How to turn on waiting for a call on Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

The modern smartphone has long since ceased to be just a talking device, becoming a digital life management center. However, basic communication functions remain critical, especially when you are waiting for an important call from an employer or client. The situation when an incoming call interrupts an ongoing conversation or is reset with busy horns can cost you a business deal or simply ruin your mood. On Xiaomi devices running a MIUI shell or HyperOS, the management of these parameters is often hidden in the depth of the system menu or depends on the operator’s settings.

Waiting for a Call allows you to avoid missing a second incoming call during a conversation. Instead of a busy beep, the person will hear short signals, and you will receive a notification of a new call. This allows you to put the first conversation on hold and switch to the second. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate this option on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones, and also consider possible errors when connecting.

It is important to understand that the customization process may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific model of your gadget.We will consider both standard methods through the phone settings and universal ones. USSD-And we'll also look at the nuances of working with two devices. SIM-maps, which is the standard for most users of Xiaomi equipment.

What is a call waiting service and why is it needed

Call waiting is a standard telecommunications service that allows a subscriber to receive incoming calls during an active conversation. Without activating this feature, the network simply blocks a second call, sending a busy signal to the caller, which is especially inconvenient in the era of instant messengers and constant availability, when skipping a single call can disrupt the communication chain.

At the technical level, this option is controlled by the bundle of settings of the smartphone itself and parameters on the operator side. Xiaomi smartphone should be configured to send a request to the network, and the operator should allow this service for your tariff plan. In most cases, the service is provided free of charge and is enabled by default, but on new ones. SIM-cards or after changing the tariff it has to be activated manually.

This feature makes phone calls more efficient, so you can talk to the other person about an urgent matter without finishing the first conversation, or you can hold them both, so you don't have to call back and explain why you were unavailable.

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The call waiting function is managed jointly by the phone settings and the operator’s SIM card settings, so both aspects need to be checked.

Activation through the standard Android settings menu

The easiest and most reliable way to enable waiting is to use the built-in call settings menu. MIUI may vary slightly from version to version, but the logic remains the same. You don't need to download third-party apps or use complex commands.

To start, open the standard Phone app, which you usually dial through. Find a menu icon that can be located in the upper right corner (three dots or three bars) or in the lower right corner (depending on the theme of the registration). Click on it and select Settings. Next, look for Accounts or Additional Settings, where the switch is hidden.

If you have a two-sim version of the smartphone, the system will offer you to choose SIM-This is an important point, because the settings for each SIM are set independently, and after selecting the right slot, find the "Waiting for a Call" item and activate the switch. The system can freeze for a few seconds with the message “Update is in progress...”, this is a normal reaction when requesting status from the operator.

Use of the USSD-service-management codes

Sometimes the GUI of the phone's settings can't correctly read the status of the service of the operator, and this often happens when roaming or network failures. USSD-codes – special commands that are sent directly to the operator’s network, bypassing the settings of the smartphone.

To activate the call waiting service on most operators (the Big Four in Russia and the main CIS operators), a universal code is used. You need to open the dial and enter the following sequence: *43#. After pressing the call button, you will receive instant confirmation of the service activation. This method works on any phone, including the button ones, and is the most reliable.

There are also codes for checking status and disabling services that are useful to know for diagnosis:

• 📞 *#43# – Check the current status of the service (on or off).
• 🚫 #43# – completely disabling the call waiting function.
• ⚙️ ##002# – Cancel all redirects (sometimes required to reset network errors).

Remember that USSD-The codes only work if you have a network signal, and if you're in a bad reception zone or in an airplane mode, the command won't execute.

Setting up a waiting for two SIM-map

Xiaomi smartphone owners often use two SIM cards at the same time: one for work calls, the other for the Internet or personal contacts. SIM-The card requires individual activation.

When you activate the call wait through the settings menu, the Android system takes turns polling each SIM. USSD-If you have the codes, the command will only apply to the card that is selected to make the call at the moment. To be sure of the result, it is better to enter the code *43# twice: first making sure that the call is chosen. SIM 1, and then switched to SIM 2.

Hardware limitations are also worth considering: In some older smartphone models, when you talk actively on a single SIM card, the second one can temporarily lose network or go into “unavailable” mode, regardless of the waiting settings. Modern Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets used in Redmi and Poco usually lack this drawback and support a full Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS).

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Use widgets on your desktop to quickly switch between SIM-cards when setting up, so as not to get confused, for which SIM you enter USSD-code.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the simplicity of the feature, users may encounter situations where waiting for a call does not work, most often the problem lies not in the phone, but in the tariff plan, some operators include this service only in certain rates or require its separate paid activation through the personal account.

Another common cause is a conflict with the VoLTE function (Voice over). LTE). Technology allows you to transmit voice over the Internet 4G, But it can be implemented on different Xiaomi devices. If VoLTE has lost its second call waiting signals, try temporarily disabling this feature in the settings. SIM-Cards and check the service again.

⚠️ Note: If a second call is not received after activation of the service, but is simply reset, check if you have a “If busy” forwarding set to voicemail or another number.

Also worth checking is system updates. In rare cases, bugs in a particular version of MIUI can block access to the call management menu. Updating to the latest stable version of firmware often resolves software conflicts.

Comparison of activation methods: phone menu vs. USSD

For the convenience of users, we have prepared a comparative table that will help you choose the best way to manage the service in your situation, both of which have their advantages depending on the context of use.

As you can see from the table, it is more convenient to use the phone menu for initial settings and checks, since it immediately shows the status of both SIM cards», USSD-Codes are an indispensable tool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Warning: When using the roaming waiting feature, be sure to check the rates with your operator to avoid unexpected communication bills.