How to turn off roaming on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Traveling abroad for vacation or business trips often involves the desire to stay connected, but many Xiaomi smartphone users face the unpleasant surprise of huge bills from the operator. Automatic connection to overseas networks can cost a fortune if you do not take steps in advance.

With MIUI and the new HyperOS, settings may not be obvious, and some features, such as automatic network switching, require detailed attention. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the nuances of mobile data management abroad to keep your budget safe.

You will learn not only to block paid connections, but also to properly configure access points so that you can use the Internet through local SIM cards or Wi-Fi if necessary without the risk of accidentally connecting to expensive traffic.

The main methods of blocking paid connections

The fastest way to protect yourself from debiting is to use a notification curtain, a universal method that works on all Xiaomi and Redmi firmware versions, and just swipe down the screen to open the quick access bar and find the mobile Internet icon.

However, simply turning off data transmissions does not always guarantee full protection, as background processes can initiate a connection when a location changes, so it is recommended to combine this method with deeper settings in the device menu.

• 📱 Open the swipe control panel down.
• 🚫 Find the Mobile Internet icon and click on it to turn grey.
• 🔒 Make sure the data roaming icon is also deactivated (turned off).

It is important to understand the difference between voice roaming and data transmission: voice calls are charged separately, and blocking them requires other actions, often related to the services of the carrier itself, and for the Internet, it is critical to manage the settings of the smartphone.

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If you don’t plan to use the internet at all, the easiest way to do this is to turn on Flight Mode and then only activate Wi-Fi, which guarantees you have 100% no background connections to your cell towers.

Some users prefer to use third-party apps to control traffic, but the built-in Android tools in conjunction with the MIUI shell provide sufficient functionality for reliable protection.

Deep customization through the menu SIM-map

For more detailed control, you need to go to system settings, which allows you to manage each SIM card separately, which is especially true for dual-symbol devices, which are popular among Xiaomi owners, and you can set the rules of conduct for each communication line individually.

Go to the settings section, select a paragraph «SIM-This is where the key switches that are responsible for global connectivity to overseas carriers are hidden. The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version.

Note the “Always Online” or similar wording in the advanced settings, which allows the phone to log in to the available networks even when there is no signal from the home operator, which is equivalent to automatically turning on roaming abroad.

⚠️ Warning: Turning on the option "Roaming Data Transfer" in this menu allows the phone to use the Internet abroad. Make sure you have the appropriate tariff with the operator, otherwise the bill can grow by thousands of rubles in a few minutes.

If you use two SIM cards, one for calls and the other for the Internet, set their priorities in advance. SIM slots can affect switching speed, so it is better to prioritize the main card for voice communication, and the Internet card (or its absence in roaming) to adjust accordingly.

Managing APN Access Points for Full Control

APN (Access Point Name) access points are the gateways through which your phone connects to the carrier's internet. Removing or editing these settings is a radical but effective way to deny access to the network, even if the data sliders were accidentally activated.

To get into this section, you need to go to the menu. SIM-maps, select an active SIM and find the item "Access points (APN)». Here is a list of profiles used to connect to 3G, 4G and 5G network.

You can create a new access point with the wrong settings and choose it by default, or you can simply not save changes when you try to automatically update your profile when you go abroad, which will create a technical barrier to transfer data packets.

Using the wrong APN settings ensures that the phone can’t establish a full internet connection even if you forget to turn off the mobile data slider, a kind of “fuse” for forgetful travelers.

Specifics of work in HyperOS and MIUI 14 mode

Newer versions of Xiaomi’s shell introduce changes to the logs of network modules. In HyperOS, energy-saving algorithms can more aggressively manage network connections, sometimes leading to unpredictable behavior when changing geolocation.

The system can try to “improve” the connection by automatically switching to available networks that turn out to be roaming. SIM-Cards or similar service utilities.

• 🔄 Check for system updates before your trip to rule out bugs.
• 📶 Turn off the Network Acceleration function in advanced settings.
• 🌐 In the browser settings, prohibit the use of mobile data for background download.

The owners of flagship models should also check the settings of 5G. Search for fifth-generation networks abroad can occur more actively than in the home region, which also contributes to rapid battery discharge and potential connections.

The settings interface in HyperOS has become more minimal, so some items could be moved to the "Advanced" subsection. Carefully study all tabs in the mobile network menu to avoid missing hidden switches.

Alternative ways to save traffic

If you still need internet on a trip but want to avoid roaming, consider using virtual operators or local SIM cards. Xiaomi's modern smartphones are great at quickly changing profiles.

One of the most effective ways is to use eSIM, which allows you to upload a local operator profile without having to search for a phone and change a physical plastic card, which is especially convenient for short-term trips.

Also, do not forget about the possibilities of Wi-Fi. With disabled data roaming, you can safely use instant messengers and mail in wireless access zones, without fear of the balance of the main SIM card account.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to open Wi-Fi networks at airports and hotels, use the VPN.Networks are often not secure and your personal data may be intercepted by attackers.

Some carriers offer special "Unlimited Roaming" options or packages for travelers. Before disabling features on the phone, it makes sense to check the tariff plan, perhaps it is more profitable to buy a package than to be completely without communication.

Frequent problems and their solution

Even after disabling all settings, users sometimes experience situations where the phone continues to show an “R” or “4G+” icon with an asterisk.This could mean that the phone has registered online to receive SMS, which is usually free but requires confirmation.

If the icon doesn't disappear, try rebooting your device in flight mode. Sometimes the network module sticks to the previous tower. Also helps is manual network sampling: go to settings, select Operators and turn off automatic search, then manually select your home carrier (if available), or leave the list blank.

In rare cases, resetting network settings helps, which will return all connection settings to factory values by removing stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but often solves problems with the SIM card’s “glitch”.

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A complete reset of network settings is a last resort that eliminates programming conflicts of the communication module, but requires reconfiguration of all connections.

If the problem persists, contact your operator's support service, possibly the roaming service is activated on the provider's side and requires a forced disconnection through your personal account or a call to the operator.