How to turn off roaming on Xiaomi Redmi: a step-by-step guide

Traveling abroad is always a matter of staying connected, but mobile bills can come as a surprise when they return home. Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to quickly limit background data or completely block connections to other networks. Understanding how the mechanism works to connect to foreign carriers will help avoid the accidental cost of communication services.

Modern devices based on the Android operating system with a shell MIUI or HyperOS has flexible settings to control every aspect of networking, but menus are sometimes hidden in obscure places, especially when using two different types of devices. SIM-In this article, we will discuss all available ways to block roaming, from standard switches to hidden engineering codes.

Before setting up, it’s important to be aware of the difference between voice roaming and data. Disabling one setting doesn’t always guarantee blocking the other, which can lead to unexpected charges. Properly setting up your phone before you fly out is the only way to ensure your budget doesn’t suffer from automatic app updates or cloud services synchronization.

Basic settings through the menu SIM-map

The easiest and most reliable way to manage network connections is through the main settings menu. Xiaomi groupes communication options into a separate section that doesn't require deep immersion into the technical wilds. First, you need to open the main menu and find the wireless networking item.

Go to the Settings section → SIM-You'll see a list of all the SIM cards installed on your device here. If you have a dual-card model, make sure you're setting the one that's used for the Internet or voice overseas. SIM-maps to expand its detailed parameters.

In the menu that opens, find a switch that says data roaming, which is the key to enabling your phone to connect to the Internet via a foreign network, put the slider in an inactive position, and the system may issue a warning that turning off this feature will make it impossible to use mobile Internet outside the home network.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling roaming data in the menu does not block incoming and outgoing calls. Voice may remain active unless the shared roaming switch is disabled or operator codes are used.

For a full guarantee of savings, it is also recommended to check the settings of the preferred network type. Sometimes the phone tries to find a 4G or 5G network, which can provoke an attempt to register in roaming even when the Internet is turned off. Switch network mode to 2G Only (GSM) or 3G Preference if you are in coverage area, but want to minimize the risks.

Roaming management for two SIM-map

Owners of smartphones Redmi Note and flagship Xiaomi series often use two SIM-This creates additional complexity, because the settings for each card can be duplicated or conflicted, and it is important to clearly distinguish between which card is the main one for data and which is the main one for calls.

Settings menu → SIM-Note the default settings block for maps and mobile networks, which shows which card is used for data transfer and which card is used for calls, if you plan to use a local SIM card for the Internet, and leave the Russian one only for receiving. SMS, Roaming settings should be applied differentiatedly.

For the main card (Russian) be sure to turn off data roaming, as described above. For the second card (local), on the contrary, turn on data roaming if it is not in the current country of residence, or leave on if you bought a SIM card of the host country.

• 📱 Make sure that the correct option is selected in the "Mobile Internet" SIM-map.
• 📞 Check which card is installed for voice calls by default.
• 💾 Turn off the Roaming Assistance feature if it is active in additional settings.
• 🔄 Restart the device after changing settings to apply the changes.

Special attention should be paid to the function "Assistance in roaming", which allows the phone to automatically switch to another. SIM-If the main card cannot provide a connection, this "help" can be very expensive in the conditions of a foreign trip, since the phone will start using the second card for data transfer in roaming.

Use of the USSD-operator codes and commands

The settings of the smartphone itself are only one side of the coin. Roaming services are provided by your mobile operator, and it is the mobile operator who has the priority right to allow or deny connection. Even if everything is turned off on the phone, but on the operator's side the service is active, the risk of accidental connection remains.

For full confidence, you need to use USSD-These are special codes that are sent directly to the operator's server, and they work even when there's no Internet, and they often have higher priority than the settings in the phone's menu.

For example, for many operators, there are codes like *105*005# or *111*58#. The exact combination of characters should be specified on your operator's official website or in the application of your personal account before traveling.

Examples of commands (check with your operator):


MTS: *111*8# (service management)




Beeline: *110*09# (Roaming Internet shutdown)




Megaphone: *105# (service menu)




Tele2: *153# (roaming status)

After entering the code, you will receive SMS-Confirmation of service disconnection: Save these messages for the rest of your trip, and call the operator's support team to make sure your number is free of hidden subscriptions that are activated when you travel abroad.

⚠️ Attention: USSD-Codes can be changed by operators. Always check the relevance of commands on the official website or in the support chat before using the code.

Restriction of background data transmission

Even with data roaming turned off, some Xiaomi system applications may try to synchronize data whenever a signal appears. To exclude any background processes, you need to set restrictions for specific applications and system services.

Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find heavy apps like Google Photos, Instagram, Telegram or WhatsApp. Open the settings for each and find Save Traffic or Use Data.

In this section, you can prevent the app from using the mobile network completely or allow only background transmission over Wi-Fi. For travel, the best option is a complete ban on the use of mobile data for all applications except mission-critical ones.

Also, disable autoplay of videos on social networks and instant messengers, this will prevent accidental traffic consumption if you forget to switch to Wi-Fi. In the YouTube and VK settings, find the appropriate points and select "Only via Wi-Fi".

Flight mode and alternative methods

The most radical but effective way to avoid any expense is flight mode, but it also has its own nuances in the context of roaming, which cuts all connections to cell towers, making the phone unavailable for calls and SMS.

Xiaomi owners can use flexible flight mode settings. Press the flight mode icon in the notification curtain to open the extended menu. Here you can only turn off cellular communication, leaving Bluetooth or Wi-Fi on. This will allow you to use wireless headphones and Internet in the hotel without the risk of connecting to local operators.

If you have to take an important call, but you're afraid of missing it in normal mode, you can use a forwarding. Set up a forwarding for all calls to voicemail or another number before departure. Then, even if the phone is in flight mode, the calling person will be able to leave a message.

Do Not Disturb in conjunction with network restrictions is another useful link: it does not technically block roaming, but saves from the sound of advertising SMS from local operators, who often come immediately after crossing the border.

Table of comparison of disconnection methods

To make it easier to choose the best way to protect against unnecessary costs, we have brought the basic methods into a comparative table, which will help you quickly assess the pros and cons of each option depending on your goals.

As you can see from the table, the software methods in the phone menu protect mainly from the Internet. For comprehensive protection, it is better to combine methods: disable roaming in the settings and duplicate the ban with the operator's code.

💡

Combination of disabling data roaming in the phone menu and blocking the service on the operator’s side via USSD-The code provides maximum financial security.

Frequent Questions and Challenges (FAQ)

Remember: the most reliable way to avoid costs is to completely disable data transfer in roaming in the combined phone menu with the operator’s service blocking.