In the digital age, privacy is becoming an increasingly valuable resource, with Xiaomi and Redmi users often facing the need to make anonymous calls, whether it’s business correspondence with an unfamiliar counterparty or face-to-face communication that they don’t want to advertise. Fortunately, MIUI shell and Android operating system provide a wide range of tools to manage the display of your subscriber ID.
There are several levels of number hiding: from a temporary solution for a single call to a permanent profile setting. SIM-It is important to understand that the methods may vary depending on your device model and firmware version, and in this article we will discuss all the available methods so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
It is worth noting that the complete concealment of the number can be blocked by your mobile operator at the network level, so if the software settings do not help, the first step should always be to call the support of your provider to clarify the available services.
Use of system settings Android and MIUI
The easiest and most reliable way to hide a number is to use the built-in functions of the operating system. In Xiaomi smartphones, telephony settings are deeply integrated into the system, which allows you to manage the display of Caller ID without installing third-party software.
Once you open the app, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to open the menu, and select Settings. Next, look for Accounts for Calls or Additional Settings (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
In the call settings menu, you will need to find the option “Display Number” or “Show Number.” The system will offer three options: “Show Number”, “Hide Number” and “Default (Network Settings).” By selecting the option “Hide Number”, you activate the function for all outgoing calls until you change the setting back.
⚠️ Note: Once you activate the Hiding Number feature, your outgoing calls will be marked as “Unknown Number” or “Hidden Number” by the interlocutor.
If you can’t find the settings, it could mean that your mobile operator won’t allow you to change this setting through the phone menu, in which case the control of the function goes to the operator’s responsibility, and the settings in the phone may be inactive (blacked out).
Hiding the number through USSD-operator codes and services
The universal method that works on any phone, including the budget models of Redmi, is the use of the phone. USSD-These codes are sent directly to the mobile operator's server, bypassing the Android operating system settings, which is especially true if the phone's menu does not allow you to change the display setting.
To temporarily hide the number before dialing the main number, you need to enter a special prefix. In most regions and the main operators (the “big four”), the code #31# is used. For example, to call 89001234567 anonymously, you need to enter #31#89001234567 in the dialing field and press the call button.
To permanently activate the number hiding service, you can use the #31# command (press the call button). To deactivate the service and show the number to all subscribers again, you enter the #31# command. The status of the service can be checked by the #31# command.
- 📞 Activation code: dial #31# and call.
- 🔓 Deactivation Code: dial #31# and call.
- ❓ Status check: dial #31# and call.
For example, the service "Number Antideterminer" may require the connection of a paid option through the personal account or the operator's application.
Configure via the “Security” application and antivirus
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is focused on security, with a pre-installed Security app, and while its primary function is virus protection and memory cleansing, some versions of MIUI firmware offer additional call blocker settings that indirectly affect anonymity.
Open the Security app and go to Antispam or Lock. You can set up rules for incoming calls, but it's also worth checking your privacy settings. Sometimes MIUI system updates bring Caller ID management functions to Privacy Protection.
Also, the Security app often contains a database of spam numbers. If you hide your number to avoid a call back from scammers, make sure you have protection against them on, which creates a double barrier: you can't be seen, and only trusted contacts call you.
Keep in mind that the Security app is regularly updated through the GetApps store or Google Play. New versions may contain a modified interface or repositioned settings, so always check the relevance of the app version.
Use of third-party applications for calls
If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t meet your requirements, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue. There are many VoIP services and dialers that allow you to swap out or hide your number at the application software level.
Popular services like Google Voice (relevant in some regions), Skype, or specialized apps like Hide My Number all work over the Internet, assigning you a virtual number or masking your real one. This is ideal if you need to make a one-time anonymous call abroad without changing your settings. SIM-map.
When installing these apps, pay attention to the permissions you ask for, they need access to a microphone, contacts, and in some cases, a phone, and trust trusted developers only, because you trust them with your traffic and call metadata.
The advantage of these apps is that they have a separate contact list for anonymous calls, but the quality of the connection depends on the speed of the Internet connection, not the coverage of the cellular network.
☑️ Selection of a call app
Table of comparison of methods of hiding the number
To make it easier for you to navigate your methods, we have prepared a summary table that will help you quickly assess the pros and cons of each method, depending on your current tasks and smartphone model.
| Method | Difficulty | Duration of action | Dependence on operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI settings | Low. | Constantly (until shift) | High (may be unavailable) |
| USSD-code | Medium | Constantly or once | Complete. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | During use | Low (we need internet) |
| Virtual numbers | Tall. | Service rate | Absent. |
As you can see from the table, built-in settings are the most convenient option for permanent use, but it is often blocked by operators. USSD-codes are the “golden mean”, and applications give maximum flexibility, but require the installation of additional software.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users of Redmi Note and older Xiaomi models may experience a situation where the settings are reset after updating the firmware. If the number is no longer hidden, check whether the phone application or system services have updated their access rights.
Another common problem is settings conflict: If you hide a number in your phone settings but the service is not activated by the operator (or vice versa), the result can be unpredictable. In some cases, the call simply won't pass and you hear the beeps busy or a message about a connection error.
⚠️ Warning: Hiding a number does not make you completely invisible to emergency services.When calling the police, fire department or ambulance (102, 103, 112), your number is always determined by the dispatcher regardless of the privacy settings.
Also worth mentioning is the “Anonymous Call” feature in instant messengers. If you use WhatsApp or Telegram, the number hiding settings are in the “Privacy” section -> “Photo” or “Status”, but the phone number in these applications cannot be hidden from the interlocutor if it is already recorded in the contacts or you write to him first.