the internet shuts down during a call).
• 🔋 Battery savings – the phone does not switch between 4G and 3G/2G, which reduces the load on the communication module.

However, VoLTE has a downside: First, not all operators support this technology equally well. For example, in some regions of Russia or Ukraine, VoLTE can work unstable, especially at the borders of coverage areas. Second, on older or budget Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 5A or Redmi Note 7), the included VoLTE sometimes leads to:

• 🔄 Unintentional reboots during calls.
• 📵 Missed calls (the phone does not vibrate or ring).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to constant network search.

In addition, VoLTE may conflict with some calling apps (like WhatsApp Calls or Skype) if they use the same frequency range, so many users prefer to disable this feature, especially if the quality of communication is not affected by this.

How to check if VoLTE is enabled on your Xiaomi

Before you turn off VoLTE, make sure it's actually active. There are a few ways to check this:

1. Status bar indicator: If a call is accompanied by a VoLTE or HD sign, the technology works. On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13/14), the icon may look like a 4G+ with a handset.
2. Settings SIM- Cards: Go to Settings → SIM- Cards and Mobile Networks. Select your SIM- Card. If you have VoLTE or Improved Calls with Slider, it is enabled.
3. Test call: call another phone and check the sound quality, and if the voice of the person is clear, smooth, and the connection is established quickly, it's likely that VoLTE is used.

Some Xiaomi models (e.g., POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 10) may not have an explicit VoLTE switch in the SIM- card menu, in which case the technology is turned on automatically if the operator supports it. To accurately determine the status, you can use the engineering menu (we will discuss it later).

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If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, check the VoLTE settings for each SIM- card separately. Sometimes the technology works only on the main slot (Slot 1).

When to turn off VoLTE on Xiaomi

Despite the benefits, there are situations where VoLTE is better deactivated.

Especially often problems with VoLTE arise on Xiaomi budget models (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3), where the hardware is not always optimized for stable operation with this technology.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), disabling VoLTE may result in a complete loss of callability.

Ways to disable VoLTE on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to deactivate VoLTE on Xiaomi smartphones: Choose the one that fits your model and MIUI version.

Method 1: Through standard settings (for most models)

This is the easiest method that works on most devices with MIUI 12/13/14.

Open "Settings"|Choose "SIM-maps and mobile networks"|Press the right one. SIM-map|Find the option "VoLTE" or "Improved Calls"|Transfer the slider to the "Off" position."-->

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks (some models may call it Mobile Network).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to disable VoLTE for.
4. Find VoLTE, Improved Calls, or 4G Calls.
5. Move the slider to the off position.
6. Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

On some models (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi K40) instead of a slider can be a checkbox. If there is no VoLTE item at all, try the following method.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

If the standard settings do not have the option to disable VoLTE, you can use the engineering menu. Be careful: the wrong actions in this menu can disrupt the network!

⚠️ Warning: The engineering menu contains parameters critical to the operation of the phone. Don't change anything other than the items below. Otherwise, you risk losing the network or even building the device.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Type the combination: ##4636## (some models may not work, then try #86583###).
3. You will be taken to the Testing menu. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type section.
5. Select the LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto option (without mentioning VoLTE) or 3G only.
6. Click Turn off VoLTE provisioning (if any).
7. Go back and restart the phone.

If VoLTE is still active after these actions, try resetting the network settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally. → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the reset and restart the device.

Method 3: Through Third-Party Developer Apps

If none of the above methods worked, you can use third-party utilities, such as the 4G Switch app or Network Signal Guru (available on Google Play), which allow you to manually manage network settings, including VoLTE.

Instructions for Network Signal Guru:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant superuser rights (if there is root).
3. Go to the LTE tab.
4. Find the VoLTE item and uncheck the box.
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Please note that some features of these applications may require root rights to function, which will void the device warranty.

What to do if the VoLTE is not shut down

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, VoLTE continues to work, and this can be due to:

• 🔄 Operator Policy – some providers force VoLTE to be activated at the SIM- card level.
• 📱 Phone firmware — On custom or legacy versions of MIUI, settings may be reset.
• 🔧 Hardware restrictions – on some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A2 with Android One), VoLTE is controlled at the modem level.

In such cases, try the following steps:

1. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Reset your network settings (as described above).
3. Contact the operator – your SIM- card may have forced VoLTE activation. Ask to disable this option in your personal account or through support.
4. Try another SIM- card – sometimes the problem lies in the map itself.

If nothing helps, and VoLTE is critically interfering with your phone, consider flashing the device to custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), where you can flexibly configure network settings. However, this requires experience and can lead to a loss of warranty.

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If your Xiaomi doesn’t support disabling VoLTE through settings, but the technology is unstable, the only reliable way is to use your phone in 3G mode. Select 3G Only (WCDMA) in your network settings.

VoLTE and battery: how technology affects autonomy

Many Xiaomi users complain that after turning on VoLTE, the phone starts to run out faster, due to several factors:

• 🔋 Constant activity of the 4G- modem – even when you’re not calling, the phone maintains a connection to the VoLTE network, which increases power consumption.
• 📡 Frequent switching between 4G and 3G – if the coverage of 4G is unstable, the phone spends additional energy searching for the network.
• 🔄 Background optimization MIUI – Sometimes the system mismanages resources when VoLTE is active.

To check whether VoLTE is really to blame for the quick discharge, do the following:

1. Turn off VoLTE (as described above).
2. Use your phone as normal for 1-2 days.
3. Check the battery consumption statistics in Settings → Battery → Battery usage.
4. Compare it to the data before disabling VoLTE.

If the difference is significant (e.g., the battery life has increased by 15-20%), it makes sense to leave VoLTE off, and you can also try the following tips for saving charge:

• 🔄 Enable Battery Savings mode in the settings.
• 📴 Turn off background data transfer for unnecessary applications.
• 📶 Use 2G/3G if you don't need fast internet.
• 🔋 Update your firmware — newer versions of MIUI often optimize power consumption.

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3 NFC), disabling VoLTE can increase battery life by 10-15% by reducing the load on the Snapdragon processor.

VoLTE and quality of communication: what is best for calls

Now, let's see if you should turn off VoLTE in terms of quality of communication, and it depends on three things:

1. Network coverage in your area – if 4G is stable, VoLTE will give you better sound and faster connectivity.
2. The flagship phone model (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) is better optimized for VoLTE than the budget models.
3. Operator – some providers (such as MTS or Kyivstar) offer more stable VoLTE than others.

Do a simple test:

1. Turn on VoLTE and make several calls to different numbers.
2. Evaluate the sound quality, connection speed and communication stability.
3. Turn off VoLTE and repeat the test.
4. Compare the results.

If there is no difference or VoLTE calls work better, leave it off. If the quality of communication has deteriorated significantly (interference appeared, calls are connected longer), it may be worth returning the technology back.

Also, consider that VoLTE can be useful in the following cases:

• 🌍 Roaming – Some operators provide VoLTE roaming with the best rates.
• 📱 Using two SIM- cards – VoLTE allows you to call with one SIM while the second one is online.
• 🎧 Using wireless headphones – with VoLTE, there are fewer delays when talking.

FAQ: Frequent questions about VoLTE on Xiaomi