Mobile internet on Xiaomi smartphones can cause unexpected costs if you are roaming or using a limited tariff. Even in the background, applications continue to consume traffic, which leads to a rapid exhaustion of gigabytes. Disabling mobile data is a simple procedure, but depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) and the version of MIUI, the path to settings may differ.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to deactivate the mobile Internet, from standard methods through the notification panel to hidden functions of the engineering menu. SIM-If you're looking for a way to save traffic or block access to the network completely, here's a solution.
1. Quick shutdown via notification panel
The most obvious and quickest method is to use the control center (notification curtains), which works on all Xiaomi models, regardless of the MIUI version (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), the main advantage is that you do not need to go into the settings.
To turn off the mobile Internet:
- π± Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- π Find the Mobile Data icon (usually depicted as two up/down arrows or an antenna).
- π Slap it once β the indicator should go out (gray means that the Internet is off).
If the icon is not on the first page of the curtain, swipe left to find it on the second page.Some firmware (MIUI 14+) may need to hold the icon and drag it to the active area.
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On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the mobile data icon can be hidden behind the βMoreβ button (three dots).
β οΈ Warning: If nothing happens after clicking on the icon, check if changes to the notification bar are blocked through Settings β Lock screen β Control Panel: Some applications (such as Clean Master) may restrict access to quick settings.
2. Disconnection through the basic settings of the phone
If the notification bar is not responsive or you prefer a more reliable way, use the main settings menu, which is suitable for all versions of MIUI, including old (Redmi 4X) and new (POCO F5) models.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks (or mobile network on some firmware).
- Choose. SIM-card for which you want to disconnect the Internet (relevant for two-symbol devices).
- Move the βMobile Dataβ slider to the βOffβ position.
On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12T), the path may be slightly different:
Settings β Connections and Sharing β Mobile Network β [Select SIM] β Mobile DataIs the notification panel open?|Is the "Airplane" mode active"?|Is it right? SIM-map selected?|Updated to the latest version?-->
3. Shutting down the Internet for individual applications
If you need to leave your mobile internet on but limit your use for specific applications (such as TikTok or YouTube), use the built-in Data Limitation feature.
How to do this:
- π Go to Settings. β Annexes β Application management.
- π Select the app you want to ban mobile traffic from.
- π« Tap on Mobile Data and set a restriction (or completely disable access).
You can also use the βtraffic saving modeβ:
β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Traffic savings β Includeβ οΈ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Cloud or Google Play Services) may ignore these restrictions. A firewall will be required to completely block them (such as Google Play's NetGuard).
Once a day | Only roaming | Never turn off | When traffic ends-->
4.Use of In-Aircraft Mode to Shut Down Completely
If you need to completely turn off all wireless connections (including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile Internet), activate In-Air mode, which is suitable for saving battery power or in environments where network use is prohibited (for example, in an airplane or hospital).
How to turn on:
- π« Swipe down the notification panel and tap the icon "Mode in the plane" (airplane).
- π Or go to Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Airplane mode.
To keep Wi-Fi on, but only turn off mobile internet:
- Activate In-Aircraft mode.
- Return to the notification panel and manually turn on Wi-Fi.
What if the βon the planeβ mode does not turn off?
5. Disconnection of mobile Internet through the engineering menu (for experienced users)
If standard methods do not work (for example, due to a firmware failure), you can use the engineering menu, which requires caution, since improper actions can disrupt the network.
Instructions:
- Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down to the "Set preferred network type" block.
- Select Disconnect or Turn off radio (on some devices, it may be called Radio Power Off).
After that, the mobile Internet and calls will be disabled before the phone restarts, and to return everything back, you just need to restart the device or manually select the network mode (for example, LTE/4G).
β οΈ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, changing the values of Band Mode can lead to loss of the network.
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The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but you should only use it if the standard methods don't work. Always write down the initial settings before you change.
6. Automatic shutdown of the Internet on schedule
If you want mobile internet to shut down at a certain time (e.g. at night or while youβre working), use a task scheduler or third-party apps. MIUI doesnβt have a built-in feature for that, but you can bypass the restriction with Automate or MacroDroid.
Instructions for MacroDroid:
- π₯ Install the app from Google Play.
- β Create a new macro team with the trigger βTimeΒ».
- π§ In the action, select "Mobile DataΒ» β Β«Shut downΒ».
- πΎ Save the macro and activate it.
For root-enabled devices, you can use Tasker with the Secure Settings plugin, which allows you to manage system settings without restrictions.
| Method | Difficulty | Need root? | It works without the Internet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification panel | β | No. | Yes. |
| Phone settings | ββ | No. | Yes. |
| On the Airplane mode | β | No. | Yes. |
| Engineering menu | βββ | No. | Yes. |
| Automatic shutdown (MacroDroid) | βββ | No (except Tasker) | No (to be tuned) |
7 What to do if the mobile Internet is not turned off?
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where mobile data remains active despite all attempts to deactivate it.
- π Firmware failure: Restart your phone. If the problem persists, check for updates in Settings β The phone. β Updating the system.
- π± Damaged. SIM-Card: Try to remove and repaint it. If the card is old (over 5 years old), replace it with the operator.
- π οΈ Communications module malfunction: If none of the methods work, the radio module may be damaged.
- π Operator restrictions: Some operators (e.g. Tele2 or Yota) block network-level internet shutdowns. Check balance and tariff.
If after resetting the settings to the factory mobile Internet still does not turn off, this may indicate a hardware malfunction of the antenna module or problems with the firmware modem. In this case, only flashing through Fastboot or replacing the module will help.