Modern Androidsmartphone has become the main tool for work and entertainment, and low connection speed to the operator’s network often becomes a critical problem. When the video takes minutes to load and the pages do not open, there is a strong desire to find a way to increase the speed of the MTS mobile data on Android for free, without connecting paid accelerators. Fortunately, there are many system settings and technical nuances, ignoring which can cost you tens of megabits per second.
The problem often lies not in poor tower coverage, but in incorrect access point parameters or outdated settings of the device itself. Carriers regularly update network configurations, and if your phone continues to use old protocols, the speed will be artificially limited. In this article, we will analyze proven optimization methods that will help you get the most out of your tariff plan.
Before moving on to complex manipulations, it is worth understanding that the result depends on a combination of factors: the smartphone model, operating system version and the load on the base station in your area. However, proper configuration APN access points and selection of the correct network mode can work wonders even in conditions of a non-ideal signal. Let's start with the most important stage - reconfiguring connection parameters.
Configuring the APN access point for maximum speed
The first and most effective step is to manually adjust the access point (APN). The standard settings that come with the SIM card often contain unnecessary parameters or use unoptimized protocols. To create a new profile, go to menu Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access points (APN). Here you need to create a new entry, indicating the current data for your region.
In the "Name" field, write any convenient name, for example, MTS Fast. In the "APN" (access point name) field, enter the value internet.mts.ru. Pay special attention to the "APN Type" and "APN Protocol" fields. Make sure that default,suplis indicated in the type, and dual or IPv4/IPv6is selected in the protocol, as this ensures better compatibility with modern operator servers.
⚠️ Attention: After making changes, be sure to restart your smartphone and switch airplane mode so that the network registered a new connection profile.
Don't forget to save the created profile and activate it by checking the appropriate box. If after this the Internet does not work or the speed has not changed, try changing the port number in the APN settings to 8080, although for most modern MTS tariffs it is better to leave the port field empty. Experimenting with these parameters allows you to bypass some software limitations of old settings.
☑️ Checking APN settings
Forced selection of 4G/LTE network mode
A frequent reason for a drop in speed is the smartphone automatically switching to older communication standards, such as 3G or even 2G, when the 4G signal becomes unstable. To force the device to work exclusively in high-speed mode, you need to change the priority of the networks. This is especially true for devices with processors MediaTek and Qualcommthat have hidden engineering menus.
To access advanced settings, enter the code ##4636##in the dialer. If the menu does not open, you can use the application Force LTE Only (4G/5G) from Google Play. In the menu that opens, select “Phone Information” and find the “Set preferred network type” drop-down list. Here you need to select the option LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA.
| Network mode | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| GSM only | Only 2G, very slow | Do not use |
| WCDMA only | Only 3G, average speed | Only if there is no 4G |
| LTE only | Only 4G, high speed | Recommended |
| NR/LTE/GSM | Auto mode with priority 5G/4G | Basic setup |
Using the mode LTE Only ensures that the phone will not “jump” between standards, which often causes connection dropouts and loss of data packets. However, remember that incoming calls may stop working in this mode if you do not have VoLTE service connected. In this case, you will have to switch to combined mode LTE/WCDMA/GSM.
What to do if the engineering menu code does not work?
If the standard code does not work, try the codes ##3646633## for MediaTek or ##4636## for some HTC and Motorola models. Also, access may be blocked by the operator's firmware.
DNS optimization and network settings reset
Slow query processing may be caused by a long response time from the DNS servers that the operator provides by default. Replacing them with faster public servers, such as those from Google or Cloudflare, often significantly speeds up the opening of sites. To do this, go to Settings → Connections → Other settings and find the "Private DNS Server" item.
Enter the address dns.google or 1.1.1.1. This action will redirect domain name requests to high-bandwidth servers, which is especially useful when loading "heavy" web pages. In addition, it is worth performing a complete reset of the network settings if you have not done this for a long time.
The reset will return all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile network settings to factory settings, removing possible software errors and profile conflicts. The path to the function is usually located in Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset network settings. After this procedure, the phone will search for the network again, as when it was turned on for the first time.
- 🚀 Google DNS: address
dns.google—stable operation and high speed. - ⚡ Cloudflare: address
1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com— privacy-focused. - 🔄 Quad9: address
dns.quad9.net— blocking malicious domains.
Before resetting network settings, make sure you remember passwords for important Wi-Fi networks, as they will be deleted from the device’s memory.
Working with frequencies and carrier aggregation
Modern MTS networks use frequency aggregation technology (Carrier Aggregation), which allows you to sum up the capacity of several bands simultaneously. Flagship-level smartphones support a variety of frequency combinations, while budget models may be limited. You can check which frequencies your Androidsupports through applications like Cell Info Lite or Network Cell Info.
Ideally, the device should connect to Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 7 (2600 MHz) and Band 20 (800 MHz). The B20 range has high penetration in buildings but low speed, while the B7 and B3 provide maximum speeds in open areas. If the phone “hangs” on B20 in the B7 reception area, the speed will be low.
⚠️ Attention: Forced use of high frequencies (for example, only Band 7) can lead to complete loss of signal inside buildings, since they penetrate walls less well.
Using external antennas or signal amplifiers only makes sense if you are in an area of very poor coverage. In urban conditions, the best solution is to find a point indoors or outdoors where it catches the maximum number of “sticks” in the high-speed range. Sometimes it’s enough to move a meter to the side or go to the window.
Clearing the network cache and background processes
The accumulated cache of network services and background applications can significantly consume traffic and CPU time, creating the illusion of a slow Internet. In the operating system Android there is a hidden testing menu, accessible through the code ##4636## (which was discussed above) or through the developer menu. There you can find the option “Reset usage statistics” or similar.
It is also worth checking which applications have access to the mobile data in the background. Go to Settings → Applications, select suspicious apps and limit background data transfer. Often, social networks and instant messengers constantly update the feed, even when the screen is off, clogging the communication channel.
Another effective method is clearing the DNS cache and resetting network settings via the ADB command line, if you have access to a computer. Team adb shell svc data reset (requires root access on some devices) can reboot the modem part of the smartphone programmatically.
- 🧹 Clear the browser cache and Google Play system services.
- 🛑 Disable auto-updating of applications via the mobile network.
- 📉 Close background processes that consume traffic (weather widgets, news).
Factors affecting speed and hardware limitations
Do not forget that software settings have a limit, dictated by hardware. The antenna module of your smartphone physically cannot receive a signal better than its characteristics allow. Cheap Chinese replicas often have stripped-down communication modules that do not support full-fledged 4G LTE, operating only at reduced H+ speeds.
In addition, the speed depends on the load on the base station. In the evening, when there are many subscribers, the bandwidth is divided among all users. In this case, even the ideal APN setting will not give an increase. The only way out may be to change the tariff to one with a higher traffic priority, or use the Internet during less busy hours.
It is also important to consider that some “boosters” from Google Play are fraudulent. They simply reset the connection or change the DNS, which you can do yourself. Do not install dubious applications that promise a "magical" increase in speed, as they may contain advertising or viruses.
Maximum speed is achieved by a combination of the correct access point (APN), forced LTE mode and a smartphone clear of background tasks.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will changing the IMEI number help increase speed?
No, changing IMEI does not affect Internet speed. This identifier is needed by the network to recognize the device, but does not determine the priority of traffic or the technical ability to receive the signal. Moreover, changing IMEI on Android may be illegal in your country.
Why did the Internet disappear after setting the APN?
Most likely, you made a mistake in writing the access point address (APN) or did not save the changes. Check that the APN field is written internet.mts.ru without extra spaces, and make sure that the new profile is selected (the green dot is lit).
Do these methods work on Xiaomi and Samsung smartphones?
Yes, the described methods are universal for all Android devices, including Xiaomi, Samsung, Honor and Huawei. The menu interface may differ slightly, but the names of the items (APN, Network mode, DNS) remain similar.
Is it necessary to reflash the phone for better reception?
In most cases, flashing is not necessary and is even dangerous. However, if you have custom firmware with errors, returning to the official factory version of the software can fix problems with modem drivers.