Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the Redmi and POCO series, have a huge number of hidden features that aren’t always obvious when you first get to know the device. One of these useful options is Quick Call, which allows you to call contacts without having to unlock the screen or search for the desired entry in the phone book, a feature that is especially relevant for drivers, older people or in situations where hands can be busy and you need to make a call instantly.
In this article, we will discuss in detail two main ways to implement fast dialing: through the built-in MIUI/HyperOS settings menu and using hardware volume buttons. You will learn how to activate the function of holding your phone to your ear for automatic dialing, and how to assign emergency contacts to long-term pressing of the buttons of adjusting the sound. Understanding these mechanisms will significantly improve the usability of your gadget in everyday life.
It’s worth noting that the MIUI shell interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific smartphone model. However, the logic of the system applications remains the same for the entire range of the Chinese manufacturer.
Activation of the function "Number set when approaching the ear"
The first and most popular method is to use a proximity sensor, and the idea is simple: you pick a contact from a recent call list, you hold the phone to your ear, and the phone automatically starts dialing, and that eliminates the need to press the call button on the screen, which is critical if you're on the move or your fingers are dirty.
To enable this option, you need to open the standard Phone app, which is the default on the system. In the upper right corner of the screen, you will see an icon with three dots or a gear, indicating the settings menu. Clicking on it, you will be taken to the settings section where you need to find the item "Incoming settings" or immediately "Number set when you bring to the ear." The function is activated only after moving the slider to the "On" position next to the corresponding menu item.
It's important to understand that this technology requires a proper proximity sensor to work properly, and if a low-quality protective film is installed on the screen or a high-sided cover covers the top of the display, the function may not work correctly or at all, in which case the screen may go out prematurely or, conversely, not respond to the head.
- 📞 Open the Phone app and go to the settings menu through three points.
- 👂 Find the section "Director when you bring to the ear" and activate the switch.
- 🧹 Make sure the proximity sensor area at the top of the screen is clean and not covered with a case.
- 📞 Check the function by selecting a number in the call history and bringing the phone to your ear.
This feature is especially useful for people with large fingers or those who prefer to minimize touching the screen. It works even if the phone is locked, but you just opened the call history. The system reads the distance to the object and as it decreases, initiates a connection, saving you time and simplifying interaction with the interface.
Setting up a quick volume button call
The second method, which is often overlooked by users, allows you to make calls or run applications with prolonged pressing of volume buttons, which is built into the MIUI shell and does not require the installation of third-party software. The mechanism is to assign a specific action to hold the key when the screen is off.
To set this option, go to the basic settings of the smartphone through the gear icon. In the menu list, you need to find the section “Additional Features” (in some versions of the firmware it may be called “Advanced Settings”). This is where many useful tools are hidden, including gesture and button management.
In the menu that opens, you'll see the option "Long press of the volume button." Activating it, the system will prompt you to select the action that will be performed. By default, there may be a camera or voice recorder, but the list often allows you to choose a specific application or call function. If there is no direct call option, you can select the Phone application that will open when you press.
⚠️ Warning: When activating this feature, be careful in your pocket. Prolonged compression of volume buttons with a cloth or other objects can lead to an accidental launch of the application or making a call, which will quickly drain the battery.
The use of physical buttons has its advantages over the touch screen. Mechanical keys provide tactile returns and work even in wet hands or gloves when the touch layer may not respond correctly, making the method a reliable tool for emergency situations.
- 🔘 Go to "Settings» → «Additional functions» → «Launching applications».
- ⏱️ Activate the switchboard "Long pressing of the volume button».
- 📱 Select the Phone or Contacts app from the suggested action list.
- 🧤 Check the function by turning off the screen and clamping the volume button.
It is worth considering that some global firmware versions may not be directly associated with Emergency Call, and the system will simply open the dialing interface, which is done for security reasons to prevent accidental calls to rescue services or contacts without user confirmation.
Use of widgets and shortcuts on the desktop
A third way to get quick access to contacts is to place widgets on the home screen, and the MIUI shell allows you to put individual shortcuts on the desktop for specific subscribers, and when you click on this icon, the phone immediately starts dialing, bypassing the search in the contact book.
To create this control, you need to pinch an empty area on your desktop or pinch a two-finger to go into edit mode. In the bottom menu, select "Widgets." In the list that opens, find the category "Contacts" or "Phone" there will be a "Direct Call" or "Contact shortcut" widget available.
Drag the widget you select to the free screen space, and the system will immediately suggest you to choose a contact from your phone book, and you can assign different photos to different people by creating a quick dial visual dashboard, which is especially convenient for those who often call the same people, whether they're relatives, colleagues or delivery services.
Secrets of MIUI widgets
The advantage of this method is visualization: you don't have to remember numbers or look for names, just see a familiar face on the screen, and widgets can be updated in real time, displaying, for example, the status of the contact, if the messenger supports such integration, although a standard call is not required.
- 🖱️ Press your finger on the empty desktop space to enter the widget menu.
- 📂 Find the Contacts section and select the Direct Call widget».
- 👤 Assign a specific contact from the list for the shortcut created.
- 🎨 If you wish, change the size or style of the widget through the editing menu.
When you put widgets, try not to overload the first screen, and optimally put the 4-6 most important contacts in the bottom of the screen, where they are easier to reach with the thumb of one hand, this ergonomic solution speeds up access to communication at critical moments.
Setting up emergency contacts and SOS
Special attention should be paid to the SOS emergency call feature, which is preinstalled in Xiaomi smartphones, which is designed for critical situations when there is no time to unlock the phone or search for the desired number.
To set up a contact list for SOS, Go to "Settings» → «Passwords and security» → «SOS». You need to activate the function and add up to three contacts that will receive a notification of assistance. SOS The phone not only rings, but also sends SMS geolocational coordinates.
Importantly, it works even when the phone is locked, and after the fifth press of the power button, the countdown begins, after which messages are automatically sent and a call is made, a critical security setting that every smartphone owner is encouraged to check.
⚠️ Note: Make sure that the phone is on data transfer and GPS, otherwise, the location coordinates will not be sent to the contacts, and make sure you have a balance or active rate to send. SMS.
Unlike a simple quick setup, SOS-It can interrupt music playback or heavy applications, and it ensures that a help signal is sent even if the phone freezes».
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Activation. | 5 presses of the power button | Exercise to press quickly and rhythmically |
| Action. | Call + SMS with GPS | Add at least 2 trusted contacts |
| Sound. | Loud countdown | You can turn off the settings for silence |
| Camera. | Photography of the surroundings | Useful for fixing the situation |
Using this feature requires accountability. False calls can disorient rescue services and your loved ones, but in real danger, such as an attack or sudden deterioration in health, those few seconds can be crucial.
☑️ Security check SOS
Voice assistant and smart home
And don't forget voice control, because Xiaomi's smartphones have Google Assistant or Mi AI (in Chinese versions), which lets you make voice calls, and it's the fastest way to do that if your hands are full, like cooking or repairing.
To activate, you just have to say a trigger phrase, like "Ok Google" or "Hey Mi," and then say "Call [Contact Name]." The system recognizes speech and initiates a call. The accuracy of recognition depends on the quality of the diction, the availability of an Internet connection and the microphone settings.
Also, if you have Mi Home smart home devices, such as smart speakers or displays, you can use them to make Internet-based (VoIP) calls or synchronized contacts. This creates a single ecosystem where a call can be received or made from any device.
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To improve voice recognition, open Google’s settings and re-pronounce the phrase “Ok Google” in the “Voice” section so that the system better remembers the timbre of your voice.
Voice control is constantly being improved by machine learning algorithms, and over time, the phone begins to better understand your individual speech and accent, making it more convenient for everyday use without having to touch the device.
- 🗣️ Activate the voice assistant with a command or button.
- 📞 Say clearly: "Call [name]" or "Dial [number]».
- 🌐 Make sure there is an internet connection to process the request.
- 🏠 Use smart speakers to make calls over Wi-Fi network.
But privacy is important, because voice commands can be heard by outsiders, so you shouldn't use this method to call sensitive information in public, and in such cases, you should use a screen or button.
Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
Despite the convenience, users may encounter problems setting up a quick call, most often complaining that the phone does not respond to the ear or the buttons do not work, most of the time it is caused by software conflicts or contamination of sensors.
If the "Pick-up Kit" function doesn't work, try clearing the Phone and Contacts cache. Go to the app settings, find the appropriate software, and select Clear Data. Also check if the "In-Pack" mode is on, which can block the sensor and sensors.
In cases where the volume buttons do not respond to prolonged pressing, make sure that the system does not have a third-party application that intercepts the control of the buttons (for example, audio players with their own settings or memory cleaners). Access rights conflict can block system function MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: If after resetting or updating the firmware functions stopped working, check for system updates. MIUI They are only patched with new security patches.
In rare cases, you may need to completely reset your phone to factory settings, before you do that, make sure to back up your data to the Mi Cloud cloud or your computer, which will help eliminate software errors that have accumulated over the time you use the device.
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Most of the problems with a quick call are solved by cleaning the phone app cache or recalibrating the proximity sensor through the engineering menu.
Understanding how these functions work allows not only to customize the user-friendly interface, but also to diagnose possible hardware malfunctions. If after all the manipulations, the proximity sensor does not respond even in test mode, it may be necessary to replace the part in the service center.