How to set up tone set on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, are equipped with advanced communication modules that automatically determine the type of signal. However, in some cases, users are faced with a situation where when calling a bank, service services or voice menus, the hardware on the other end of the wire does not recognize keystrokes. Instead of the expected beeps or commands, the system asks to “dial again” or silently ignores the actions of the subscriber. This is because the phone by default can use pulsed coding method or simply do not switch to the desired mode automatically when connecting.

The problem is relevant not only for older models, but also for flagships of recent years of release, such as Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12.The bottom line is that the tone mode (Tone) must be activated forcibly or through hidden engineering menus if the standard algorithm fails. Without this, it is impossible to fully use the services of answering machines, banking lines and corporate PBX. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to make your smartphone transmit sound signals correctly, using the built-in capabilities of the system and special features. USSD-code.

It is important to understand that tampering with the call settings requires care. Changing the network settings incorrectly can lead to temporary loss of communication or inability to make outgoing calls. Critically, on most modern Xiaomi models with Android 11 and above, the standard tone switching menu is hidden by the interface developers, so you have to resort to alternative activation methods.

Why your smartphone doesn’t send tonal signals

Before we take action, we need to understand the nature of the problem. GSM more modern standards 3G/4G/LTE They transmit voice and data in different ways. When you dial a number, the phone uses the same coding method, but when you go into the voice menu mode, you go into the voice menu mode (IVR) He's got to switch to transmission. DTMF-If this switch does not occur, the operator on the line or automatic system hears only silence or distorted sounds.

Often the cause of failure is not the Android operating system itself, but the features of the work. SIM-Some virtual operators or corporate tariffs may block default tone transmission for security reasons or due to outdated communication profiles. MIUI: Global (Global) settings may differ from Chinese (CN) Russian (RU) assembly.

⚠️ Note: If you have just updated your firmware or changed SIM-Map, the problem may be temporary. Try restarting the device before making changes to system settings.

Another factor is the physical quality of the connection: In areas of insecure reception, when the phone is constantly jumping between 2G and 4G standards, the tone protocol may be interrupted, in which case software settings may not help, and you will need to change location or manually switch the network type in the settings.

Use of special symbols when dialing a number

The easiest and safest way to get a phone tone is to use special pause and wait symbols directly in the dial bar. This doesn't require you to log into hidden menus, and works on all Xiaomi and Redmi models without exception. The essence of the method is to add control characters that tell the phone when exactly to start transferring numbers.

There are two main symbols that you need to know:

• 📞 Comma (,) - adds a pause of 2 seconds before sending the next character. Used when you need to wait for the machine to respond.
• ⏸️ The semicolon (;) puts the set in standby mode. The phone will send the number, but the numbers after this character will be sent only after you confirm by pressing the call button.
• 🔢 The lattice symbol (#) and the asterisk symbol (*) are tonal signals in themselves, but they can also be used in combination with pauses for complex menus.

To add these characters, open the Phone app and go to dial mode. On the keyboard, find the switch to additional characters (usually marked as +*# or 123). There you will see the necessary signs. For example, if you need to dial the bank number 88001234567, wait for the beep and press 1, the dial line will look like this: 88001234567,1. Two commas will give 4 seconds to connect, after which the unit will fly to the network.

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For quick access to frequently used numbers with pauses, keep them in contacts. The pause symbols will be saved along with the number, and you won't have to re-enter them each time.

This method is especially effective for static numbers that you type regularly, but it does not solve the problem if you need to dynamically select menu items (for example, “click 1 for Russian, 2 for English”), since it is impossible to predict the operator’s response time.

Activation through CIT Engineering Menu

If simple character methods don't work, try using the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu, a diagnostic interface built into Xiaomi's firmware that allows you to test various device modules, including a speaker and a communication module. While there may not be a direct Tone Mode switch, checking the speaker's performance helps to rule out hardware problems.

To enter the diagnostic menu, use a universal code. Open the dialer and type the following combination:

##6484##

Once you enter the last star, the menu should open automatically, and if it doesn't, your carrier or firmware version may be blocking access to the code, so try the alternative: ##4636##, which opens the phone's test menu.

Inside the CIT menu, find a item associated with the Receiver or Speaker. Run a test. You should hear the characteristic sound. If there is a sound but the tone mode is not working in the applications, the problem is software. If there is no sound at all, maybe the speaker or the plume is damaged, and the software settings will not help.

⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu CIT, If you are not sure about their purpose, resetting the screen or sensor calibration can cause the device to malfunction, requiring flashing.

It is worth noting that in new versions of HyperOS, access to some CIT sections may be restricted by a password or removed altogether for security reasons, in which case you should not try to select access codes, since repeated failed attempts can block the diagnostic mode.

Setup through the hidden Android menu

A deeper level of settings is hidden in the standard Android testing menu, and this is where you often find switches related to dial type, accessed through code that works on most devices with pure Android and MIUI shells.

Dial the code:

##4636##

The "Check" window will open. Select Phone Information. Scroll down. You can see a lot of network-related options here. Look for options that contain the words Set Preferred Network Type or Radio Band. While there may not be a direct "Tone Mode" button here, switching a network type (e.g., from LTE to 3G) sometimes forces the signaling protocol to be changed to an older and more robust tone.

You can also reset the radio module in this menu, find the Turn off radio button, press it, wait 10 seconds, then press Turn on radio, which will restart the communication module without restarting the entire phone, and can eliminate temporary software errors that block DTMF.

If you find DTMF Tones in the Phone Information menu (which is rare but is found in older builds), make sure it is active. In some cases, there is an option called “Always use tone mode” that you need to enable.

Comparison of activation methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right way to solve the problem, we have prepared a comparative table of methods, each of which has its advantages and limitations depending on your situation and smartphone model.

As you can see from the table, using pause symbols is the safest and often the most effective solution for everyday tasks, and deep settings should only be applied if the problem is systemic and interferes with the constant use of important services.

Solving problems with third-party applications

Often users install alternative calling apps like Google Phone, Truecaller or CallApp to get an improved number detector or conversation recording, however, these apps may conflict with the system settings for tone transmission on Xiaomi devices.

If you use a third-party “caller”, try the following:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Find the application used for calls.
• 🗑️ Click on “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache».
• 🔄 If it doesn’t help, delete the application and check the tone mode on a standard call.

Also worth checking permissions. Make sure the app is allowed to use the microphone and phone. Sometimes, not having a microphone license blocks the transmission of audio signals, because the system thinks that the sound is being captured, and blocks the output. DTMF-pitch.

⚠️ Note: When removing a third-party call app, make sure you have access to a standard app, otherwise you may be left without the ability to make calls until you install new software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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In most cases, the problem is solved by adding commas to the room or temporarily switching the network to 3G, which forces the phone to use the old reliable signaling protocol.