How to turn off Xiaomi Power Button call: The complete guide

Random emergency number dialing is one of the most common and annoying issues faced by Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners. Often this happens when the device is in a pocket of trousers or bags and the fabric touches the side of the case, simulating a series of quick taps, which results in the phone independently initiating a call to rescue service or to a pre-established contact, causing awkward situations or a false alarm.

The reason for this behavior is the built-in security feature that is activated by default on all modern firmware MIUI and HyperOS. The system interprets five quick clicks on the lock button as a signal that the owner is in trouble and in need of urgent help. Fortunately, this mechanism can be easily deactivated through the standard settings menu without requiring root rights or installing third-party software.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for disabling this feature on different versions of the operating system. You will learn exactly where the desired switch is hiding, how to set up the emergency contact list if you do need it, and what to do if the standard path in the menu does not work. We will also look at the nuances of the function on different models of devices so that you can fully control the behavior of your gadget.

Why you need an SOS function and why it interferes with it

The Emergency Call (SOS) feature was introduced by Android and MIUI developers with the noble goal of providing quick access to help in critical situations. When a person is in danger and cannot unlock a screen or search for contacts in a phone book, a five-fold press of a physical button allows you to instantly send location coordinates and an audible signal to trusted or emergency services. It is a critical tool for the elderly, children or those involved in extreme sports.

However, in everyday life, the high sensitivity of the sensor of the power button often leads to false positives.Mechanical impact when wearing a phone in tight clothes, accidental compression in the hand or active movements can be regarded by the system as an SOS signal. As a result, the phone begins to make loud sounds, vibrate and make calls, which not only drains the battery, but can also lead to the blocking of the SIM card by the operator after a series of false calls.

⚠️ Attention: Complete shutdown of the function SOS It prevents you from getting a quick way to call for help in a real emergency. Before making changes, weigh the risks: If you are often in high-risk areas, it may be worthwhile not to turn off the feature completely, but to change your sensitivity settings or contact list.

In addition, random calls can cause problems in public places, cinemas, or in meetings where silence is required. Understanding how this mechanism works allows the user to find a balance between safety and comfort of using the device. For many Xiaomi owners, it is the prevention of accidental activation that becomes a priority, especially if the phone is often worn without a cover or in pockets with keys.

Step-by-step: Disconnection through security settings

The most reliable and correct way to remove an automatic call is to use the built-in security menu. The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or the new HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You do not need special applications or access to the engineering menu, everything is done with the regular system tools.

To start, unlock your smartphone and find an app called Security on your desktop or in the Tools folder. Its icon is usually a green lightning shield. Once you run the app, scroll down to the "Additional" section or look for "SOS" right away. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called "Emergency Call" or be displayed in a separate system settings menu.

If you can’t find a security item through the app, use the universal method through the general settings of the phone, which works on 99% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices regardless of the year of release.

The sequence of actions in the settings menu is as follows:

• 📱 Open the menu Settings of your smartphone.
• 🔍 In the search bar at the top, enter the word «SOS» or “Emergency” to go straight to the desired item, or manually find the Passwords and Security section (in older versions Advanced Settings).
• 🆘 Select a point. SOS or emergency call.
• 🚫 Find a switch called 5x Power button press or Auto call and put it in an inactive state (gray).

Once you do this, the system can request confirmation of the action, because disabling security functions is considered a risky operation. Accept the warning and the function will be completely deactivated. Now even a series of ten taps of the power button will not lead to dialing.

Settings in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The MIUI shell interface is constantly changing, and the location of key switches can migrate from one menu to another. Owners of new devices with HyperOS or fresh MIUI 14 may experience a changed menu structure. It is important to understand where to look for the right option in your version of software so that you do not wander through the settings in vain.

In current firmware versions, Xiaomi is trying to unify the interface, but regional features (Chinese vs. global) make their own adjustments. In Chinese firmware (CN), items may be called differently, such as “Emergency SOS”, and are deeper in the special features menu. In global versions (Global/RU), the path is usually standardized and is in the security section.

Below is a table that will help you navigate depending on your system version:

If you can't find the menu item by the one listed, use the smart search in the settings. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings screen and type in the keywords: "power", "button", "5 times" and the system will highlight the desired section, which greatly speeds up the search process on devices with deeply redesigned menus.

Alternative methods: voice assistant and special features

In addition to mechanically pressing buttons, emergency calls can be activated through voice commands or special features, which is done for people with disabilities, but sometimes becomes a source of problems if the phone responds to extraneous sounds or commands from the TV.

First of all, check the Google Assistant settings. The phrase "Ok Google, call the police" or "SOS" can activate a call even if the power button is turned off. To prevent this, go to Google's settings, select "Assistant" and find the Transport or Personal Data section where you can turn off emergency voice calls or configure voice recognition only to your voice.

Also worth noting is the Accessibility section, which can activate touchless phone controls or switches that respond to device shaking or loud noises, and although this rarely leads to SOS calling, these settings can create similar false-action problems.

For users who want to be safe as possible, but want to avoid false positives, there is a trade-off: Instead of completely disabling the feature, you can set up Quiet Mode or choose to send an SMS instead of a voice call, in which case, at five taps, the phone will not make sounds, but simply send a message with coordinates, which is less noticeable and does not attract attention in real danger.

💡

Use Pocket Mode. In the special settings, enable Pocket Mode, which locks the screen and sensor whenever an object is located (pocket tissue), preventing not only SOS calls, but any other random taps.

Setting up the emergency contact list and timer

If you've decided not to turn it off completely, but to keep yourself safe from false calls to the police, it's important to set up your contact list correctly. By default, many smartphones try to call 112 or 911, which is what causes most problems. By changing priorities, you'll redirect the signal to loved ones.

In the SOS settings menu, there's a section called Contacts for an Emergency Call, and add 2-3 numbers of close relatives or friends who are willing to respond to those signals, and the system will try to reach them one by one, which turns a potentially annoying feature into a useful control tool: if the phone "calls" in your pocket, you'll immediately know about it from a loved one.

Another important parameter is the countdown timer, which allows you to set the delay before the call starts (usually 3 to 10 seconds). If you accidentally press the button 5 times, you will have time to press Cancel on the screen before the phone starts buzzing, which is an effective way to combat false positives without completely abandoning the security feature.

• 📞 Add at least two contacts from different carriers.
• ⏱️ Set a wait timer of at least 5 seconds for cancellation.
• 🔇 Turn on the “No Sound” or “Silent Call” option if you are afraid to draw attention in a dangerous situation.
• 📍 Make sure that geolocation transmission is enabled in the sent SMS.

And if you configure these parameters correctly, you keep the balance, and you don't lose the ability to call for help quickly, but you do get rid of the risk of accidentally dialing emergency numbers while you're picking up your phone in your bag.

Solving problems: if the button does not turn off or stuck

Sometimes software shutdowns fail and calls continue, in which case the problem may not be in the settings, but in the physical state of the power button or software failure, and if the software switch returns to its original position or does not respond to presses, a deeper diagnosis is required.

The first thing to do is check the stick button. Dirt, dust, pile or moisture can cause contacts to close, and the phone perceives this as an endless press. Try to gently clean the area around the button with compressed air or a soft brush. If the button has a backlash or does not return to its original position with a characteristic click, you may need to replace the plume at the service center.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the smartphone yourself if it is under warranty. Mechanical impact on the power button can lead to loss of water protection and violation of the integrity of the case.

If the button is physically correct but the feature is not behaving properly, try resetting the special access settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the system app Security or Settings (depending on the Android version) and click Clear Cache and Clear Data. This will return the system settings to factory values, but will not delete your personal files.

In rare cases, a conflicting third-party application that intercepts button control (such as launchers, call recording apps, or macros) causes a problem. Try running your phone in Safe Mode. If in Safe Mode the SOS function does not activate on its own, then one of the installed applications is to blame.

💡

Physical failure of the power button is the most common cause of phantom SOS calls after the software shutdown of the function. If cleaning does not help, a replacement of the plume is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)