Mobile management on Xiaomi smartphones often requires fine-tuning, especially when it comes to temporary deactivation. SIM-Users are faced with the need to turn off a particular slot for various reasons, from saving battery power in the area of poor reception to switching to flight mode for one of the communication lines. Unlike simple tray extraction, software shutdown allows you to save contacts and settings without violating the physical integrity of the device.
The MIUI or HyperOS shell interface provides flexible tools for networking modules. You can completely turn off voice calls and mobile internet on your selected SIM, leaving the second one active for calls, especially for dual-sim model owners, where one number is used only for work purposes and the second one is used for personal contacts.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for deactivating a SIM card, and we will look at standard system settings, hidden engineering menus, and alternative ways to manage your network, and understanding these processes will help you effectively control costs and optimize your smartphone.
Standard Deactivation through System Settings
The safest and most recommended way to disable a SIM card is to use a regular settings menu, which does not require root rights or third-party software. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same for all devices of the brand.
You'll need to go to the main settings menu first, and the gear icon is usually located on the desktop or in the notification curtain, and find the wireless section. In newer versions of Android, it might be called the "wireless" partition «SIM-Maps and mobile networks or simply “Mobile Network».
- 📱 Open the settings and select the item «SIM-maps and mobile networks».
- 🔌 Find the switch opposite the desired SIM card (SIM 1 SIM 2).
- 🚫 Transfer the slider to the "Off" position for complete deactivation.
Once the slider is turned off, the system can warn you that mobile Internet and voice communication on this number will become unavailable. Confirm action. Now the network icon for the selected operator has disappeared in the status bar, but the second SIM card will continue to work normally.
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If you plan to not use the SIM card for a long time, but do not want to take it out, it is better to completely disable it in the settings so that the phone does not waste battery life on constant network search in conditions of a weak signal.
Set priorities and 4G mode
Often, the question of “how to turn off the SIM” is meant to limit its functionality, for example, to prohibit the use of mobile Internet, leaving the ability to take calls, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this is solved through the choice of the default card for data transfer.
In the control menu SIM-There's a section called "Use the mobile network" that you choose to choose which number will be responsible for data traffic, and if you choose "Do Not Use" for the second SIM or just don't assign it to the main one for the Internet, it will only work in the mode. 2G/3G for calls and SMS, which will significantly reduce energy consumption.
| Parameter | Description of function | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Voice communications | Allows incoming and outgoing calls | Low. |
| Mobile data | Provides Internet access through the operator | High. |
| 4G/LTE mode | High-speed networking | Medium/High |
You also need to pay attention to network type settings, which, if you go into the advanced settings of a particular slot, you can force 2G Only (GSM) mode to be set, effectively turning off fast internet, leaving the SIM card active only for basic communication, an approach that is useful when traveling to avoid accidentally connecting to expensive roaming networks.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users
For those who are looking for deep control of a radio module, there is an engineering menu that is designed for developers and testers, so it requires caution, and it allows you to completely disable the radio interface for a particular slot, which is equivalent to physically extracting a card, but it is software-based.
To get into this menu, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##4636##. If the code doesn't work, your firmware version may be blocking access and you'll need to install a special activator app. From the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu can lead to unstable network operation or complete loss of signal.
In the phone information section, find the drop-down list “Install preferred network type.” To completely disable communication, you often use the “Turn off radio” or similar mode if it is available in your version of Android. However, a safer method is to use the command via ADB, which will be discussed below.
What to do if the menu does not open?
Disabling the SIM card through ADB-team
The most reliable way to programmatically pull out a SIM card without physical intervention is by using USB debugging and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) utility, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, and allows you to send system commands that control the state of the slots at the driver level.
First, activate the developer mode, and then seven times click on the build number in the About Phone section, then turn on the USB debugging menu in the Developer menu, connect the phone to your PC, and authorize the connection on your smartphone screen.
adb shell svc sim statusThis command will show the current status of the SIM card. To turn off a particular slot, the disable command is used. For example, to disable a second SIM card, the command will look like this:
adb shell svc sim disable 2The enable command with the corresponding slot number is used to turn it back on, and the good thing about this is that it doesn't require root rights and works on most devices, but after a full reboot of the phone, the settings can reset and the SIM card is activated again.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB computer.
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone with a cable and select the mode "File Transfer».
- ⌨️ Enter a command in the terminal to control the state of the slot.
Flight mode and control of individual modules
Sometimes users need to temporarily block all connections. Standard Flight Mode shuts down all radio modules at once. However, Xiaomi with the MIUI shell has flexible control. With the flight mode icon in the curtain, you can see a detailed menu.
You can only turn off Wi-Fi or only Mobile Internet, leaving voice active, and if your goal is to turn off the SIM card, but leave the Wi-Fi, then flight mode will not work, because it jams everything, in which case you would better use the method described in the first section, or create automation.
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Flight mode is a "heavy artillery" that shuts down all radio frequencies. Use settings to selectively disable the SIM card. SIM-management.
There is also the ability to quickly adjust through scripts, so you can create a rule in the Security app or through third-party automatizers: "If I'm in a certain place (geozona), turn off SIM 2." This is useful for office workers who want to ignore personal calls during working hours.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
When trying to disable a SIM card, users may encounter a number of typical problems, such as the slider in the settings may be inactive (shadowed in gray). PIN-code and the system is waiting for it to be entered, or if the network is loading.
Another common situation is that the phone willfully turns on the SIM card after the reboot. This is the normal behavior of Android: the system seeks to ensure maximum connectivity. To avoid this, use automation scenarios or leave the SIM card in the slot, but forbid it from using data.
⚠️ Note: If the SIM card appears as “Unknown” or “No” after trying to turn on, try clearing the phone app cache or re-registering the device on the network through the settings menu.
In rare cases, the problem lies in physical contact. If the software shutdown works but the switching on causes malfunctions, perhaps the contacts in the tray have oxidized, wipe them with a soft cloth or replace the SIM card itself with the operator.