Every smartphone owner, whether it’s the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note, faces a situation where when the device is turned on, the system requires you to enter a digital code. SIM-However, constantly entering numbers every time you reboot or retrieve the card can be annoying, especially if you are the only user of the gadget.
Disabling this feature on the MIUI or HyperOS shell is simple enough, but requires care not to block the card permanently. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for different versions of firmware, explain the difference between PIN, PUK and PIN2, and provide solutions for critical situations.
Before you start making changes to your settings, make sure you know the current code. If you've never changed the standard values, they're often listed on the plastic card that came with the SIM card. Standard combinations like 0000 or 1234 don't work for all operators, so it's best to double-check the information in advance.
Why do I need a PIN code and can I turn it off?
PIN-Personal Identification Number is a personal identifier that is stored directly in the SIM card chip, not in the phone’s memory. Its main task is to prevent the use of your number by attackers if they steal your phone and try to insert the SIM card into another device.
Despite the obvious security benefits, many users prefer to remove this barrier, which is handy if you reboot your phone frequently, change your SIM cards, or simply don’t want to waste time typing numbers every morning. On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, the control feature is built deep into the system, allowing you to flexibly adjust the level of protection.
It is important to understand that disabling the PIN code reduces the level of physical protection of your SIM card. If the phone is lost, the finder will be able to use your number to make calls or receive SMS for confirmation in banking applications, so the decision to disconnect should be considered.
⚠️ Caution: By disabling the PIN, you remove the protection of the SIM card from use in other devices. Make sure that the smartphone itself has a strong screen unlock password or biometric protection.
The deactivation process does not require root rights or complex software, all the necessary tools are available in the standard Android interface, adapted by Xiaomi engineers, the main thing is to act consistently and not enter incorrect data more than three times in a row.
Preparing for changes in security settings
Before you go into the system settings, you need to perform a few preparatory steps, this will help to avoid blocking and loss of communication, first of all, make sure that the smartphone is charged at least 20-30%, as a sudden shutdown at the time of changing security settings can lead to a failure in the communication module.
The second important step is to search PUK-code. PUK (Personal Unblocking Key is the unlock code that you need if you mistype a PIN three times:
- 📄 On a plastic card-holder issued when buying a SIM card (usually hidden under a protective layer).
- 🌐 In the personal account of the operator on the official website.
- 📞 Calling your operator’s technical support service (you will need to call your passport details).
Have a pen and paper to write down your current settings or new codes if you decide to change them, and check which SIM card is active if you have two, and the security settings apply to each SIM 1 and SIM 2 slot.
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Take a screenshot of the current PIN settings before changing them, which will help you quickly get back to the way it was if you have problems connecting to the network.
Step-by-step: disabling through MIUI settings
The interface of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware, but the logic of the menu remains the same. To remove the password request, follow the algorithm described below.
First, open the main menu and find the Settings icon. Next, scroll down to the Passwords and Security section. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be simply called Security or in the Additional section. We need a tab that protects the device and privacy.
Inside the security menu, find the Privacy item SIM-card SIM-You click on it, you'll see a list of SIM cards installed, select the one you want to unprotect, and the system will immediately ask you to enter your current PIN to confirm your rights to change your settings.
☑️ Algorithm of PIN-code deactivation
After successful authorization, you will see a switch that says Request PIN code or Lock SIM-It must be active (burn blue or green). Click on it to deactivate. The system will ask you to re-enter the current code to confirm the shutdown operation.
⚠️ Note: If you enter the wrong PIN three times in a row, the SIM card will be locked and the phone will request PUK-Don't guess the combinations at random!
Management through engineering menus and codes
For advanced users or in cases where the standard menu is not working correctly, you can use special menus. USSD-This method works at the modem level and often ignores the visual bugs of the Xiaomi interface. However, use it with caution, as changing hidden parameters can affect the operation of the network.
The easiest way to check status and change settings is to use commands in the call. Open the Phone app and type ##4636##. This will open a hidden test menu. Select Phone Information. You can find advanced SIM card status settings here, although a direct PIN disable button is not found in all Android versions.
A more reliable method is to use the command to disable the request. Enter the dialer code. 04* Then your current PIN and complete the call (#). 04*0000# (where 0000 — If the operation is successful, you will see a pop-up notification that the PIN code has been changed or the function deactivated **04* It allows you to change the code to a simple one, for example, 0000, If the system requires it to be available.
There is also a universal command to disable the request when turned on, which works on many devices: **04*CurrentPIN*NewPIN*NewPIN#. If you want to just deactivate the check, sometimes changing the code to 0000 or 1234 helps, but it is better to do a full shutdown through the menu.
What if the code doesn't work?
Table of standard codes and their values
Understanding the differences between code types is critical to securely managing your SIM card, and here is a table to help you understand the terms and avoid errors when entering data into a Redmi or Poco smartphone.
| Type of code | Description | Number of attempts | Effects of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIN | The main password for accessing the SIM card | 3 attempts at | Blocking the card, request PUK |
| PUK | Unlock code after PIN lock | 10 attempts at trying | Complete locking of the SIM card (combustion) |
| PIN2 | Additional code for special functions (rarely used) | 3 attempts at | Blocking additional functions |
| PUK2 | Unlocking code for PIN2 | 10 attempts at trying | Block additional functions permanently |
As you can see from the table, PUK-The code is the last chance to restore access. If you run out of 10 typing attempts, PUK, The SIM card will be permanently locked, it will be impossible to restore it, you will have to go to the communication room for a replacement. PUK randomly.
PIN2 is rarely used, mostly for older features like limiting outgoing calls or managing operator-level conferencing. It's almost impossible for a typical Xiaomi user to encounter it, but it's useful to know it exists.
What to do if the PIN code is forgotten or the card is blocked
The situation when the user forgets the previously installed code is common. If you entered the wrong code three times, the Xiaomi smartphone will give a message about the lock and request PUK. Don't panic. Find a plastic card from the SIM card or go to your operator's application (MegaFon, MTS, Beeline, Tele2, etc.).
In the personal account on the operator's website, the section is usually called Settings -> Security or my SIM card, it'll be on. PUK-Enter it in a field on your phone screen, and after you've entered it, the system will ask you to come up with a new PIN, and come up with a combination that's easy to remember, but hard to guess.
If the plastic card is lost and the personal account is not accessible, the only way out is to call support. The operator will check your data (passport, address, last payments) and dictate to PUK. After unlocking, immediately follow the instructions to disable the request described at the beginning of the article, so as not to encounter this problem in the future.
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A forgotten PIN is not a disaster if you have access to the PUK. The main thing is not to exhaust the limit of attempts to enter the PUK, otherwise the SIM card will have to change.
In the event that the SIM card is burned (PUK limit is exhausted), you will have to visit the operator's office with a passport. the procedure for replacing the card is usually free or costs a symbolic amount, while the phone number will be preserved.
Frequent Problems and Their Solutions on Xiaomi
Xiaomi users sometimes encounter bugs when the switch switch switch switches off the PIN code does not press or immediately returns to the original position.This can be due to a system error or a conflict of access rights.
Another common problem is that the phone continues to request the code even after it has been turned off.This can happen if you have moved the SIM card to another slot or to another phone.Settings are tied to a particular slot or device.Check the settings for both SIM 1 and SIM 2 slots.
And there's also the Smart Lock feature, or Bluetooth unlock, which, while it doesn't cancel the PIN of a SIM card, it can make it easier to share your phone, but for a SIM card, the rule is one thing: no code, no network, you haven't turned off the request in the security settings.
- 🔄 Restart your phone after changing your settings so that they apply correctly.
- 📱 Make sure that the SIM card is properly installed in the tray and the contacts are not contaminated.
- 🌍 Check if the phone is custom firmware, which can block modem functions.
If nothing works, you can try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings -> Connection and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This won't delete your personal data, but will return network settings to factory values, which often resolves software conflicts.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting your network settings will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices.