VoLTE icon on Xiaomi: how to disable and whether it is worth it

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, provide users with extensive functionality to improve communication quality. One such technology is Voice over LTE, which allows voice calls to be transmitted over fourth-generation networks. This provides cleaner sound and the ability to use the Internet while talking without switching to 3G. However, many device owners are annoyed by the constantly burning VoLTE icon at the top of the status bar.

Having this icon doesn’t affect the phone’s performance, but it visually clutters the interface, especially on models with a small screen or a camera cutout. Users often look for ways to hide this indicator, believing that it will save battery power or simply improve the aesthetic appearance. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what this technology is, why it might not shut down by standard methods, and what workable ways are there to solve the problem.

It's worth noting that disabling display and turning off technology completely are two different processes. In some cases, the system can block changing settings through a regular menu, requiring the use of engineering codes or third-party applications. We'll look at all the current methods, from simple switches in settings to more complex manipulation of system parameters relevant for 2026-2026.

What is VoLTE and why is it needed?

Voice over technology LTE This standard is for transmitting voice traffic exclusively over networks. 4G. Unlike traditional calls that use channels. 2G or 3G, VoLTE allows you to transmit voice as a data stream. HD-Sound quality, shortening connection times and allowing simultaneous conversation and high-speed internet use, requires support from the carrier and the smartphone itself.

On Xiaomi and Redmi devices, VoLTE support is built into the firmware layer. When you see the corresponding icon in the status bar, it means that the phone is registered in the operator’s network with this technology and ready to make high-quality calls. In most regions of Russia and CIS countries, large operators have long implemented this feature, making it the de facto standard for modern tariffs.

Despite the obvious benefits, some users prefer to disable this option, and the reasons can be different, from the banal desire to remove the excess icon to compatibility problems in areas of uncertain reception, where the phone can often switch between modes, consuming battery power faster than usual.

Standard way to disable via the settings menu

The simplest and most secure way to manage VoLTE is in the phone’s standard settings menu. MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust SIM card settings, including choosing your preferred network type. However, the location of the switch can vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware.

To find the right option, you need to go to the SIM card settings section, which displays all the modules installed in the device, select the SIM card for which you want to change the settings. If the icon is on for both, you need to repeat the procedure for each of them separately. In the menu that opens, you should look for an item associated with using LTE or 4G.

• 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
• 📡 Go to the SIM cards and mobile networks section.
• 🔢 Select the SIM card from the list (Sim 1 or Sim 2).
• ⚙️ Find the switch Use VoLTE or Allow calls on LTE and put it in an inactive position.

If the icon is missing after doing this, but the ability to call in good quality is gone, then the function has been successfully disabled. In some cases, the phone can automatically return the switch to its original position if the carrier compulsorily requires the use of VoLTE to register with the network, a common situation that we will talk about in the section on hidden settings.

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If the switch in the settings menu is missing or immediately returns to the original position, then the operator blocks manual control of this function at the software level.

Hidden Engineering Menus and Activation Codes

When standard methods fail, engineering menus come to the rescue, hidden sections of the system designed to test equipment by developers and service centers, and are often accessed through dedicated devices on Xiaomi smartphones. USSD-codes or through the Engineering Mode app, one of the most effective codes is ##4636##.

By entering this code in the Phone app, you will be taken to the testing menu. Here you will select Phone Information. In the list of parameters that opens, look for the VoLTE provisioned or Set Preferred Network Type. Changing the value in the Set Preferred Network Type field to the option without VOLTE (for example, LTE Only or simply LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA/GSM) can force the icon display to be disabled.

It is worth noting that on new versions of Android and HyperOS, these codes may be blocked by the manufacturer for security reasons, in which case the code simply does not work and the screen will not change. The alternative is to use special applications from the Google Play store that create shortcuts for hidden menus, but their effectiveness is not guaranteed on all models.

Using third-party apps to hide icons

If the system fails to remove the icon, you can use third-party tools. There are a class of applications that hide any elements of the status bar, including the VoLTE icon. These programs do not disable the technology itself, but only mask its visual display. One popular solution is Hide Status Icons, or analogues that require root rights or ADB.

These applications often require a computer connection and commands to be executed via USB debugging. This is a more complex but reliable way for advanced users. The essence of the method is to change the system display flags through Android Debug Bridge. You type a command that forces the system to ignore the request to display a particular icon.

adb shell settings put secure icon_blacklist battery,voltel

It's important to understand that the syntax of commands can vary depending on the shell version. The command above is exemplary, and the keyword voltel can vary. Using methods that require root rights gives you complete control, but it deprives you of the warranty on the device. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to limit yourself to standard methods or accept the presence of an icon, since it does not consume energy on its own.

Impact of the communications operator and firmware

Often, the problem of not being able to turn off VoLTE is not the phone, but the policy of the operator. 4G, Because it's unloading old frequencies. 2G/3G They can therefore block the ability to disable VoLTE at the SIM profile level or through the SIM card. OTA-settings that come to the phone.

And then there are the so-called "operator" firmware, where if your Xiaomi smartphone was bought from a specific carrier or has a regional firmware with its logo, the communication settings can be tightly fixed. Global ROMs are usually less restrictive, but they can also be adjusted to the inserted SIM card.

If you changed carrier and the icon appeared suddenly, chances are the new provider has activated the service on its side, in which case even a full reset of the phone settings will not help until you contact the carrier to request that the VoLTE service on your number be disabled.

Problems after system update

Users often find that after updating MIUI or switching to HyperOS, the usual switches disappear or start to work incorrectly. Security updates and new versions of Android often close loopholes that allowed you to hide system icons, this is part of Google's policy to standardize the interface and ensure the stability of the network.

In some cases, the update can lead to a bug where the VoLTE icon is on all the time, even if the function is not working or turned off, and this is a status caching software error that can be solved by trying to reset the network settings, and this will not delete your personal data, but return the connection settings to factory values.

If you find that your phone has stopped ringing or the internet is gone after the update, try resetting APN settings. Sometimes new access points options conflict with old VoLTE settings. Go to mobile network settings, select the access point, and click Reset to default settings.

⚠️ Note: Resetting network settings will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices. Make sure you remember passwords from important networks before performing this operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The VoLTE icon is an indicator of communication quality, not a mistake; its deactivation is more aesthetic and rarely gives a tangible increase in autonomy.