If you are traveling abroad or are in a region where your operator does not provide services at home? then the risk of unexpected mobile costs increases significantly. Roaming is an automatic connection to the networks of partner operators outside the coverage area of your main tariff, and without the right settings it can “eat” hundreds or even thousands of rubles in a few days. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones face an additional complexity: the branded shell MIUI is regularly updated, and the location of roaming settings can vary depending on version.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable roaming on the Redmi Note. 12/11/10, Redmi A2/A1, Redmi 13C/12C and other models – from basic settings in the menu SIM-maps to hidden options for power users, you will learn how to block roaming of data, calls and SMS separately, and what to do if the settings are reset after rebooting. MIUI «Travel mode, which helps to avoid accidental connections to foreign networks without completely disconnecting mobile communications.
Why is roaming on Xiaomi Redmi automatically turned on?
Many users are surprised to find that roaming has been activated without their knowledge, because of three key features of Xiaomi’s work:
- 🔄 Auto-connection to networks: By default MIUI It is set to maximum coverage, so the phone automatically clings to any available network, even if it is paid.
- 📶 Mobile Data Priority: If Wi-Fi is weak or turned off, the smartphone switches to mobile internet without warning about roaming.
- 🔄 Updates MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) roaming settings can be reset to factory.
In addition, some operators (e.g. MTS, Beeline, Tele2) include Auto-Waming as the default service in their tariffs, which means that your Redmi will connect to affiliate networks abroad automatically – even if you have not manually activated roaming. This can be checked in the operator’s personal account or through the USSD-command *111# (for MTS).
⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-cards, roaming can be activated on both at the same time, for example, one card will charge for the Internet, and the second for calls!
Method 1: Turning off roaming through settings SIM-map (MIUI 12–14)
It is the most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+, Redmi 10C and POCO X5. The instructions are relevant for the latest versions MIUI (14.0.5 and newer).
Steps:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or Mobile Network in older versions).
- Choose. SIM-card you want to disable roaming for (if you have two cards, repeat the steps for each card).
- Tap on the item Roaming (can be called data roaming or International roaming).
- Move the slider to the off position for all options: 📞 Voice roaming (calls) 💬 roaming SMS 🌐 Data roaming (Internet)
Data roaming for SIM-1 is turned off
Data roaming for SIM-2 is turned off (if any)
Roaming calls disabled
SMS disabled in roaming
Rebooted phone to apply settings-->
After the shutdown, we recommend restarting the phone, which will help to avoid crashes when the settings do not apply immediately. If after the reboot, roaming is activated again, proceed to Method 2.
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In some versions MIUI The roaming option is hidden behind "Advanced" or "Network settings." If you don't find it right away, try clicking on your name. SIM-maps at the top of the screen.
Method 2: Block roaming through the "In the plane" mode (emergency method)
If you're already abroad and you notice that roaming is activated and the Internet or calls are eating money, the fastest way to stop it is to turn on In-Air mode, which blocks all mobile communications, including roaming, but leaves you with Wi-Fi.
How it works:
- Pull the notification curtain down.
- Click on the icon "In the plane" (airplane).
- Wait 10-15 seconds until the connection is completely disconnected.
- Turn on Wi-Fi manually (if necessary).
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|---|
| Instantly blocks all types of roaming | Disables all mobile functions (calls, SMS, Internet) |
| It works on all Redmi models without exception. | You need to remember to turn on / off manually. |
| No need to access the settings | Not suitable if you need mobile internet (wi-fi only) |
⚠️ Note: If you turn on In-Air mode after roaming has already been activated, the operator may charge you for connecting to the network!
Method 3: Using Travel Mode in MIUI (Hidden Function)
Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has introduced a unique feature called Travel Mode, which is designed specifically for traveling abroad and allows you to:
- 🚫 Automatically disable data roaming when connecting to foreign networks.
- 📵 Block background use of mobile Internet applications.
- 🔔 Warning about high communication tariffs.
How to turn on:
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Scroll down and select Travel Mode (in some firmware, the item is called Roaming Protection).
- Activate the slider and adjust the parameters: 🔘 Block data roaming – disable mobile Internet abroad. 🔘 Limit background traffic – prevents apps from using data without your knowledge. 🔘 Notify about roaming connection – shows a pop-up window when entering a foreign network.
What to do if there is no “Travel Mode”?
This is especially useful if you travel frequently and don’t want to manually check your settings every time, but note that Travel Mode doesn’t block calls and SMS — use Method 1 to disable them.
1-2 times a year
3-5 times a year
More often than 5 times a year
Not traveling.-->
Method 4: Turning off roaming through USSD-operator
If the settings on the phone do not help, the problem may be on the operator's side. Many Russian providers (for example, MegaFon, Beeline, Yota) include roaming by default. USSD-team:
| Operator. | Team to turn off roaming | Team for status check |
|---|---|---|
| MTS | *111*777# → challenge | *111*0887# |
| Beeline | *110*777# → challenge | *102# |
| MegaFon | *105*466# → challenge | *105*466*0# |
| Tele2. | *155*1# → challenge | *155*0# |
After sending the command, you will receive SMS Importantly, these settings are at the level of the SIM-cards, so roaming will not turn on even after resetting the phone to factory settings.
⚠️ Note: Some operators (e.g. Yota or Tinkoff Mobile) do not support USSD-roaming teams, in which case, disable the service through your personal account on the site or in the mobile application.
Method 5: Completely lock mobile communications through the engineering menu (for experienced)
If standard methods fail, you can use the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for advanced users and allows you to completely block the connection to foreign networks at the hardware level.
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.
- Choose LTE only or WCDMA only (this will limit network search to home carriers only).
- Go back and go to Disable Roaming (if you have one).
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect settings in the engineering menu can lead to network loss or modem failures. If you are not sure, do not change the settings that you do not understand!
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The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous. Use it only if other ways haven't worked, and you understand the implications of change.
Additional measures: how to avoid accidental roaming
Even after turning off roaming, there's a risk that it's activated again. Here's how to avoid it:
- 🔒 Set the password to the settings: MIUI You can block access to the menu. SIM-maps through settings → Password and security → Application lockdown.
- 📴 Turn off automatic network selection: Go to Settings → Mobile network → Select a network and select Manual, so the phone won't connect to the first network you see.
- 🛡️ Use it. VPN Traffic-blocking: Apps like 1.1.1.1 or AdGuard can block background usage of mobile data.
- 📱 Check the notifications: MIUI It shows a pop-up when you connect to roaming. Don't ignore it!
If you travel frequently, consider buying a local one. SIM-For example, in Europe, virtual operators like Airalo or Holafly are popular, which offer inexpensive Internet without roaming.