Setting up the call answer button on Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the inconvenience of responding to incoming calls: the standard power button is not always convenient, and touch gestures can be triggered by accident. Especially a problem for users with cases or owners of models like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro, where physical buttons are buried deep in the case. Fortunately, MIUI offers flexible settings that allow you to reassign buttons, add gestures or even use voice commands to respond.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to configure the call response button, from the basic settings in the Settings menu → Special features to hidden functions through Developer Mode.

• 🔄 Reassign the power or volume button for response/switch off
• 👆 Set up gestures (lifting the tube, double touching)
• 🎤 Activate voice response via Google Assistant or Mi AI
• ⚙️ Fix common errors (button does not work, it is triggered by accident)

Important: some features depend on the MIUI version and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with MIUI 14, there are more options available than on the budget Redmi 10A with MIUI 12.5.

1. Standard settings for responding to a call in MIUI

Let’s start with the basic options that are available on all Xiaomi smartphones without activating the developer mode.

• 📱 Change the reaction to the power button (respond/refuse the call)
• 🔕 Set up an automatic response when lifting the tube to the ear
• 🔊 Turn off vibration when pressing buttons during a call

To open the settings menu:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Physical buttons.
2. Select the Power button to answer the call.
3. Activate the switch if you want to answer calls by pressing the power button.

Note that on some models (e.g. POCO F4 GT), this option may be in Settings → System → Gestures. If you do not find an option, check the Additional section in the call settings.

Open "Settings"|Find the section "Special Opportunities"|Check the item "Physical buttons"|Activate the option "Power button answers the call"-->

2. Reassign volume buttons to answer calls

If the power button is uncomfortable (for example, due to a case or a physical defect), it can be replaced with volume buttons, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 11 and newer, but requires activation of the developer mode.

Reassignment instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Reassignment of volume buttons

Answering the phone

On Xiaomi 12T Pro and later, reassigning volume buttons may conflict with the “Rapid Volume Reduction” function – turn it off in the audio settings if gestures stop working.

3.Tune gestures to answer calls

Xiaomi offers several gestures that make it easier to answer calls without pressing buttons.

• 📞 Raising the tube to the ear - an automatic response when approaching the smartphone (works through the proximity sensor).
• ✌️ Double touch screen – answer/defeat on double tap (even on locked screen).
• 🔄 Phone flip – turning off the alarm clock or rejecting the call.

To tune the gestures:

1. Open the settings → Display → Gestures.
2. Choose Gestures during the call.
3. Activate the necessary options (we recommend you to turn on the answer Raise and Double Touch).

⚠️ Attention: on models with AMOLED-With screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), double tapping can accidentally trigger in your pocket. To avoid false answers, turn off the Rise to wake up function in screen settings.

4. Voice response to calls via Google Assistant or Mi AI

If physical buttons and gestures are uncomfortable, you can customize voice response through virtual assistants, a technique that is particularly useful for drivers or users with disabilities.

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Install the Google app (if removed).
2. Open Settings → Applications → By default → Assistant and voice input.
3. Choose Google as your default assistant.
4. Say “OK, Google, answer the call” during the call.

For Mi AI (available on Chinese firmware and global MIUI 14+):

1. Activate Mi AI in Settings → Special features → Voice Assistant.
2. Set up a voice command (e.g., "Accept a call").
3. During the call, say the command - the smartphone will automatically respond.

⚠️ Warning: Voice response may not work during active Do Not Disturb Mode or when connected via Bluetooth to a car radio. AI In Settings → Annexes → Permits.

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If the voice assistant does not respond to commands during the call, add the Phone app to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).

5. Solving the Call Answer Button Problems

If the answer button doesn't work or it doesn't work predictably, the reasons can be both software and hardware.

• 🔋 Power button doesn't respond to presses: Check if the button connector is contaminated (clearly brush with a toothpick). Update the firmware to the button. MIUI 13.0.6 was a click processing error. Reset button settings in Settings → Special facilities → Physical buttons.
• 📵 Gestures don't work: Turn off the energy-saving mode, it locks the sensors. Check if the proximity sensor covers the case (usually located to the right of the speaker). Reboot the smartphone - sometimes the sensors "hang up".
• 🔊 Call sound is there but screen is not responding: 'This could be a mistake' MIUI — Try resetting the settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset application settings. If the problem recurs, check the display for dead zones (possibly damaged touchscreen).

On the Xiaomi 11T Pro and 12 Pro with MIUI 13.1, there was a massive complaint about the power button's late response.Solution: roll back to MIUI 13.0.4 or upgrade to MIUI 14.

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If the response button stopped working after falling or getting moisture, do not try to disassemble the smartphone yourself - contact the service center. Damage to the power button plume can lead to a complete loss of functionality of the device.

6. Party of the application for advanced button setting

If standard MIUI features are not enough, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🛠️ Button Mapper – Reassign any buttons (requires) ADB or root: Supports long/short presses. May assign the volume button to start the application.
• 📱 MacroDroid - Automation by events: For example: If an incoming call is from your mother → Answer automatically. Works without root, but some features require ADB.
• 🔧 Tasker – Advanced Automation: You can create a rule: When calling + double-push → It's a complex interface, but it's a very flexible one.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Button Mapper may conflict with system services MIUI. Before use:

1. Create a backup.
2. Give the application all the necessary permissions in Settings → Special access.
3. Turn off battery optimization for the utility.

Example of command for ADB (required for Button Mapper):

adb shell pm grant flar2.homebutton android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

7. Features of settings on popular Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances in the setting of the answer to calls.

On gamers’ models (such as Black Shark 5 Pro), the response buttons may conflict with Shark Space triggers.

1. Turn off Shark Space in the game settings.
2. Reassign physical buttons through Settings → Additional → Black Shark buttons.

Frequently asked questions