How to turn off the SIM in the Xiaomi phone without removing it

Modern Xiaomi smartphones and the MIUI shell offer users flexible communication management tools, allowing you to solve most tasks without physical interference with the device. Often there is a situation when you need to temporarily stop receiving calls or turn off mobile Internet, but there is no paper clip at hand to remove the tray, or the user is simply afraid of damaging the mechanical parts of the gadget. Fortunately, software methods allow you to completely deactivate the communication module in seconds through the system menu.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to disconnect. SIM-maps by software, ranging from standard interface settings to deeper methods of resetting network parameters. You will learn to manage each SIM card separately, block access to data and even completely reset network settings if standard methods do not give the desired result.

It is important to understand that software shutdown is not only convenient, but also safe for the device itself, as it eliminates the risk of damage to contacts or loss of miniature parts. We will look at the nuances of operation in different versions of the firmware and explain how to avoid common errors when setting up the network.

Management SIM-maps through the system menu

The most obvious and safe way to disable a SIM card on Xiaomi is to use the built-in shell functionality. MIUI. The developers have a handy switch that allows you to instantly break the connection with the cellular operator without having to restart the phone. SIM-You'll see here a list of all the cards that have been installed with active switches.

Once the slider is inactive, the system stops logging into the network of the selected operator. The phone can display the status "No Service" or the icon of the crossed-out SIM card in the status bar. This action is reversible and does not require any additional confirmation, except perhaps entering the PIN-Re-activation code, if such protection is established.

• 📱 Go to the Settings menu on the main screen.
• 📶 Select a section SIM-Maps and mobile networks for access to module management.
• 🔌 Find the right SIM card (SIM 1 SIM 2) and press the switch next to it.
• ✅ Confirm action if the system requests confirmation of service shutdown.

⚠️ Note: After the software disables the SIM card, incoming calls will be unavailable, and the caller will hear the signal "subscriber is unavailable" or "off", depending on the operator's settings.

It's worth noting that some versions of MIUI may have slightly different interfaces, but the logic remains the same. If you can't find a menu item, search by settings by typing in "SIM." This is a quick way to get to the desired section without navigating the menu for a long time.

Flight mode as an alternative to shutdown

If you want all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with cellular connectivity, then flight mode is the best solution, a technique that is often used by airline passengers, but it is also effective for quickly blocking all incoming signals. Activating Air Mode instantly silences all radio modules of the smartphone.

Unlike selectively disabling a SIM card, this is a global technique, but modern versions of Android and MIUI allow you to flexibly configure this mode. You can turn on air mode, and then manually activate Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, leaving the SIM card locked, creating a "digital detox" effect, leaving access to local phone functions.

To activate, swipe is enough to pull the notification curtain from top to bottom and click on the aircraft icon. → Connections and sharing. Once activated, the antenna icon in the status bar will disappear, changing to an image of an airplane.

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Use the shortcuts in the notification curtain to instantly turn on flight mode without going into the deep settings menu. This saves time and battery life.

If you need one SIM card to work and another to be disabled, this method won’t work – use the first method.

Resetting network settings for forced deactivation

In situations where the SIM card is stuck, not detected by the system, or not disabled by a standard switchboard, a more radical method may be needed: resetting the network settings. This procedure does not delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but returns all connection parameters to factory values. This effectively "turns off" the SIM card and causes the phone to re-initiate registration on the network.

To perform this operation, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. The system will warn you that the stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairs will be deleted. Once confirmed, the phone will restart the network modules.

This method is especially useful if you encounter a software glitch where the phone shows network presence but does not accept calls.Reset causes the Xiaomi modem to completely reconnect to the carrier base station, ignoring previous erroneous configurations.

Once reset, you will have to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and re-connect your smartwatch or headphones, but this will ensure that any software locks that interfere with the normal operation of the SIM card are eliminated.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics

For advanced users who want to access hidden radio module management features, there is a MIUI engineering menu, a hidden part of the system designed to test equipment, which allows you to signal and even force the network to switch modes, which indirectly affects the operation of the SIM card.

To enter the engineering menu, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##4636##. If the code didn't work, your firmware version or phone model may be restricting that access. From the menu that opens, select Phone Information.

Code for entry: ##4636##


Way: Phone → Phone Information → Network Selection Menu

Here you can see the "Turn off radio" option, which actually turns off the modem, which is analogous to flight mode, but at a deeper level, and you can also force a type of network (like LTE only), which can help if the SIM card is not working properly in mixed mode.

⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful in the engineering menu. Changing unknown settings can lead to unstable phone operation or complete loss of communication.

Using this method requires care. If you accidentally reset important calibration data, recovery can take a long time. Use this method only for diagnosis or if standard methods do not help to disable the SIM card.

Table of comparison of disconnection methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparative table that will help you quickly navigate depending on your specific situation and goals.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the standard settings menu is the best option, it is safe, fast and requires no special knowledge, and more complex methods should be used only in case of technical problems.

The method you choose depends on how deeply you want to interfere with the system, and the first one is enough for everyday use, and if the phone is acting strangely, try resetting the network.

Frequent problems and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the switch in the settings is inactive (shadowed by gray) or the SIM card spontaneously turns on after turning off. SIM-maps, contact contamination or software conflict.

If the switch doesn't work, try rebooting the phone. Often this solves the problem of a dead telecom control service. If the problem persists, remove the SIM card (if possible), wipe the contacts with a wipe or an alcohol wipe and insert back. Mechanical cleaning of contacts often works wonders.

• 🔄 Completely reboot your device to update your system processes.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of the "Phone" and "Settings" application through the application menu.
• 📟 Check the SIM card on another device to rule out physical breakdown.
• 🛡️ Make sure that the phone does not have third-party call management apps installed that can block system settings.

In rare cases, the problem may lie in updating the firmware MIUI. If after the update the system began to work incorrectly, it makes sense to reset the settings to factory (with a preliminary backup of data), this is guaranteed to eliminate any software errors.

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If the software methods don't work, the problem is probably physical. SIM-card with the operator or check the tray in the service center.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)