Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have many smart features designed to make life easier for users. One of these features is an automatic responder that can receive calls or send messages in your absence. However, often this feature is activated accidentally or by default, creating awkward situations when calling. Android answering machine can be implemented as a system application or service of a carrier, and it is important to understand the difference.
If you find your phone answering calls or if you hear a recorded message instead of a beep, you need to understand the settings. In most cases, the problem lies in the activated Voicemail or SMS auto-response function in the Phone app. Ignoring this can lead to missing important business conversations or leaking confidential information.
The interfaces of MIUI and the new HyperOS may differ in the location of menu items, but the logic remains similar: you will check the settings of the application itself, system parameters and possibly contact the operator. Below are detailed instructions for various scenarios of using the smartphone.
Determining the type of answering machine on Xiaomi
Before you start to shut down, you need to figure out what mechanism works in your case. There are two main types of automatic responses on Xiaomi devices: system (built into the shell) and network (provided by the operator). System response is usually automatic SMS-Messages when a missed call or automatic pickup of the handset. Network answering machine (voice mail) works on the operator side and is activated by codes or through network settings.
System features are often activated in Do Not Disturb or Drive mode. If you didn't set up these profiles specifically, the phone could have navigated to them automatically on schedule or geolocation, and it's important to check if you have Auto-Respond in Phone mode, which allows you to reset calls with a message.
⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations in the phone settings, the answering machine continues to work, the problem is 99% on the side of your carrier.
For accurate diagnosis, we recommend that you run a test call from another number. Notice how many beeps the switch takes place. If the phone picks up the phone itself after 0-2 beeps, that's system setting. If the beeps go on for a long time (10-15 seconds), and then the record is turned on, that's the operator's voicemail.
Disabling Auto Response in the Phone Application
The most common source of the problem is the built-in Mi Dialer app or Google's standard Phone, which is pre-installed on global firmware versions, and this is where the automatic call response function most often hides, and you need to open the app and find the settings menu to access the desired parameters.
Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen or the gear icon to open the menu. In the list that opens, look for Settings or Advanced Settings. The interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section related to handling incoming calls.
☑️ Checking call settings
Inside the settings menu, find the Auto Answer or Respondent section. If you have a global firmware version with a Google app installed, the path may look like Settings → Voicemail. In Chinese versions or firmware for other markets, this item may be called Autoresponder and have more advanced functionality, including recording your own greeting.
If you find an active switch, just turn it to the off position. It's also worth checking the SMS Auto Response settings. This feature allows you to send a text message to anyone who calls you when you can't answer, and users often forget to turn it off after using it.
In some cases, you need to adjust the auto-response conditions, for example, the phone can only answer calls from contacts from the Favorite list or only with the headphones connected, make sure that all these sub-items are also deactivated to prevent accidental positives.
Configuring voice mail and operator services
Voice mail is a service provided by your telecom operator (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2 It does not depend directly on the phone model, whether it is Xiaomi Mi 11 or budget Redmi Note. USSD-Operator codes or app, but basic settings are available in the phone menu.
To turn off voicemail forwarding through Android settings, go to the Phone app. Open the settings menu and find Accounts for Calls or Additional Settings. There should be a Voicemail section. When you click on it, you'll see the number that's being forwarded to. Often, it's the operator's service number.
You can try to clear the voicemail field or replace it with a blank value, but current versions of Android may not allow you to keep the empty field. USSD-commands to disable all types of forwarding.
| Operator. | Shutdown command | Status check team | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | ##002# | *#21# | Disables all redirects. |
| Beeline | ##002# | *#21# | Universal reset code |
| Megaphone | ##002# | *#21# | Works on all tariffs |
| Tele2 | ##002# | *#21# | Instant shutdown |
Enter the required combination in the dial box and press the call button. You should receive a notification of successful operation. ##002# is a universal GSM standard and works for most operators around the world, resetting redirects when busy, unavailable and unanswered.
What if the code doesn't work?
Use of the “Do Not Disturb” and “Driving” modes
Often users do not even realize that auto-response is enabled in special modes of operation of the smartphone. Xiaomi has profiles that automatically change the behavior of the device. Drive Mode is especially insidious, as it is designed for security and can automatically answer calls with a message or voice.
Check to see if you have Do Not Disturb mode activated, in which the phone can drop calls from all but selected contacts and send them a notification that you are busy. To check, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Do Not Disturb.
Inside the mode settings, look for "Repeat Calls" or "Allow Calls." If there's a restriction, such as "Favorites Only," then the rest of the callers will hear the beeps, then redirect or reset. Also check the mode's schedule - it may turn on automatically at night or during business hours.
- 🚗 Driver mode: Open the Safety or Tools app, find Mode Behind the Driving and turn off the auto-response function in its settings.
- 🌙 Sleep mode: Check your digital well-being settings, where a schedule can be set for automatic “Do Not Disturb” mode».
- 📵 Physical buttons: On some models, the side button can be programmed to quickly turn on the silent mode or auto-response.
Turning off these features will return the phone to standard behavior, and if you use these modes but don't need an auto-response, just go to their detailed settings and uncheck the box on Auto-response or Send a Message.
Third-party applications and software conflicts
If the built-in settings didn't help, the reason could be third-party apps you installed from Google Play. Various number detectors, spam blockers (like Truecaller, GetContact) or conversation recording apps often have their own autoresponse features. They can intercept call control from the system.
Think about whether you've recently installed any contact or call utilities, and go to the settings of that app and look carefully at the "Call Answer," "Auto Answer," or "Blacklist" sections, and often there are hidden settings that are enabled by default.
⚠️ Note: Apps with phone access rights may conflict with Xiaomi's system interface.If you can't find a setting, try removing newly installed apps related to calls and check if the problem has gone away.
Also, check the permissions of the applications. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Special. features (or “Special features”). See if there are any suspicious programs that have access to control the phone. Disabling permissions for unverified applications can solve the problem.
In rare cases, the cause is a failure in the system process itself, which will help to clear the cache of the Phone application. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Memory → Clear the cache. This will not delete your contacts or call history, but reset temporary settings files.
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Before removing third-party number identifiers, make sure you remember your important contacts if they are stored only in the app’s memory, not in your Google account or on your Google account. SIM-map.
Resetting network settings and extreme measures
When software methods fail, you should resort to resetting your network settings, which will return all your mobile and Wi-Fi connection settings to factory values. This is safe for your personal data (photos, contacts, applications will be saved), but you will have to re-enter passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Confirm action. Once the reboot is done, the phone will re-register on the operator’s network and the redirect settings should be updated to standard.
If that doesn't work, then the last option is a factory reset, which is a radical measure that will remove all the data from your phone, and before that, make sure you back up. After the reset, don't restore the apps right away, but check the calls on the clean system.
- 🔄 Resetting settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Erase all data.
- 📞 Checking without SIM: Out. SIM-Check if the auto-response menu appears (sometimes it hangs in the cache).
- 🏢 Service center: If the problem persists even after reset, the communication module may be faulty or a service flashing is required.
Remember that 95% of the time, the problem is solved by settings in the Phone app or by the operator’s command to disable the redirect. Don’t rush to carry the phone for repair until all software methods have been tried.
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The most effective way to deal with answering machine is to combine disabling the function in the Phone application and resetting redirects. USSD-code ##002#.