Xiaomi Redmi picks up the phone: how to turn off auto-answer and return control of calls

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi has started to answer incoming calls without you? It's not only annoying, it's also creating risks, from casual conversations with strangers to leaking personal information if the phone is near strangers. The problem is found on models from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the Redmi 12, and its causes can range from banal settings to serious firmware failures.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes of autoresponse, from the activated Google Assistant voice assistant to malicious applications masquerading as system services, and give you step-by-step instructions with screenshots (for key steps), a table of compatibility with different versions of MIUI, and tips on how to prevent a problem from recurring.

1. Voice assistant as the main reason for autoresponse

In 80 percent of cases, the culprit is the voice assistant, either built-in Xiao AI (for Chinese firmware) or Google Assistant, which can be set up to automatically respond via voice command or by holding the phone to your ear, a problem made more complicated by the fact that assistant settings are often hidden in the depth of the menu and their behavior depends on the version of MIUI.

How to check:

• 🔍 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and find Google or Xiao AI.
• 🎤 Check the Voice or Automation section – there may be an option to “Respond to calls by voice".
• 📱 On some firmware (MIUI 13+) The other way: Settings → Special facilities → Voice control.

Critical detail: on Redmi with global firmware, Google Assistant can work even when the screen is locked if the "Voice Unlock" option is enabled. Turn it off in the security settings!

⚠️ Note: If you use headphones with support for Google Fast Pair (for example, Xiaomi Buds 4), the assistant can be activated when you double press the headphone button – check the settings of the conjugated device.

Firmware failures: when the system "gluts"

Auto-responding to calls can be a symptom of a software failure, especially after a MIUI update or an incorrect rollback to the previous version.

• 🔄 Phone's on the hook. 2-3 A second is sent to the call and then automatically receives the call.
• 📞 The screen doesn't respond to touch, but the call is still accepted.
• 🔋 The problem only appears when the battery is low (below 15%).

Solutions are ranked by efficiency:

1. Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network resets: This will remove stored Wi-Fi networks and mobile internet settings, but often solves the problem of "stuck" calls.
2. Clean the cache of system applications: In Settings → Apps → App management, find Phone, Contacts and Google Play Services, then click Clear Cache.
3. Safe Mode Reboot: Press the power button, then hold your finger on the Turn off option, prompts you to go to Safe Mode. If the problem disappears, the third-party app is to blame.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Remove the latest updated applications

Disable battery optimization for the Phone application

Check for free memory space (less than 1 GB may cause crashes)-->

3. Malware applications: who is replacing your actions?

If the phone starts answering calls after installing a new app (especially from third-party sources), it is likely to be infected with an adver virus or Trojan.

• 🕵️‍♂️ Simulate the screen taps during an incoming call.
• 📊 Intercept system services management (including telephony module).
• 🔗 Masquerading as harmless utilities (for example, "Pro Battery Saving" or "Cache Cleaner").

How to Detect and Remove:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play and perform a full scan.
2. Check the list of applications with special features (Settings → special features → special features) Delete suspicious.
3. Open Settings → Battery & Performance → Battery usage and find apps with abnormally high consumption (e.g. 30% in 1 hour).

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses create ghost apps that don't appear in the standard menu. ADB-Command: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "suspicious_keyword" Replace. suspicious_keyword part of the name of a suspicious package (e.g. battery or cleaner).

Hardware problems: when the "iron" is to blame

Less commonly, but accurately, autoresponse can be caused by hardware failures.

• 📱 Faulty proximity sensor: If the sensor is constantly picking up a “approach” (for example, due to moisture or mechanical damage), the phone may perceive this as a command to pick up the phone.
• 🔌 Short circuit on the screen plume: Leads to false sensor positives.
• 🔋 Bloated battery: Presses on motherboard, causing chaotic taps.

How to diagnose:

1. Approximation sensor test: Dial ##6484## (some Redmi models run ##0*##) and select Sensor Test. Put your hand to the top of the screen - the indicator should change from FAR to NEAR.
2. Train check: When you press the bottom of the screen (where the plume connector is located), does the problem get worse?
3. Visual battery inspection: If the phone body is swollen or the screen is “stepping away” from the frame, turn off the device immediately!

adb shell settings put system proximity_delay 2500

This command will increase the sensor’s latency to 2.5 seconds, which can help before repairs are made.-->

5. Settings SIM-map and operator

Sometimes the problem is not the phone, but the parameters. SIM-card or mobile operator services, for example:

• 📡 Service "Autoresponder": Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) activate it by default when connecting the tariff.
• 🔄 Call forwarding: If a redirect to another number is enabled, it may conflict with system settings.
• 📶 VoLTE problems: Redmi with VoLTE support (like Redmi Note 11) crashes 4G They can cause false positives.

How to check:

• 📞 Dial ##4636##, select Phone Information and check VoLTE status. If it's on, try turning it off in Settings. → SIM-map → VoLTE challenge.
• 🔍 Check with the operator whether the auto-response services are activated (for example, MegaFon has a Voicemail service").
• 🔄 Perform a manual network search: Settings → SIM-map → Network Search and Select Operator Manually.

6. Hidden Xiaomi features: what will not be told in the instructions

Xiaomi is known for hiding some of its features deep in its settings or making them available only through the codes of the engineering menu, some of which can affect call processing:

• 🔐 Pocket Mode: If it's on, the phone can automatically lock/unlock the screen as it moves, sometimes it interferes with the processing of calls. → Lock screen → Pocket regime.
• 📡 Network setup IMS: Type #86583## (for the MIUI 14+), open the menu IMS. Check if the Auto Answer option is activated.

💡

If none of these methods worked, try rolling back to the factory firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. This is a radical solution, but it removes all the software crutches that may have accumulated after the updates.

7 Prevention: How to prevent recurrence of the problem

To prevent Redmi from answering your phone, follow these rules:

• 🔒 Disable Unnecessary Permissions: Disable apps from Phone, Microphone, and Special Features unless they are critical to their performance.
• 📱 Regularly update the firmware: MIUI 14.0.5+ Autoresponse bugs related to Google Dialer have been fixed.
• 🛡️ Use a reliable antivirus: Bitdefender Mobile Security or Kaspersky Internet Security are better detect Trojans than built-in scanners.
• 🔋 Watch for battery health: If the phone turns off at 30% charge, it's a sign of battery wear that could cause crashes.

Additional tip: Back up your phone settings (Settings → About Phone → Backup) before any firmware manipulations, which will allow you to quickly restore contacts and SMS if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Frequent questions about auto-answer on Xiaomi Redmi