Badge LTE Xiaomi Phone: What It Means and How to Manage It

You just bought a new Xiaomi smartphone or noticed a mysterious icon on the screen LTE Don't panic, it's not a mistake, it's an important indicator of how your device works. In the era of high-speed Internet, understanding mobile technology is becoming critical, especially if you want to make the most of your Redmi, POCO or Mi.

This symbol appears for a reason: it signals a connection to the fourth generation network, which provides Internet speeds 10 times higher than that of the good old one. 3G. But what if the icon suddenly disappeared? Or vice versa — why your Xiaomi stubbornly shows off 3G, When everyone around us has been using it for a long time. 4G? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of the work LTE on Xiaomi devices, including hidden settings, which the manufacturer does not always advertise.

You will learn not only basic information about the technology, but also practical tips: how to force the switch on. 4G, Why the smartphone can "roll back" on 3G, And what to do when the speed of the Internet is poor, and we're also going to share some secrets about VoLTE, the technology that allows you to make calls over the network. 4G So, you're ready to get into all the details, then we'll start!

What is it? LTE Why it is important to Xiaomi

LTE (Long-Term Evolution is a fourth-generation wireless data transmission standard that replaces the outdated one. 3G. On Xiaomi smartphones, the icon LTE Status bar means that your device is connected to the network 4G It can theoretically reach speeds of up to 150 Mbps (and in some cases even higher). 3G rarely exceed 42 Mbps.

But why is this so important for Xiaomi owners? The fact is that the Chinese manufacturer is actively optimizing its devices for working in networks. 4G/5G. For example, in the firmware MIUI There are hidden settings that allow you to manually select your preferred network type – a feature that many other Android smartphones don’t have. 12 or POCO X5), which, when properly configured, can show Internet speed no worse than flagships.

Fun fact: in some regions (e.g. Europe), operators use LTE-Advanced technology, which combines multiple frequency bands to increase speed. Xiaomi mid-range and premium smartphones (starting with the Mi 10) support this feature, but it can be disabled by default. We will talk about how to activate it later.

• 📶 Speed: LTE into 3-5 faster 3G (before 150 Mbit/s vs. 42 Mbit/s)
• 🔄 Stability: Less latency (ping) when playing online and video chatting
• 📞 VoLTE: The ability to call 4G without loss of quality (if maintained by the operator)
• 🔋 Energy efficiency: LTE It consumes less battery than 3G, when transmitting the same amount of data

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi displays an icon LTE, But the Internet speed remains low, the problem may lie not in the network, but in the settings. APN. We will discuss this in detail in the section on troubleshooting.

What does the badge look like? LTE Xiaomi: All options

Xiaomi manufacturer uses several options for displaying the icon 4G-communication depending on the device model, firmware version MIUI And these are the most common options you can see in the status bar:

In some models (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) The icon can vary depending on the strength of the signal: with a weak coating of the letter LTE They become gray, and when they're good, they become bright blue or green. MIUI 13/14 There is an option to display the current download / return speed directly in the status bar - it can be enabled in the settings "Display".

If you can't see the badge LTE Actually, that might mean:

• 🔍 Your device is connected to the network 3G or 2G (if+ or)
• 🚫 LTE disabled in network settings
• 📵 Problems with SIM-card-carrier
• 🔧 Wrong settings APN

How to turn on or off LTE on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

By default on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the MIUI 9) LTE It's turned on automatically, but sometimes users accidentally turn off the feature or want to switch to the same. 3G Here's how to manage network settings to save battery power:

Method 1: Through standard settings

1. Open the Settings app
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or mobile networks on some models)
3. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several)
4. Click Network Type or Preferred Network Type
5. Choose one of the options: 4G (Preferably, the automatic choice between 4G and 3G Only 4G — enforcement LTE (It may not work if the cover is weak) 3G or 2G — shutdown LTE

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

If the standard settings do not give the desired result, you can try to activate LTE Be careful that the wrong changes can disrupt the network!

Make a backup copy of important data

Make sure that SIM-card 4G

Check the balance (some operators are blocking the balance) LTE negative-balance)

Remember the current settings in case of rollbacks-->

Instructions for the engineering menu:


1. Open the Phone app.




2 Enter the code ##4636##




3. Go to the tab "Telephone Information"




4. Scroll down to the "Installation of network type" section




5. Select "LTE only" or "LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto"




6. Press OK and restart the device.

After the reboot, check if the icon appears LTE. If not, try a different mode or go back to the standard settings.

💡

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro), after changing the network type, you need to manually restart the communication module in the engineering menu. RIL".

Why Xiaomi is missing out on LTE: top-up-5 causes and solutions

One of the most common problems among Xiaomi owners is the sudden disappearance of the icon. LTE and "rollback" 3G. It can happen periodically or continuously. Let's look at the underlying causes and how to address them:

1.Problems with SIM-card

Even if you SIM-The card is relatively new, it may not support 4G or be incorrectly activated:

• 🆔 Compatibility SIM s LTE (check with the operator)
• 🔄 Installation accuracy (some Xiaomi models have separate slots for the 4G)
• 📱 Activation of the service 4G personal office

2. Incorrect settings APN

APN (Access Point Name is the address where your phone connects to the carrier's Internet if it's configured incorrectly, LTE It might not work:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Access points (APN)
2. Click on the current profile APN Check the parameters (they must match the operator’s data)
3. If there is no profile, create a new one using data from your operator’s website.

3. Programmatic failures

Sometimes. LTE disappears after updating MIUI or installing third-party applications:

• 🔄 Restart your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds)
• 📱 Reset network settings: Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth
• 🛠️ Update your firmware to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system)

4.Problems with operator coverage

Even if your area is officially 4G, The actual coverage can be unstable:

• 📡 The operator's coverage map (on their official website)
• 🏢 Being in the “shadow” area (for example, in the basement or behind thick walls)
• 📶 Switching to manual network selection: Settings → Mobile network → Choice of network → Manually.

Hardware malfunctions

If none of the above helps, the problem may be:

• 📱 antennae 4G (damaged after falling or getting moisture)
• 🔌 Slotte SIM-maps (contact oxidation)
• 🔋 Communication module (requires diagnosis in the service center)

⚠️ Attention: If LTE It only disappears in certain places (e.g., at home), but it works in other locations, the problem is probably in the coverage area. Try using a signal repeater (repiter) or switch to another operator with better coverage. 4G in your region.

VoLTE on Xiaomi: What it is and how to enable it

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) — This is a technology that allows voice calls to be made over a network. 4G, not switch to 3G/2G, It's the way it usually is:

• 📞 Clearer sound (broadband audio codec) HD Voice)
• ⚡ Fast connection (no delays in transition between the two countries) 4G and 3G)
• 📶 Ability to talk and use the internet at full speed

Not all Xiaomi models and not all carriers support VoLTE, but here is a list of devices that work exactly on this feature (provided it is supported by the operator):

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 8 and newer (including Mi 9, Mi 10, Mi 11)
• 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro and newer (Note series) 9/10/11/12)
• 📱 POCO F1, POCO X3, POCO F3 newer
• 📱 Black Shark (all models)

How to turn on VoLTE on Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks
2. Choose yours. SIM-map
3. Find the call option on LTE Or VoLTE and activate it.
4. If there is no option, check whether your operator supports VoLTE (list of operators: MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2)

After activation, an additional indicator should appear next to the network icon. HD or VoLTE during the call. If the function is not working:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📋 Check that SIM-card inserted SIM 1 (on some models, VoLTE only works with the first slot)
• 🔧 Update the firmware to the latest version

💡

VoLTE may not work if you have activated the service "Double" SIM" And both cards support 4G. In this case, try to turn off. 4G second SIM or use only one card or.

How to speed up LTE Xiaomi: hidden settings and life hacks

Even if your Xiaomi is connected to the network 4G, The real speed may not be as high as it is. Here are some ways to increase it:

1. Include carrier aggregation (LTE-Advanced)

This feature allows the device to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously, increasing speed.

1. Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application
2. Go to the tab Phone Information
3. Scroll down to Network Type Installation
4. Choose. LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM/WCDMA or LTE only (if available)

2. Optimize settings APN

Add to your current profile APN following lines (if not available):

Type APN: default,mms,supl,ia


APN Protocol: IPv4/IPv6




Roaming protocol: IPv4

3. Turn off energy saving for mobile network

Battery Saving Mode May Limit Speed LTE. To fix it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance
2. Select Performance Mode
3. Turn off the option Background Limitation for Mobile Data

4.Use applications to monitor the network

A utility like NetMonster or LTE Discovery reveals detailed connection information:

• 📡 Current base station and its loading
• 📶 Signal level in dBm (optimum: from -70 before -90 dB)
• 🔄 The frequency range used (e.g. Band 3, Band 7, Band 20)

If the signal is weak (for example, -110 dBm, try it:

• 📍 Move closer to the window
• 🔄 Switch to manual network selection
• 📶 Use an external antenna (for stationary use)

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Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) have a hidden “Priority” option. LTE", which makes the phone hold the connection longer 4G To turn it on, type the setltepriority 1 command in the engineering menu (#4636.

Frequent questions about LTE Xiaomi (FAQ)