Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the intrusive requirement of the system to insert and activate the device. SIM-This is a regional lock requirement designed to combat gray device imports, but often becomes an obstacle for legal users who have bought equipment abroad or on marketplaces.
Blocking can be different, from simply asking to insert a card to completely banning calls and Internet access via a mobile network. In some cases, the system requires a mandatory Wi-Fi connection and logging into a Mi Account to unlock. Understanding the mechanism of Region Lock is necessary to successfully bypass restrictions without flashing the device.
There are several proven methods of solving this problem, which range from simple actions in the settings menu to more complex manipulation of system files. The choice of the specific method depends on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, as well as on the region for which the device was originally intended.
Reasons for requesting activation
The main reason for the lock is the discrepancy between the region of sale and the region of use of the device. Xiaomi has implemented this protection to prevent distributors from selling devices destined for the Chinese or Indian market, in Europe or Russia at low prices. When you first turn on the phone, it checks the IMEI devices against the database and determines the geographic location.
If the phone is intended for China, and SIM-The card is inserted in Russian, the system blocks basic communication functions, and the lock can occur after resetting to factory settings, if the previous owner did not untie the device from his account or did not fully activate. In rare cases, the problem lies in the software failure of the communication module.
It is important to distinguish between SIM-card lock and Mi Account lock. The first requires a physical card of a certain operator, the second - entering a username and password from Mi Account. To bypass the first often requires a change of region or flashing, for the second - the owner's data.
Methods of bypassing the check without flashing
The easiest and safest way to do this, which often works on newer versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, is to use the “Second Space” function or change the region in the settings. This method does not require a computer or special knowledge. First try changing the region in the Settings menu → Additional settings → Region to the country for which the device is intended (for example, India or China), then restart the phone.
If a simple region change didn't work, you can try the activation method through the engineering test menu. To do this, dial the code ##4636## in the Phone app. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information and try to switch the network type or reset the radio settings. However, this method does not work on all models.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone requires activation via Wi-Fi, make sure the network is stable. interruption of the activation process can lead to a cyclical reboot or complete lockdown of the device.
Another effective method is to create a "Second Space." Go to Settings. → Second space → Create a second space. The profile you create often doesn't require re-activation. SIM-You can then transfer the data to the main profile or just use the phone in the second space.
Instructions for resetting Region Lock through settings
To perform this procedure, you will need a stable Internet connection and a little patience. The process can take 10 to 30 minutes. Before you start, make sure that the battery is at least 50% so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.
☑️ Checklist before resetting the lock
The first step is to completely reset your settings through the Recovery Mode. To do this, turn off your phone and press the Volume Up + Power button combination. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English) and press Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm the action. After the reboot, the initial setup will begin.
When choosing a language and region, select a country other than your current one (for example, if you are in Russia, choose Ukraine, Kazakhstan, or India). Don't connect to Wi-Fi immediately if you can skip this step.
Once you have your desktop, go to your settings and change the region to Russia or your country. SIM-In some cases, the system will take the region change and unlock the calls. If the request comes back, try inserting it. SIM-map of another operator that is not on the blacklist of regional locks.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing region on the menu | Low. | No. | Medium |
| Second space | Low. | No. | Tall. |
| Reset via Recovery | Medium | Yes (full) | Tall. |
| Flashing (Global) | Tall. | Yes (full) | Maximum |
Use of Engineering Menu and ADB Teams
For advanced users who don’t want to drop data or change firmware, there is a method to disable verification via USB and ADB debugging (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer. You will need to download platform tools from the official Android developer site.
First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version. Then in Additional Settings → For developers, turn on Debugging on USB. Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging on your smartphone screen.