How to completely disable mobile Internet on Xiaomi phone: all ways

Why Xiaomi users want to turn off mobile internet and when they really need to

Mobile Internet on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi sub-brands, POCO and Black Shark are activated immediately after installation SIM-However, there are situations where it needs to be turned off temporarily or permanently, such as when you travel abroad and want to avoid roaming, or your tariff restricts traffic and background apps are actively consuming it. Sometimes, disabling mobile data helps save battery power in standby mode or eliminate Wi-Fi connection problems.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off mobile Internet on Xiaomi devices, from standard methods through settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu. SIM-cards (Dual) SIM), And we'll also explain how to turn off the Internet for individual applications without completely blocking the connection. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure that the problem is really mobile Internet. For example, if the phone is quickly discharged, check Settings. → Battery → Battery use — it may not be the connection that is to blame, but the application itself. Also remember, turning off mobile data does not affect the ability to make or send calls. SMS.

Method 1: Quickly shut down via notification panel

The easiest and fastest method is to use a control center (notification panel), which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Black Shark 5, regardless of the version MIUI. Here's how to do it:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. If you see only the top of the panel (with notifications), swipe down again to deploy the full control center.
3. Find the Mobile Data icon (usually two up-and-down arrows or a wave antenna) and some firmware may call it Data or 4G/5G.
4. You tap the icon once, it's supposed to turn grey, and a crossed sign will appear next to it, which means that the mobile Internet is off.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) In the notification panel, a separate icon for SIM 1 and SIM 2 If you have two. SIM-Make sure you turn off the internet for the right one (or both).

Mobile data icon is now mined|Next to the network indicator appeared a cross|The status bar has disappeared. 4G/5G/LTE|Applications stopped updating in the background-->

This is a temporary way: when you reboot your phone, the mobile Internet will turn on automatically. If you want to turn it off permanently, use the following method:

Method 2: Completely disabling in MIUI settings

If you need to permanently turn off mobile internet (for example, to avoid accidental turn on), do so through the basic system settings. MIUI, including the latest updates to 2026.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (some models may be called Mobile Networks or Dual Networks). SIM mobile).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to disconnect the Internet for (if there are two of them).
4. Translate the slider "Mobile data" to the position off.
5. Optionally: Turn off Include 4G or turn on 5G, If you want to block access to high-speed Internet.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. global version) MIUI for POCO F5) After disabling mobile data, background traffic for system applications may remain active. To block it completely, go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autostart and disable Autostart for unnecessary programs.

If after disconnecting mobile data, the phone still consumes traffic, check the settings VPN and proxy – sometimes they can bypass restrictions, and make sure you don’t activate modem mode (in Settings) → Connections → Access Point and modem).

Saving traffic|Battery savings|Avoiding roaming|Connection problems|Other-->

Method 3: Disconnecting the Internet for individual applications

You don't always have to shut down the mobile Internet completely, for example, you might want to block it only for social networks or instant messengers, leaving access for maps or mail. MIUI There is a built-in “Background Traffic Limitation” feature that allows you to do this.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to restrict the internet for (like TikTok or Instagram).
3. Go to the section Use of data.
4. Activate the option “Prohibit background use of data”.
5. Optionally, disable Mobile Data Use completely if you want to block traffic even when you are actively using the app.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Cloud or System Update) may ignore these restrictions. To completely block their access to the Internet, you will need to use a firewall (for example, the NetGuard application from Google Play).

• 📱 For social networks: Limit background traffic for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – this will reduce battery consumption 15-20%.
• 🗺️ For Navigators: Allow mobile data only for Google Maps or Yandex.Maps by blocking other applications.
• 💌 For instant messengers: Turn off background traffic for WhatsApp or Telegram if you don’t want to receive notifications without Wi-Fi.

If you use two of them SIM-maps, you can configure one application to work only through SIM 1, and the other through SIM 2. To do this, in the application settings, select the default Network and specify the desired one. SIM.

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To quickly find apps that consume traffic, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic usage: This is a map of the statistics for each application over the past month.

Method 4: Using the "In-Air" mode with exceptions

In-plane mode shuts down all wireless connections, including mobile internet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. MIUI There's a hidden feature that allows you to turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth separately, leaving your mobile data off, which is convenient if you want to completely block the Internet from the operator, but still use the local network.

How it works:

1. Activate In Airplane Mode via Notification Panel or in Settings → Connections → Airplane mode.
2. After activation, open the notification bar again.
3. Tap the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icon – they will turn on, and mobile Internet will remain disconnected.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro) after Wi-Fi is turned on in In-Air mode, mobile data can be automatically activated when connected to certain networks (e.g., an operator’s access point). To avoid this, pre-disable mobile internet via settings as described in Method 2.

This method is useful in the following cases:

• 🌍 Travel: Block roaming but use Wi-Fi at hotel.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off energy-consuming mobile internet, leaving Wi-Fi for notifications.
• 🛩️ Flights: Comply with airline rules, but continue to use offline content.

If you need to switch between these modes often, add the shortcut to the home screen for "Airplane Mode" and hold your finger in the free space of the screen. → Widgets → Find the mode on the plane.

Method 5: Disconnect via the Engineering Menu (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., mobile internet turns on itself after a reboot), you can use an engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users and requires caution – incorrect settings can disrupt the network.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. The Testing menu will open. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type section.
4. Choose. GSM only (only calls and calls) SMS) or WCDMA only (3G without 4G/5G).
5. Click Turn off radio to completely deactivate your mobile network (including calls!).

⚠️ Warning: After choosing Turn off radio, the phone will lose communication with the operator’s network and you will not be able to call or send SMS. To return everything back, restart the device or re-enter the engineering menu and select Turn on radio.

This method is useful if:

• 🔧 You are testing the network and you want to force the switch to 2G/3G.
• 🚫 Mobile Internet is turned on spontaneously after disconnection.
• 🔄 You need to reset the network settings to factory (in the engineering menu there is an option Reset Network).

Remember: changes to the engineering menu are not saved after restarting. If you need to permanently shut down, use Method 2 (settings). MIUI) or consider the option with a firewall (described below).

Additional methods: Firewall and third-party applications

If embedded facilities MIUI You can use third-party applications, for example, a firewall allows you to flexibly manage Internet access for each application, as well as block ads and trackers.

The best mobile internet management applications:

• 🛡️ NetGuard – does not require root rights, blocks traffic at the level of the Internet VPN.
• 🔒 AFWall+ — A powerful firewall, but root rights are needed.
• 📊 GlassWire – monitors traffic flow and blocks suspicious connections.
• 🚀 DataEye – shows which apps are using mobile data in real time.

How to set up NetGuard:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. At the first launch, allow creation VPN-Connections (this is necessary to block traffic).
3. In the main window, select the applications you want to block mobile data for (check in the Wi-Fi column or Mobile Data).
4. Activate the protection with the button in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may block work through the Internet. VPN, In this case, add them to exceptions or use a firewall without VPN-regime (if maintained).

Advantages of using a firewall:

• 🎯 Flexibility: You can block traffic for individual applications or domains.
• 📉 Savings: Reduces the consumption of mobile data 30-50%.
• 🛡️ Security: protects against data leakage through background connections.

If you travel frequently, look for apps like TripMode that automatically block mobile data from roaming, leaving only Wi-Fi.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the mobile internet is shut down, Xiaomi users sometimes face unexpected challenges, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your network settings will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings. Write down important data in advance.

If the problem persists, it may be firmware-related. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → System updates. 4PDA or XDA Developers can find patches for specific models that fix bugs with mobile Internet.

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If mobile internet is turned on spontaneously, it is most likely the system application (such as Mi Cloud or System Update) that is to blame.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions