Xiaomi: Turn Data Roaming On or Off

When a Xiaomi phone registers on a network outside your home carrier's coverage, mobile data stays blocked by default. This protects you from unexpected charges, but it also means messaging apps, maps and browsers stop working until you decide otherwise.

MIUI controls this through the International roaming option, which is not a plain switch. Instead of just on or off, you choose between three states that decide how the phone handles foreign networks going forward.

To reach it: Tap on Settings ➔ Tap on SIM cards & mobile networks ➔ Tap on Advanced settings ➔ Tap on Data roaming ➔ Tap on International roaming.

From there, select Always to keep roaming data active on any foreign network, For exceptions only to allow it just for networks you have approved, or Never to block roaming data completely.

Choose Never before traveling if you plan to rely on local SIM cards or Wi-Fi only. Pick Always only if your plan already includes roaming data, since carriers often charge per megabyte outside that.