How to disable roaming on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9?
Go to Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks, tap the SIM you want to edit, and turn off the Data roaming toggle. On the vast majority of Redmi Note 9 phones with MIUI 12 or higher, this is the exact path, without restarting the phone or installing anything.
If you've never touched this menu, it's likely that roaming is already disabled by default. The warning usually appears after a trip, a MIUI update, or a SIM change, so follow these steps in order, from most frequent to least common:
- Open Settings from the app drawer (the gear icon).
- Look for SIM cards and mobile networks. In some MIUI themes, it appears as Connection & sharing or directly as Mobile networks.
- Tap the name of the active SIM (e.g., "SIM 1" or your carrier's name).
- Look for the Data roaming or Roaming option and slide the toggle to off.
- If your Redmi Note 9 has two SIMs, repeat steps 3 and 4 for the second card: the setting is independent for each one.
- Exit Settings and wait a few moments for the phone to re-register on your local network before checking that the roaming icon has disappeared.
Some MIUI versions reorder the menus, so if you can't find the exact path, use the internal search in Settings (the magnifying glass icon above) and type "roaming": it will take you directly to the toggle without having to navigate through submenus.
| MIUI / Android Version | Path to the roaming toggle |
|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 12.5 (Android 10-11) | Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks > [SIM name] > Data roaming |
| MIUI 13 (Android 11-12) | Settings > Connection & sharing > SIM cards and mobile networks > [SIM] > Roaming |
| MIUI 14 (Android 12-13) | Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks > [SIM] > Data roaming |
| HyperOS (Android 13-14) | Settings > SIM cards and networks > [SIM] > Roaming data |
The name of the toggle changes from one update to another (roaming, itinerancia, data roaming), but it always lives within the SIM menu, never in a general setting for the entire phone.
Why does the R still appear even after you've disabled it?
This happens for two reasons, almost always: the icon takes a few seconds to update because the phone is still registered on the previous network, or the setting was applied to a different SIM than the one you're looking at. Before assuming something is broken, toggle airplane mode on and off: this forces the Redmi Note 9 to disconnect from the tower where it was registered as a "visitor" and re-register from scratch on your local network, which usually removes the icon instantly.
To do this: swipe down from the top to open the quick panel, activate Airplane mode, wait a few seconds, and then deactivate it again. This is a step almost no one tries because it seems to have "nothing to do" with roaming, but it clears the network registration stored in the phone's baseband, which is precisely what keeps the R visible when the software setting is already off.
If the R is still there after that, check that you turned off the toggle on the correct SIM (steps 3-5 in the previous section) and not on the one you're not using for data.
How to enable or disable data roaming if your Redmi Note 9 has two SIMs?
The roaming setting in MIUI is per card, not global. If you have two physical SIMs inserted, each has its own roaming toggle within Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks, and turning one off does not turn off the other. This is the most common mistake: the person disables roaming on SIM 1, but SIM 2 (sometimes the one with active data) still has it on, and the bill arrives just the same.
To check both at once:
- Go to SIM cards and mobile networks.
- Tap SIM 1, turn off its roaming.
- Go back (back button) and tap SIM 2.
- Turn off its roaming as well.
- Confirm on the main screen of that menu that both cards show the toggle as greyed out/off.
If one of the two slots has an eSIM profile installed instead of a physical SIM (only on Redmi Note 9 variants that support it, not on the base model), that line also appears in the same list and is controlled exactly the same way, with its own independent toggle.
What does the R mean in your Xiaomi signal and when should you worry?
The letter R next to the signal icon indicates that your phone is connected to a network that is not your contracted carrier's: usually because you crossed a border, but sometimes it also appears in border or mountainous areas where the signal from a neighboring network is stronger than your own. It's not a phone error; it's an informative notification.
The time to worry is not when you see the R, but when you see it without having requested roaming connectivity and with mobile data active: that's where billable consumption can occur according to your plan. If you only see the R but have mobile data turned off (not just roaming, data in general), there's no data consumption even if the icon remains visible for a while.
No legitimate roaming, mobile data, or network setting on a Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 requires dialing a phone code with hash marks and asterisks. If something promises to "fix" the R by dialing a number, do not do it from a source other than the phone's own Settings app.
Roaming activated without you touching it: the most probable causes
If the toggle appeared on without you moving it, it's almost always due to one of these reasons, ordered from most to least frequent:
- MIUI or HyperOS update: some major updates reset network settings to the firmware's factory defaults, which in certain countries come with roaming enabled by default.
- Factory reset: completely erases the previous configuration, including roaming.
- Physical SIM change: when inserting a new card (from another carrier or a replacement), MIUI treats it as a new profile and applies its default values.
- Restoring a backup made before you disabled roaming.
- Recently added eSIM profile, which brings its own network configuration independent of the physical SIM.
In any case, the solution is the same: go back to Settings and manually turn off the toggle, as none of these events lock roaming, they only reactivate it.
Is it enough to turn off roaming, or should you also check mobile data?
They are not the same toggle. Mobile data controls whether your phone uses cellular network internet in general (in your country or abroad). Data roaming specifically controls whether it can use cellular internet when connected to a network that is not yours. You can have mobile data on and roaming off: in that case, within your country, you use the internet normally, and when crossing a border, the phone stops using data even if it has a signal.
To be completely free of consumption risk while traveling, the safest combination is: mobile data on (to continue using WiFi and local notifications normally) and roaming off. This avoids roaming consumption without losing connectivity in your home country.
Does ##6484## or similar codes work?
The star and hash codes circulating on social media promising to "activate" or "deactivate" hidden phone features almost never do what they say for roaming specifically. Some Android service codes do exist and open real diagnostic menus (for example, network information or battery menus), but none of them replace the roaming toggle within Settings, and several of those circulating as "magical" simply do nothing on a Redmi Note 9 or open a test screen unrelated to data consumption.
If you see a code shared without a clear source promising to solve roaming, treat it with the same distrust as any unverified shortcut: the safe path remains Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks, described in the first section of this guide.
You've disabled roaming but the problem persists: what to check
If after turning off the toggle on both SIMs and restarting the network with airplane mode the problem continues, check in this order:
- Incorrect APN: a misconfigured access point can cause the phone to try to connect via an external network even if roaming is off. Check Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks > [SIM] > Access Point Names.
- Damaged or improperly inserted SIM: remove it, clean it with a dry cloth, and reinsert it firmly.
- Account-level block with your carrier: some plans have roaming forced from the carrier side, regardless of what the phone shows. Only your carrier can confirm and correct this.
- Outdated MIUI: check Settings > About phone > Version update, as certain network errors are corrected in later patches.
- Full restart: as a last step before contacting technical support, completely turn off and on the phone (not just airplane mode).
If none of this resolves the problem, the origin is likely on the carrier's side and not the phone's: in that case, it's best to speak directly with your phone company's technical support.
Carrier roaming vs. data eSIM for travel: which is better in each case?
Disabling roaming is the correct decision when you don't want to use data outside your local network, typically because you are in your country and don't want surprises if you travel near a border. But if the reason you're looking for this setting is that you have an upcoming trip and do want data abroad without relying on your current carrier's roaming, the alternative is not to reactivate it: it's to install an independent data profile designed for that, like a travel eSIM, and leave the original carrier's roaming off throughout the trip.
The base Redmi Note 9 model does not include eSIM (only dual physical SIM); some variants like the Redmi Note 9T do, depending on the market. Before assuming your phone supports it, it's worth checking carefully.
| Aspect | Roaming with your home carrier | Data eSIM for the destination |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's activated | From the same Settings menu you already saw in this guide | Installed separately, with a QR code or provider link |
| Activation time | Depends on each carrier | Approximately 1 minute once installed |
| Coverage per destination | Depends on your carrier's agreements with each country | Profiles specifically designed for the destination country or region |
| Support if something goes wrong | Depends on your carrier's channel | Available 24/7 via email and WhatsApp, in all languages |
| Validity before travel | Not applicable (activates upon arrival) | Up to 180 days to activate from purchase, so you can buy it in advance |
If your next destination is among the more than 200 covered by an international eSIM, that is the least friction route: first check if your Redmi Note 9 supports it in the eSIM compatible phones guide, and if it's your first time using this type of profile, the explanation of what an eSIM is and the step-by-step installation guide will answer your questions before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Does my Redmi Note 9 have eSIM?
The base Redmi Note 9 model has a dual physical SIM slot, without eSIM. Some regional variants, such as the Redmi Note 9T, do include it. Check Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks: if the option "Add eSIM" or "Add data plan" appears there, your unit supports it.
Does disabling roaming also cut off calls?
Not directly. The roaming toggle in MIUI is primarily designed for data. Calls and messages in roaming depend on a different setting and billing conditions managed by your carrier, so you should also check that point with them if you are concerned about calls while traveling.
Can I disable roaming only for data and leave it enabled for calls?
On the Redmi Note 9, the toggle you see in Settings specifically controls data roaming. The availability of calls in roaming depends on your plan with the carrier, not on this phone setting.
Does disabling roaming affect my WiFi connection?
No. WiFi is a completely independent connection from the cellular network. You can have roaming turned off and continue browsing without limits via WiFi in any country.
Why can't my Redmi Note 9 find a network after disabling roaming?
If you are outside your home carrier's coverage and have turned off roaming, this is expected behavior: the phone deliberately stops connecting to external networks. If this happens within your own country, check airplane mode (section "Why the R still appears") and ensure the SIM is properly inserted.
Do I need to restart my phone after changing the setting?
It's not mandatory, but it helps if the roaming icon takes time to update. A short airplane mode cycle (on and off) is usually enough without needing a full restart.
Does roaming consume battery even when disabled?
It does not generate significant consumption by itself when turned off; the phone simply stops trying to register on external networks, which in practice usually saves battery instead of draining it, because it avoids repeated network searches that the phone makes when it is out of coverage of its operator.
What is the difference between roaming and data roaming?
None: they are the same concept. "Itinerancia" is the Spanish translation of the term "roaming", and MIUI uses one name or the other depending on the version and system language, but both refer to exactly the same toggle.
In summary
To disable roaming on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, the shortest path is Settings > SIM cards and mobile networks > [your SIM] > Data roaming, checking both cards if you have dual SIM and forcing an airplane mode cycle if the R icon takes time to disappear. If the problem persists after checking the APN, SIM, and MIUI version, the most likely source is your carrier.
And if you've made it this far because you have an upcoming trip and what you really need is data outside your home country without relying on your current operator's roaming, that's a different situation with a more direct solution: an international data eSIM, which activates in approximately 1 minute, covers more than 200 destinations, can be purchased up to 180 days before traveling, and comes with 24/7 email and WhatsApp support in all languages if something doesn't go as expected. You can check the available options for your next destination in the international eSIM collection, thoroughly compare both alternatives in eSIM vs. roaming, or resolve common technical questions before traveling in the guide to common eSIM problems.
