Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users many features for comfortable communication, but not all of them are equally useful in everyday life. One of these options is the “Second Call”, which allows you to take incoming calls during a conversation, putting the interlocutor on hold. Although this feature seems convenient for business negotiations, in reality it is often annoying, interrupting a conversation with a beep or creating confusion when switching between lines.
Many owners of devices based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS are faced with a situation where the second subscriber hears the beeps and the first one hears an unpleasant click or interruption of communication. This is due to the default service “Waiting for a Call”. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to deactivate this feature in various ways, including system settings, engineering codes and contacting the carrier so that your phone only rings when you are free.
Not only will this option be noisy, it can also solve problems with a sudden connection break, as some networks are unstable in handling switching between channels. We will look at the algorithms for different versions of firmware and phone models, so you can choose the most suitable option.
Why disable the call waiting function
Call Waiting was designed for a business segment where missing a call from a second customer is not acceptable. However, in everyday use, this technology often brings more inconvenience than benefit. When you talk to a friend or relative, a sudden signal of a second call can be perceived as disrespectful or simply distracting from the essence of the conversation.
Technically, activation of the second call sometimes affects voice quality. In areas of uncertain reception of a 4G or 3G network, the network's attempt to process an incoming signal during an active conversation can trigger a change in network type (for example, a drop to 2G/EDGE) or a complete disconnection of the connection. If you do not use this feature professionally, disabling it will be a preventive measure for the stability of communication.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to call settings, make sure you have an alternative method of communication (messenger or second phone), as after disabling the feature, all repeat calls will receive a “busy” signal or be reset.
And the psychological aspect is that being able to ignore the second call without interrupting the first dialogue reduces stress. You don't have to respond to every incoming signal instantly. By turning off the wait, you regain control of the communication: if someone calls while you speak, they'll get busy and likely write a message or call back later when you're free.
Standard way to disconnect through phone settings
The easiest and safest way to deactivate the second call is to use the built-in Android settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You do not need superuser rights or third-party apps.
When you open the app, look for the gear icon or the three dots in the corner of the screen that represent the menu. In the list that opens, select Settings or Additional Settings. This hides all the options associated with SIM cards and voice communication. Find the section that is responsible for carrier accounts or directly for SIM cards if you have two.
☑️ Disconnect Algorithm Through the Menu
Inside the settings of a specific SIM-The card will be called "Second Call" or "Waiting Call," and if you click on it, you'll see three options: turn it on, turn it off or ask it. Select "Disable." The system will send a request to the operator's network, and in a few seconds the function will be deactivated. It is important to do this operation for each SIM card separately, if the smartphone has two.
Sometimes, after selecting "Disable", a pop-up may appear warning the caller to hear the busy signal. This is a normal system response. Confirm action. If the settings do not apply immediately, try restarting the device or turning on and off flight mode for re-registration on the network.
Use of the USSD-codes and engineering menus
If the GUI fails to disable the function or the menu freezes, you can use direct commands that are sent to the operator. This is a universal method that works on any Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO. USSD-codes do not require an internet connection and work even at a minimum signal level.
To manage the service "Second Call" the following commands are used, which must be dialed in the dialer as a regular phone number:
- 📞 #43# – check the current status of the service (you will find out whether it is included or not).
- 🚫 #43# - completely disabling call waiting.
- ✅ *43# – Re-enable the function if it is needed in the future.
- 🔄 *#43# – Alternative status request for some networks.
After dialing the #43# command, press the call button. The system message from the operator will appear on the screen that the service is disabled. This action applies instantly to your SIM card., these codes work at the network level, so resetting the phone settings or repositioning the SIM card to another device will not return the function - it will remain disabled until you activate it again.
In some rare cases, especially when using virtual operators or corporate tariffs, direct USSD-The codes may be blocked by the network administrator, and the only solution is to contact your carrier's support team.
Settings through the Security app and system restrictions
In the MIUI shell, many system functions are aggregated in the Security app. Although most of the call settings are in the Phone app, some settings may duplicate or conflict with the power saving settings, and checking this section will help to eliminate software errors.
Go to the Security app, scroll down to Licenses or Special Features (depending on the firmware version). Make sure the Phone app has all the permissions you need. Sometimes, not allowing you to display on top of other windows can prevent you from displaying the call management menu correctly, which may make the call switch off button inactive.
It’s also worth checking if you have third-party calling apps installed (like Google Phone instead of MIUI Dialer or Truecaller). If you’re using a third-party dialer, you’ll need to look for the settings in that one. The logic will be similar: Settings → Accounts → Second call. However, system code #43# will be a priority over the application settings.
| Method of disconnection | Difficulty | Speed of action | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the phone menu. | Low. | Instantly. | Tall. |
| VSSD-code #43# | Low. | Instantly. | Maximum |
| Through the operator's application | Medium | 5 minutes. | Tall. |
| Calling operator | Tall. | Up to 24 hours. | Tall. |
Problems with two. SIM-mapping and their solution
Xiaomi smartphone owners often use two numbers at once, which creates a specific situation: the second call settings are applied separately to each SIM card. If you disabled the feature on the first SIM but forgot about the second, calls to the second number will continue to interrupt your conversations if the forwarding is active or if you accidentally answer the second line.
It's important to understand the difference between "Second Call" and "Redirect." The second call is waiting in a line. Redirecting is redirecting a call to another number if you don't pick up the phone or the number is busy. If you turn off the second call on both SIM cards, the incoming call to the second SIM during the conversation on the first one simply won't pass (the subscriber will hear "busy") unless the forwarding is configured to voicemail.
For the correct operation of two SIM cards, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
- 🔍 Check the status of the service for SIM 1 and SIM 2 separately via the settings menu.
- 📉 Make sure that both cards are “Disable».
- 📲 Check the redirect settings: if the second call is disabled but calls still pass, the redirect may be enabled».
In some cases, especially after a firmware update, SIM card settings may “fly” or get confused. If you notice strange call behavior (for example, the caller hears the beeps, even though you have a wait turned off), reset the call settings to factory. This can be done on the same menu where the second call switch is located, selecting the “Reset settings” option or similar.
⚠️ Note: On two-symbol Xiaomi devices, when you turn off the second call on both SIM cards, while talking on one of them, the second SIM card may temporarily become unavailable for incoming calls (offline mode for the caller), since the radio module is occupied.
Impact of the telecom operator and third-party factors
Do not forget that the Xiaomi smartphone only broadcasts requests to the operator’s network. The functionality of the “Second Call” is provided by the cellular company (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2, Yota, etc.). Even if you completely disable the option in the phone, but it is activated on the operator’s side, calls can behave unpredictable.
Often, operators turn on this service automatically when they connect their fare. If standard methods through the phone do not help, or settings are constantly reset, you should contact the operator's personal account or call support. Ask the operator to check the status of the Call Waiting service and force it to turn off at the network level.
There are also situations where a second call may be due to third-party applications, such as call recording applications or number detectors, which may intercept call management. If a problem occurs after you install new software, try removing it and checking the function again.