How to permanently disable the activation service SIM-Xiaomi maps: 5 working methods

Activation service SIM-Xiaomi’s smartphone cards are one of the most annoying features for users who want to use a device without a mobile network. SIM-The card is on the first turn on, and sometimes blocks access to basic phone functions if the card is not recognized, especially when owners of devices purchased in China (the C version of the model) or those who use the phone as a tablet with Wi-Fi are faced with the problem.

The reasons why users want to turn off this service vary, from wanting to save on mobile traffic to having to use the phone in regions without coverage from the right operator. However, Xiaomi does not provide an official way to deactivate, you will have to resort to workarounds. In this article, we will discuss legal and technical methods of disabling, including changes in settings. MIUI, utilization ADB-Teams and even hardware solutions for persistent cases.

It is important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which may void the warranty, and we will specify the risks for each method and offer alternatives for users without technical skills.

Why Xiaomi is forcing you to activate SIM-map?

The reason lies in the company’s policies and Chinese laws: Domestically sold smartphones (China ROMs) are often tied to local carriers and services, and SIM activation service has several functions:

🔹 Xiaomi is fighting grey imports and counterfeit devices, and if the phone is not purchased through official channels, the system can block some of the features until legality is confirmed.

🔹 Region-specific. Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G or POCO X4 Pro) have restrictions on use outside China. SIM helps to determine geolocation and apply appropriate settings.

🔹 Marketing goals: In China, operators often subsidize the cost of smartphones, so Xiaomi is interested in connecting the user to the partner’s network.

Global ROMs are less common, but not completely excluded, for example, after resetting to factory settings on Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50, a request to activate the SIM may appear again, even if it was previously disabled.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT Xiaomi 13 Ultra (forced activation) SIM Blocks access to Settings and Play Market until the requirement is met, in which case workarounds become mandatory.

Method 1: Bypassing Wi-Fi (without root)

The easiest way to do this, which works on most MIUI 12-14 devices, is to use a Wi-Fi connection instead of a mobile network, which doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, but is only suitable for initial setup.

Step-by-step:

1. When you first turn on the phone, wait for the screen to appear with a suggestion to insert SIM-map.

2. At the bottom of the screen, find the button to skip or connect to Wi-Fi (on some models it is hidden - pull the screen up).

3. Connect to the wireless network. If there is no button, try clicking on the phone number input field and entering arbitrary numbers (e.g. 1234567890), then click Next. The system may skip the activation step.

4. Once connected to Wi-Fi, complete the phone setup as usual.

This method works on ~60% of devices, but newer models (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) may not work due to tighter checks.

Try another Wi-Fi (e.g., mobile access point)|Enter a non-existent telephone number (10)+ figure)|Restart the phone and try again|Use it. SIM-The other operator's card (even inactive)-->

Method 2: Disconnect via MIUI settings (hidden settings)

If the phone is already configured, but the SIM activation service continues to appear (for example, after an update or reset), you can try to turn it off through the hidden developer menus.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.

2. Go back to the main settings menu and select Additional → For Developers.

3. Find the USB Debugging option and turn it on.

4. Connect your phone to your computer and install the Android SDK Platform-Tools.

5. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder and type:

adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global device_provisioned 1

These commands disable the network connection check and simulate the successful activation of the device. Once executed, restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for POCO F5) These commands can be reset once the update is done.

💡

If after entering commands the phone stopped seeing the mobile network, check the settings. APN manually. Sometimes resetting network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings helps restore connection.

Method 3: Using ADB to remove system applications

A more radical way is to remove the system applications responsible for activating SIM. This requires an unlocked bootloader, but not necessarily root rights.

List of applications that can be removed:

• 📱 com.android.phone – the standard “Phone” application (will remove all call functions!)
• 🔄 com.miui.activation – activation service (on some firmware)
• 🌐 com.android.providers.telephony – telephony provider (may disrupt the work) SMS)
• 📶 com.miui.simactivate – directly activation service SIM (meet MIUI 13+)

How to delete:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (you will need a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).

2. Install ADB and connect the phone in Fastboot mode.

3. Enter a command to delete (for example, for an activation service):

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.simactivate

⚠️ Consequences: Deleting com.android.phone will deprive you of the ability to call and send SMS. This method is only suitable for devices used as tablets.

Method 4: Firmware global or custom ROM

If software methods fail, the firmware changes remain. Global versions of MIUI (such as MIUI Global Stable) often lack forced SIM activation, and custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience do not contain proprietary Xiaomi services at all.

How to Switch Global ROM:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website.

2 Unlock the bootloader (see method 3).

3. Use the Mi Flash Tool for Fastboot Firmware.

4. Select the Clean All option for a full reset.

Pros and cons:

⚠️ Attention: Firmware informal ROM (For example, xiaomi.eu may result in the blocking of Mi Account due to violation of the usage policy.

Method 5: Hardware solution - using "deception" SIM-map

If the software methods did not work or you do not want to risk firmware, you can go for a trick - use a fictitious device. SIM-It's a physical decision that tricks the system into thinking that the card is inserted.

Options:

• 📇 Buy empty. SIM-The card (without a number) is from the operator, and some sell it for a nominal fee.
• 🔧 Use a microSD adapter in the slot SIM (If the phone supports it, the system can recognize it as a card.
• 🛠️ Make a "cheat" out of the old SIM, cutting the chip so that the contacts touch the connector, but the card was not identified as active.

This method works on 90% of devices, but has a drawback: every time you reset or update, you can again request activation, and some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T) check IMEI cards and block fraudulent schemes.

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Hardware is the safest way to get around SIM activation without losing warranty, but it doesn't solve the problem forever: once you reset, you'll have to repeat the procedure.

Frequent mistakes and their solution

When you try to disable the SIM activation service, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

🔴 Error: “Failure to activate SIM-Repeat the attempt later"

Decision:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📶 Put it in. SIM-The other operator's card (even inactive).
• 🕒 Change the date and time in the settings to the current (sometimes confused after resetting).
• 🌍 Change the region to India or Russia (in some firmware, this removes restrictions).

🔴 Error: After removing system applications, the phone does not catch the network

Solution: Restore remote APKs through ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.phone

🔴 Mi Flash Tool gives you “Anti Rollback” when you run the firmware

Solution: Use firmware with a version no lower than the current one. Check the version number in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

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If you have a firmware manipulation that requires you to log in to your Mi Account but you don't remember it, try resetting your password through the official website, and if your account is linked to a Chinese number, you'll need help from a service center.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions