Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to temporarily or completely shut down mobile communications, which can be caused by the desire to save battery power, avoid unnecessary noise or solve problems with an unstable network signal. MIUI operating systems and the new HyperOS provide flexible tools for managing SIM cards that allow them to be deactivated software without physically removing the tray.
The process of disconnecting depends on what exactly the user needs: completely turn off the communication module, transfer the device to aeronautical mode or delete the digital profile of the eSIM. It is important to distinguish these concepts, since they affect the functionality of the phone in different ways. For example, simply turning off the SIM card in the settings will leave Wi-Fi and Bluetooth available, while the flight mode will block all wireless interfaces.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of management. SIM-We will look at the standard methods through the settings menu, the use of the engineering menu for advanced users, and also touch on the topic of deleting SIM profiles. Understanding these processes will help you effectively manage communication and solve typical network issues on your device.
Software shutdown SIM-maps through settings
The easiest and safest way to disable a SIM card on Xiaomi smartphones is to use the built-in settings menu, which does not require root rights or third-party software and is available on all current firmware versions. You can deactivate one of the SIM cards, leaving the second active, which is especially convenient for dual-symbol devices.
To perform this operation, you need to go to the Settings section, then select the item SIM-In the list that opens, you will see the SIM cards connected (Sim 1 and Sim 2) and next to each of them is a switch that allows you to instantly disable or turn on the communication module.
Once the slider is turned off, the phone will no longer be logged into the mobile operator's network that matches this card, and no calls or SMS will come, but the Wi-Fi Internet will continue to work smoothly, ideal for those who want to take a break from calls but stay online via instant messengers.
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If you have disabled the SIM card, but the network indicator is left, try to restart the device - this will update the registration in the network of the cellular operator.
It's worth noting that when you turn off a SIM card through settings, the system doesn't delete the contacts or call history stored on it, all the data is stored and made available immediately after you reactivate it, which distinguishes software disabling from physically retrieving the card or completely resetting the network settings.
Use of flight mode and its features
Users often confuse switching off the SIM card with activating flight mode. Although the result for incoming calls is the same — the phone is not available, the technical implementation of these processes varies. The flight mode, or Avia Mode, completely silences all the radio modules of the device, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.
The quickest way to activate this mode is through the notification curtain. Swipe down from top to bottom and click on the airplane icon. However, with modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, the functionality is expanded: you can turn on flight mode, and then manually reactivate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, in which case the SIM card will be disconnected from the network, but the Internet will continue to work.
Flight mode is effective for quickly saving battery power in areas with very weak signal, where the phone is constantly trying to find the network, and this method is also useful in cinemas or meetings where complete silence and no radiation are required.
If your goal is to simply cut yourself off from the world, leaving you the option to listen to music or read saved pages, this mode is best suited.
Deletion and deactivation of eSIM profile
With the introduction of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology in Xiaomi’s flagship models, such as the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14 and the Poco F5 Pro series, profile management has become even more flexible. Unlike a physical card, an electronic profile can not only be disabled, but also completely removed from the device’s memory.
To work with eSIM go to Settings → SIM-Select the eSIM profile you want, and you will have two options: temporary shutdown (toggler) or complete deletion. Deletion of the profile is irreversible without re-activation through the QR-operator.
If you plan to sell a phone or transfer it to another user, deleting your eSIM profile is a mandatory security step.The left profile can be used to access your accounts or make calls at your expense.
Can I restore a remote eSIM?
When you delete your profile, the system will request confirmation of your operation, which is protection against accidental loss of access to your communications, and once confirmed, your profile disappears from the list of available networks, and the phone no longer sees the operator whose SIM card was virtual.
Setting priorities and mobile internet
Xiaomi’s dual-symbol devices often have confusion about which SIM card is used to transfer data, and turning off mobile data for one card does not disable the card itself, but it does not allow it to spend traffic.
Settings menu → SIM-The maps and mobile networks have a Mobile Internet section, where you can choose which SIM card is the primary one for accessing the network, while the second SIM card remains active for voice calls and the second SIM card is the main one. SMS, But it won't waste megabytes.
Traffic Saving Mode is also available, which can block background activity of non-main SIM applications, which is useful if you have a per-minute fee or a very limited data packet on the second card.
☑️ Checking Internet settings
Remember that if the main SIM card for the Internet loses the signal, the phone can automatically switch to the second one, unless you have strict restrictions.
Engineering menu and hidden network settings
For advanced users who don't have enough standard settings, there's an engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system that allows you to control the radio module at a deep level, where you can force certain frequency bands to turn off, or even temporarily deactivate the voice module.
To enter the engineering menu, open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##. If the code does not work (often on global firmware), you may need to install a special activator application or use ADB commands.
In the menu that opens, select Phone Information. You'll see a lot of settings here. Attention: changing unfamiliar settings can cause communication loss or phone malfunction. Use this method only if you understand what each setting is responsible for.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on SIM |
|:--- |:--- |:--- |
| Set Preferred Network Type | Network Type Selection (LTE/3G/2G) | Changes modem operation |
| Turn Off Radio | Complete radio shutdown | Blocks all networks |
| Ping Test | Connection Check | Diagnostics, does not disable |
| IMEI Information | Module information | View only |
One useful feature here is the ability to force the phone to 2G Only or 3G Only mode, which can help in places where LTE is overloaded or unstable, allowing voice communication to be maintained through old standards.
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The Engineering Menu is a powerful tool, but unwary changes to the Set Preferred Network Type settings can temporarily leave you without communication until the device restarts.
Solving problems: SIM card is not turned off
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the software shutdown of the SIM card does not work: the slider returns to its original position or the phone continues to show the network. This can be caused by a system failure, damage to the contacts of the tray or a software conflict.
First, try resetting your network settings. This action will bring all mobile, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings back to factory values, but will not delete your personal files, photos or apps. Path to function: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
If the reset didn't work, the problem could be physical damage to the SIM card or tray. Try removing the card, rubbing the contacts with soft cloth and pasting them back in, and check if the contacts in the tray itself have oxidized.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is heated and discharges quickly even when the SIM card is turned off, the modem may have crashed, in which case only a complete flashing of the device or contacting the service center will help.
In rare cases, the culprit is the telecom operator, who can force the device to register on the network for push notifications, check if the service is activated "Always online" in the personal account of the operator, and turn it off if necessary.