Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone means being constantly connected, but there are situations when it is physically impossible to accept an incoming call, it can be a business meeting, being in a bad reception zone, or simply having to redirect work calls to another number. Call Forwarding is a standard telecommunications tool that allows you to automatically redirect incoming calls to another subscriber number, voicemail or answering machine service.
In the Android operating system, and especially in the MIUI or HyperOS shell, managing these settings is sometimes hidden in non-obvious menu locations or can conflict with carrier services. Users often encounter the error “failed to change redirect settings” when trying to activate the feature through the phone’s standard menu. Understanding how network and device-level call routing works will help avoid typical errors and quickly resolve the problem.
In this material, we will discuss in detail all available ways to activate call redirection, starting from standard interface settings and ending with manual input. USSD-You'll learn why the system can block change and how to properly configure the different types of redirects: unconditional, when busy, when no response is available, or when the phone is off.
Types of forwarding and their purpose
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to clearly understand what kind of redirect scenarios are available to the user. Communications operators and smartphone software offer four main types of routing, each of which solves specific tasks. Wrong type selection can lead to important calls going to someone else’s number at the wrong time.
The most aggressive option is unconditional redirection, in which all incoming calls are instantly redirected to a specified number without causing a call on your device. The subscriber will not even see the missed call, since the network will switch the call before it reaches your smartphone, which is ideal for situations where you completely transfer control of the phone to another person or are in an area where only one particular operator catches.
- 📞 Unconditional: The call goes to another number immediately without calling on your device.
- ⏳ When busy: Redirects only work if you drop a call or have a conversation.
- ⏰ If no response: the call is redirected if you do not pick up the phone within a given time (usually 15-30 seconds).
- 🚫 When unavailable: the function is activated when the phone is off or out of network coverage.
The rest are conditional, depending on your current status. Employment redirects are useful for freelancers who can't interrupt the conversation. Unanswered mode is often delayed to look at the screen and decide whether to pick up the phone or not. Combining these settings allows you to create a flexible inbox filtering system adapted to your rhythm of life.
Setup through the standard phone menu
The easiest and safest way to change redirect settings is to use the built-in Phone interface. The MIUI shell has standardized paths to these settings, but item names may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and region. To start, open the call app, which usually has a green handset as an icon.
In the upper right corner of the screen, find the three-dot icon or the gear that represents the menu. After clicking, select Settings. Then the interface will offer a list of options, among which you need to find the Accounts for calls or immediately Redirect. If you have a two-sim smartphone, the system will ask you to choose SIM-This is an important point, because the settings for each SIM are stored separately.
Once you select a SIM card, you will see a list of four redirect types that were mentioned earlier, and if you click on the type you want (like "Always"), you will see a field to enter the number. You can enter the number manually or select the contact from the phone book. Once you enter the number, click "Enable" or "Activate." The system will send a request to the operator's network, and in a few seconds the status will change to "On."
It is worth noting that some versions of Android menus may be called Additional Settings. If you do not see the desired item at once, carefully examine all tabs. It is also important to understand that the redirect status is displayed in real time. If you see the inscription “Receiving data from the network” for a long time, this may indicate connection problems or incompatibility of the request with the current tariff conditions.
Use of the USSD-call-management
When the GUI doesn’t respond or gives out errors, help comes. USSD-These are special commands that are sent directly to the operator’s server, bypassing the complex software shells of the smartphone. For Xiaomi owners, this method is often the only working solution, since it is less prone to interface bugs. MIUI.
All codes start with an asterisk, contain numbers, and end with a grille. Enter them into the dialing field just like a regular phone number, and immediately press the call button. The response from the network will come in the form of a pop-up message. Below is a table with the main codes that are relevant for most operators (the "big four" and virtual).
| Action. | Team code | Description of the outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Insert unconditional | **21*number# | All calls go to the specified number. |
| Disable unconditional | ##21# | Resetting redirects to factory settings |
| Check status. | *#21# | It shows where the calls are being redirected. |
| Shut it down. | ##002# | Complete reset of all types of forwarding |
Note that instead of the word "number", you need to substitute a digital code where the calls will go. For example, to redirect calls to 89001234567, the command will look like this: 21*89001234567#. For conditional redirection (during employment) the code is 67*, if there is no response, 61*, if it is unavailable, 62*.
Problem Solving: “Can’t change the settings” error
One of the most common problems on Xiaomi smartphones is the appearance of a system error notification when trying to activate a redirect. the message reads: “Call forwarding settings failed to change.” This does not mean that the phone broke, but indicates a desynchronization between the network settings and the local app cache.
Often the reason is that the operator-side service is already activated with other parameters, and the phone can not "overwrite" them through the standard interface. USSD-code ##002#. After you successfully execute the command (sms or pop-up about disconnecting) try to reset the desired redirect through the menu. 90% of the time this solves the problem.
⚠️ Note: If the error persists after code reset, check if you have Call Barring enabled. Redirects cannot work if incoming calls are blocked by the operator or settings. SIM-map.
It's also worth checking if the Phone app has the necessary permissions. Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Phone. → Permits: Make sure that phone and contacts are allowed, sometimes cleaning the phone app cache helps «SIM-Maps" through the app management menu. Don't be afraid to clear the cache, your contacts and call history won't be affected.
Another reason could be the use of third-party "calls" from Google Play. MIUI shell is optimized for the native app. If you've installed an alternative number dialer, try temporarily returning the standard. System conflicts between Google Dialer and MIUI Dialer are a well-known problem that is solved by going back to the factory version.
Features of redirection on two-symbol devices
Xiaomi smartphones are famous for excellent support for two SIM-But this makes some adjustments to the logic of redirecting, and the rule is, each SIM card has an independent setting profile, and activation of the function on the first SIM doesn't affect the second one. You have to repeat the setup procedure separately for each slot.
When configured through the menu, be extremely careful when choosing a SIM card at the top of the screen. Often users set up a redirect to Sim 1, thinking it applies to all numbers, and then wonder why the second SIM calls pass. The visual indicator of the active SIM is usually highlighted or highlighted in color.
There's also a nuance with voice mail, and on many devices, when you turn on unavailable forwarding, the destination number becomes the operator's voicemail center number, and if you want to redirect calls to your second number or a colleague's number, you'll have to manually interrupt that number in the settings, replacing the standard voice gateway.
- 📱 Separate configuration: Repeat the algorithm for SIM 1 and SIM 2 separately.
- 🔄 Cross-direction: you can configure the departure of calls from the first SIM to the second, creating the effect of a single number.
- 💰 Tariffing: Remember that a forwarded call is charged as coming from your number to the forwarding number.
Impact of redirection on balance and tariff
It's important to understand the economics of a call. A call forwarding is technically two connected calls: one coming to your number and one coming from your number to the forwarding number. The operator treats this as an outgoing call on your part, and therefore your account will be debited according to the rate per minute.
If you're in your home region, the cost can be standard or included in the minutes package. But the situation is changing dramatically in roaming. If you're abroad and turn on a Russian number, you'll pay for incoming roaming (unless the charge is "limitless") and for outgoing call to Russia. This can lead to very large bills.
⚠️ Attention: Before turning on travel redirects, be sure to check with the operator the cost of a minute of outgoing call in the current country of stay. SIM-card to the second phone or use Internet calls.
There are also packages where forwarding is included in the subscription fee. Check your plan in the operator's personal account. Some modern rates offer Call Transfer service for free or for a nominal fee per month, eliminating the need for manual adjustment every time.