Xiaomi Redmi smartphones have a wide range of features that often include advanced voice control systems, and many users are faced with the situation when the phone starts dialing numbers or activating assistants when extracted from their pocket, due to the high sensitivity of the microphone and Google Assistant algorithms, which can mistakenly interpret background noise as a command.
Disabling this feature is necessary not only to prevent accidental calls, but also to save battery power, since background listening to commands consumes system resources. In the operating system Android with the shell MIUI or HyperOS, the deactivation process can vary depending on the version of the software. Below we will discuss in detail all available methods for solving this problem.
You don't have to be a technician to make the necessary adjustments, all the actions are done through the standard settings menu available to every device owner, and the main thing is to follow the steps carefully so that you don't turn off the useful features that you really need for everyday use.
Managing the settings of Google Assistant
The main source of voice dialing on modern smartphones is the built-in Google Assistant, which is the default set to activate the voice command "OK, Google." To limit its capabilities or completely disable voice launch, you need to go to the appropriate menu of search engine settings.
Go to your device settings and find the section that's responsible for Google apps, and you can set your voice recognition options in detail here, and turning off OK, Google will prevent the assistant from activating when the screen is unlocked, which often causes random actions.
- 📱 Open the Google app on your desktop.
- ⚙️ Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- 🗣️ Select Settings and go to Google Assistant".
- 🔇 Find the “OK Google” option and turn off the “Access with Voice Match” slider".
After doing this, the smartphone will stop responding to voice commands when the screen is on, but it is worth remembering that this does not disable the ability to call the assistant with a button or swipe from the corner of the screen.
Set up a lock from a pocket set
The Puck Dial Prevention feature is a security mechanism that locks the screen when foreign objects approach it. On Xiaomi devices, this option may not work correctly or be hidden in the depths of the menu. If your phone dials in your pocket, the problem often lies here.
You need to check your call settings through the standard Phone app. In some versions of the MIUI shell, this item may be called "Accumulent Activation Protection" or have a similar name. Activation of this feature uses a proximity sensor to lock the touchscreen.
⚠️ Warning: If the proximity sensor is contaminated or closed with a low-quality protective glass, the lock function may not work even when the setting is on.
In addition, you should pay attention to the sensitivity of the screen. In the engineering menu or special applications for calibration, you can check the sensor. If the screen responds to light touches through the fabric of the pocket, you may need to change the protective glass or calibrate the display.
The table below shows the main parameters that affect the operation of locking and voice dialing in different use cases:
| Parameter | Impact on the device | Recommended condition |
|---|---|---|
| Approximation sensor | Locks the screen in your pocket | On/Officially |
| Voice search | Activate the set on command | Off (optional) |
| Sensitivity of touch | Responds to touching with gloves | Turned off (if not necessary) |
| Auto-answer. | He picks up the phone when he comes up. | Off. |
Disable the function "Prepare to answer"
One of the often ignored but highly active features is the automatic response to an incoming call when you hold your phone to your ear, which can create the illusion that the phone is dialing or doing something, even though it is actually just responding to movement.
To turn off this feature, go to call settings. The path usually looks like Settings → Applications → System applications → Phone → Incoming call settings. Here you need to find the "Pick to Answer" switch and deactivate it.
Disabling this feature is especially important for users who carry a smartphone in their bags or pockets with a wide throat. Random movements can simulate an ear-to-ear tapping, which will result in a connection with the person without your knowledge, which not only wastes money, but also violates privacy.
💡
Use the Pocket Mode feature in the screen lock settings for additional protection against accidental pressing in the bag.
Working with Google App and Voice Search
In addition to the system assistant, voice dialing can be initiated by the Google app itself, which happens if the voice search function on the lock screen is activated, in which case even a locked phone can begin to dictate a message or search for information.
To eliminate this, you need to open the settings of the Google app. Find the Voice Search section and go to Voice Match, where you can completely disable the microphone to activate the search when the device is locked.
- 🔒 Open the settings of the Google application.
- 🎤 Go to the section "Voice search".
- 🚫 Select "Voice match".
- 📵 Turn off the option "From the locked screen".
This setup greatly enhances the security of your data, and no one else can use your phone to search for information or take actions through voice while your device is locked, an important step to protect your personal information.
Using third-party applications to block
If standard Android and MIUI tools don’t work, you can use third-party software. There are many apps on the Google Play store that are designed to lock the screen and manage calls with advanced functionality.
These programs can force the touchscreen to be blocked under certain conditions, such as when you're in a geolocation zone or at certain times of the day, and they create an extra layer of protection over the system settings.
However, one should be careful about the permissions that such applications require: access to microphone, contacts and call history should be strictly limited to only the necessary minimum, and installation of dubious software can lead to data leakage.
Which applications are trusted?
Resetting settings and eliminating software failures
In rare cases, a problem with spontaneous dialing can be caused by a software failure in the operation of the operating system or a particular application. If none of the above methods worked, consider resetting the phone settings.
Before you complete a full reset, make sure to back up all your important data, which can be done through Google’s cloud service or Xiaomi’s built-in backup feature, and save your contacts, photos and documents to an external medium.
☑️ Checklist before resetting settings
The reset process is done via the recovery menu or system settings. Select Recover and Reset and click Reset. The phone will return to factory status, which should eliminate any software errors causing the microphone or sensor to malfunction.
⚠️ Warning: A full reset will delete all data from the internal drive. Make sure you have an up-to-date copy of important information before starting the procedure.
After reset, take your time to install all the apps at once. Check your phone on a clean system. If the problem has gone away, install apps one at a time to identify the culprit if it reappears.
Diagnostics of hardware problems
Sometimes the reason is not software, but hardware, and damage to the display plume, moisture, or a faulty touchscreen can lead to what's called "phantom presses," and the phone can respond to non-existent touches by dialing numbers or opening apps.
You can use special test codes or apps to diagnose it, and type ##6484## into your phone app (not all models) to get into the engineering menu, where you can check the sensor and sensors.
If you see random taps in the sensor test without touching the screen, it's a sure sign of hardware failure, and then the software methods are powerless, and it requires the intervention of the service center specialists to replace the display module or the plume.
💡
If after resetting the settings and checking in safe mode the problem persists, most likely, the touchscreen or device plume is defective.