Refusal of the services of a mobile operator often becomes necessary when changing the tariff, moving to an area with poor coverage, or when switching to virtual numbers. Users of devices based on an operating system Android often look for a way to deactivate a SIM card MTS directly through a smartphone, without visiting sales offices. It is important to understand that the concept of “disconnect forever” in the context of a mobile operator means termination of the contract and complete removal of the number from the company’s database.
The procedure for completely canceling a number through a mobile application has its own nuances, which depend on the current status of your personal account and the availability of active connected options. Unlike a temporary block, which only suspends services, a complete shutdown requires a series of sequential actions to reset the balance and confirm your identity. Next, we will analyze a detailed algorithm of actions that will allow you to correctly complete cooperation with the operator.
It is worth noting that the application interface My MTS is updated periodically, and the location of some buttons may change slightly. However, the logic of the personal account remains the same: first you need to pay off all debts or withdraw the balance of funds, then disable paid services and only after that initiate the procedure for terminating the contract. Ignoring these steps can lead to the accumulation of debt even after you stop using the SIM card.
Preparing your account and checking the balance before disconnecting
The first step towards completely deactivating your number is to thoroughly prepare your personal account. The operator will not allow you to terminate the contract if there is a debt on your balance sheet, since these are the subscriber’s financial obligations to the company. Go to the application and carefully study the details of expenses for the current and previous billing periods. Make sure that the amount in the account is positive or equal to zero.
If there are funds left in your account, they must either be spent or withdrawn. MTS provides the opportunity to transfer the balance to another number of its operator or to a bank card, however, this service may be paid. An alternative option is to use funds to pay for the archived tariff before submitting an application for disconnection. Resetting the balance - a critical step, without which the system will automatically reject your application.
⚠️ Attention: If you have connected services in installments (for example, paying for a smartphone on credit through operator), it will be impossible to disconnect the number until the debt is fully repaid. First, close your credit obligations.
Before resetting the balance, take a screenshot of the expense details - this may be necessary in case of disputes with accruals after submitting an application for disconnection.
Also check the availability of bonus points and promotional codes. If the contract is terminated, all accumulated bonuses are burned without the possibility of restoration or conversion into money. If you have active third-party subscriptions that are billed to your phone bill, you should cancel them early to avoid last-minute charges.
Step-by-step guide for disconnecting in the My MTS application
To initiate the disconnection procedure, you will need the latest version of the official application My MTSinstalled on your smartphone Android. Log in to your personal account using the phone number you plan to disconnect. If logging in via SMS is not possible due to network problems, use the password you set earlier, or restore access through the login form.
In the main menu of the application, find the section responsible for managing your profile. It is usually indicated by a little man or gear icon in the corner of the screen. Go to your profile settings and look for the “Number management” or “Tariffs and services” item. In some versions of the interface, the button to cancel services is located at the very bottom of the page with information about the tariff.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in the application
Having selected the option to refuse services, the system will prompt you to fill out an electronic application. You will need to indicate the reason for the disconnection and how you will receive the final invoice (usually by email). After filling out the form, you will receive a confirmation codenumber, which must be entered in the appropriate field. This action is legally significant and is equivalent to a handwritten signature on a paper application.
After successfully submitting the application, the status of your SIM card will change. The number will be placed in the "Pending Disconnection" state, during which communication services may be limited. Complete removal of a number from the database does not occur instantly, but within a certain period specified in the terms of your tariff plan.
Disabling paid subscriptions and third-party services
A common mistake subscribers make is trying to disconnect a number without first canceling paid ones subscriptions. Many services, such as online cinemas, music platforms or gaming donations, are tied to the phone number as an identifier. Even after submitting an application to terminate the contract, write-offs may continue until the number is completely blocked, which will lead to the formation of a debt.
Go to the “Services” section in the application and sort them by “Connected” status. Pay special attention to the "Entertainment" and "Press" sections. Disable each option manually by clicking the "Disable" button next to the service name. The system may offer alternative, cheaper tariffs - in this case, you need to firmly confirm your desire to refuse the service completely.
| Type of service | Where to disable | Risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|
| Basic tariff | Section "Tariff" | High (basic payment) |
| Internet packages | Section "Internet" | Average (write-off if exceeded) |
| Voice options | Calls section | Low (flat fee) |
| Third-party services | Subscriptions section | Critical (daily charges) |
Don't forget to check the "Autopayment" section. If you have set up automatic replenishment of your account when a certain threshold is reached, you must remove it from the settings of the linked bank card. Otherwise, even with a negative balance, the system may try to top up the account, which will complicate the procedure for closing the contract.
What to do if the service is not disabled?
If the "Disable" button is inactive, the service may be part of a tariff package that cannot be changed individually. In this case, you must first change the tariff to the archived or minimal one, where this option is not available, and only then apply to completely disconnect the number.
Legal aspects and identity confirmation
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, an agreement with a telecom operator is an official document that requires personal identification. When deactivating a number through the app Android the SIM card located in the phone and the ability to receive SMS codeserve as proof of identity. However, in some cases, the system may request additional data, especially if the number was registered to a legal entity or if there are suspicions of fraudulent activity.
If the application requests uploading a scan of a passport or conducting video identification, this is a standard security procedure. Follow the instructions on the screen: take a photo of the facing page of your passport with your photo and registration, and then take a selfie to verify. This data is transmitted in a secure operator circuit and is used solely to verify the application for termination of the contract.
⚠️ Attention: Never transfer codes from SMS to third parties, even if the caller introduces himself as an MTS security officer. The official deactivation procedure occurs only within the application or through a call to a short number.
After successful verification, you will receive a notification about the registration of the application. Save your application number or take a screenshot of the confirmation screen. This will be your proof that you initiated the disconnection procedure on a specific date and time, which is important in the event of disputed charges arising in the future.
Blocking periods and permanent deletion of the number
The shutdown process does not happen instantly after pressing a button in the application. The operator needs time to check that there are no hidden debts that may arise as a result of post-payment for services (for example, roaming or calls to special numbers). The standard period for consideration of an application is from 3 to 30 days, depending on the conditions of your tariff plan.
During the waiting period, the number goes into “Suspended” mode. During this time, incoming calls may be unavailable, and outgoing calls may be completely blocked. Subscription fees are usually not charged during this period, but you should carefully monitor your balance. If a debt arises during these days, the disconnection procedure will be suspended until it is repaid.
Final deletion of the number occurs only after the expiration of the guarantee period (usually 30-60 days), during which the subscriber can restore the number if he changes his mind. After this, the number returns to the pool of available ones and can be issued to a new client.
After the set period, you will receive a final SMS notification that the contract has been terminated and the number has been deleted. The SIM card will physically stop working on the network. It is recommended to remove it from the phone slot and dispose of it to avoid confusion in the future.
Possible problems and solutions
Users Android may encounter technical difficulties when trying to disable a number through the app. A common problem is the lack of a shutdown button in the interface. This may be due to the fact that your number has a corporate tariff or special terms of service that do not support remote termination of the contract via a mobile client.
In such cases, the only solution is to call the support service at 0890 or visit a communication salon. The call center operator can remotely initiate the procedure if they confirm your identity using security questions. Problems may also arise if the Internet connection is unstable: make sure that you are using MTS mobile data or a stable one Wi-Fi before submitting important forms.
⚠️ Attention: If the application throws an error when submitting a request, do not try to duplicate the request multiple times. This may lead to blocking of the function in your personal account. Wait 24 hours or contact support chat.
Another common situation is the inability to disconnect a number due to a negative balance that has accumulated in roaming. Roaming debts often arrive with a delay. If you have recently returned from a trip abroad, wait for all bills to be received from the operator's partners, pay them off, and only then apply for disconnection.
If you have changed your phone and cannot receive an SMS with a confirmation code on your old device, use the "Restore access" function in the application by selecting the option with an answer to a security question or via the email specified in your profile.
Alternative options for canceling MTS services
If for some reason disconnecting through the app is Android impossible, there are alternative ways to terminate the contract. The most reliable of them is a personal visit to an MTS communication salon with a passport. This method allows you to resolve all financial issues on the spot, hand over your SIM card (if required) and receive a paper confirmation of no claims.
You can also use the number portability service (MNP) to another operator. When switching to a competitor, the contract with MTS is terminated automatically when the SIM card of the new operator is activated. This is a convenient way to change your communication provider without having to separately write an application for disconnection, however, it is worth remembering that when you switch, you lose the opportunity to return the number back to MTS in a simplified manner.
For corporate clients, the procedure may be different: it is often necessary to provide a power of attorney for a representative or electronic document management through a special portal for business. In this case, the standard application for individuals will not work, and you must contact your personal manager.
Can I disconnect a number if the phone is lost?
Yes, but you won’t be able to do this through the app on another device, since you won’t be able to log in via SMS. You urgently need to block the number by calling the support service from another phone or through your personal account on the website using your login and password, if they were previously set. After blocking, you need to visit the salon with your passport to completely turn it off.
What happens if you just throw away the SIM card without turning it off?
This is the worst scenario. The subscription fee will continue to accrue, the balance will go into the negative, and debt will accumulate. The operator will block the number after 3-6 months, but the debt will remain on your passport. This may create problems when applying for new SIM cards or obtaining loans in the future, since information about debtors is transferred to the credit history bureau.
Is it possible to restore a number after a complete disconnection?
Within 30-60 days after submitting an application for disconnection, the number is in “quarantine” and can be restored through a call center or support. After final removal from the MTS database, the number becomes free and can be issued to another subscriber. It will be impossible to restore your number after this.
Do you need to pay to disconnect your number?
The procedure for filing an application for disconnection is free. However, if there is a debt on the account, it must be repaid. Also, some tariff plans may provide for a penalty for early termination of the contract if you took advantage of a promotion with a free phone or equipment and did not complete the required period.