Incoming call management is a critical feature for any modern smartphone, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is no exception. The ability to redirect calls to another number or voicemail saves you in situations where you are out of range or just busy with another conversation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the function on the popular device with the shell MIUI.
The setup process can be confusing due to the large number of menus and hidden options on the Android system.However, with the right navigation paths and special codes, you will be able to have full control over your incoming connections. We will look at both standard methods through the phone menu and more advanced ways to manage through the phone. USSD-request.
Call forwarding is a network service provided by your carrier, which means that the smartphone itself only sends a request to the operator’s network to change the call routing parameters. Understanding this nuance will help avoid confusion if settings are reset after a change. SIM-mapping.
The main types of call forwarding
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to clearly understand what kind of redirect scenarios are available to the user. The standard GSM protocol used in the Redmi Note 8 Pro supports four main types of routing incoming connections, each of which solves a specific task and activates independently of the others.
The first and most common type is unconditional forwarding, in which case all incoming calls are instantly redirected to the specified number without causing a call on your device, your phone may not even be making a sound, and the caller will hear the beeps already on the number where the forwarding is going, which is ideal if you are going on vacation and want the secretary or trustee to take the calls.
The second type is line-on-line redirection, which is activated automatically when you're talking to someone on the second line or videoconferencing the channel that's on the second line, and the third option is redirection when there's no response, the system waits for a certain number of beeps (usually 15 to 30 seconds), and if you don't pick up, the call goes on, and the fourth type is when the subscriber is unavailable, when the phone is off or out of the network.
⚠️ Note: When using redirects to other operators’ numbers or in roaming, you may be charged double rates: for an outgoing call from your number and for an incoming call to the number where the redirect goes.
It is important to distinguish between these states, as they are often represented by separate items on Xiaomi's menu.Incorrect setting can cause you to miss an important call, thinking it will come later, or, conversely, you will receive notifications about missed ones, although the call was redirected.
Setup through the standard phone menu
The simplest and most visual way to manage call routing is built directly into the MIUI-based Phone app. This method does not require memorizing codes and is suitable for most users who need to quickly check status or change the redirect number. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same.
To start, open the standard call app, which usually has a green handset as an icon. In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll find a three-dot menu or a gear setting. By clicking on this item, you'll be taken to the configuration section where you'll select "Call settings" or "Additional settings," which is where the options we want to use are hidden.
Once you go to the settings menu, the system can search for available services on the operator's network for a few seconds, find "Redirect" or "Redirect calls." You will see a list of four options that we talked about earlier: "Always", "When busy", "No response" and "When unavailable." By clicking on each of them, you can see the current status and enter a new phone number.
☑️ Checking the redirection settings
When entering a number, make sure that the format is international, especially if you are roaming. It is usually recommended to use a format with a plus and country code, for example, +79990000000. After entering the number, be sure to click the "Enable" or "Activate" button, otherwise the changes will not remain on the operator's side.
If you want to disable the function, select the option “Disable” in the same menu, the system will send the corresponding request to the network, and after a few seconds the screen will display a notification of successful operation. In some versions of MIUI, you may need to confirm the action through a pop-up window.
Use of the USSD-code-in
For those who prefer speed or have encountered problems in the graphical interface, there is a universal method of controlling through the use of a computer. USSD-These codes work on any phone, including the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and are independent of the operating system version. They send a command directly to the operator's network, bypassing the smartphone menu.
The basic code for managing all types of forwarding is *#21#. Dialing this number and pressing the call button will show the current status of unconditional forwarding. If it is active, the screen will display the number to which the calls are being made. To activate unconditional forwarding to the number X, the command *21*X# is used, where X is the target phone number.
Other types of redirects are controlled by specific codes, such as 67, which is used to redirect calls only when the line is occupied, and *67*X# activates this function and #67# disables, and codes for unavailability (62) and no response (61) work in the same way.
| Type of forwarding | Activation code. | Shutdown code | Status verification code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unconditional (Always) | *21*number# | #21# | *#21# |
| Employment | *67*number# | #67# | *#67# |
| When unavailable | *62*number# | #62# | *#62# |
| If there is no response | *61*number# | #61# | *#61# |
Remember, after you type the code, you need to press the call button, a pop-up message from the operator will appear on the screen confirming the execution of the command, if you see a message “Connection error” or “MMI Code”, this may mean that the service is not connected on the tariff or you are in a bad reception zone.
What do I do if the codes don't work?
Management through engineering menu and hidden settings
There is a hidden settings section in Xiaomi devices, often called the engineering menu, that provides access to advanced modem features. Although most users never look there, it is there that you can find detailed redirect settings that are not displayed in the normal interface.
Dial ##4636##. If the phone supports this command, the Testing menu will open. Select Phone Information. Scroll down to Call Settings, where you can see more detailed options, including timeouts for forwarding if no response is available.
Important: Be extremely careful in this menu. Changing unknown parameters can lead to unstable operation of the Redmi Note 8 Pro radio module. We recommend using this section only to view current settings or reset them to factory values if standard methods do not work.
⚠️ Warning: There is no Cancel button in the engineering menu. Any change is effective instantly. Do not change your preferred network type or other radio part settings without the need to.
If you accidentally change something superfluous, don't panic. Usually, it helps to just restart the device or reset the network settings to factory. USSD-codes described above.
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The engineering menu is a powerful tool for diagnosis, but for a simple redirect setting, it is better to use regular tools to avoid errors.
Features of working with two SIM-cards
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a hybrid slot that allows you to use two SIM-This makes its own adjustments to the redirect setup process, as each SIM card matches its own settings and operator rates.The phone's menu automatically detects the active SIM card for settings, but requires user care.
When you enter the call settings, you will see the separation between SIM 1 and SIM 2. All the actions you take apply only to the card you currently select. For example, activating a redirect on the first SIM will not affect the second one. This is convenient if you need to redirect work calls, leaving your personal number active.
Special attention should be paid to situations where one of the cards is used only for the Internet. If it does not have minutes or a tariff for voice communication, setting up the redirect may not be possible or lead to errors.
Also, when you switch "default" for outbound calls, the inbound redirect settings don't change automatically. SIM-maps in the Android system.
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Use different colors or names to SIM-cards in settings (for example, “Work” and “Personal”), so as not to accidentally configure a redirect to the wrong number.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes face difficulties, and the most common problem is that settings are not saved or reset after a reboot, which almost always indicates a problem on the carrier side or the lack of a paid Redirect service in your plan.
Another common situation is that the caller hears short beeps but no redirects occur, which may be due to the wrong format of the number entered. As mentioned earlier, using a country code format (e.g. +7 instead of 8 or 007) is critical for the correct operation of international and internet redirects.
If the redirect menu on the phone constantly gives an error “Call settings could not be changed”, try the following algorithm:
- 📱 Make sure the SIM card is active and has a network signal.
- 🔌 Reboot your smartphone to update your registration on the network.
- 📞 Call the operator and ask to check the status of the service on the network side.
- 🔄 Reset network settings in the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in the software failure of the MIUI shell. If nothing helps, clear the cache of the Phone application through the application menu or reset all settings to factory, saving important data beforehand.