Roaming on Xiaomi: how to turn on in 2 minutes and not overpay

Planning a trip abroad or to another region, but do not know how to set up roaming on Xiaomi? Without the right settings, your smartphone can be left without communication, and you – with unexpected mobile traffic bills. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable roaming on Redmi devices, POCO and other Xiaomi lines, including hidden nuances for different versions of MIUI.

We’ll go beyond the basic “turn on the switch” instructions, and here you’ll find step-by-step screenshots (relevant to MIUI 14/15), a carrier compatibility table, and unique roaming traffic saving tips that aren’t in the official documentation, such as why some Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 models may not allow roaming even when the settings are right — and how to fix it.

What is roaming and why you need to set it up on Xiaomi

Roaming is a technology that allows your smartphone to connect to the networks of other operators when you are out of the coverage area of the native carrier" SIM-This is especially true for Xiaomi, because:

• 🌍 International travel: Without roaming in another country, the phone will become a “brick” – without calls and the Internet.
• 📡 Regional networks: In Russia, some operators (e.g. Tele2 or Iota) use roaming even between regions.
• 🔄 Double. SIM-Maps: Xiaomi with two slots (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Roaming can only work on one SIM-map - you need to choose the right one.

On Xiaomi smartphones, roaming is often turned off by default, which is done to protect against random connections and high tariffs. But if you don’t turn it on in advance, you will be left without communication on the trip, especially with models with Global ROM (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite), where roaming settings can be hidden in non-obvious menus.

Preparation before roaming: 3 mandatory steps

Before you go into the settings, do these steps – they will save you time and nerves:

1. Check the fare with the operator, see if yours supports SIM-roaming card in the destination country, for example, MTS and Beeline automatically connect roaming for most countries, and MegaFon may require a separate activation through the Internet. USSD-team *105*09#.
2. Update. Older versions of MIUI (below 12) may have roaming bugs. Check firmware relevance in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Save backup. In rare cases, changing the network can reset APN settings. Backup will make them recover quickly: Settings → Additional → Backup.

If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS), roaming may not work properly, in which case it is better to return stock MIUI before traveling.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) the icon may disappear after roaming is turned on 4G/5G. It’s not a mistake – just restart your phone and the indicator will come back.

Step-by-step: how to turn roaming on Xiaomi

The algorithm depends on the version of MIUI and the phone model, and below is a universal circuit that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices (including Redmi 10C, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5, etc.).

Method 1: Through basic settings (MIUI 12–15)

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-card for which you want to enable roaming (if you have dual) SIM).
3. Tap on the item Roaming (or data roaming on some models).
4. Activate the switches: 📞 Voice roaming - for calls; 🌐 Data roaming – for the mobile Internet.

Confirm the action if there is a warning about possible charges.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5), the roaming item may be called Roaming in English, which is normal.

Method 2: Through the operator's menu (USSD-team)

If roaming is not enabled through settings, try activating it directly from the operator:

After you enter the command, wait for the confirmation SMS. If an error occurs, roaming may be blocked at the operator level - contact support.

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If the Internet is not working after roaming is turned on, check the APN settings. Often resetting to factory: Settings → Mobile Network → Access Points (APN) → Reset

Method 3: For older versions of MIUI (up to 12)

On Xiaomi with MIUI 11 and below, the path to roaming settings may be different:

Settings → Additional → Mobile Network → [Select SIM] → Roaming

If there is no such item, try:

→ SIM- Cards and Mobile Networks → [Operator Name] → Roaming

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 (With pure Android roaming enabled through Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Additionally. → These models don't have roaming. MIUI, Therefore, the instructions are different.

Roaming problems on Xiaomi: causes and solutions

Even after turning on, roaming may not work.-5 causes and ways of eliminating them:

If none of these methods worked, check if your Xiaomi has activated Flight Mode in the Quick Access settings (swipe down from the top of the screen). SIM-The card is inserted correctly into the slot – on some models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro) contacts can oxidize, which leads to loss of network.

How to save money on roaming: 7 working ways

Roaming can eat up your entire budget in a couple of days if you don't control your expenses. Here are proven savings methods that work for all Xiaomis:

• 📵 Turn off automatic app updates. Go to Play Market → Settings → Auto-update → Only through Wi-Fi.
• 📊 Set a traffic limit. In Settings → SIM-map → Data usage set a limit (e.g. 500MB per day).
• 🌐 Use data compression. Enable Easy Mode in Mi Browser or install Opera Mini.
• 📞 Call via instant messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber are cheaper than regular calls (but require Internet access).
• 📍 Get the local one on. SIM-In many countries (Turkey, Thailand, UAE) local SIM cheaper than roaming. SIM You can use both cards at the same time.
• ⏳ Turn off background activity. → Annexes → App management ban background traffic for unnecessary programs.
• 🔄 Use Wi-Fi wherever you can. At hotels, cafes and airports, connect to free networks (but don’t forget to use it). VPN safe).

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra) have a built-in Traffic Saving feature that automatically blocks background data for underutilized applications.

Settings → Battery and Performance → Traffic Savings

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The most reliable way to save money is to buy a local one. SIM-A card with unlimited Internet, for example, in Turkey, Turkcell offers 20 GB per card. ~300 ₽, roaming of Russian operators will cost 5-10 times more expensive.

Features of roaming on popular Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well in roaming, here’s what you need to know about specific models:

• Redmi Note 11/12 Series: Supports Dual 4G roaming, but on the second SIM Internet speed may be limited to 3G. To avoid this, in the settings SIM-Select priority for the main card.

If you have Xiaomi with eSIM support (e.g. Xiaomi 12S or Xiaomi 13 Pro), roaming on a virtual SIM is set up in the same way as on a physical one. However, some carriers (e.g. MegaFon) may require separate eSIM activation for roaming.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M4 Pro) may be missing in roaming LTE. This is due to the features of the Helio G modems. The solution is to manually select the network. 3G customized.

Frequent questions about roaming on Xiaomi