Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which use the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, provide users with a wide range of privacy management tools, and one of the most popular features is the ability to hide your number when making outgoing calls, not only to protect personal data from unwanted contacts, but also to solve business issues when it is important to maintain the anonymity of the caller.
How to hide a phone number on Xiaomi is a common issue for users who encounter intrusive calls or simply value their privacy. Android system settings allow this feature to be implemented by regular means without having to install third-party software. However, it is important to understand that the process may differ depending on the firmware version and the region for which the device is released.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods: from standard settings in the call menu to use. USSD-You'll learn how number detection works across networks and what the nuances are when you turn on Hidden Number. Complete number hiding is only possible if your carrier supports the service. CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction).
Before you start changing the settings, it’s worth noting that emergency services and some corporate PBX can still see your real ID, this is done for security and to prevent anonymous hooliganism, but for ordinary subscribers, your contact will be displayed as “Unknown Number” or “Hidden”.
Use of standard settings Android and MIUI
The easiest and most reliable way to hide a number is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. In Xiaomi smartphones, the path to these settings can vary slightly, but the general logic of the MIUI interface remains the same. You do not need root rights or complex manipulation of system files.
To start, open the standard Phone app, which usually has a green tube icon. In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll find a three-point button or a gear icon, which is the input to the settings menu, and that's where the settings for identifying the subscriber when the call is out.
In the menu that opens, look for a section that can be called “Call Settings,” “Additional Settings,” or “Accounts.” If you have two installed on your device. SIM-So you can choose which one you want to use, and you can turn on the anonymity for each SIM card, which is very convenient when you separate personal and business calls.
☑️ Checking call settings
After selecting a SIM card, click on “Additional Settings” (or “More”). In the list that opens, look for the option “Display Number” or “Calling Subscriber Identifier.” Tap it and the system will offer three options: “Show Number,” “Hide Number,” and “Default (Network Settings).”
It is important to understand that after you apply the settings, the changes do not take effect instantly, you may need to reboot the device or re-register the network of the cellular operator. If the option is lit in gray or the choice is not saved, this means that the current network settings do not allow you to change the setting manually.
⚠️ Note: If the Hide number item in the phone settings menu is inactive (gray) or the selection is reset immediately after confirmation, your carrier blocks this function at the network level, in which case only connecting a paid service from the provider will help.
Activation of the service through USSD-operator codes
It often happens that the software settings of the smartphone do not work due to the limitations of the cellular company, in which case the most effective method is to use the device. USSD-These are special commands that are sent directly to the operator's server and change the settings of your SIM card in real time.
Every major carrier in Russia and CIS countries has its own unique codes for managing the service "Number Antideterminator" These commands are universal and work on any phone, including Redmi and Poco, regardless of the version of Android, you need to enter them in the dialing field, like a regular phone number.
Below is a table with the current codes for the main operators. Please note that some services may be paid or require pre-activation through your personal account.
| Operator. | Activation code. | Deactivation code | Status of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| MegaFon | #31# | #31# | Paid option |
| MTS | *119*111# | *119*110# | Paid option |
| Beeline | *119*1# | *119*0# | Paid option |
| Tele2 | *129*1# | *129*0# | Paid option |
Once you enter a command, you will see a notification on the screen that you have successfully completed the request, and from that point on, all your outgoing calls will hide the number, but it is worth remembering that this is a global setting: it will last until you send a cancellation code or call with a one-time activation prefix.
For some operators, such as MegaFon, the number hiding service is often provided only within the paid tariff options. If the code does not work, check the balance of the personal account and the availability of connected service packages through the operator's application.
Single Hiding Numbers for a Specific Call
There are times when you have to hide your number to just one particular caller, leaving your ID visible to all the other callers. It's not easy to constantly switch settings in the phone menu, so there's a faster method - using a special prefix in front of the number.
For one-time hiding of a number in Russia and many CIS countries, the standard code #31# is used. You do not need to change the settings in the MIUI menu. Just open the Phone application, dial this prefix, and immediately after it, without spaces and pauses, enter the number of the subscriber you are calling.
An example of a correct dial is #31#79991234567. After dialing, press the call button, in which case the interlocutor's screen will display "Unknown Number" or "Hidden", even if the general settings of your phone are "Show Number", this works as a temporary overlapping of the main network settings.
This is especially useful if you are a corporate communications company or a service provider that requires you to hide your personal number periodically, it does not require operator confirmation and is instantaneous, but if the service is completely blocked by the operator at the tariff level, this code may also not work.
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Use the #31# prefix for one-off calls to avoid changing your phone’s global settings every time, saving time and reducing the risk of forgetting to return the settings.
Hiding a number when calling over the Internet (VoIP)
In the digital age, more and more Xiaomi users are switching to Internet calls using VoIP (Voice over IP) technologies, apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype or Zoom by nature hide your real phone number, replacing it with a digital profile or nickname.
When you make a call via WhatsApp or Viber, the caller sees your name that you have set up in the application profile, or your avatar. Your real phone number (MSISDN) is not transmitted to the network as a Caller ID, unless you are saved in contacts from the interlocutor, which provides a high level of anonymity.
However, you need to distinguish between in-app calls and calls to regular city or mobile numbers, some services, such as Skype or special services. SIP-Android customers allow you to call regular phones, hiding the number, for this purpose in the settings of such applications (for example, in the section "Caller" ID» or “Displayed Number”) you can select the Hiding option.
Using instant messengers for calls has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it is free (with Wi-Fi) and anonymous. On the other hand, the quality of communication depends on the speed of the Internet, and the interlocutor must have an installed application or you must use paid services. SIP-telephones for regular calls.
⚠️ Note: When calling via messengers, your number can be visible if you have previously exchanged contacts with the interlocutor or if he has enabled contact synchronization. Full anonymity is achieved only when calling new numbers or through special services.
Problems and their solution: why not hide the number
Despite the ease of settings, Xiaomi users often face situations where the number is still displayed by the interlocutor, which can be caused by technical failures, roaming features or locks on the part of the operator.
The first and most common reason is roaming, and when you go abroad, the concealment settings may be reset or not supported by the partner's network, and even the activated Anti-Determinator service may not work, so the solution is one: check the pricing and service conditions of your operator before you travel.
The second reason is the settings conflict, if you activate a service through a USSD-code of the operator, but in the settings of the phone MIUI If you have to "Show number" or "Show number" or "Show number" or "Show number" or "Setup" or "Setup" is a mandatory "Show number" option, you can give priority to settings on the device or network, which leads to unpredictable results, and you should adjust the settings to include the concealment in the phone and check the status of the operator.
The third reason is corporate SIM cards, which are often subject to strict restrictions that prohibit the use of caller IDs to control costs and business security, and cannot be circumvented by software on Redmi or Poco.
What do you do if nothing helps?
Use of third-party applications and virtual numbers
If Android doesn’t meet your needs, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue, allowing you to not only hide the number, but also replace it with a virtual one, especially for ads on boards like Avito or for registration in services where you do not want to “light up” a personal SIM card.
There are two types of applications: One is a camouflage-enabled caller that lets your call through its servers; the other is a virtual number service that gives you a second number (often from another country or city) to receive calls and SMS. Popular examples include TextNow, Burner, or Russian counterparts like Zadarma (for the business segment).
Installing such software on Xiaomi requires permissions, the app will request access to the microphone, contacts and phone, be sure to check what rights you give the program to avoid transferring your data to third parties. Free versions of such services often contain advertising or have limits on the duration of conversation.
Virtual numbers are a powerful tool, but keep in mind the law. In some countries, anonymous calls using certain types of numbers may be restricted, and many banks and two-factor authentication services do not accept SMS to virtual numbers.
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Third-party applications offer more flexibility, but require developer trust, and for one-time tasks, it is better to use standard codes, and for permanent work, virtual numbers.