Accidental emergency call activation is a common problem faced by owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. Often the device emits a loud beep or starts calling the rescue services when the phone is in your pocket or bag. This is due to the sensitivity of the sensors and specific settings of the MIUI shell, which can be activated by default to ensure the safety of the user.
However, in everyday life, this feature becomes more of a nuisance that causes false alarms in loved ones and emergency workers. In this article, we will discuss how to turn off SOS on Xiaomi to avoid awkward situations. We will look not only at standard settings, but also at hidden system parameters that can affect the operation of emergency calls.
Security management requires careful attention, because an incorrect configuration can leave you unconnected at a critical moment. So before you fully deactivate the service, it is worth understanding the mechanics of its operation. Emergency calls on Android devices are often tied to the physical impact on the buttons, which leads to accidental positives.
What is SOS Mode and Why Does It Turn on Its Own?
The emergency call feature in Xiaomi smartphones is a software mechanism that allows you to quickly contact rescue services or trusted contacts. The algorithm is based on monitoring the status of the volume buttons. If a user presses the down or up button five times in a row, the system considers this a distress signal.
This logic is embedded in the Android operating system and adapted by manufacturers to their needs. On devices with a shell MIUI or HyperOS, this process can be complemented by sending geolocation coordinates and a short message. Automatic activation often occurs when the smartphone is in a tight case or a tight pocket, where there is an involuntary compression of keys.
It's important to understand that SOS mode is a high priority in the system, which means it can activate even when the screen is locked or the device is in sleep mode, which is why random calls can take the owner by surprise when he or she is just walking down the street or playing sports.
Why do calls continue after the function is turned off?
Disabling emergency call through security settings
The main method of deactivating the function is in the security settings menu, which may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the general logic remains the same for all models, you need to access the section responsible for emergency situations and personal data.
First, open the main app menu and find the Settings icon, and scroll down to the Passwords and Security section (in some versions it may simply be called Security) to the settings icon, and it's where all the device protection tools, including biometrics and access control, are concentrated.
Next, select SOS Emergency Call. In the menu that opens, you'll see a switch that activates the function. Turn it to the Off position. This action will prevent the system from responding to volume button presses as an alarm.
☑️ Checking security settings
Once the main function is disabled, check the adjacent settings. Often, the location message option is activated along with the call. Make sure that all sliders in this menu are inactive to completely eliminate the background operation of the service.
Removal of emergency contact
Even if the call mechanism is disabled, the phone can still have numbers that the system will try to call when the mode is activated, and removing these contacts is an important step to fully deactivate the function and prevent future errors.
In the same SOS Emergency Call menu, find a list of trusted contacts. Usually, it displays numbers that were added earlier. Click on each contact and select the option to delete or edit the list. the list ensures that even if the function is accidentally turned on, the call will not go anywhere.
It's worth noting that some Xiaomi models allow you to add contacts from the phone book, and if you decide to turn the feature back on in the future, you'll have to re-fill this list, and in the meantime, to prevent false positives, the list should be empty.
💡
It is recommended to check the emergency contact list periodically, even if the function is disabled. Updating the numbers may be required when changing the SIM card or carrier.
Setting up volume buttons and locking the screen
One of the reasons for false positives is the high sensitivity of the volume buttons. In some versions of the MIUI firmware, there is the possibility of adjusting the reaction to prolonged or repeated pressing, check if there is an assistant or camera action assigned to the buttons, which may conflict with system interruptions.
Go to the Additional Settings section and select Advanced Settings or Special Features. Find the button management option. SOS-regime.
It is also important to adjust the behavior of the device when the screen is locked. In the lock screen menu, turn off the ability to perform actions without unlocking. This will create an additional barrier to accidentally activate emergency functions when the phone is in your pocket.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on SOS |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency call. | Off. | Blocks the launch with 5 presses |
| SOS contact | Empty. | No place to call when it fails |
| Sending location | Off. | Stops data transmission |
| Voice call | Off. | Cancel dialing. |
💡
Completely disabling SOS requires a comprehensive approach: you need to turn off the function itself, clear the contact list and check the volume button settings.
Specificity of the shutdown on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The security configuration interface can vary significantly depending on the shell version. Owners of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 devices are most likely to find settings along the Settings path → Passwords and Security → SOS Emergency Call. Here the interface is more classic and clear.
With the release of MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS system, the menu structure changed, so that security functions could be moved to the Security app (green icon with a shield), and inside the application you need to go to the settings section (usually the gear in the corner) and look for Emergency Contacts.
If you can't find the right item in the specified places, search by settings. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings screen and type "SOS" or "Emergency" in. The system will tell you where the desired switch is hiding on your particular model.
What to do if the function does not turn off
In rare cases, users are faced with a situation where the SOS switch is inactive or returns to its original position after turning off, which can be caused by a system failure, the presence of superuser rights (Root), or conflict with installed applications.
First, try resetting the security section. In the app menu, find Settings, go to Apps → All Apps. Search Security or Security, click Clear → Clear all data. This won't delete your personal files, but will return the security settings to factory settings.
If the problem persists, check if you have third-party call apps or blockers installed. They can intercept control of volume buttons. Try to start the phone in Safe Mode and check the function there.
⚠️ Note: If you use a corporate profile or device MDM (Mobile Device Management, the network administrator can block the change of security settings. SOS It will not work without the administrator rights.
Possible risks of total shutdown of SOS
Before you finally abandon the function, you should weigh the pros and cons. By disabling an emergency call, you deprive yourself of a quick way to call for help if the phone ends up in the hands of an attacker or if you lose consciousness near the device.
For most users, however, the risk of falsely calling police or ambulances outweighs the potential benefits: False service departures can entail administrative liability, and repeated calls to relatives cause unnecessary panic.
An alternative to shutting down completely could be to change the behavior of the function, such as leaving a message on but turning off automatic dialing, which will let your contacts know about the problem, but will not create noise backgrounds and false calls.
⚠️ Note: On some models designed for specific regions (e.g. India or China), the function SOS It can be embedded deep in the system and not shut down by standard methods, and then only flashing to the global version will help.