How to turn on roaming on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Traveling abroad by car or plane is always accompanied by the expectation of new experiences, but for many smartphone users it is also a moment of truth when the question of connection arises.

Owners of Xiaomi devices running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, often face the need to quickly configure access to mobile Internet and voice communication in a foreign country.

Proper activation of this function allows you to stay in touch with your family and use the navigator without extra costs, if the tariff is selected correctly.

Modern smartphones of the Chinese manufacturer have flexible network settings, which by default can block connection to foreign towers in order to save charge or prevent accidental spending.

For mobile roaming to work properly, it is not enough to fly to another country; you need to manually allow the phone to search for alternative networks.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you avoid the situation “out of the network coverage zone”.

Preparation of SIM-card and fare before departure

Before you deal with smartphone menu settings, it is critically important to make sure your SIM-The card is technically ready to work abroad.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply turn on the slider in the phone settings, forgetting that the service itself must be activated on the operator side.

Without pre-connecting the tariff plan or the option of roaming on the operator side, the phone will see the network, but will not be able to register in them.

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Check your main account balance before departure, as roaming often requires a positive balance even when packet minutes are available.

Note the following steps to follow at home while you have stable Wi-Fi:

• 📞 Call your operator’s support team or use your mobile app to check the status of the service.
• 🌍 Make sure your host country is within the range of your fare or affiliate networks.
• 💳 Check if you have an automatic blocking of paid services, which may prevent you from registering on the network.

It’s also worth considering that some budget plans may not include the default option of overseas data transfer.

In this case, Internet roaming will not work, even if all the settings of the phone are set correctly.

It is best to know the cost of a minute of talk and a megabyte of traffic in advance to avoid an unpleasant surprise when receiving an invoice.

Basic activation of the function in the settings menu

After you have been satisfied with your readiness SIM-maps, you can go to the direct setting of the device.

The MIUI shell interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, EU, Russia), but the logic remains the same.

You need to get to the SIM-card management section, where the desired switch is hidden.

To perform this operation, follow the algorithm:

1. Open the Settings app on the main screen.
2. Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
3. Choose the SIM card you plan to use abroad (if there are two).
4. Find the Use Data Roaming or Data Roaming item and activate it.

Once this item has been included, the system may issue a warning of possible additional costs.

This is a standard Android message that appears when you try to use other carriers’ networks.

You need to confirm the action by clicking “OK” or “Accept” to make the changes effective.

Manual selection of the operator

It is often the case that automatic network search cannot determine the most suitable or affordable option in a particular location.

In such cases, the “No Network” or “Emergency Calls Only” icon may be on the smartphone screen, despite roaming enabled.

The solution to the problem is the forced manual selection of the operator with whom your home provider has a contract.

⚠️ Note: When manually selecting, avoid networks marked “Test” or unknown local operators, as charging in them can go at the maximum tariff.

To perform a manual search, perform the following steps:

• 📡 Go to the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔍 Click on the option Operator or Network Selection.
• ⏳ Wait until the search for available networks is completed (this may take up to a few days). 1-2 minute).
• ✅ Select from the list of the operator whose name is familiar or indicated in the terms of your tariff.

If the phone can’t register on the network after selecting, try restarting the device.

Sometimes the communication protocol requires re-authorization on the tower of the new operator.

It also makes sense to temporarily disable 5G mode if it is enabled, as in roaming, fifth-generation coverage may be unstable or absent.

Setting up an APN access point for the internet

Even with successful registration in the network of a foreign operator, the Internet may not work if the parameters of the APN access point are incorrectly configured.

These settings usually come automatically in the form of SMS-Messages on first connection, but in the case of Xiaomi, manual intervention is sometimes required.

Without the correct parameters, the phone will have a signal, but the data transfer will not be carried out.

To edit these parameters, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).

Here you can create a new profile by clicking on the plus or button "New access point", and enter the data obtained on the website of your operator.

After saving, be sure to select the created profile, putting a marker next to it.

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Proper APN settings are key to mobile internet operation if the automatic configuration does not work.

Solving the problems with 4G and 5G data transfer

The situation where calls pass and the Internet does not load pages is one of the most common complaints of tourists.

This is often due to the fact that the mobile network settings have selected a mode that is not supported by a foreign operator in a given location.

For example, an attempt_force_"Only" mode 5G» in a zone where there is only 4G, will cause the loss of connection.

It is recommended to set the following parameters for maximum compatibility:

• 📶 In the Preferred Network Type section, select Preferred LTE or 5G/4G/3G/2G (motor-car).
• 🔄 Turn off the “Internet Acceleration” or “Carrier Aggregation” function if it is available in the advanced settings.
• 📵 Reset your network settings via the menu → Resetting Wi-Fi and mobile network settings.

⚠️ Note: Resetting your network settings will remove saved passwords from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, so be prepared to re-enter them.

It’s also worth checking if traffic saving mode is included, which can block background data transfers for some applications.

In the shell. MIUI There's a function called "Helpman." SIM-cards, which sometimes aggressively restrict background activity to save battery life.

Turn off background activity restriction for the browser and maps to keep navigation running smoothly.

Alternative ways of communicating via the Internet

In the era of ubiquitous Wi-Fi, classic voice roaming is fading into the background, giving way to VoIP technologies.

If you are in a hotel or cafe with free Wi-Fi, using a mobile network may be unnecessary.

However, if there is no Wi-Fi, and you need to call, applications using the Internet channel come to the rescue.

Among the most popular solutions for owners of Xiaomi and other smartphones are:

1. WhatsApp / Telegram / Viber – allows you to make audio and video calls over the Internet.
2. Skype Out – allows you to call regular city and mobile numbers at low rates.
3. Wi-Fi Calling is a feature that allows you to make regular calls over Wi-Fi, if your carrier supports this technology.

To activate calls via Wi-Fi on Xiaomi, go to the call settings and find the Wi-Fi call point.

This feature is especially useful in buildings with thick walls where the cellular signal is weak but there is a wireless network.

Using such methods can significantly reduce communication costs, leaving mobile roaming only for emergencies.