When your Xiaomi is taking an incoming call on its own, or, conversely, instantly resets it without your participation, it can unbalance any owner. Most often, the cause of this behavior is not a software failure of the operating system, but the physical interaction of the screen with foreign objects or the improper operation of sensors. Smartphone owners often face the fact that the device is lying on the table, the screen lights up, and after a second the call is already reset or, even worse, received on speakerphone.
The main culprit in 80% of cases is the proximity sensor, which mistakenly interprets the environment as finding the phone in the ear. MIUI system, receiving a false signal that the device is taken out of your pocket or brought to your face, activates the response script to the call, and the problem can be hidden in the settings of accessories such as Bluetooth headsets or smart watches that duplicate call management.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible reasons why the phone itself answers calls, and provide step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting. We will address both the software settings of the interface and the physical factors that affect the operation of the sensor. Understanding the mechanics of how these functions work will help you quickly regain control of the device.
The impact of the proximity sensor and the mode “in the pocket”
The Pocket Mode feature is designed for convenience, but often causes problems. When this option is activated, the smartphone uses proximity sensor data to determine the device's location. If the sensor is contaminated, covered with a protective film, or simply malfunctioning, it sends a false signal to the system that the phone is in a dark enclosed space, such as in a trouser pocket.
Once this is received during an incoming call, the Android operating system automatically performs an action programmed for the in-pocket mode - most often an automatic response, or, conversely, a sleep reset lock. The algorithm is simple: if the top of the screen is darkened (the sensor is closed) and the phone vibrates (the incoming call), the system decides that you are pulling it out of your pocket and want to respond.
⚠️ Warning: Partially overlapping the top of the screen with a magnetic clasp case or thick protective glass can cause permanent false alarms of the sensor, even if the phone is lying on the table.
To rule out this, you need to check the phone interface settings. Go to the Phone app, click three dots in the corner and select Settings. Find the Mode in Your Pocket or Answer in Your Pocket section and turn it off. This action will force the system to ignore the sensor readings when processing incoming calls, requiring physical touch of the screen.
💡
Use a wet microfiber to wipe the top of the screen (the area of the speaker). Fat spots from the fingers are a common cause of sensor blindness.
Problems with accessories and Bluetooth devices
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are tightly integrated with the smart device ecosystem. If you have Bluetooth headphones, Mi Band smartwatches, or an in-car multimedia system, they can intercept call management. Many headsets have automatic response when you put on or move a certain way, which can happen by accident.
This is especially true with cheap Bluetooth headsets that don't correctly transmit control signals, and wired headphones with a response button on the cable can also cause this, and if the button is stuck or contacts are oxidized, it can send a continuous "response" signal, which the phone perceives as a user command.
To diagnose the problem, try temporarily disabling all wireless devices and removing the wired headset. If the problem disappears, it was in the periphery. In Bluetooth settings, find the connected device, click on the gear icon and check if there is an auto-respond option or call management that you can deactivate.
Set up an automatic response in the Android system
Deep in the Android operating system settings and MIUI shell, there are features for people with disabilities that can be activated accidentally, one of which is Auto-Apply, which is designed to allow the phone to answer calls itself at a certain time after the vibration begins, which is convenient for visually impaired users but annoys others.
To check this option, go to the Settings menu of the phone's main app. Look for the Special Opportunities or Disabled Mode section. Inside, there may be an Auto Response. If it's on, set the "Off" value or increase the timer to maximum to eliminate random triggers.
It’s also worth checking the settings of Google Assistant’s voice assistant. Personalized results or voice call management may not work properly if the microphone picks up background noises similar to the “Respond” command.
☑️ Checking the auto-response settings
Application conflicts and third-party calls
Installing third-party call apps like Truecaller, GetContact or various "smart calls" from processor manufacturers can lead to conflict with the system app.Two apps try to process the incoming signal at the same time, leading to chaotic behavior: one application can automatically reset a call while the other tries to take it.
In addition, some optimizer or memory cleaner applications can aggressively close the background processes, including the system phone module, causing it to restart and reset an ongoing call. In rare cases, malware can intercept access rights to the microphone and dynamic tube.
It is recommended to analyze the list of newly installed applications. If the problem started after installing a specific program, try to delete it. Also check which application is installed by default for making calls. This can be done in the Settings section → Applications → Application Management → Three dots → Default Applications → Phone.
⚠️ Note: Applications requiring permission to “Record Phone Calls” or “Call Management” from unknown developers may be causing the communication module to work in an unstable manner.
Diagnostic table of causes of failure
To help you identify the problem, we have systematized the main symptoms and possible solutions in the table below, which will help you quickly navigate where to go when looking for a malfunction.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone responds when it is on the screen up. | False alarm of the proximity sensor | Turn off “Mode in your pocket”, wipe the screen |
| The call is reset immediately after the beep. | Application conflict or overflowing memory | Clear the cache of the application “Phone”, remove unnecessary applications |
| Automatic response only with connected headphones | Bluetooth headset settings | Disable auto-response in Bluetooth device settings |
| The phone answers the calls in silence. | Auto-response function activated in special opportunities | Disable Auto Response in Accessibility Settings |
What do you do if nothing helps?
Resetting network settings and the application "Phone"
If previous methods have failed, try more radical but safe measures to reset the software module of communication. Accumulated cache or errors in the contact database can cause incorrect behavior. First, clean the phone application data. This will not delete your contacts (if they are synchronized with a Google or Mi Account), but will return the settings of the calls to the factory.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All apps → Phone → Memory. Press the “Clean” button and select “Clean All” or “Reset.” After that, restart the device. If the problem persists, reset the network settings, which will also update the configuration of the communication modules.
It’s important to understand that resetting your network settings will remove stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairs, so make sure you remember the data to connect to your home Internet.This procedure often resolves issues related to the incorrect operation of communication modules after a firmware update.
💡
Clearing the data of the system application "Phone" is a secure procedure and does not lead to the loss of personal information of the user, except for the history of calls.
Physical damage and sensor repair
The physical nature of the malfunction cannot be ruled out, either: if the phone fell, fell in the rain or was simply operated in harsh conditions, the proximity sensor or the plume connecting it to the motherboard could be affected. IPS The sensor is usually located in the upper frame, and AMOLED-screens, it can be built directly under the display matrix.
When the plume is damaged, the contact can disappear intermittently (periodically), which causes chaotic signals, and the oxidation of the contacts after moisture hits the sensor circuits, and the phone constantly “thinks” that it is closed, in which case the software settings are powerless.
To check, you can run the engineering menu by dialing ##6484## (or #4636### on some versions). Select "Proximity Sensor" and cover the top of the screen with your hand. If the values do not change from 0.0 to 5.0 (or similar), the sensor does not work, in which case only replacing the part in the service center will help.