Why it’s important to turn off roaming on Xiaomi and when to do it
Roaming on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) is automatically activated when crossing the border of your home region, unless there are restrictions in the settings. Many users face unexpected mobile Internet bills or calls on trips - sometimes amounts reach several thousand rubles in a couple of days. The reason is simple: carriers by default connect roaming services with high tariffs, and MIUI does not always clearly notify about the transition to roaming.
Disabling roaming on Xiaomi is recommended in three cases: 1 You are traveling abroad and plan to use locally. SIM-2) Your tariff does not include preferential roaming, and the operator takes high commissions for outgoing calls and SMS. 3 You want to block mobile communications in another country to avoid incidental costs (e.g., when automatically updating applications).
In this article, we will discuss all ways to disable roaming – from standard MIUI settings to hidden options for power users.
Note that the procedure varies depending on the firmware version. If you have MIUI 14/13 (current for most models from 2022-2026), use the first method. For older versions (MIUI 12 and below), an alternative approach may be required.
Method 1: Turning off roaming through the basic MIUI settings
It is the simplest and most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12-14. Instructions are suitable for models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagships.
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or mobile networks on some models).
- Choose. SIM-card you want to disable roaming for (if you have dual-SIM).
- Tap on the item Roaming (or Mobile roaming in new versions).
- Move the slider to the off position (grey).
After that, your smartphone will not automatically connect to foreign networks, but there is a caveat: some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) may ignore this setting and force roaming when crossing the border. In this case, an additional lock at the level will be required. SIM-map.
Reboot your smartphone after changing your settings
Make sure the status bar has disappeared the "R" or "Roaming" icon
Try to manually select the operator network (only home networks should be available)
Send a test. SMS to a short operator number (for example *111# for Beeline)-->
Method 2: Block roaming through the engineering menu (for experienced)
If the standard method didn’t work or you need to block roaming at the level of the communication module, use the engineering menu.This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires caution – incorrect changes can disrupt the network.
Instructions for MIUI based on Android 10-14:
- Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
- Select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
- Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
- Select LTE only or 3G only (this will limit network search to home carriers only).
- Turn off radio (turn off the communication module for 10 seconds to apply the settings).
Important: After this action, your smartphone will not be able to connect to 2G networks (GSM), which may limit coverage in some regions.If you are critically important to communication, return the setting to LTE/WCDMA/GSM auto after you return home.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 3: Turning off roaming through USSD-operator
Many Russian operators allow to manage roaming through the USSD-This is convenient if you don't want to dig into your smartphone settings or are afraid of accidentally changing something. Here are the current commands for popular carriers (2026):
| Operator. | Team to turn off roaming | Team for status check |
|---|---|---|
| MTS | *111*7771# | *111*7770# |
| Beeline | *110*7771# | *110*7770# |
| MegaFon | *105*7771# | *105*7770# |
| Tele2. | *155*7771# | *155*7770# |
After sending the command, you will receive a confirmation SMS. Please note that some operators may charge for managing services via USSD (usually 1-3 rubles per request), and check if you have Automation enabled in your personal account on the operator's website - you also need to turn it off.
⚠️ Attention: USSD-Teams may vary depending on the region or tariff plan. If the team does not work, check the current version on the official website of your operator or through support (for example, in the MTS chat or Beeline).
Method 4: Using "In-Air" mode to force shutdown
If you need to temporarily block all mobile communications (including roaming), the most reliable way is to activate In-plane mode, which completely disables GSM, LTE and Wi-Fi modules, which is guaranteed to prevent any roaming connections.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the icon "In the plane" (airplane) and slip on it.
- Confirm activation if a request appears.
To get back on the phone, re-click the icon or reboot the phone, and the downside is that you lose access to your mobile network, including calls and SMS, but it's 100% cost-free.
1. Enable In-Aircraft Mode.
2. Swipe the notification panel again.
3.Slip on the Wi-Fi icon (it will be highlighted in grey).-->
What to do if roaming does not turn off: common problems
Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, Xiaomi’s smartphone continues to connect to roaming networks, and here are the typical reasons and solutions:
- 🔄 Automatic Software Update: Some system applications (such as Mi Cloud or Google Play Services) may initiate network activity. → Annexes → Autoboot.
- 📶 Manual network selection: if the smartphone is stuck on a foreign network, try to manually select a home operator. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Select your network and select your operator (e.g. MTS)-RU instead MTS-ROAM).
- 🔧 Network reset: If nothing helps, reset the network settings to factory settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
- 📱 Firmware with bugs: on some versions MIUI (especially beta firmware) there are errors with roaming management. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
If the problem persists, contact your operator’s support – possibly on your own. SIM-The card activated a forced roaming service, which can only be disabled through the operator.
1. At the smartphone level (MIUI).
2. At the level of the SIM-card (USSD-commands).
3. In the operator's personal account (website or application).-->
How to save traffic and money in roaming, if you can not turn it off
In some cases, roaming is necessary (for example, if you travel frequently and do not want to buy locally-owned ones). SIM-To minimize costs, follow these tips:
- 🌍 Buy a roaming package: most operators offer discounted packages for overseas travel. For example, MTS has the option "Travel!" (500). MB 299 ₽/day), and Beeline - "Limitless roaming" (15 GB for 990 ₽/Activate them in advance through the operator's app.
- 📴 Turn off background data transfer: go to Settings → Annexes → Data management and limit background traffic for all applications except instant messengers.
- 📱 Use offline maps: download Google Maps or Yandex.Maps in advance. Open the application, find the desired region and select Download.
- 🔒 Block Ads: Banner ads in apps and browser consume up to 30% of traffic. Install AdGuard or enable traffic savings in Google Chrome (Settings) → Saving traffic).
Also pay attention to the geo-fences of your fare: for example, MegaFon roaming in the CIS countries is often cheaper than in Europe, and Tele2 has special tariffs for Abkhazia and South Ossetia.