Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often encounter a situation where the Wi-Fi calling feature, designed to improve connection quality, begins to work incorrectly. On the model Redmi Note 8 Pro, released in 2019, software MIUI It's updated periodically, changing the layout of settings and the logic of communication modules. Users notice that the phone "gets stuck" on the wireless network even with a strong cellular signal, leading to dropped calls when leaving the router's coverage area.
Need for deactivation VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) may be driven not only by technical glitches, but also by a desire to save battery life or avoid billing confusion. In some cases, telecom operators incorrectly display the duration of such calls in your account, and the smartphone itself may not switch between standards correctly. 4G And Wi-Fi during an incoming call. Understanding how to manage these settings is key to ensuring the smooth operation of your device.
In this article, we'll detail all the available methods for disabling this feature on your gadget. We'll cover standard methods via the settings menu, the engineering menu for advanced users, and also address issues related to SIM cards from different carriers. You'll learn why this option may turn on by itself and how to permanently block your phone from using the internet for voice calls.
The standard way to disable it is through the settings menu.
The easiest and safest method to disable the feature is in the basic interface of the operating system. MIUI, installed on Redmi Note 8 Pro, has a uniform menu structure, but the menu items may differ slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, Russia, or China). To get started, open the "Phone" app, which is Xiaomi's default dialer, or go to the general system settings.
If you're using the default phone app, here's how to proceed: Find the gear icon or three dots in the corner of the screen to access the settings menu. Here, look for a section related to accounts or carriers. This option is often hidden within the "Accounts" or "Carrier Settings" submenus. Find the switch labeled "Wi-Fi Calling" or "Wi-Fi Calling" and toggle it off.
The second search option is through Android's main settings. Follow this path Settings → SIM cards and mobile networksSelect the SIM card for which you want to disable the feature (if you have two). In the list of options that opens, look for "Use Wi-Fi for calls." After disabling the slider, the system may ask you to confirm the action, warning you that calls will only be made over the cellular network.
⚠️ Attention: After updating your MIUI firmware, the settings path may change. If you don't find the toggle switch in the specified location, search for "Wi-Fi calling" in the settings.
It is important to note that disabling this option does not affect your ability to connect to the Internet via a wireless network. Redmi Note 8 Pro will continue to use Wi-Fi For messaging apps, browsers, and apps, but voice calls will be forced through the cell tower. This can be especially useful in areas with a poor LTE signal but a powerful router, where the phone would previously struggle to maintain a connection at all costs, losing data packets.
Using the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users
For those who have not found a standard switch or want to get deeper control over the radio module of their Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can access the engineering menu. This hidden interface allows you to manage network settings at a lower level than the standard Android settings. However, extreme caution is advised: changing unknown parameters may lead to unstable operation of the communication module.
To access the testing menu, open the Phone app and enter a special character combination. In most cases, for devices with processors MediaTek (like in Note 8 Pro) or Qualcomm the code works ##4636##After entering the last character, the menu should open automatically. If this doesn't happen, your firmware version may be blocking this access, and you'll need to install a special dealer app from the app store.
In the menu that opens, select "Phone Information." Scroll down to the "Set preferred network type" or "Set preferred network" section. Here you'll see a checkbox or toggle switch for VoWiFi. Unchecking the box for IMS or Voice over WiFi will disable the feature at the modem level.
Path in the engineering menu:1. Phone book
2. Enter the code ##4636##
3. Phone Information
4. Uncheck VoWiFi Enabled
After making changes, be sure to reboot your device. This is necessary for the new network profile to apply correctly. Engineering menu — is a powerful tool, but remember that a factory reset may return all settings to their original state, requiring you to repeat the procedure. Use this method only if standard methods fail.
What to do if the code doesn't work?
If the combination ##4636## If the menu doesn't open, try downloading the "Force LTE Only (4G/5G)" app from the Play Store. It provides a graphical interface for accessing the same hidden Android settings as the engineering menu, and often works in areas where codes are blocked by the manufacturer.
Setting parameters via SIM card and operator
Wi-Fi calling is closely tied not only to your smartphone's software but also to your SIM card profile. Carriers (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2) can force this service to be activated on their end or update your network profile via OTA requests. Redmi Note 8 Pro This may appear as a spontaneous activation of the function after a reboot or change of location.
For complete control, it is recommended to check the settings of the SIM card itself. Go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks and select the desired card. There may be an option to "Enable 4G" or "Network Type." Switching the network type to "3G Only" or "2G/3G" automatically disables VoWiFi, as this technology requires LTE support. However, this is a drastic measure that will reduce your mobile internet speed.
A more gentle approach is to contact your carrier's support team. You can request that they disable the Wi-Fi Calling service on the network side. In this case, even if the menu Redmi Note 8 Pro If the switch is active, the phone will not be able to initiate a call over the wireless network, as the operator's server will not allow it. This is a guaranteed way to avoid unnecessary charges or billing issues.
- 📱 Check if you have received an SMS with settings from your operator that may have updated your network profile.
- 📡 Make sure that your access point name (APN) settings do not contain any specific parameters for IMS services.
- 🔄 Try removing the SIM card, wiping the contacts, and reinserting it—sometimes this resets the temporary network flags.
It's worth noting that some plans require VoWiFi to be used to save data in areas with poor coverage. Disabling the service on the carrier's end may not be possible for certain corporate plans. In this case, you'll have to rely solely on your smartphone's settings.
Impact of MIUI version and regional settings
Interface MIUI depends heavily on the region selected when first setting up the device or in the current system settings. Redmi Note 8 Pro The menu may look different depending on whether you select Russia, India, or the Global version. This directly affects the presence of the Wi-Fi calling toggle in the standard menu.
If you have changed the region in the settings (Settings → Advanced Settings → Region), the phone may require a reboot and apply a new set of rules for telecom operators. In some regions (for example, India or Indonesia), the VoWiFi entry may be more deeply hidden or absent altogether if local operators don't widely support this technology. Changing the region to "USA" or "Germany" sometimes restores hidden menu items.
The firmware version also plays a critical role. In earlier versions of Android 9 and 10 based on MIUI 10-11, this setting might be located in a different location than in MIUI 12. System updates often break these familiar paths, moving them to new subsections. If you can't find this setting after a firmware update, check the "About phone" section and the security patch level—sometimes specific builds have known bugs affecting the display of this menu.
| MIUI version | Setting location | Stability of work |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10 (Android 9) | Dialer settings | High |
| MIUI 11 (Android 10) | SIM cards and networks | Average |
| MIUI 12+ (Android 11+) | Hidden / Engineering Menu | Low (bugs) |
Users often note that on custom ROMs (Pixel Experience, LineageOS), VoWiFi control is implemented more logically and is accessible through the standard Android menu without unnecessary overlays. However, switching to a custom ROM Redmi Note 8 Pro requires unlocking the bootloader, which can be risky for inexperienced users.
Diagnosing network switching problems
The main reason why users tend to disable VoWiFi on Redmi Note 8 Pro — This is the unstable behavior of a smartphone when moving from a Wi-Fi to a cellular network. The device may "hold on" to a weak router signal until the very last moment, interrupting the call instead of smoothly switching to LTE. This phenomenon is called the "ping-pong" effect.
You can use Android's built-in tools to diagnose the problem. In the "About phone" section, tap "Kernel version" or "MIUI version" several times to activate the advanced debugging menu (if available). It's also helpful to install network monitoring apps that will show you connection logs. If you notice that your phone is losing packets specifically when attempting to use Wi-Fi for a call, disabling this feature will solve the problem.
Another symptom is increased battery drain in standby mode. The Wi-Fi module, constantly scanning the air for IMS calls, consumes power. If you notice that Redmi Note 8 Pro If your battery drains quickly at night or in the office, try disabling the feature and monitoring your battery statistics over the course of a day.
⚠️ Attention: If you lose voice during calls after disabling Wi-Fi calling but still have internet access, check whether your phone has switched to "2G only" mode. Change the preferred network type back to "LTE preferred."
It's also worth checking whether MIUI's power-saving feature is interfering with network modules. Aggressive optimization can kill the process responsible for registering with the IMS network, resulting in an inability to make calls even with the feature enabled. Adding the Phone app to the battery exceptions list may help if you decide to re-enable the feature.
☑️ Checklist for diagnosing connection problems
Alternative solutions and frequently asked questions
If standard methods don't work, or you're looking for a temporary solution, you can use Airplane Mode. Enabling Airplane Mode and then enabling Wi-Fi only (without mobile data) ensures that the call will go over the internet if your carrier's app supports it (such as WhatsApp or Viber). However, this won't work for regular calls unless VoWiFi is enabled.
Many users wonder whether disabling this feature affects audio quality. With a good 4G signal, the difference between VoLTE and VoWiFi is minimal. Problems arise in the "gray zones" where the LTE signal is weak and Wi-Fi is unstable. In such cases, forcing the use of a mobile network (by disabling Wi-Fi calling) often produces more predictable results.
Don't forget that Redmi Note 8 Pro — a device with two SIM cards. Settings are applied individually to each card. If you disabled the feature for your primary number, check the secondary SIM card, as the settings may still be active there. This is especially true for those who use one card for data and the other only for calls.
Is it safe to completely disable VoWiFi on Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Yes, it's completely safe. This feature is an optional extra and doesn't affect the operation of the phone's core communication modules. You're simply preventing your phone from using the internet for voice calls, returning it to a traditional cellular connection.
Why does the function turn on by itself after being turned off?
This may occur due to a network reset performed by your carrier upon network registration or after updating Google Play Services system components. In rare cases, it may be a bug in the MIUI firmware that requires a network reset.
Does the shutdown affect mobile internet speed?
No, 4G/LTE speeds will remain the same. Only the voice protocol is disabled; data packets continue to be transmitted as usual. In some cases, speeds will even increase slightly due to the reduced load on the radio module.
Is it possible to disable VoWiFi for only one SIM card?
Yes, it's on the menu. Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks You can select a specific SIM card and change the call settings individually for it, while leaving the second one unchanged.