How to disable one SIM- card in a two-sim phone Xiaomi: all ways

Modern Xiaomi smartphones with support for two SIM- cards allow you to flexibly manage communication: use work and personal numbers, save on roaming or share traffic between operators. However, there are situations when one of the SIM- cards needs to be temporarily or permanently disabled - for example, to save battery power, avoid network conflicts or simply stop receiving calls to an unnecessary number. Unlike physical card extraction, software shutdown saves all settings and allows you to quickly return the SIM to work.

The procedure for deactivating the second SIM on Xiaomi depends on the version of the MIUI firmware (12, 13 or 14), the phone model (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO X5) and even the carrier. In some cases, a few taps on the menu are enough, and sometimes additional network settings are required. This article covers all the current methods - from standard disconnection through settings to hidden functions for specific scenarios.

We will also discuss typical issues (e.g. when the SIM- card doesn’t turn off or the phone doesn’t see it after deactivation) and give you recommendations for optimizing your dual card experience. If you’re using Xiaomi with a hybrid slot (where the second SIM shares space with the memory card), here’s some tips on how to manage priorities correctly.

Why you may need to disable one SIM- card

At first glance, two active SIM- cards are convenient, but in practice, many users are faced with the need to deactivate one of them.

• 🔋 Battery savings: Two SIM- cards consume more power at the same time, especially if both are running on 4G/5G networks. Disabling one can extend battery life by 10–15%.
• 📵 Avoid spam and calls: If one of the numbers is receiving intrusive SMS or calls from the operator, it is easier to turn it off than to block every contact.
• 🌍 Roaming and international travel: while traveling, the second SIM can automatically connect to expensive roaming networks, and shutting it down prevents unexpected waste.
• 📶 Network conflicts: In some regions, two SIM- cards from different operators can interfere with each other, causing communication interruptions or slow internet.
• 💳 Hybrid slot: If you choose to use a memory card instead of a second SIM, the latter must be deactivated correctly to avoid crashes.

It is important to understand that disabling the SIM through the menu and physically removing it are not the same thing: in the first case, the card remains in the phone and can be quickly activated back without rebooting, in the second, the slot is freed, but when you return the card, additional settings may be required (for example, re-entering the PUK- code).

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi K50 Pro), disabling the second SIM also affects VoLTE and ViLTE (voice and video over 4G).

Method 1: Standard shutdown via "SIM- card settings"

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14. Instructions are suitable for most models, including the POCO F4, Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 13T and others.

Steps to shut down:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or Mobile Network in older versions) MIUI).
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to disable (for example, SIM 2).
4. Move the slider Include SIM-map off.
5. Confirm the action if a request appears (some firmware requires the input of PIN- code).

After that, the network level icon for the disabled SIM will disappear from the status bar, and all calls and SMS will be redirected to the active card. If you use dual registration in messengers (for example, two accounts on WhatsApp or Telegram), applications can request the choice of the main SIM for authorization.

Make sure there are no active USSD- requests on the card.

Check the balance (some operators block SIM if negative)

Save important contacts from the SIM phone book

Disable the card binding to banking services (if any)-->

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially custom ones) may lose the option of re-enabled cards after disabling the SIM- card, in which case it will help to reboot the phone or reset the network settings (Settings → SIM- maps → Reset network settings).

Method 2: Disconnect via notification panel (fast access)

If you need to switch between SIM- cards frequently, it’s more convenient to use the Quick Settings Panel.This method works on all devices with MIUI 13/14 and supports hot switching without rebooting.

How to turn off SIM through the curtain:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the Mobile Data icon (usually two up and down arrows) and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
3. You'll see the SIM- card management menu, and here you'll see two cards with sliders called Mobile Data and Calls.
4. Turn off Calls Slider for unnecessary SIM (this will block outgoing and incoming calls, but will keep mobile internet access if it is turned on).
5. To completely disable both sliders (Mobile data and Calls)

The advantage of this method is speed. For example, if you temporarily want to turn off the working SIM on the weekend, two taps are enough. However, if you turn off the card, the card remains active at the system level (you can see it in Settings → About Phone → SIM- card status).

💡 Useful tip: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro) you can add separate switches for each SIM to the Quick Settings panel.

1. Open the full notification bar (push down twice).
2. Click on the pencil icon (Edit).
3. Find the SIM 1 and SIM 2 elements and drag them into the active area.

Method 3: Disable SIM through flight modes and network priorities

If standard methods don't work (e.g., the SIM disabler slider is locked), you can use the workaround via flight mode and network priority settings, which is useful for devices with non-standard firmware or after upgrades when the MIUI interface is not behaving properly.

Instructions:

1. Activate Flight Mode in the notification panel (aircraft icon).
2. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
3. Select the SIM- card to disable and go to Network Type.
4. Prioritize 2G Only (if you don’t have this option, select 3G Only).
5. Go back to the main settings menu of SIM and turn off the slider Enable SIM- card. Now it should work.
6. Turn off Flight Mode.

This method resets temporary blockages that may occur due to network conflicts, for example, if a SIM- card is registered on the 5G network and the coverage is unstable, the system may freeze when you try to disable it.

⚠️ Warning: For some operators (e.g. MTS or Beeline), forced switching to 2G/3G may result in temporary loss of network registration. If the SIM flight mode is not detected after the shutdown, restart the phone.

Features of disabling SIM on popular Xiaomi models

While the overall SIM disablement algorithm is the same for all Xiaomi devices, some models have unique nuances. Below is a table with features for popular lines:

If your model is not listed in the table, look for the MIUI version. To find out, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. For example, for the Xiaomi Mi 10T with MIUI 12.5 and Redmi K40 with MIUI 13, the instructions will be identical.

What to do if the SIM- card is not detected after disconnection

Sometimes, after a SIM- card is software-disabled, it is no longer defined by the system even after it is turned on again, which may be due to a modem malfunction, a IMEI conflict, or a firmware error. Here is the diagnostic and problem solving algorithm:

Check the physical condition of the SIM- card:

Remove and re-insert the SIM into the slot (by turning off the phone).

Clean the contacts of the card with a soft cloth (do not use alcohol or abrasives!).

If the slot is hybrid, make sure the memory card does not interfere with the SIM contacts.

2. Reset the network settings:

Go to Settings → SIM- Cards and Mobile Networks → Reset Network Settings.

- Confirm the reset and restart the phone.

Warning: This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords!

3. Check the IMEI:

Enter the dialer code *#06#.

If zeros or an error are displayed instead of IMEI, this indicates a modem firmware failure, the solution is to reflash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the official Xiaomi website).

Update the firmware:

- Outdated versions of the MIUI may contain bugs in working with SIM- cards. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

5. Check the operator lock:

Some operators (e.g. Tele2) block the SIM- card in case of prolonged inactivity.

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware (a slot or antenna module is damaged), in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center. On the phones with a guarantee, do not try to disassemble the device yourself, this will void warranty obligations.

💡

If the SIM- card is detected but does not catch the network, try manually selecting the operator. To do this, go to Settings → SIM- cards → Network Selection and turn off the option Automatically, then select your operator manually.

How to disable the SIM- card for always (without the possibility of turning on)

If you want to completely deactivate one of the SIM- cards so that it cannot be turned on accidentally (for example, for a child or to avoid unauthorized use), standard shutdown through settings will not be enough.

Method 1: Remove SIM profile (root required)

1. Install the SIM Manager app from Google Play (e.g. com.androguide.sim.manager).
2. Provide root access (the phone must be unlocked).
3. Select the unnecessary SIM and click Delete SIM Profile.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After that, the SIM- card will be defined as “unknown” and will not be able to connect to the network, even if it is physically removed and pasted back.

Method 2: Blocking through the developer settings

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in your phone settings).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option to disable the SIM- card (or Radio Power Off in English firmware).
4. Select an unnecessary SIM and confirm the shutdown.

This method does not remove the profile, but blocks access to the network at the modem level, and to get the SIM back to work, you will need to reset the network settings.

⚠️ Warning: Both methods can cause the phone to malfunction if executed incorrectly.We recommend backing up the data before experimenting. On phones with a locked bootloader (most official Xiaomi devices), getting root rights voids the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling SIM in Xiaomi