How to turn off SIM-Default card on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

On Xiaomi smartphones with two physical slots or eSIM support, users often face a problem: the system automatically selects the right one. SIM-default card, SMS It's a problem if you want to manually control which SIM is used for a particular task, like separating work and personal contacts, or saving traffic on a particular map.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disconnect. SIM-Default cards on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO steerable MIUI 12-14. You'll learn how to:

• 🔹 Remove priority SIM in call and internet settings;
• 🔹 Disable automatic selection for SMS mobile data;
• 🔹 Set up an eSIM if your smartphone supports it;
• 🔹 Solve typical problems when settings are not saved.

Important: The procedure may vary slightly depending on the version MIUI and smartphone models (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12 have the same menu paths, but the design is different) If your device runs Android One (like Mi). A3), The instructions will be different – we will also tell you about this below.

Why Xiaomi is Automatically Choosing SIM-default-card?

Automatic appointment function SIM-The default card appears in MIUI To make it easier to work with two SIMs, the system analyzes:

• 📞 Call frequency – if you make more calls from one SIM, it becomes a priority;
• 📶 Network quality – if the signal is more stable on one card, MIUI It can be used to switch the mobile internet;
• 💳 Operator tariff – some firmware takes into account whether there is unlimited traffic or cheap minutes.

But this smart algorithm often doesn't work properly.

• 🚫 The system can ignore your manual settings after restarting;
• 🚫 Update MIUI resetting the priorities of sims;
• 🚫 In some models (for example, POCO F4) Automatic selection for mobile data cannot be disabled.

Fortunately, in most cases, you can solve the problem through standard settings, and below are step-by-step instructions for different scenarios.

Method 1: Disconnection SIM-Default cards for calls and SMS

If your Xiaomi automatically selects a SIM for outbound calls or messages, follow these steps:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks (on some models - settings) SIM-map).
4. Slip on the item Voice calls or calls.
5. In the section SIM-Default card select Ask each time (or Ask depending on version) MIUI).
6. Repeat steps 4-5 for the message point (SMS).

Check that both SIM-Cards are active (no "no network" icon")

Make sure your smartphone has enough charge (minimum 20%)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

Take a screenshot of the current settings in case of resetting-->

After these actions, the system will request a selection of SIM at each call or send. SMS. If you do not have the option to request each time, then your version is MIUI Does not support this function – try alternative methods in the following sections.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Xiaomi 11T) After resetting the SIM settings, the default SIM can come back, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure or install custom firmware with advanced settings.

Method 2: Setting up mobile internet (4G/5G)

If Xiaomi automatically connects mobile Internet through the wrong SIM, you can fix this in two ways:

Option A: Through settings SIM-map

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-The map you want to make the main one for the Internet.
3. Activate the Mobile Data (or Data Transfer) switch.
4. For the second SIM, turn off the same switch.

Option B: Through the notification panel

Quick way to switch:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Press and hold the Mobile Data icon (usually next to the network indicator).
3. In the menu that opens, select the desired SIM-map.

If after these manipulations the smartphone still connects to the Internet through the wrong SIM, try resetting the network settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN).

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If you have Xiaomi with support 5G, check what's needed SIM-The map is set as the main one for high-speed Internet. → SIM-map → Preferred network type and select 5G primacy.

Method 3: Working with eSIM on Xiaomi

If your smartphone supports eSIM (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro, Xiaomi) 12S Ultra or POCO F4 GT), SIM priority setting has its own nuances. Here's how to turn off automatic selection:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → eSIM.
2. Select your virtual SIM from the list.
3. Tap on Settings SIM-map.
4. In the priority section, set: 📞 For calls: Request or Never; 📶 For mobile data: Disabled (unless you use).

Features of working with eSIM on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Not all operators support eSIM in Russia and CIS (check the list on your provider’s website);
• 📱 Only one eSIM can be activated on a single device. + physical SIM (Two eSIMs on some models);
• 🔧 To reset eSIM settings, you will need to delete the profile and install it again.

⚠️ Note: When you delete your eSIM profile, all SIM data (including number) will be lost. QR-activation code or contact the operator for a new.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the standard settings MIUI You can't turn off the automatic SIM selection, you can use third-party utilities:

1. Dual Apps (built-in in the app) MIUI)

This method is suitable if you want to link certain applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) to a specific application. SIM-map:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Dual Apps
2. Select the application for which you want to set the SIM (for example, Messenger).
3. Click Create a clone and select SIM-map.

Annex 2. SIM Manager (from Google Play)

The utility allows:

• 🔹 Flexibly adjust the rules for choosing a SIM for different contacts;
• 🔹 Block automatic selection MIUI;
• 🔹 Keep statistics on the use of each card.

You can download it from the link: SIM Manager in Google Play.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users sometimes experience problems.

1.Settings reset after MIUI update

This is a common problem on firmware. MIUI Global Stable. Solutions:

• 🔄 Go to the weekly firmware (MIUI Beta, where bugs are fixed faster;
• 📱 Make a backup of settings through Settings → My device. → Backup;
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-commands for compulsory assignment of priority (see the following section).

2. the mobile Internet does not work on the second SIM-map

Check it out.

• 📶 APN-settings (path: Settings) → SIM-map → [choose SIM] → Access points (APN));
• 💳 Balance and tariff of the operator (possibly the data transfer is blocked on the card);
• 📱 Network mode (try manually installing only) LTE or 3G).

3. Impossible to disconnect SIM-default-card SMS

In some models (for example, POCO X3 Pro) Request each time for SMS No bypass:

1. Install Google Messages from the Play Market
2. In the settings of the messenger, select SIM-default-card → Request;
3. Make Google Messages an app for SMS default.

Advanced Methods: ADB and Engineering Menu

If the standard methods do not help, you can use hidden settings through ADB Or engineering menus, and these are the methods that are suitable for power users.

Method 1: ADB-command SIM-map

Before we start:

• 🔹 Install. ADB Tools on PC;
• 🔹 Put the debugging on. USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB);
• 🔹 Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust.

Teams for SIM control:

# View the list of SIM- cards (slotIndex – slot number)


adb shell service call telephony 19 i32 0




Set SIM- default card for calls (e.g. slot 1)



adb shell settings put global multi_sim_voice_call_subscription 1




Set SIM- the default card for SMS (slot 0)



adb shell settings put global multi_sim_sms_subscription 0




Disable Automatic Selection for Mobile Data



adb shell settings put global multi_sim_data_call_subscription -1

Method 2: Engineering menu (only for power users!)

⚠️ Warning: Mistakes in the engineering menu can result in network loss or reset IMEI.

To open the menu:

1. Type on the phone keyboard: ##4636##
2. Go to the section Information about the phone;
3. Scroll down to the block. SIM Information;
4. You can manually disable priority for each SIM by changing the Set default settings. SIM.

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If you are not sure about your actions, it is better not to use the engineering menu. Setting errors can cause the smartphone to stop catching the network, and you will need to flash it to restore it.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions