Modern life requires a constant presence on the network, and a missed call can cost a major deal or a personal arrangement. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face a situation where during a conversation the incoming signal is simply blocked and the subscriber hears short horns. This is because the default function of waiting for a second call can be disabled or work incorrectly due to the features of the MIUI or HyperOS shell.
Turning this option on keeps you connected to the outside world, even if you're discussing project details or coordinating a meeting, and you can put the first person on hold and switch to the second, or you can end a conversation and call back. In this article, we'll go through all the activation options, from the phone's standard settings to the engineer's hidden codes, that will help if the menu is hidden.
Call-waiting is a basic skill that turns your smartphone into a full-fledged business communication tool, and we’ll look at not only software methods, but also the issues associated with carrier tariffs, as they are often the “invisible” limiter of this feature.
Why you need a call waiting function and how it works
The call wait function is a telecommunications service that allows you to receive a second incoming call while you're busy talking on the first line. GSM or LTE It simply blocks re-entry by sending a busy signal to the caller. On Xiaomi devices, this function is completely dependent on support from the outside. SIM-maps and modem settings.
When you activate the wait, your phone receives a special signal from the operator's base station, at which point you hear a characteristic horn, and a notification of a new call appears on the screen. MIUI It gives you a choice: to reset, to accept (putting the first on hold), or to ignore. SIM-Card for work and personal purposes, combining two numbers through Dual SIM.
It's worth noting that the function depends on the type of network. 2G and 3G The switching process can take a couple of seconds, during which communication is interrupted. 4G (VoLTE) switching occurs almost instantly and without breaking the communication channel, ensuring high sound quality. For stable operation of call waiting in modern networks, it is recommended to activate VoLTE mode in the settings SIM-map.
- 📞 Avoid missing important calls during an active conversation.
- ⏸️ It allows you to put interlocutors on hold without resetting the line.
- 📱 It works regardless of the number of active applications in the background.
- 🌐 Requires support from the operator and the tariff plan.
⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-card, call waiting settings should be made separately for each of them, as they can be served by different operators with excellent charging conditions.
Understanding how it works helps avoid confusion when the feature seems to be on but calls don't arrive. Often the problem isn't with the phone, but with the service itself not being connected on the provider side, even if the smartphone's menu is on a green light.
Standard activation through Android system settings
The easiest and most reliable way to enable waiting for a call on Xiaomi is to use the built-in settings menu. The path to the desired switch may vary slightly depending on the shell version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), but the logic remains the same.
Find the section that handles SIM cards and mobile networks, and in newer versions of firmware, it's often called the SIM card. SIM-maps and mobile networks. SIM-The card you want to set the wait for, and then scroll down to the "Additional Settings" or "Extended Settings" block, and that's where the switch is hidden.
☑️ Checking call settings
If you can't find an item in the general menu, try using the Phone app. Click on the three dots in the top right corner or the gear icon to enter the call settings. There should be an Accounts for Calls section or just Additional. In some cases, the system may request confirmation of the action through USSD-request that will be executed automatically.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- 📲 Choose the right one. SIM-map.
- ⚙️ Click on "Additional Settings" or "Advanced Settings".
- ✅ Transfer the "Waiting for a Call" slider to the active position.
Once turned on, the phone can briefly lose the network for 5-10 seconds to register the service on the operator's network, which is normal behavior. If after turning on the slider, it spontaneously shuts down after a couple of seconds, then the operator blocks this function at the network level, and manual code entry is required.
Use of engineering USSD-service-management codes
Sometimes the GUI hides the options you need or it doesn't work properly. USSD-Codes are special commands that are sent directly to the operator's server. The standard code *43# is used to manage the wait for a call.
To activate the service, open the dialing app and enter *43#, then press the call button. In a few seconds, you will receive a pop-up message from the network confirming that the service has been activated. The same code is used to check status (on or off) and #43# is used to completely disable.
*43# - Activate call waiting
#43# - Deactivation of the service
*#43# - Checking the current statusIt's important to understand the difference between software enabled on a phone menu and network activation. The phone menu only tells the network to turn on the service. If you've entered a code, you've received confirmation, but the phone's menu has turned off the slider, trust the code. The phone just didn't have time to sync status with the network.
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If the *43# code doesn’t work, try entering it in the dial field without calling, just waiting for the system to react, or add a pause after the code if the operator requires confirmation.
There are also codes for managing forwarding, which is often associated with waiting. If the call doesn't arrive, you may have an unconditional forwarding enabled to voicemail that intercepts the second call. Check the forwarding status with *#21#.
Setup through Xiaomi’s Hidden Engineering Menu
There is a deep engineering menu in the MIUI and HyperOS shells that allows you to control modem parameters at a low level, which is designed for developers and engineers of service centers, but can be useful for diagnosing communication problems, and is logged in through a special code in the call.
Dial ##4636##. If the menu opens, select Phone Information. This section shows a variety of technical parameters, including network status and preferred network types. However, direct call wait switches are rare here, and you can often reset your radio settings if standard methods don't work.
⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful in the engineering menu, changing settings like "Preferred Network Type" to incorrect values can lead to a complete loss of communication, which can only be restored by completely resetting network settings or flashing the firmware.
What if the code doesn't work?
If you see the network status changing constantly or the signal is unstable in the Phone Information menu, the problem may not be in the standby setting, but in the antenna hardware or modem firmware, in which case it is recommended to update the phone software to the latest version.
Advanced users can also access through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but it requires a computer connection and the availability of appropriate drivers. ADB They allow you to send the same USSD-requests software, bypassing the call interface, which is useful when automating settings on the fleet of corporate devices.
Table of codes and statuses for major operators
Different carriers may have different service implementation features, although the basic GSM standards are the same. Below is a table that helps you navigate the statuses and codes that may be useful in diagnosis.
| Operator. | Activation code. | Verification code | Tariff nuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | *43# | *#43# | The incoming second call is free, the outgoing one is at the tariff. |
| MegaFon | *43# | *#43# | The service "Wait for me" can conflict, it is better to disconnect. |
| Beeline | *43# | *#43# | An active service "Number Definition" is required for comfortable use. |
| Tele2 | *43# | *#43# | In some older rates, the service may not be available. |
| Yota | *43# | *#43# | It works only on 4G/LTE networks, and 3G may not work. |
As you can see from the table, the activation code is the same for everyone, but the terms of service may differ, for example, if you have a corporate tariff, the network administrator could force the user to disable the ability to manage these settings.
If you get a message, "Request Error" or "Code is not working," after you enter the code, it's a direct signal to contact your carrier's support team, and the problem is solved remotely in a couple of minutes.
Solving Typical Problems and Conflicts at Xiaomi
Despite the ease of customization, Xiaomi users often face a situation where the feature is turned on but not working. One of the most common reasons is a conflict with the "Record conversations" function. On some versions of MIUI, with automatic recording of incoming calls enabled, the system cannot correctly process the second audio stream, blocking the wait.
It’s also worth checking Do Not Disturb (DND) settings. If it’s activated, the phone can ignore incoming standby signals even if the service itself is active. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Don’t Disturb and make sure the mode is off or set to skip repeat calls.
- 🚫 Turn off automatic recording of conversations for verification.
- 🔕 Check the "Do Not Disturb" mode and lock lists.
- 📶 Make sure the mode is on. 4G/LTE customized SIM.
- 🔄 Reset your network settings to factory if nothing helps.
Another important aspect is the Dual SIM. If you have two SIM cards from the same carrier and you have a wait on both, when you call the second line while you talk on the first line, the phone can behave unpredictably. SIM-map.
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The most common reason for a call waiting for Xiaomi is not setting up the phone, but blocking the service on the operator’s side or conflict with the conversation recording function.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Phone and Contacts app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the system call, click Clear and select Clear Cache. User data will not be affected.