How to enable redirects to Xiaomi Redmi 8: a step-by-step guide

A modern smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 has long since ceased to be just a talking device, becoming a multifunctional digital life management center. However, the basic voice function remains critical, and situations when you can’t answer a call happen regularly. Call forwarding becomes an indispensable tool for those who do not want to miss important business or personal messages while in a bad reception area or in a meeting.

Many users mistakenly believe that setting up this option requires complex code manipulation or operator support. In fact, the MIUI operating system that runs Redmi 8 provides easy-to-understand tools for managing incoming calls directly from the phone interface. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the activation methods available, redirect types and possible nuances of the function.

Before we get into the technical details, it is worth noting that the quality of the redirect operation depends directly on the settings of your carrier. Mobile operators can provide this service for free and for an additional fee, as well as limit the waiting time before switching. Understanding these conditions will help to avoid unexpected charges and ensure stable communication at the right time.

Principal types of forwarding and their purpose

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 redirect feature offers several call redirection scenarios, each of which solves a specific user task. Understanding the difference between the two will allow you to flexibly manage your phone traffic and stay connected even if you can’t physically pick up the phone. The standard set of options includes busy redirects, no response, and unconditional switching.

Unconditional forwarding is the most radical option, as it redirects all incoming calls to another number immediately, without even giving your phone the opportunity to call. This mode is ideal for situations when you are in the “dead zone” of the network or want to delegate calls to the secretary or another device completely. Your Redmi 8 will be silent, and the caller will hear the horns on the number you specified.

⚠️ Note: When unconditional redirect is activated, your phone will stop emitting beeps about an incoming call, so you may miss the call if you don’t control the situation visually.

Another popular option is busy forwarding, which only works if you're already on the phone and a new call comes in, or if you manually drop a call with a shutdown button, which is a great way to keep your customers or loved ones busy, and there's a no-answer forwarding option that will turn on if you don't have time to answer the call within a certain time (usually 5, 10, 15 or 30 seconds).

Setup through the standard phone menu

The easiest and most visually understandable way to set up call forwarding on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is to use the built-in call settings menu, which does not require remembering special codes and allows you to see the status of each option in real time. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic of actions remains the same for all devices in the Redmi line.

To start, you need to open the standard Phone app, which usually has a green tube icon and is located on the home screen or in the dock bar. In the dialing interface that opens, look at the three dots or menu icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Clicking on this element will open a drop-down list where you need to select Settings or Call Settings.

Inside the settings menu, you'll need to find the section that handles the extra communication functions, and depending on the firmware, it can be called "Call Accounts," "Additional Settings," or simply "Redirect." Once you log in, the system can request confirmation. SIM-cards if two devices are installed in the device SIM-The maps that are typical of the Redmi 8.

Once you have selected the desired type of forwarding (e.g., “If busy”), the system will prompt you to enter the phone number to which the calls will be received, enter the number in an international format or select the contact from the phone book, after confirming the action, the phone will send a request to the operator’s network, and after a few seconds the status will change to “On” or the corresponding icon will appear.

Use of the USSD-code-driven

For experienced users or in situations where the phone menu is not available due to an interface failure, there are special options for the user. USSD-These codes are universal and work on any GSM-The codes allow you to instantly activate, deactivate or check the redirect status without diving deep into the settings menu.

Each code is a sequence of characters that starts with an asterisk and ends with a grille. For example, to enable unconditional redirects, a command is used such as *21* number phone#. To disable this function, code #21# is used. Similar combinations exist for other types of redirects: in employment (67), in non-response (61) and inaccessible (62).

*21*79001234567# - Enable unconditional forwarding


#21# - Disable Unconditional Redirection




*#21# - Check the status of unconditional forwarding

Often you need to specify the number in the international format without a plus, for example, 79001234567 for Russia. After entering the command and pressing the call button, a system message will appear on the screen from the operator about the successful activation of the service or about an error if the request is formed incorrectly.

Working with two SIM-maps on Redmi 8

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is equipped with a hybrid slot that allows you to use two SIM-The user should clearly understand which SIM card he is configuring the function for, since the parameters for the first and second card are stored and managed independently of each other.

When you log into the call settings menu, the system will automatically prompt you to select a SIM card (SIM 1 or SIM 2) if both are active. If you want to configure a work number-only redirect, make sure you select the appropriate slot. Misconfigured settings on the second SIM card can cause important calls to the main number to go nowhere or to someone else's number.

It is worth considering that if one of the SIM cards is in the zone of absence of the network, redirecting from it may not work correctly if it is not configured as “if unavailable.” Redmi 8 owners often use a second SIM card for the Internet, and setting up voice calls forwarding on it may be redundant if the number is used only for data.

Comparison of customization methods: menus or codes

Choosing between setting up through a graphical interface and using USSD-Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, which are worth weighing before you start configuring the Xiaomi Redmi 8. Below is a detailed comparison that will help you determine the best way to do it.

The graphics menu is very visual, and you can see which options are active and which are not. MIUI The location of the items may change, which sometimes causes confusion. USSD-Codes, on the other hand, are universal and work even in partial interface failures, but require precise character input and knowledge of the right combinations.

⚠️ Attention: When in use USSD-Be careful of the numbers entered, as an erroneous input can activate paid services of the operator or redirect calls to the wrong number.

If you plan to change numbers frequently for forwarding (for example, redirect calls to a city number during business hours and to a mobile phone on weekends), the codes can be faster. For a static setting that is turned on once and for a long time, it is more convenient to use the menu where you can specify the number once and just switch switch switch switches.

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Graphic menu is preferred for initial settings and rare changes, and USSD-codes are indispensable for operational management and diagnosis of communication problems.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users of Xiaomi Redmi 8 can face a number of typical problems when turning on the redirect, most often errors are not related to the smartphone itself, but to the operator’s network settings or tariff plan.

One common problem is the message “Connection error” or “failed to execute the request” when trying to enable a function through the menu.This often means that the service is not connected on the operator’s side or there are not enough funds on the balance sheet to activate it.

Another situation: the forwarding is activated, but the calls are not received by the target number, in which case you should check:

• 📞 Correctness of the entered number (no extra characters, correct country code).
• 📶 The presence of a network and a signal for both subscribers (the one who calls and the one who is forwarded).
• 💰 Blocking status of incoming calls on the target number (whether there is a redirect to nowhere).

Also worth mentioning is the impact of third-party apps: If Redmi 8 has apps to block calls or identify numbers (like GetContact, NumBuster or Xiaomi’s built-in antivirus), they may conflict with the standard redirect function, in which case it is recommended to temporarily disable aggressive call filters and check the function.

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If the redirect doesn’t work, try restarting your smartphone after changing your settings, which will update your device’s registration on your network and apply new call routing options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)