How to change the way you answer an incoming call on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to fine-tune the interface to make interaction with the device as comfortable as possible. One of the key aspects affecting the usability of the gadget in everyday life is the management of incoming calls. Standard settings may not satisfy all users, especially those who are accustomed to specific gestures or need to automate processes.

MIUI and its modern HyperOS shell offer advanced capabilities for customizing the behavior of a caller, so you can not just change the melody, but completely reshape the logic of how the phone will respond to the incoming signal, both in terms of the visual design of the call screen and the physical actions necessary to connect with the interlocutor.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can change your response, and we will look at the standard tools, the hidden functions of the engineering menu, and the capabilities of third-party applications, and understanding these settings will allow you to adapt your smartphone to your individual needs, whether it’s gloved control, driving a car, or just wanting to speed up the process of taking a call.

Standard settings in the phone application

The basic configuration of the system offers several call management options that are hidden in the settings menu of the app itself, and to access them, you need to open a standard call, click on three dots in the upper right corner, and select Settings, which is where the main lever of control of the device's behavior when you call.

In the Incoming Calls section, you will find the Response Mode option, where you can switch between the classic swipe and simpler actions, such as pressing a button. For older people or those with motor disabilities, changing this option to Answer the Button can be a crucial factor in the usability of the gadget.

Also, the menu often features a "Put to the ear for response" feature, which if activated, the proximity sensor will track the hand's movement to the screen, and the call will be received automatically without touching the display, which is especially true for situations where the hands are busy or dirty.

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If the “Ear-to-Ear” function is not working properly, check if there is a protective film covering the top of the screen, as this may block the sensor from working.

Importantly, the set of options available may vary depending on the version of the firmware installed. In older versions of MIUI, some items may have been moved or renamed, but the logic of the search remains unchanged: the settings of the Phone application are the primary source of configuration.

Gesture and proximity sensor control

One of the most useful features of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the ability to control the phone with gestures, which allows you to answer calls by holding the smartphone to your ear, or to deflect a call by turning the device down, activating these functions requires careful calibration of sensors.

To enable gesture control, you need to go to the settings menu, find the "Additional Features" or "Special Features" section, and then select "Gestural Manipulation." Here you need to activate the "Apply to a Call" switch, and then the accelerometer and light sensor will start operating in the background, waiting for characteristic movements.

• 📱 Ear Appearance: The phone will automatically answer a call if you hold it to your face during an incoming call, even if the screen is off.
• 🔄 Crash: If you turn the phone down during the call, the call will be rejected and the sender will receive a “busy” signal».
• 👆 Touch: Some models have a light double touch of the back cover or screen to take a call without unlocking.

⚠️ Attention: Using the "Ear-to-Ear" feature can lead to accidental call taking if you simply adjust your phone in your pocket or hold it near your face while talking to someone else.

Consider that sensors can be disrupted by a magnetic clasp case or a protective glass that is too thick. If you notice that the phone has stopped responding to gestures or, on the contrary, reacts too often, try removing the accessories and checking the function again. Also, the effectiveness depends on the speed of the gesture — the movement should be confident, but not sharp.

Automatic response and timers

For drivers and active people, the automatic response function is critical, allowing the phone to pick up an incoming call at a given time after the signal starts, eliminating the need to search for the phone and perform physical actions with the screen.

This feature is usually set up in the same settings menu of the Phone app, in the Automatic Response section, where the user is asked to select a delay before taking a call. The available intervals are usually 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 seconds. The optimal time depends on how quickly you usually reach the device.

The use of automatic response has its own peculiarities: first, the call sound will be played through the speaker if the headset is not connected, which may not always be convenient in a public place. Second, video calls through instant messengers often do not support this function at the system level, it works mainly with conventional cellular communication.

It's important to understand that when you turn on the automatic response, you don't see who's calling until you connect. If the Unknown number or spam number is displayed on the screen, the phone will still accept the call, so it's recommended that you use built-in spam filters in conjunction with a car reset.

Use of third-party applications for calls

MIUI can seem like a limited number of users who are used to “pure” Android or looking for specific functionality, and in such cases, third-party apps from the Google Play store come to the rescue, which completely replace the standard call, offering advanced features for customizing the interface and response methods.

One popular solution is the Truecaller or Simple Dialer app, which allows you not only to block spam, but also to customize your own themes, resize your response buttons, add hands-free buttons directly to the lock screen, and configure complex response scenarios, such as creating a Meet-Up profile where the phone will automatically respond only to your favorites.

When installing a third-party application, the system will request permission to use it as the default call app. Once confirmed, all incoming calls will be handled by the new program. However, be prepared that some system functions, such as recording a conversation (where it is allowed) or integrating with the Mi Cloud, may not work properly.

⚠️ Warning: Giving a third-party app rights to manage calls and access contacts potentially reduces privacy.Use only proven applications with a good reputation and read the privacy policy.

Sensor problems and screen calibration

Often, users are looking for a way to change the response method, not because they don't like the interface, but because the standard swipe stops working correctly, the screen may not respond to touches at the bottom of where the response button is located, or vice versa, make false positives, in most cases this indicates the need to calibrate the touch layer.

To diagnose and adjust the sensor in Xiaomi there is an engineering menu. To get there, you need to enter a special application in the "Phone" USSD-The most universal to check the sensor is the code ##64663## or ##4636##. From the menu you can select TouchPanel or Single Touch Test».

In test mode, swipe your finger around the perimeter of the screen, paying special attention to the bottom of the "Call" button. If a line is interrupted or not drawn in any area, then the sensor is not working in this place, in which case the software setting of the response method will not help - either a software reset or a touchscreen replacement is required.

Another cause of problems can be static electricity or a poor-quality charger. If the screen only “gluts” while charging, replace the cable or power supply. Using the original Xiaomi accessories minimizes the risk of interference affecting the capacity of the touch screen.

Specifics of work in glove mode and with a locked screen

Special attention should be paid to adjusting the sensitivity of the screen for use in gloves. Although this feature is more often associated with winter, it is also useful when working with wet hands or with a large thick protective film, turning on this mode changes the threshold of the sensor response, making the response more aggressive.

You can find this setting by Settings → Additional Features → Gloves Mode (the path may differ in different versions of the firmware). Activating this mode can affect the accuracy of the swipe to answer a call. If the swipe has become too sensitive and calls are received by accident, it is better to turn off the glove mode.

Also worth mentioning is the lock screen settings. In some design themes, the answer button may be hidden or shifted. If you have a third-party theme and noticed problems with answering calls, try switching to the standard Classic or Default theme in the Themes app, which will eliminate the interface programming conflict.

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Problems with answering a call are often solved not by changing the settings of the call, but by calibrating the sensor or changing the theme of the design, which conflicts with the system interface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)