Modern smartphones Honor by default activate voice communication technology through the fourth generation network, known as VoLTE. This feature is designed to improve sound quality and reduce connection time, but in practice, users often encounter incompatibility among operators or unstable operation in areas of poor coverage. There is a natural need to deactivate this option in order to return the device to the classic mode of working with 2G and 3G networks for voice calls.
The disabling process may vary depending on the shell version Magic UI or EMUI, as well as on the regional firmware of your device. In some cases, there may be no standard switch in the settings, which requires the use of alternative methods through the engineering menu or special codes. Understanding the architecture of modem operation in devices Huawei and Honor will help you choose the safest and most effective way to solve the problem without losing the warranty.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from simple settings in the menu to more complex manipulations with system parameters. You will find out why operators insist on using this technology and in what situations its forced disabling is the only correct solution for stable communication.
Why you should disable VoLTE on Honor smartphones
Technology Voice over LTE allows you to transmit voice traffic through 4G data channels, bypassing the drop in speed to 3G or 2G during a call. In theory, this provides crystal clear sound and the ability to surf the Internet at full speed while talking. However, the implementation of this function on devices Honor often depends on the support from a particular mobile operator and the quality of coverage in your region.
If the operator does not have a full agreement with the manufacturer or 4G towers in your area are unstable, the phone may constantly lose the network during a call. Users often complain that the interlocutor cannot hear the first seconds of the conversation or the call is completely interrupted. In such situations, turning off VoLTE becomes a necessity, since classic 2G and 3G networks have a much greater range and penetrate better through the walls of buildings.
In addition, the active function can lead to increased battery consumption, since the modem is forced to constantly maintain a connection to a high-speed network even in standby mode. For owners of older models or devices with worn-out batteries, switching to standard calling mode can extend battery life by several hours.
⚠️ Attention: Before changing network settings, make sure that your tariff plan supports voice calls on 2G/3G networks, as some modern tariffs can be optimized exclusively for 4G.
Standard method of disabling through settings phone
The simplest and safest method of deactivating the function is in the standard settings menu of your device. The interface may differ slightly on different models, such Honor 10i, Honor 20 or newer series, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for the operation of the SIM card and mobile network.
Go to the main menu and select item Settings. Next, go to the section Mobile network or Wireless networks. Here you will see a list of installed SIM cards. Select the card for which you want to change settings. In the menu that opens, find the switch labeled VoLTE calls or Use VoLTE.
If the switch is active (highlighted blue or green), simply click on it so that it turns gray. After this, the HD icon in the status bar should disappear. In some firmware versions, this item may be hidden inside the submenu Additional. If you do not find such an option, this may mean that the manufacturer has blocked the ability to manually control for your region.
☑️ Checking network settings
It is worth noting that in the latest Google security updates and the policies of some operators, the VoLTE control point has been completely removed from the user interface. In this case, the system automatically turns on the function if the SIM card supports the operator profile. This creates the illusion that it is impossible to disable, but software restrictions can often be bypassed.
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 hidden section of the system designed for equipment testing and diagnostics. On smartphones Honor i Huawei it is accessed through a special code in the “Phone” application. This method requires caution, since changing incorrect parameters may disrupt the operation of the radio module.
Open the dialing application and enter the combination ##2846579##. After entering the last digit, the device will automatically redirect you to the ProjectMenu service menu. Here navigation is done via the touch screen. You need to select the item Network Setting (Network settings), and then go to the section Preferred network mode or VoLTE switch.
In the list that opens you will see options for switching modes. To disable the feature completely, select the option VoLTE switch off or set a network mode that does not support voice over LTE, for example 3G Preferred. After selecting an action, restart your smartphone to apply the changes.
What to do if the code does not work?
If entering the code ##2846579## does not open the menu, your firmware may have operator or region restrictions. In this case, use third-party applications to access the engineering menu, but this requires superuser rights (Root).
It is important to understand that the structure of the engineering menu may differ depending on the processor installed in your Honor. Devices based on Kirin have one menu logic, while models with processors Qualcomm can use other access codes, for example ##4636##. Be careful when selecting items, do not change IMEI settings or antenna calibration unless absolutely necessary.
Problems with operators and hiding the HD icon
A frequent situation is the presence of a working VoLTE function, but the inability to disable it due to the settings of the telecom operator. Operators like MTS, Beeline, Megafon or Tele2 can forcibly activate the profile on the SIM card. In this case, even when the switch is turned off on the phone, the icon HD may return after a reboot.
To solve this problem, sometimes it is enough to delete and re-add the access point APN. Go to mobile network settings, select Access points (APN) and create a new point with the parameters of your operator, but do not specify the protocol type as exclusively LTE. However, this method does not always work, since priority is given to the settings hardwired into the phone’s firmware.
If the icon HD continues to be displayed and interfere with you, you can try changing the network type manually. Set the mode Only 3G or Only 2G in the mobile network settings. This is guaranteed to disable VoLTE, since the technology physically cannot work without 4G support. The disadvantage of this approach will be the lack of high-speed Internet during a call.
- 📶 HD icon means that the call goes through a 4G network with high sound quality.
- 📵 The absence of 4G during a conversation, it indicates that the phone has switched to 3G/2G (VoLTE is disabled).
- 🔋 Energy saving is achieved by disabling the constant search for LTE signals in areas of poor reception.
If the HD icon disappears but returns after a few minutes, check to see if the Wi-Fi calling feature is enabled. Sometimes these two technologies conflict or work in conjunction.
Comparison of network operating modes on Honor
Understanding the differences between network operating modes will help you make an informed decision about whether to completely abandon modern technologies or simply adjust the settings. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the phone in different modes.
| Parameter | VoLTE Enabled | VoLTE Disabled (3G/2G) | 4G only (Data Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | High (HD) | Standard | No voice calls |
| Internet speed during a call | 4G (high) | Drops to 3G/2G | 4G (maximum) |
| Connection time | 1-2 seconds | 5-10 seconds | N/A |
| Battery consumption | Medium/High | Low (in 3G zones) | Depends on the signal |
As can be seen from the table, disconnect VoLTE sacrifices Internet speed during a call and sound quality for the sake of connection stability and compatibility with older towers. For users who mainly use instant messengers for calls over Wi-Fi, the mode without VoLTE may even be preferable.
⚠️ Attention: Network settings and technology support can be changed unilaterally by telecom operators. We recommend periodically checking the current settings in the personal account of your mobile operator.
Resetting network settings as a radical method
If none of the above methods helped, and the phone continues to behave incorrectly in terms of voice communication, you can reset the network settings. This procedure will return all mobile communication, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to factory settings, while removing possible software errors or configuration conflicts.
To perform a reset, go to Settings, then to System or General settings. Find the item Reset and select Resetting network settings. Please note that this item does not delete your personal data, photos or applications, but you will have to re-enter passwords for Wi-Fi networks and pair Bluetooth devices.
After the reboot, the phone will begin to re-register with the operator’s network. Often at this point, the current settings profile is loaded, in which the VoLTE option can be disabled by default or become available for manual control. This is especially effective after changing your telecom operator or moving to another region.
Resetting network settings is a safe way to fix configuration errors that does not affect the user's personal files, but requires re-configuring Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does VoLTE turn on after rebooting the phone again?
This happens because the carrier settings are written in the SIM card profile or in the system firmware partition, which restores the settings upon boot. To prevent this, try deleting the operator profile in the network settings or use the engineering menu to permanently block the function.
Does disabling VoLTE affect mobile data speed?
The VoLTE function itself does not affect the Internet speed in standby mode. However, during a voice call with VoLTE disabled, the phone switches to the 3G or 2G network, where the data transfer speed is much lower than on the 4G network.
Is it possible to disable VoLTE on all SIM cards at the same time?
Yes, in the mobile network settings you can manage the settings for each SIM card separately. You need to go to the settings of the first card, disable the function, then repeat the procedure for the second card, if it is installed in the device.
Is it safe to use the engineering menu on Honor?
Using the engineering menu is safe if you only change the Network Setting. Changing parameters related to screen, battery or IMEI calibration may lead to incorrect operation of the device or loss of warranty.
What to do if the VoLTE item is not even in the engineering menu?
In some new models and versions of Android, access to the VoLTE switch is completely closed at the system kernel level. In this case, the only solution is to set the network mode to "3G Only", which will automatically disable the ability to make voice calls via LTE.