How to disable the Tele2 SIM menu on Android: a complete guide

Owners of Android smartphones often encounter a situation when a pop-up window with the operator’s logo suddenly appears on the screen, prompting you to select a service or go to the menu. This is the so-called SIM menu or STK application, which by default is built into the telecom operator's card chip. For Tele2 users, such notifications can become a real irritant, especially if they block important content or appear at the wrong time during games or work.

Complete removal of this service is impossible without physically replacing the SIM card, however, the Android operating system provides tools for blocking its activity. In this article, we will look at effective methods to hide the application icon, disable autorun and disable push notifications from the operator. You will learn how to configure the system so that Sim Tool Kit stops bothering you in everyday use of the gadget.

Before moving on to radical measures, you need to understand the nature of the occurrence of these windows. Most often, they are initiated by the operator himself via OTA messages or activated when a card is inserted into a new slot. Proper configuration of permissions and network parameters will allow you to maintain full control over the device, while still being able to use basic communication functions and the Internet without unnecessary visual noise.

The nature of the SIM menu and the reasons for its appearance

STK (SIM Application Toolkit) technology is a standard that allows a SIM card to run applications directly on the phone. In the case of Tele2, this menu is used for quick access to the balance, connection of services and operator news without the need for calls or access to the Internet. However, the implementation of this standard on different devices often leads to interface conflicts and intrusive behavior.

Automatic startup applications occur immediately after loading the operating system or when changing the network coverage area. This is set at the firmware level of the radio module and the card itself. Many users mistakenly believe that this is a virus, but in fact this is a legitimate system process that simply requires the correct configuration of access rights in the settings of your smartphone.

There are several scenarios in which the menu becomes the most aggressive:

• 📲 When you turn on the phone for the first time after purchasing a new SIM card, the system automatically prompts configure services.
• 🌐 If the network signal is unstable, the operator can send service messages that are interpreted as pop-up windows.
• ⚙️ After updating the Android firmware, privacy settings may be reset, returning permissions for the operator's system applications.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling The SIM menu does not affect the ability to make calls and use the mobile data. You block only the interactive interface of the card, but not the connection itself.

Basic settings through the Android application manager

The most reliable way to get rid of annoying windows is to work with application settings in the Android system. The name of the system application may vary depending on your smartphone model and OS version. Usually it is hidden under the names SIM Toolkit, Sim Services, USIM or simply Tele2.

First you need to find this application in the list of installed apps. Go to Settings → Applications → Show system processes. Find the item you want and open its information page. It is critical to change the setting here Permissions, especially those related to displaying on top of other windows and notifications.

If your device has a Force Stop feature, use it before changing settings. This ensures that the process is not active in RAM when changes are made. After that, go to the "Notifications" item and completely disable them for this application. This will prevent banners from appearing in the notification curtain.

In some shells, such as MIUI or OneUI, an additional step may be required - disabling autorun. Find the appropriate section in the battery or security settings and make sure that the checkbox next to the operator application is unchecked. This will prevent its background activity after the phone is rebooted.

Disablement via the engineering menu and service codes

For more advanced users, it is possible to manage services through USSD commands or the phone’s engineering menu. These methods allow you to disable service mailings at the network level, which is sometimes more effective than blocking on the device side. However, you should proceed with caution, as incorrectly entering commands may change tariff options.

Try using universal codes to disable service messages. Enter on the dialing keypad *155*00# or *155*22# (commands may vary by region). If the code is accepted, you will receive confirmation that information services have been disabled. Also check the settings in the operator’s personal account, where you can disable “Service messages” by checking the boxes.

The Android engineering menu provides access to hidden radio module settings. To enter it, enter the code ##4636##. In the menu that opens, select "Phone Information". Here you can find options related to the preferred network type or specific SIM settings, although there is usually no direct “Disable STK” button; manipulations with the network type sometimes reset active menu sessions.

⚠️ Attention: The engineering menu interface differs on different processors (Snapdragon, MediaTek, Exynos). Do not change settings whose meaning you do not know, this may lead to loss of the network.

Disablement specifics on different versions of Android

The settings interface changes significantly from version to version, which often confuses users. On older versions of Android (up to 10), SIM card management was more open, and you could disable the menu by simply unchecking the checkbox in the call settings. In modern versions (Android 12, 13, 14), Google's security policy has tightened, hiding many options deeper in the system.

On devices with “pure” Android (Pixel, Motorola) the path usually lies through Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Advanced → Access to SIM cards. Here you can configure in detail which applications have access to SIM functions. On Samsung smartphones with the OneUI shell, this section can be located in Settings → Connections → SIM card manager.

If standard paths does not help, use the search in your phone settings. Enter the word "SIM" or "Toolkit" into the search bar. The system itself will highlight the desired section, which will save time searching through confusing menus of manufacturers. Remember that on dual-SIM phones, the settings need to be checked for each slot separately.

Android version	Settings location	Blocking features
Android 9-10	Settings → Applications	Directly disable notifications
Android 11-12	Settings → Privacy	Revoke permission required
Android 13-14	Settings → Security	Advanced access control

What to do if the application is not in the list?

Sometimes the SIM Toolkit system application is hidden from the general list. Try tapping the three dots in the corner of the Application Settings screen and selecting "Show system processes". If this does not help, use developer mode.

Using third-party launchers and utilities

If the built-in system tools do not allow you to completely hide the icon or stop the process, you can resort to using third-party software. There are special launchers that allow you to hide any applications from the menu, making them invisible to the user, although they continue to work in the background.

Applications like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher have the function of hiding icons. By installing such a launcher, you can remove the SIM menu shortcut from the desktop and from the general list of applications. This will not stop the process completely, but will eliminate the visual presence and random launches through the icon.

For deeper blocking, you can use permission management utilities, such as Bouncer or similar tools that require access rights through ADB. They allow you to temporarily grant permissions to applications. You can set up a rule so that the SIM menu never gets the right to display windows on top of other applications.

Radical methods: ADB and superuser rights

For technically savvy users, there is a way to completely disable the package via USB Debugging (ADB). This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and entering special commands. It allows you to “freeze” or remove updates to a system application, essentially turning it into a non-working stub.

To do this, you need to enable developer mode and USB debugging in your phone settings. After connecting the device to the PC, run the command to search for the package: adb shell pm list packages | grep sim. After finding the package name (for example, com.android.stk), enter the command to disable: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.stk.

Using Root (superuser) rights gives even more options. Using managers like Titanium Backup or SD Maid you can completely freeze the system application. However, this method carries risks: if done incorrectly, the operation of the communication module can be disrupted, which will require flashing the device.

adb shell pm list packages | findstr "tele2"
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.stk

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands may vary depending on the device model. Incorrectly disabling a critical system component can result in the phone no longer seeing the SIM card at all.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does it affect disabling the SIM menu for Internet speed?

No, disabling the STK interface does not affect the data transfer speed. The Internet operates at the communication protocol level, regardless of whether the operator's services menu is running. You may even notice a slight improvement in response time, since one background process will be stopped.

Is it possible to remove the SIM Toolkit application completely?

Without root access or using ADB, it is impossible to remove the system application, since it is part of the firmware. The maximum that can be done using standard means is to disable it, clear the data and disable notifications, which is visually equivalent to deleting it.

Why does the menu appear again after a reboot?

This happens because when the system boots, the radio module initializes communication with the SIM card, and the card sends a menu activation signal. To avoid this, it is not enough to simply close the window - you need to revoke permissions for autorun and display on top of other windows in the Android settings.

Is it safe to use codes to disable services?

Using USSD codes to disable information services is safe for the device, but can lead to the disabling of useful options such as voice mail or notifications of incoming calls when busy lines. Always carefully read the confirmation text on the screen before pressing the call button.

What should you do if your phone freezes when opening the menu?

If the SIM Toolkit application freezes, this is a sign of a software conflict. In this case, it is recommended not just to disable notifications, but to completely disable the application through settings or ADB, as described in the section on radical methods.