Modern smartphones Honor have powerful communication modules capable of providing high-speed Internet access. However, users often encounter a situation where the device automatically switches to an outdated standard 3G or 2G, which leads to long page loading times and the inability to comfortably use online services. Enabling the fourth generation of communications (4G LTE) is not just a setting in the menu, but a set of actions that affects the choice of a SIM card, the configuration of access points and checking the operator's coverage.
Before you start changing system parameters, you need to make sure that your tariff plan supports operation in LTE networks. Many telecom operators require separate activation of the service or changing the SIM card to a more modern version with USIM support. If the tariff is active, but the speed remains low, the problem may lie in incorrect settings of the access point APN or selecting the network mode in the device’s engineering menu.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of activating high-speed Internet on the shell EMUI i MagicOS. You will learn how to manually enter operator parameters, where to find hidden engineering codes to force LTE on, and what to do if the “Preferred network type” slider is not in the standard menu. Proper setup will allow your Honor work at the highest possible speed in your location.
Checking technical compatibility and tariff
The first step is to verify the capabilities of your equipment. Not all models Honor, especially those released several years ago or intended for specific markets, support all frequency bands used by Russian operators. It is critically important to check whether your smartphone works in the Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 7 (2600 MHz) and Band 20 (800 MHz)bands. Lack of Band 20 support may result in loss of 4G signal in rural areas or inside buildings with thick walls.
It is also worth paying attention to the physical condition of the SIM card. Old cards, hand-cut cards or those with worn contacts may not register correctly with the LTE network. Telecom operators often replace them free of charge in service stores. If the card is new, but the Internet does not work, it is possible that the high-speed data service is not activated on the provider's side.
⚠️ Attention: Even if 4G mode is selected in the phone settings, the lack of support for a specific frequency range by your operator in a given area will lead to an automatic rollback to 3G.
To check the supported frequencies, you can use special applications from Google Play, such as Network Cell Info or AIDA64. They will show a list of available bands and the current connection status. If you see that the smartphone sees 4G towers, but does not connect to them, the problem is most likely software.
Use a second SIM card from another operator for the test. If 4G works stably on it, then the problem is in the coverage or settings of your main tariff, and not in the smartphone.
Basic setup through the smartphone menu
Standard interface Android on devices Honor gives the user direct access to control the network type. This setting is usually found in the mobile networks section. To change settings, go to Settings → Mobile network → Network mode. In this menu you will be offered several options for the operation of the radio module.
You must select the item containing the mark 4G or LTE. Depending on the firmware version, the wording may look like “4G/3G/2G (auto)” or “4G Preferred”. Selecting the “4G Only” mode is not possible on all models through the standard menu and often requires the use of engineering codes, which will be discussed below. Automatic mode is the most energy efficient, as it allows the phone to switch to 3G in areas of poor reception, keeping the call active.
If, after selecting the desired mode, the icon LTE does not appear in the status bar, try rebooting the device. Sometimes the communications module gets stuck in its previous state and requires a full restart to register with the new network. Also make sure that data transfer is enabled for the slot in which the SIM card is installed.
Manual configuration of the APN access point
The most common reason for the lack of Internet when there is a 4G icon is incorrect configuration of the access point APN (Access Point Name). These parameters tell the phone through which gateway to access the global network. Operators automatically send these settings when you first install a SIM card, but often this process fails or the data is overwritten after a system update.
For manual settings, follow the path Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN). Here you will see a list of existing profiles. Click the plus or add icon to create a new access point. The data to be filled out must be taken from the official website of your telecom operator. Below is a table with current settings for popular Russian operators.
| Operator | Name | Access point (APN) | Authentication type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | mts internet | internet.mts.ru | PAP or CHAP |
| MegaFon | internet | internet | Not specified |
| Beeline | internet | internet.beeline.ru | PAP or CHAP |
| Tele2 | Tele2 | internet.tele2.ru | PAP or CHAP |
After entering all the parameters, be sure to save the profile by clicking on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the “Menu” button and select “Save”. Then activate the created profile by checking the box next to it. It is important not to change the “Proxy” and “Port” fields, leaving them empty unless otherwise specified by the operator.
☑️ Checking APN settings
Using the engineering menu for forced 4G
In some cases, the standard menu does not make it possible to fix the network to the standard LTE, and the phone constantly "jumps" between 3G and 4G, which quickly drains the battery. To solve this problem, you can use the hidden engineering menu Honor. It is accessed by dialing a special code in the “Phone” application.
Enter the code ##4636##. If the code worked, the “Phone Information” menu will open. Find the Set Preferred Network Type section. In the drop-down list, select the option LTE Only or LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA. This will cause the modem to ignore 2G and 3G towers in an attempt to maintain an LTE-only connection.
⚠️ Warning: LTE Only mode may result in you being unable to receive incoming calls if your carrier does not support VoLTE technology. The incoming call will simply be dropped, since the phone will not be able to switch to 3G for voice communication.
To return everything as it was, you need to go to this menu again and select the “LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)” mode. If the code ##4636## does not work on your version MagicOS, try using third-party applications such Force LTE Only (4G/5G)available in the app store. They create a shortcut for this hidden menu.
Why may the code not work?
On new versions of Android and Honor shells, access to the engineering menu via USSD codes is often blocked by developers for security reasons. In this case, the only way is to use third-party software or ADB commands through a computer.
Resetting network settings and updating software
If manipulations with access points and network modes did not bring results, the system may have accumulated software errors that block the correct operation of the radio module. The most effective way to fix this is to perform a network settings reset. This procedure will not delete your personal files, photos or applications, but will return all settings related to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile communications to factory defaults.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → System and updates → Reset → Reset network settings. Confirm the action by entering your screen unlock password. After rebooting, the phone will forget the saved Wi-Fi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices, but the APN and network settings will be cleared and reconfigured automatically when registering the SIM card.
It is also worth checking for system updates. The company Honor regularly releases patches that correct problems with the compatibility of networks of different operators. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update and click “Check for updates”. If a new firmware version is available, install it after connecting to a stable Wi-Fi.
Resetting network settings is a safe procedure that solves 90% of software problems with connecting to the mobile data without losing the user’s personal data.
Diagnostics of hardware faults
When all software methods have been exhausted, and 4G has not appeared, it is worth thinking about the physical malfunction of the device. Damage to the antenna module, loose cable, or failure of the radio chip itself may be causing the problem. Often such breakdowns occur after the smartphone is dropped or moisture gets inside the case.
Carry out a visual inspection of the SIM card tray. If the contacts inside the slot are oxidized, bent, or have a black coating, contact with the card will be unstable. Try carefully cleaning the contacts with alcohol or an eraser (with the phone turned off and the card removed). Also check the SIM card itself on another device: if there is no 4G there, the problem is definitely not in the phone.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to disassemble the smartphone yourself to check the antenna if you do not have experience. This can lead to permanent breakdown of the device and loss of warranty.
In difficult cases, when the phone sees the network but does not register in it, or constantly shows “No network,” professional diagnostics are required at a service center. Specialists will be able to test the antenna power circuits and replace faulty components.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the 4G icon disappear when I start a conversation?
This is normal behavior if your operator or tariff plan does not support the technology VoLTE (Voice over LTE). In normal mode, for a voice call, the phone is forced to switch to a 3G or 2G network, since the 4G standard was originally designed only for data transmission. To make calls on 4G, you need to activate VoLTE in the mobile network settings and make sure that the operator provides this service.
Does turning on 4G affect the battery drain rate?
Yes, the 4G module consumes more energy than 3G, especially in areas of poor reception. When the signal is weak, the phone constantly increases the transmitter power and searches for a better tower, which leads to rapid discharge. In areas of stable coverage, the difference in energy consumption between 3G and 4G is minimal and almost unnoticeable in everyday use.
Is it possible to enable 4G on a phone that only supports 3G?
No, this is not possible in software. Support for communication standards is determined by the hardware—the modem installed in the smartphone. If the device hardware does not support LTE frequencies, no settings, codes or applications will make it work in fourth generation networks. You can check the characteristics of a specific model Honor on the manufacturer's official website.
What to do if after resetting the settings the Internet does not work again?
After resetting, the phone should automatically receive settings from the operator. If this does not happen, check whether the data service is active in the operator’s personal account. Then manually enter the settings APNas described in the section on manual configuration. Make sure that the account balance is positive and the traffic limit has not been exhausted.