How to make an electronic SIM on Xiaomi: a guide

eSIM is rapidly gaining popularity, allowing the transition from physical plastic cards to digital profiles. For Xiaomi smartphone owners, this opens up new opportunities for communication management, allowing you to store multiple numbers simultaneously without having to carry bulky adapters or search for a paper clip for a tray. The introduction of eSIM technology in the Chinese brand devices is gradual, covering more flagship and mid-budget models.

The process of activating a digital subscriber on devices of this brand has its own nuances associated with the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. The user needs to take into account not only software support, but also regional features of the firmware, as well as the readiness of the mobile operator to provide appropriate services. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to make an electronic SIM on Xiaomi, check the compatibility of your gadget and go through all the stages of configuration.

Special attention should be paid to the preparation before the procedure, since a stable Internet connection and correctly entered data are the key to successful registration of a profile on the network. Without an active connection to Wi-Fi or a mobile network, eSIM activation is impossible, since the profile must be downloaded from the operator's server. Let's consider what steps you need to take to switch to a digital communication format.

Verification of compatibility of the smartphone model

The first and most critical step is to accurately determine the model of your device. Not all Xiaomi smartphones, even released in recent years, are equipped with an integrated eSIM module. Often users confuse the presence of two physical slots with support for virtual profiles, so it is important to visually inspect the tray or consult the specification on the official website.

Support for the technology is typically available in flagship lines such as the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14, Mi 11 series, and some of the latest generation Redmi Note series models designed for the global market. The Chinese versions of devices (CN Version) may have software limitations, even if the hardware is technically ready to go, which requires a global firmware update.

To quickly check, you can use a special engineering code that displays information about support for communication standards. Enter the phone application combination ##4636## and go to the phone information section. If the list of supported networks or the model description mentions ISIM or eSIM, then your gadget is ready to go.

• 📱 Xiaomi’s flagship series (12, 13, 14, 15) most often have built-in support.
• 🌍 Global versions of firmware (Global) ROM) Priority for activation of eSIM.
• 🔍 Engineering menu helps to reveal hidden module support.
• 📦 SIM card tray may have eSIM marking next to contacts.

Preparation for activation and receipt QR-code

Before you start setting up inside the smartphone menu, you need to get a profile from your mobile operator. Most large operators allow you to order the eSIM service through your personal account on the website or in the company application. QR-code that contains encrypted data for activation.

It is important to keep this QR-code in a safe place, preferably by taking a screenshot or saving an image in a gallery if the scan is from another device. Some operators may also issue an activation code in a text format that can be entered manually if the camera is not reading the image. Make sure you have stable internet access at the time of the procedure.

⚠️ Attention: QR-If you accidentally delete the profile or scan the code twice, re-activation will require contacting the salon or operator support to issue a new code.

If you plan to activate a SIM card on a device that already has another active SIM, make sure it doesn't block the sign-up process.In some cases, it's recommended to temporarily disable data transfer on the physical card so that the phone uses Wi-Fi to upload the profile.

Step-by-step instructions for adding a profile

The process of adding a new profile on shell devices MIUI or HyperOS is standardized, but menu item names may vary slightly depending on the Android version. Open the Settings app and find the section"SIM-Maps and mobile networks. This is where the key option for virtual number management is located.

Inside the menu, select "Add tariff" or "Add eSIM." The system will offer you two options: scan. QR-You can use the camera to code, or you can manually enter the activation data. Select the scan, point the camera at the operator's pre-prepared code, and wait until the readout is complete.

Once the scan is successful, the profile loading process will begin, the progress indicator will appear on the screen, and then a request for confirmation of activation will appear, you may need to enter a confirmation code if the operator uses two-factor authorization, or simply click the Activate button.

Settings → SIM- cards and mobile networks → Add tariff → Scan QR- code

When the phone is done, it automatically identifies a new number and assigns it a name, such as "eSIM 1" or the carrier name, and you can set your preferences for that number to choose for voice calls, mobile Internet, or SMS by default.

• 📸 When scanning, keep your phone still at a distance. 10-15 code-wise.
• 📶 Do not switch between apps while downloading your profile.
• 🔄 If the scan fails, try to increase the brightness of the screen.
• 💾 Save a backup of contacts with forward changes.

Setting priorities and working regimes

Once a profile is successfully installed, the user is faced with the issue of effectively managing two or more numbers. SIM-You can use these cards to set usage scenarios, for example, you can leave your primary physical SIM card for calls, and you can send all mobile traffic through eSIM if it has a better data plan.

Xiaomi’s shell allows you to flexibly adjust your phone’s behavior when incoming calls. You can turn on the “Always Ask” feature if you don’t want the second number to distract you during business hours, or set up a redirect. You can also quickly switch between profiles right from the notification curtain.

Special attention should be paid to roaming settings. If you use eSIM for travel, be sure to turn on the option "Data Roaming" for this profile, otherwise the Internet will not work even if the network is caught. For the main SIM card on trips, on the contrary, it is better to turn off data transmission to avoid unnecessary write-offs.

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Use desktop widgets to quickly switch between SIM cards, which is more convenient than going into the deep menu settings every time.

Addressing common problems

Despite the smooth process, users may experience activation errors, and one of the most common problems is the message “eSIM failed to activate” or endless waiting for a profile to load, most of which is due to an unstable Internet connection or the blocking of activation servers by an antivirus.

Conflicts are also possible if the phone has already set the maximum number of profiles (usually before the phone is used). 5-8), Even if only one is active, you need to delete old, unused profiles from the device's memory through the control menu. SIM-Cleaning the Settings app cache sometimes helps reset the stalled installation process.

⚠️ Note: If an error occurs when you attempt to activate"SIM-The card is locked or "wrong code," don't try to guess the code endlessly. Three incorrect inputs can block the profile permanently, and then only reissue from the operator will help.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the regional binding of the device. Smartphones purchased in China may not support the profiles of European or American carriers on global firmware without additional patching. Check the list of supported frequencies and operators for your particular model on the Xiaomi community forum.

• 🌐 Check if it's on. VPN, which can block the operator's server.
• 🗑️ Remove old unused eSIM profiles from memory.
• 🔄 Restart the device before you try again.
• 📡 Make sure the date and time are set automatically.

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Most activation errors are solved by simply restarting your smartphone or switching from mobile to stable Wi-Fi.

Security and Profile Deletion

Virtual SIMs require the same security considerations as physical ones. Since eSIM is tied to the device, when selling a phone or transferring it to another person, be sure to delete the profile. This is done through the settings menu, where you can select a specific tariff and click "Delete profile".

When you delete the profile, it is erased from the memory of the phone irrevocably. You can't restore it with a simple copy - you need a new one. QR-So if you're planning to temporarily turn off the number, you better use the "Disable" function, not the "Delete" function, which will allow you to quickly return the number to work without visiting the salon.

To protect against data theft, modern Xiaomi smartphones require unlocking the screen or confirmation via Face ID/Fingerprint before making changes to settings SIM-Do not neglect this protection and set a strong pin code to lock the screen.

Check your operator’s active connection list regularly. If you notice activity from an unfamiliar device or suspicious write-offs, immediately block eSIM through support. A digital SIM card is a handy but attention-seeking tool in the modern user’s arsenal.