The smartphone Honor 10, released in 2018, became one of the first brand devices to receive support for the technology VoLTE (Voice over LTE). This feature allows you to make voice calls over a 4G network with high quality audio and speed dialing. However, in a number of situations, users are faced with the need to forcibly deactivate this option, as it can cause connection instability or battery drain.
Often the problem is that the standard settings menu does not provide an explicit switch to disable this service, especially on older versions of EMUI firmware. Device owners are forced to look for workarounds, including the use of hidden engineering menus or third-party applications. Disabling VoLTE may be required when traveling in roaming, where charging for voice calls via LTE is not provided by the operator, or when using SIM cards that do not support this protocol.
In this article we will detail Let's look at all the available methods for deactivating voice calls over 4G on your device. You will learn how to find hidden settings, what codes to use to access engineering mode, and what to do if the VoLTE icon does not disappear after all the manipulations. It is important to understand that the interface may differ slightly depending on the version of the operating system Android and shell EMUI.
Why do users need to disable VoLTE
Despite the obvious advantages of the technology, there are scenarios when its operation becomes more of a hindrance than a help. One of the main reasons is incompatibility with the operator. Not all mobile operators in your region support voice over LTE, even if the smartphone is technically ready for it. As a result, the device may try to establish a connection through a non-existent channel, which leads to the inability to make a call or the call is dropped.
Another important aspect is power consumption. Constantly searching and holding a 4G network for voice communications can consume more power than standard 3G or 2G, especially in areas with poor signal reception. If you are in an area where LTE coverage is unstable, the phone will constantly switch between communication standards, which quickly drains the battery Honor 10.
⚠️ Warning: Before making changes to communication settings, make sure you have an alternative communication method, as in some rare cases, turning off VoLTE may temporarily disrupt the mobile network until a reboot devices.
It is also worth mentioning the problem of roaming. When traveling abroad, many operators disable the VoLTE service, but the smartphone continues to try to use it, which can lead to additional charges or technical errors. In such cases, a forced transition to previous generation networks (3G) is the only working solution for stable voice communication.
Standard method of disabling through settings
The easiest and safest way to control communication functions is to use the standard system interface. In more recent versions of the shell EMUIthat may have been installed on your Honor 10 during updates, the developers added an explicit switch. First, you need to go to the main settings of the device through the gear icon in the application menu.
Next you should find the section responsible for wireless networks. The path may vary, but most often it looks like this: Wireless networks → Mobile network. This menu displays the parameters of the selected SIM card if the device has two installed. Make sure that you are editing the settings of the card on which you want to disable the function.
- 📱 Find the item called Calls VoLTE or simply VoLTE.
- 🔘 Click on the switch next to this item to change its state to “Off”.
- 📶 Once disabled, the “HD” or “VoLTE” icon in the status bar should disappear.
If you do not find this switch in the specified menu, it means that your firmware version hides this option from the user. In this case, there is no need to panic, as there are other legitimate ways to manage network protocols. Also try checking the section Additional inside the mobile networks menu, sometimes the settings are placed there.
If the VoLTE switch is not in the menu, try removing the SIM card, rebooting the phone and inserting the card back. Sometimes this updates the network profile and opens hidden settings.
Using the engineering menu for hidden settings
When the standard interface does not provide the necessary options, the engineering menu comes to the rescue - a special diagnostic interface built into the Android firmware. On Huawei and Honor devices, it is often accessed through a secret code in the Phone app. This method allows you to access deep settings of the radio module.
To enter the menu, you need to open the standard dialer and enter a special combination of characters. The most common code for devices of this brand is ##2846579##. After entering the last digit, the screen should automatically switch to the ProjectMenu. If the code does not work, enter ##4636##, which is standard for Android.
##2846579##In the menu that opens, navigation is carried out using the touch screen. You need to find the section related to network settings. It is usually called Network Setting or Network settings. Inside this section, look for item VoLTE. Here you can see the current status of the function and change it.
| Menu section | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ProjectMenu | Login by code | Open diagnostic interface |
| Network Setting | Selecting a section | Accessing radio module parameters |
| VoLTE Switch | Changing status | Forced disabling/enabling |
| Reboot | Reboot | Applying new network settings |
After changing the settings, be sure to restart the device for the changes to take effect. Without a reboot, the radio module may continue to operate in the old mode. It is worth noting that the interface of the engineering menu may differ depending on the specific version of Android installed on your Honor 10.
Using third-party applications for network management
If the built-in system tools and engineering menu do not produce results, you can use specialized software from the Google Play store. There are a number of utilities developed by enthusiasts that allow you to manage hidden Android parameters through standard system APIs. One of the most popular and reliable tools is the application Force LTE Only (4G/5G) or its analogues.
The principle of operation of such applications is to create a shortcut to the hidden system testing menu, which is otherwise inaccessible to the user. After installing the app, you need to launch it and select an access method that is compatible with your version of Android. For Honor 10, the method that uses activity com.android.engineermode or similar is most often suitable.
- 📥 Download the application Force LTE Only or 4G Switch from the official store.
- ⚙️ Run the utility and provide the necessary permissions if the system asks for them.
- 🔌 Find the button Method 2 (or similar) to open the Phone Info menu.
In the “Phone Information” window that opens, scroll down the list to the item Set up the preferred network type (Set Preferred Network Type). In the drop-down list, select a mode that does not support VoLTE, for example TD-SCDMA/GSM or simply GSM only for temporary verification. To return everything back, select the mode LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM, but make sure that the “Enable VoLTE” checkbox (if it is separately) is unchecked.
⚠️ Attention: Using third-party applications to change network settings may lead to temporary loss of signal. If, after experiments, the phone no longer receives the network, simply select the “LTE/WCDMA/GSM” mode in the menu and reboot the device.
The influence of the firmware version and the telecom operator
It is important to understand that the availability of the VoLTE function and the ability to disable it directly depend on the software installed by the manufacturer and the settings that the telecom operator “flashes” during the first connection SIM cards. Honor 10 could install both global firmware versions and regional ones, designed specifically for the markets of Russia, Europe or Asia.
Some telecom operators block the ability to disable VoLTE at the level of their profiles, considering this function mandatory for high-quality communication in their networks. In such cases, even the presence of a switch in the menu may be inactive (gray). This is often found among large federal operators that are actively implementing IMS technologies.
Why are the settings reset?
Sometimes after rebooting the phone, the network settings return to their original values. This happens because the carrier sends an updated OTA (Over-The-Air) profile to the device, which forces VoLTE to be enabled. In this case, only a complete change of the network type through the engineering menu to 3G helps.
If you updated your phone to the latest available version of EMUI, the menu structure may have changed. Huawei developers often move communication controls to different sections in an attempt to simplify the interface for beginners, which makes it more difficult for advanced users. Checking the firmware versions on the forums of Honor 10 owners can help you find the current path to the settings.
Solving problems if the VoLTE icon does not disappear
There are situations when you have completed all the steps to disable the function, but the icon HD or VoLTE continues to be displayed in the status bar. This may indicate that the setting was not applied correctly or that the phone registered on the network with the parameters received from the operator earlier. First of all, try turning “Airplane Mode” on and off.
This simple manipulation forces the radio module to completely re-register in the network with new parameters. Hold the power button or swipe the notification shade and activate the airplane icon for 10-15 seconds, then turn it off. If the icon remains, the problem may lie in the phone's system services cache.
In more complex cases, you may need to reset the network settings. This action won't delete your personal data, photos or apps, but it will return all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular settings to factory defaults. The path to this function is usually located in the menu System → Reset → Reset network settings.
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with the VoLTE icon
If the VoLTE icon does not disappear after all the manipulations, most likely it is displayed erroneously or is imposed by the telecom operator, but the calls themselves may already be going through 3G. Check this by making a test call and observing the network indicator during the call.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to use the engineering menu on Honor 10?
Yes, using the engineering menu to change the Network Setting is safe as long as you do not change the parameters related to calibration of the screen, camera or serial numbers. Changing the network mode is a standard diagnostic function and does not damage the device, although it may temporarily deprive you of communication.
Will disabling VoLTE affect the speed of mobile data?
No, disabling VoLTE only affects voice calls. Your mobile data will continue to work on the 4G/LTE network at the same speed. Voice calls will be made through 3G (WCDMA) or 2G (GSM) networks, which may slightly increase the subscriber's connection time.
What to do if the Internet is lost after turning off VoLTE?
In rare cases, when switching network modes in the engineering menu, you can accidentally select the “GSM only” or “3G only” mode, which does not support packet transmission data in your region. Return to the Settings menu and select Mode LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)to restore access to high-speed Internet.
Can my carrier re-enable VoLTE without me knowing?
Yes, my carrier can send an updated OTA profile to my phone, which will automatically enable VoLTE. This often happens after the device is rebooted or when the location changes. In this case, the disabling procedure will have to be repeated.