LTE mode on Android: how to enable and configure for maximum speed

Modern smartphones on Android support high-speed mobile data 4G/LTE, but sometimes this mode is disabled by default or the settings are lost after updating the firmware. As a result, instead of fast LTE, the device operates in slow 3G or even 2G, which is especially noticeable when watching videos, downloading files or playing online games. In this article we will look at all the ways to enable LTE - from basic settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu.

It is important to understand that Even with the correct smartphone settings, LTE speed depends on the operator's coverage, base station load and tariff plan. If your region does not support 4G on your phone's frequencies, not a single instruction will help. But in 90% of cases, the problem is solved software - and we will show how to do this on devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands.

Checking LTE support on your smartphone

Before setting up the network, make sure that your device physically support LTE. Even budget models of recent years are equipped with a 4G modem, but older smartphones (released before 2016–2017) can only work in networks 3G or 2G.

You can check compatibility in several ways:

• 📱 Model characteristics: find your smartphone on the manufacturer's website (for example, gsmarena.com) and look at the section Network. Look for lines like LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 7(2600).
• 🔍 IMEI check: enter *#06# in the dialer, copy the IMEI and check it on the website imei.info —network support will be indicated there.
• 📡 Manual scanning: in the engineering menu (we'll talk about it below) you can see the available networks. If LTE networks are not in the list, the problem is in the device or SIM card.

If your smartphone supports LTE, but the network indicator shows H+ (3G) or E (Edge), go to settings. If there is no support, consider buying a new device or changing your operator to one that offers better coverage 3G in your region.

Enabling LTE through standard Android settings

The easiest way to activate 4G is to use the built-in network settings. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version Android and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.), but the general logic is the same.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the application Settings (icon gears).
2. Go to section Network and Internet (or Connections, Mobile network).
3. Select Mobile network → Network type (or Preferred network type).
4. Set the value LTE/3G/2G (auto) or LTE only (if you need to force 4G).

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy) the path will be like this: Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Network mode. On Xiaomi — Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Preferred network type.

Make sure mobile data is enabled

Select the correct one network type (LTE/3G/2G)

Reboot the smartphone after changes

Check the balance and tariff activity with the operator -->

If after changing the settings the network indicator does not change to 4G or LTE, try reboot the device or switch to airplane mode for 10–15 seconds, then back. Sometimes this helps to “reconnect” to the network.

LTE activation via USSD operator commands

Sometimes the problem lies not in the smartphone, but in the settings SIM cards of the operator. Mobile networks may limit access to LTE for older tariffs or SIM cards issued before the introduction of 4G. In this case, sending a USSD request will help.

Here are the commands for the main Russian operators (enter in the dialer as a regular number):

• 📶 MTS: *111*547# → call (LTE activation) or *111*548# (check status).
• 📶 Beeline: *110*180# → call (4G connection).
• 📶 MegaFon: *105*495# → call (LTE activation) or *558# (checking available options).
• 📶 Tele2: *155*1# → call (switching to a 4G tariff).

After sending the command, wait for an SMS with confirmation. If the service is not activated, contact your operator's support - perhaps your SIM card is outdated and needs to be replaced with USIM (for example, MegaFon these are cards in the format Micro-SIM or Nano-SIM with the 4G logo).

⚠️ Attention: If, after activating LTE via USSD, the network indicator has not changed, check your balance - some operators block 4G with a negative or zero account, even if the Internet generally works.

Setting up LTE through the engineering menu (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can try to enable LTE via engineering menu (also known as Service Mode or Field Test). This method is suitable for advanced users, since incorrect changes can disrupt the network.

Instructions for most smartphones on Android:

1. Open the application Phone and enter the code:

   ##4636##

   On some devices (for example, Samsung), a code may be required:

   *#0011#

2. In the menu that opens, select Phone information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to block Set preferred network type.
4. Select LTE only or LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto.
5. Click Update (or Update) and reboot the device.

On smartphones Huawei i Honor the path may be different: after entering the code ##2846579## select ProjectMenu → Network Setting → Network Mode and install LTE Only.

Manufacturer	Engineering menu code	Path to LTE settings
Samsung	#0011# or #9900#	Service Mode → Band Selection
Xiaomi	##4636##	Phone Information → Set preferred network type
Huawei/Honor	##2846579##	ProjectMenu → Network Setting → Network Mode
Google Pixel	##4636##	Phone Information → Preferred network type

⚠️ Attention: Changes in the engineering menu can lead to unstable network operation or complete loss of communication. Do not change parameters unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, manually specifying the wrong LTE frequency (Band) will make the network unavailable.

Problems with LTE: why 4G does not work and how to fix it

If after all the manipulations LTE still does not work, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔌 Lack of coverage: check the coverage map of your operator (for example, on the website mts.rf/coverage). In remote areas, 4G may only be available in the center of a populated area.
• 📱 Software failure: reset the network settings to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings).
• 🔄 SIM card conflict: if you have two slots, try moving the SIM to another slot or disabling the second card.
• 🔒 IMEI blocking: if the smartphone was purchased abroad or was in black list, the operator may block access to LTE. Check IMEI on the website imei.info.

Another common problem is lack of VoLTE support (voice over LTE) without this function, when making a call, the smartphone may switch to 3G, and not return after a conversation. back to 4G. Solution:

1. Enable VoLTE in the SIM card settings (section Mobile network → Advanced → VoLTE).
2. Update your smartphone firmware to the latest version.
3. Contact your operator to activate the service (sometimes you need to send a USSD command, for example, *111*585# for MTS).

How to check the real LTE speed?

For an accurate speed test, use the application Speedtest by Ookla or nPerfRun the test indoors and outdoors - the difference will show how strong the signal is. weakened by walls. Normal LTE speed in the city: 20–100 Mbit/s for downloading, 10–50 Mbps for uploading. If the values are lower 5 Mbps, the problem may be the load on the base station.

Additional ways to speed up LTE on Android

Even if LTE is enabled, the speed may be lower than expected. Here are some ways to optimize your connection:

• 📶 Manual network selection: in the settings. mobile network, select Manual search and connect to the network with the best signal level (for example, MTS-RU instead of MTS).
• 🔧 Disable traffic saving: in Settings → Network and Internet → Traffic saving disable this option - it may limit the speed.
• 🚀 Using a VPN: some operators throttle (slow down) traffic for certain VPN services. (for example, Cloudflare WARP) can bypass this limitation.
• 🔄 Reset APN: delete the current access point settings (APN) and load them automatically (Settings → Mobile network → Access point names → Reset).

It’s also worth checking if your speed is limited tariff plan. For example, some tariffs limit LTE speed until Tele2 some tariffs limit LTE speed to 10 Mbit/s after high-speed traffic is exhausted. Check the conditions with the operator.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about LTE mode on Android

My smartphone shows the 4G icon, but the speed is the same as 3G. What's the matter?

This may be due to:

• Overload of the base station (especially during peak hours).
• Speed limitation by the operator (check the tariff).
• Working on the network LTE Cat.1 or Cat.3 (maximum 10–50 Mbit/s).
• Active traffic saving in Android settings.

Try to check the speed via Speedtest i compare with the operator's data.

After updating Android, LTE disappeared. How to return?

The update could reset the network settings. Try:

1. Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset mobile networks).
2. Update the operator profile (in the SIM card settings, find the option Update profile).
3. Manually set the network type as LTE/3G/2G.

If that doesn’t help, roll back the firmware or contact the service.

Is it possible to force LTE on a smartphone without 4G support?

No. If the device characteristics do not indicate LTE support, no software or setting will add this function. The maximum that can be done is to optimize 3G (for example, select WCDMA only in the engineering menu).

Why does LTE work only on one SIM card in a dual-SIM smartphone?

This is a hardware limitation. Most smartphones with dual SIM cards only support LTE at one slot (usually SIM1). The second slot works in 3G/2G. The exception is flagship models (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+), where both slots support 4G.

Solution: move the SIM card to the first slot or use eSIM (if supported).

How to find out at what frequency Does my smartphone work with LTE?

Install the application NetMonster or CellMapper. They show:

• Current base station (Cell ID).
• Frequency (Bande.g. B3 (1800 MHz)).
• Signal strength (RSRP —the closer to 0, the better).

This data will help you understand why the speed is low (for example, if the station operates on an overloaded frequency B20).