SOS mode on Xiaomi Redmi: how to turn off emergency mode in 5 minutes

You turned on your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone, and the screen says "SOS Mode" or "Emergency Mode" on the screen? The phone works only for emergency calls, and access to applications and settings is blocked? Don't panic - this is a regular MIUI feature that works when certain crashes or user actions. In 90% of cases, SOS mode can be removed without resetting to factory settings, but you need to know exactly the reason for activation.

In this article, we will discuss all possible causes of the appearance of SOS-mode on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 And we'll give you step-by-step instructions for every situation, from basic reboot to manually editing configuration files. MIUI, which the manufacturer does not advertise in the official documentation, but which often become the key to solving the problem.

Why is Xiaomi Redmi SOS Mode Coming?

SOS (Emergency Mode) is a secure smartphone mode that is activated in critical situations, and Xiaomi can turn it on for the following reasons:

• 🔋 Battery discharge below 5% – the system automatically switches to energy-saving mode with limited functionality.
• 🔄 Failed update MIUI — If the firmware “flyed off” or installed with errors, the phone can only boot in the SOS-mode.
• 🔐 Lockdown SIM-Cards – if the card operator has blocked the card for non-payment or for other reasons.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions – problems with the communication module, antenna or slot SIM.
• 📱 Manual activation – the user could accidentally enable the mode through a combination of buttons or in settings.

The most common reason for Redmi is a failure of the communication module after updating or installing custom firmware, in which case the phone “thinks” that it is in an area without network coverage, and goes into emergency mode, and SOS mode can appear after hard reset if the smartphone can not connect to the network operator.

⚠️ Attention: If the regime SOS appeared after a phone drop or moisture hit, do not try to turn it off software. First check the hardware - perhaps the antenna contact has gone away or the communication module is damaged.

Method 1: Reboot your phone (the easiest method)

In 40% of cases, the SOS mode on Xiaomi Redmi is removed by a conventional reboot, which works if the failure was temporary, for example, after an update or a short-term loss of communication.

How to restart your phone in SOS mode:

1. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Wait 30 seconds and let the phone turn off completely.
3. Turn on the smartphone again, holding the power button until the Redmi logo appears.

If after the reboot, the SOS mode disappeared, but the phone still does not catch the network, check:

• 📶 Signal level (you may be in a poor coverage area).
• 🔄 Flight mode (turn it off in the notification curtain).
• 📱 Settings SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is switched on again after restarting SOS, Do not try to repeat the procedure more than 3 times, this may indicate a serious firmware failure or hardware malfunction.

Method 2: Checking SIM-maps and network settings

If the reboot didn’t help, the next thing to check is SIM-map and mobile network settings. SOS activated due to operator identification or card lock issues.

Follow the following steps:

1. Extract. SIM-Check the map and see if it's damaged.
2. Try another one. SIM-If the phone is working normally, the problem is yours. SIM.
3. Update the operator settings: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access point settings (APN). Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to default values.

Reset the network settings

Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth

If you've had SOS mode, but your phone is catching the network, you've had the problem with the operator's settings. If you're still missing, you can go to the next one.

Method 3: Reset network settings (without data loss)

If the problem is the configuration of the mobile network, but you don’t want to do a complete reset, you can try resetting only the network settings, which will delete the stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and APN settings, but will not affect personal data.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the System and Device section → Additional → Resetting.
3. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth settings.
4. Confirm the action by entering the screen unlock password (if required).
5. After resetting, the phone will reboot automatically.

If after reset, the SOS mode has disappeared, but the phone does not catch the network:

• 🔄 Restart your phone again.
• 📶 Manually select the operator in the settings (Settings) → SIM-map → Choice of network → Manual scanning).
• 🔧 Update the operator profile (this may require sending) USSD-For example, *111# for MTS).

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), resetting network settings may result in a loss of IMEI. If after the procedure the phone stopped being detected on the network, check it. IMEI *#06# and restore it with Engineer Mode if necessary.

Method 4: Disable SOS mode through the engineering menu

If standard methods don't work, you can try turning off SOS mode via the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for advanced users because it requires care.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type section.
4. Choose. LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect or NR/LTE/WCDMA/GSM (for 5G-model).
5. Go back and select Turn off radio, then turn on radio again.
6. Reboot the phone.

If the engineering menu does not open:

• 🔧 Make sure you type the combination in the standard Phone app, not in Google Phone or other dialer.
• 📱 Some firmware has blocked the engineering menu, in which case, try using the app. MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon).

💡

If you change the settings in the engineering menu, you can return the settings to the original state and restart the device. Don't save the changes unless you're sure they're right!

Method 5: Manual editing of build.prop file (for advanced)

In rare cases, SOS mode can be caused by incorrect settings in the system file build.prop. This method requires root rights and is only suitable for users who understand the risks.

If you are ready for experiments, follow the instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop.
3. Make a backup of the file (copy it elsewhere).
4. Open build.prop in a text editor and find the lines: ro.telephony.default_network=9 persist.radio.apm_sim_not_pwdn=1
5. Replace them with: ro.telephony.default_network=22 persist.radio.apm_sim_not_pwdn=0
6. Save the file, set resolutions 644 (rw-r-----).
7. Reboot the phone.

If the phone doesn’t turn on or isn’t working properly after editing, return the original build.prop file from the backup.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing build.prop can cause the phone to be completely inoperable. Without experience with system files, it is better not to use this method.

💡

Editing build.prop is a last resort, and in 90% of cases, SOS mode can be removed in standard ways (reboot, network reset, engineering menu).

Method 6: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the above methods worked, the last option is a full reset of the phone, which will delete all data, but return the phone to working condition.

How to make a reset on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Through settings (if phone responds to touch): Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data
2. Using Recovery (if the phone doesn't boot): Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm the reset and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 📱 Set up your phone as new.
• 🔄 Put it in. SIM-map and check the network operation.
• ☁️ Restore data from backup (if any).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) After the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the SOS mode on Xiaomi Redmi is still active, the problem may be:

• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction – damage to the communication module, antenna or motherboard.
• 🔄 Incompatible firmware – if you installed custom software, it could damage system files.
• 🔒 Blocking IMEI — If the phone is listed in the database of stolen or blocked by the operator.

In these cases, it is recommended that:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center (especially if the phone is warranty).
2. Check the IMEI with *#06# – if it is missing or incorrect, you will need to restore it.
3. Flash your phone with the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).

If the phone is bought from hand and was previously in use, there is a possibility that it is tied to someone else’s credentials (Mi Account), in which case it may need to be unlocked through the official Xiaomi service (cost ~ 1000-3000 rubles).

FAQ: Frequent questions about SOS mode on Xiaomi Redmi