Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often, it is necessary to temporarily deactivate one of the SIM-This may be due to a desire to save battery power in the low signal zone, avoid unnecessary calls during an important meeting, or simply switch to using only Wi-Fi. MIUI or its modern version of HyperOS, this process is implemented quite simply, but has its own characteristics, especially for devices with two slots.
The standard shutdown procedure does not require the tray to be removed or complex engineering menus. All the necessary switches are in the main settings interface. However, if the standard method does not work or the interface is changed by the manufacturer for a specific region, alternative solutions may be needed. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to deactivate the communication module.
It is important to understand that software-based SIM disabling is different from physical retrieval. In the software-based method, the communication module continues to consume minimal energy to support system processes, but stops logging into the operator's network, ideal for those who want to keep contacts and call history on the map, but temporarily do not need mobile communication.
Standard way to disable via the settings menu
The most common and secure method of deactivating a SIM card on any Xiaomi device is using a built-in control interface. SIM-This is a root-free approach that's available right after you first turn on your smartphone.
Find a section that can be called «SIM-Maps and mobile networks or simply «SIM-depending on the version of the shell. MIUI, The path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. Inside this section, you'll see a list of all the cards installed, with their names and phone numbers.
There's a switch next to each active SIM card, and you just click on it to turn off the card, and the system can request confirmation of action, warning that no incoming calls or SMS will be received, and once confirmed, the card status will change to "Inactive" or "Off."
☑️ Shutdown algorithm SIM
Note that when you turn off one card on a dual-sim device, the second card continues to work normally, allowing you to flexibly manage your communication costs, leaving only the tariff with profitable Internet or free calls within the network active.
Managing two SIM-mapping
Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their dual-SIM functionality. Users often wonder if it is possible to turn off both cards at the same time without going to air mode. The answer lies in the individual settings of each slot, which work independently of each other.
In the control menu SIM-You can see two separate blocks in the cards, the first block is responsible for Slot 1, and the second block is responsible for Slot 2, and you can only turn off the first card, leaving the second one active, or vice versa. This is especially useful if one of the carriers has temporarily lost coverage in your area and the phone is constantly trying to find the network, using up charge.
If you need to turn off both cards, just follow the algorithm: turn off the switchboard of the first card, wait for the status change, then turn off the second one. In this state, the phone will stop registering with mobile carriers, but Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS functions will remain available.
An important nuance is the mobile Internet setting. Even if you turn off one of the cards, the system may try to switch data to the remaining active card, if there are no restrictions for it. Check the mobile Internet settings to make sure that traffic is not wasted.
Using flight mode as an alternative
There's a more radical, but faster way to turn off all radios, including SIM cards, which is flight mode, and activating this feature instantly cuts off all cell tower connections. SIM-mapping.
To turn on the flight mode on Xiaomi, the most convenient way to use the "Stork" of notifications is to swipe from top to bottom on the screen and find the aircraft icon. Pressing it will activate the mode, and the corresponding icon will appear in the status bar. All SIM cards will go to the "No Network" state.
⚠️ Warning: Not only are SIM cards disabled in flight mode, but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are also disabled. If you need to leave the Internet, turn on Wi-Fi manually after activating the flight mode.
Some users prefer this method when they want to completely isolate the phone from the outside world, but leave the option of using offline features such as a camera, voice recorder or listening to music, and this mode is also useful for quickly re-registering in the network if you have problems with communication.
Distinguishing from software deactivation through settings SIM The main problem is that the flight mode affects all radio frequency emissions of the device. If your goal is only to save battery power from finding the network, then turn off specific radio frequency emissions. SIM-maps through settings will be a more point-based solution.
Setting up a preferred type of network and Internet
Often, when people ask how to turn off their SIM card, they mean they want to turn off their mobile Internet, leaving them the option to take calls, so you don't have to turn off the card itself.
In the settings section SIM-If you look at the maps, you can find "Use the mobile Internet," and you can choose which card will be responsible for the data transfer, or you can turn it off altogether. If you select "Off" or you don't select any of the cards, the mobile Internet will not work, but the voice communication will remain available.
You can also restrict the type of network for each SIM card separately, such as switching from 4G/LTE to 2G/3G, which will significantly reduce power consumption in areas where the 4G signal is unstable, as the phone will stop constantly jumping between communication standards.
💡
For maximum charge savings in the bad signal zone, switch the network type to 2G only in the advanced mobile network settings.
Another useful feature is to limit background activity. SIM-You can find options that prohibit the use of data in the background. These are prevents applications from using traffic when the screen is off, which also contributes to resource savings.
Comparison of methods of deactivation of the SIM card
To make it easier for you to choose the right way to manage your communications on your Redmi or Xiaomi, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand the differences between a complete shutdown, flight mode and traffic restriction.
| Parameter | Through SIM settings | Flight mode | Disconnection of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming calls | Not going through. | Not going through. | Passing. |
| Mobile Internet | It's not working. | It's not working. | It's not working. |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Work. | Disabled (can be manually enabled) | Work. |
| Impact on the battery | Average. | Maximum savings | Minimum |
As you can see from the table, the method through SIM settings is the “golden mean” for those who need to temporarily become unavailable for calls, but keep Internet access via Wi-Fi. Flight mode is good for complete isolation, and disabling data is good for saving traffic.
The choice of the specific method depends on your current task.If you are roaming and want to avoid occasional costs, it is best to turn off the SIM card completely through the settings or remove it physically.
Resetting network settings and troubleshooting problems
There are situations where the standard switching of the switch doesn't work: the button doesn't press, or when the SIM card is turned off, it doesn't turn back on, and in such cases, resetting the network settings helps, and this action will return all the parameters of the mobile communication to factory values.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth. Please note that this step will remove saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairs, but will not affect your personal files or contacts.
What happens when the net is reset?
Once you reboot the device, try to activate the SIM card again, and if the problem persists, it may be physical contact, try to remove the tray, wipe the SIM card contacts with a soft cloth and insert it again, making sure the position is correct.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting your network settings, make sure you remember passwords from important Wi-Fi networks, as it will be impossible to recover them from your phone’s memory after the procedure.
In rare cases, the problem may be due to a software failure of the MIUI shell itself. If nothing helps, check for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that correct errors in the operation of communication modules.