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

Why is the icon of VoLTE on the Xiaomi Redmi screen and should it be turned off?

You just updated your Xiaomi Redmi firmware or inserted a new one. SIM-And then suddenly, on the notification panel, there's a mysterious VoLTE icon, and what's this feature, why is it activated on its own, and does it eat up the battery.

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is a 4G voice technology that has replaced the legacy 2G/3G standards. While the phone used to jump from 4G to 3G during a call, it now stays on the fourth generation network, which allows for clearer sound, faster connectivity and the ability to talk and use the mobile Internet at the same time. But not all users of the Redmi Note 10, Redmi 9 or other models need these “slaps” – especially if the operator charges for VoLTE or the function conflicts with other services.

In this article, we will explain in detail:

• 🔍 What is VoLTE and how is it different from regular calls?
• 📱 Why the badge appeared on your Xiaomi Redmi (and why others don’t have it)

VoLTE – What are these simple words?

VoLTE (or HD-Voice) is not just 4G calls, but an ecosystem of improvements for voice, and unlike traditional calls that use 2G/3G networks, voice is digitally transmitted over IP (like messengers like WhatsApp), which has several key benefits:

• 🎤 Best sound quality: wide bandwidth (up to 7 kHz vs. 3.5 kHz in) 3G) Makes your voice more natural, without noise.
• ⚡ Instant connection: no delay of 2-3 seconds when dialing.
• 📶 Stable Internet during a call: you can simultaneously talk and download files, watch videos.
• 🔋 Battery savings: No need to switch between networks, which reduces the load on the modem.

But there is a downside: First, not all Russian carriers support VoLTE for free – some (like Tele2 or Yota) can charge extra for it. Second, in some regions with poor 4G coverage, VoLTE calls can be cut off more often than 3G. Finally, on older Redmi models (like Redmi 5A or Redmi 6), the function can work unstable due to weak hardware.

If you notice that after the appearance of the VoLTE icon:

• 📉 Faster battery drops down
• 📞 The calls started to stop.
• 💰 More money was written off on the account.

It makes sense to disable the technology, especially since it can be done on Xiaomi in a couple of clicks.

Why did VoLTE activate on its own?

There are several reasons why your Xiaomi Redmi suddenly has a VoLTE icon:

1. Update MIUI: In new firmware versions (e.g. MIUI 13/14), the function is enabled by default for compatible operators.
2. New SIM-card: if you have changed the SIM to one that supports VoLTE (for example, MTS Ultra or Beeline “Everything is possible”), the network automatically activates the service.
3. Roaming: In some countries (e.g. Turkey or the UAE) VoLTE is forced on for tourists.
4. Settings reset: After resetting to factory settings, all network functions return to the default state.

The problem most often arises after a software update, for example, users of Redmi Note 11 complain that after switching to MIUI 14, even those who previously disabled the VoLTE icon appeared, this is due to Xiaomi's policy: the company actively promotes modern communication standards, so many functions are turned on automatically in new firmware.

If you're not sure if you need this feature, try calling a friend and comparing the sound quality to VoLTE's powered down.

1. Turn off VoLTE (instruction below).
2. Call another phone and rate the sound.
3. Turn on VoLTE back and repeat the call.

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If you don't notice the difference in call quality, and the battery starts to go down faster, feel free to turn off VoLTE. In 90% of cases, you will not lose anything, but save charge.

How to disable VoLTE on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

The process of disabling VoLTE on Xiaomi smartphones takes less than a minute. The main thing is to know where to look for settings, since the menus may differ slightly in different versions of MIUI. We will look at two universal ways.

Method 1: Through settings SIM-map

This is the simplest method that works on most models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/9A/9C, POCO X3/X4, etc.).

Open the Settings app

Move to the SIM-maps and mobile networks

Choose yours. SIM-card (if two of them)

Click on Network Type or Network Settings

Turn off the VoLTE switch (or 4G calls)

Save the changes and restart the phone-->

If there is no VoLTE on the menu, your carrier does not support this function, or it is locked at the firmware level.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard settings don't work, you can turn off VoLTE through the engineering menu. Be careful: wrong actions here can disrupt the network!

Instructions:

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

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If after disabling VoLTE in the engineering menu, the calls stopped working at all, return the settings back or reset the network to Settings → Connections → Reset network settings.

On some models (Redmi 8, Redmi Note 8 Pro) the engineering menu can be blocked, in which case only resetting to factory settings or installing custom firmware will help - but this is already a topic for a separate article.

VoLTE vs. regular calls: comparison table

To decide whether to turn off VoLTE, compare it with traditional calls in key parameters:

As you can see from the table, VoLTE wins on most parameters, but only if:

• 📶 Good coverage. 4G in your region
• 💳 Free support by the operator
• 📱 Modern smartphone (not older than 2018)

If at least one of the conditions is not met, it is better to refuse VoLTE.

What if VoLTE is not working or is interfering with calls?

Sometimes users have the opposite problem: there's a VoLTE icon, but the calls don't go through, or the sound is interrupted.

⚠️ Warning: If incoming calls are missing after activation of VoLTE, check if the mode is not turned on. 4G In this case, the smartphone will not be able to "fall" on the network settings. 3G/2G with a weak signal, and the calls will not reach.

Problem 1: Calls are interrupted or not connected

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes a banal reboot helps.
• 📡 Turn on the “Only” mode 3G» In Settings → SIM-map → Type of network.
• 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → Connections → Resetting network settings.
• 📱 Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI There were bugs with VoLTE.

Problem 2: The battery goes down quickly

If after the appearance of VoLTE smartphone began to discharge in 4-5 hours, check:

• 🔋 Battery consumption in settings: go to Settings → Battery. → Battery usage and see if the modem is active.
• 📶 Signal level 4G: If it is weak (1-2 divisions), the phone spends a lot of energy maintaining the connection.
• 🔄 Turn off VoLTE and check if autonomy has improved.

Problem 3: The operator takes money for VoLTE

Some carriers (like Tele2 or Iota) include VoLTE as a paid option to disable it:

1. Call the operator support (numbers: 611 for MTS, 0611 for Beeline).
2. Tell them you want to disable 4G Calls or Volte.
3. Restart your phone and the icon will disappear.

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If the operator has an icon on the screen after turning off VoLTE, then the function is activated at the smartphone level. Turn it off in the MIUI settings (see the instructions above).

VoLTE on different models of Xiaomi Redmi: features

Not all Xiaomi VoLTE smartphones work the same way, but here’s what you need to know:

If your model is not in the table, check the support for VoLTE on the official Xiaomi website or in the characteristics on the operator's website.

On older models (Redmi 5, Redmi 6), VoLTE may not work properly due to a weak processor or an outdated modem, in which case it is better to leave traditional 3G calls.

FAQ: Frequent questions about VoLTE on Xiaomi Redmi