[Workaround] 'Add APN' option reportedly disappears from some MIUI powered Xiaomi phones

Xiaomi prefers to maintain a consistent software experience across their devices running MIUI. While the base version of Android often different, the upper layer is more or less same from the perspective of the end users.

As you can see, MIUI 10.x can be crafted on the basis of the latest Android 9.0 Pie on modern devices, while older devices get the same treatment paired with outdated Android versions. The Chinese OEM, however, does backport new software features to legacy models.

Call it an unpredicted move, but the company sometimes silently removes these features with new software updates. In fact, many a time MIUI users experience recurring issues after major version updates – such as the inability to configure APN settings.

Just got my new mi mix 3 as an upgrade from the mi max 2 but it won’t let me access mobile data or create a new apn to allow me to do so. My only option is to return to default. Any help would be great.

Thanks

(Source)

today device updates automatically to miui stabile 10.2.3.0, but doesn’t run with old APN.

I tried insert new APN address, but its’nt possibile.. doesn’t compare nothing.

help.. i can’t navigate with this version.

Is there a way to resolve this issue or downgrade to previus miui stable version?

(Source)

The affected device list is pretty much versatile, as most of the Qualcomm based Xiaomi phones have reportedly faced this issue after MIUI 10.x update when used with certain wireless carriers.

The default APN settings are often buggy, especially with MVNOs like Google Fi. Users have to change them to get functional LTE data or MMS, but looks like the possibility is partially broken in MIUI due to a regression (?).

Vodafone UK customers with Poco F1 faced the same issue after MIUI V10.2.2.0.PEJMIXM update. Xiaomi acknowledged the bug and fixed it with subsequent OTA update. But the root of problem is allegedly still present deep inside the MIUI codebase.

The previous workaround still works; all you have to do it force the ‘Add APN’ activity to show up via ADB:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.INSERT content://telephony/carriers --ei simId -1

As an alternative, you can use this app from RedFlagDeals forum member miji2 (original post). You have to pull your SIM card out, use the app (which is just a wrapper around the above command) and reinsert your SIM card.

Have you faced the APN settings glitch on your Mi/Redmi/Poco phone? Let us know by commenting below.

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