How to enable LTE on Android: 5 ways to speed up mobile data

Have you bought a new smartphone, inserted a SIM card, but the Internet speed leaves much to be desired? Or did the icon 4G/LTE in the status bar suddenly disappear after updating Android? The problem most often lies not in the operator, but in the settings of the device itself. Even flagship models like Samsung Galaxy S24 or Google Pixel 8 sometimes “forget” to activate a high-speed connection after resetting or replacing the SIM.

In this article we will look all possible ways to enable LTE from basic settings to hidden engineering menus. You will learn how to check your phone's network support, which USSD codes to use for forced activation, and what to do if your operator blocks 4G on your tariff. And also - why it is sometimes better to manually select the LTE band, instead of automatic mode, and how to do it without root access.

1. Checking your smartphone's LTE support

Before delving into the settings, make sure that your device physically capable works on 4G networks. Even budget models of recent years (for example Redmi Note 12 or Realme 10 Pro) support LTE, but older devices (released before 2016) may be limited to 3G.

How to check:

• 📱 Phone model: Find the model name in Settings → About phone → Model. Then look for its characteristics on the manufacturer’s website or GSMArena —the supported ranges are indicated there (for example, LTE Band 1/3/7/20).
• 📡 Operator bands: Check with your mobile provider (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2), what LTE frequencies it uses in your region. For example, in Moscow it is often Band 7 (2600 MHz) and Band 20 (800 MHz).
• 🔍 Network test: Install the application Network Signal Guru (free on Google Play) - it will show which networks are available near you and what frequency your phone is currently operating on.

⚠️ Attention: If your smartphone supports LTE, but does not catch the network, the problem may be in SIM card. Outdated cards (issued before 2018) are often not compatible with 4G. Contact your operator for a replacement for USIM or eSIM.

2. Enabling LTE through standard Android settings

The easiest way is to activate 4G in the settings menu. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS, etc.), but the general algorithm is the same:

1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu).
2. Go to section Network and Internet (or Connections, SIM cards and mobile networks).
3. Select your SIM card (if there are several).
4. Click Network type (or Preferred network type, Mode network).
5. Set the value LTE/4G or 4G/3G/2G (auto).

If there is no item in the list LTE, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone - sometimes the settings are reset after updates.
• 📶 Enable airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off - this will reset the network settings.
• 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.

SIM card inserted correctly|

Airplane mode disabled|

Account balance is positive|

The phone is not in roaming-->

3. USSD codes for forced activation of LTE

If the settings menu does not help, try activating 4G using secret USSD codes. These commands are sent as a regular call, but a special combination is entered instead of the number. Important: the codes may differ in each case. depending on the operator!

After entering the code, wait for a confirmation SMS. If you receive the response “Service is unavailable,” it means:

• 🚫 Your tariff does not support LTE (needed). change the tariff plan).
• 📵 SIM card is outdated (replacement with USIM is required).
• 🌍 You are in an area where 4G is not deployed (check the coverage on the operator’s website).

⚠️ Attention: Some operators (for example, Yota) automatically connect LTE when SIM is activated, but can limit the speed to 10 Mbit/s on basic tariffs. Check the conditions in your personal account.

4. Manual selection of the LTE network (engineering menu)

If the phone “sees” 4G, but does not connect to it automatically, you can force a range through the engineering menu. This method works on most devices on chips Qualcomm (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc.), but may not be available on phones with processors Mediatek or Exynos.

Instructions:

1. Open the application Phone and enter ##4636## (or ##INFO##).
2. Select item Information about phone (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the section Set preferred network type.
4. Select LTE only or LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto.
5. Click Update (or Refresh) and reboot phone.

If this code does not work, try alternative combinations:

• ##2263## — band menu (for some Samsung).
• *#0011# — service menu (shows the current connection).
• *#9900# — system dump (for diagnostics).

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.TestingSettings

5. Configuring APN for correct operation of LTE

APN (Access Point Name) is the “entry point” to the Internet provided by the operator. Incorrect APN settings may cause the phone to “see” the 4G network, but not connect to it. This is especially true after changing the SIM card or operator.

How to set up APN:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Advanced → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the current APN profile (usually there is one) or create a new one (button +).
3. Fill in the fields according to your operator data (see table below). Save and select a new profile.
4. Reboot the phone.

If after setting up the APN the Internet does not work:

• 🔄 Delete all other APN profiles, leaving only one (current).
• 📞 Call the operator and ask to send automatic APN setup via SMS.
• 🔧 Check if a VPN or proxy is installed on your phone (they can block the connection).

6. Problems with LTE: what is preventing the connection?

If you have tried all the methods, but 4G still does not appear, check external factorswhich may block the connection:

• 📵 Power saving mode: On some phones (for example Samsung or Xiaomi) activating the battery saving mode disables LTE. Check in Settings → Battery → Power saving mode.
• 🛡️ Firewall or antivirus: apps like Avast or Kaspersky can block network activity. Try temporarily disabling protection.
• 📡 Poor coverage: In some areas (especially outside the city), 4G may only be available on certain frequencies. Install the application NetMonster or CellMapperto see the nearest towers and their ranges.
• 🔒 IMEI blocking: If the phone was purchased second-hand or brought from abroad, its IMEI could be blocked in the operator’s database. Check the status by command *#06# (find out IMEI), then check its status on the operator's website.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with two SIM cards, LTE can only work on one of them (usually the SIM in slot 1). Move the card to another slot if 4G is not activated.

7. Alternative ways to speed up the Internet

If LTE is turned on, but the speed is still low, try these methods:

• 🔄 Change the range manually: In the engineering menu (##4636##) select LTE Band and indicate the priority range of your operator (for example, Band 20 for better coverage indoors).
• 📶 Use a signal repeater: If the tower is far away, buy LTE repeater (for example, Huawei B525) or even a regular antenna with an amplifier.
• 🔗 Activate carrier aggregation: On phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, OnePlus 11) enable the option CA (Carrier Aggregation) in the engineering menu - this combines several LTE bands to increase speed.
• 📱 Disable background applications: Go to Settings → Applications and disable autorun for apps that consume traffic (social networks, instant messengers, cloud services).

Also worth checking DNS servers. By default, operators use their own DNS, which can be slow. Try replacing them with public ones:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Advanced → Private DNS.
2. Select Private DNS Hostname and enter:
   • dns.google (Google DNS),
   • 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about LTE on Android