When a Xiaomi phone picks up the phone without touching the screen, it can cause confusion and even panic among the owner. Most often, it is not the mystical reasons or hacking of the device, but activated accessibility features or software failures in the operation of sensors. Automatic response to calls is a regular option created for the convenience of drivers or people with disabilities, but when accidentally activated, it becomes a serious obstacle.
Owners of Redmi and Poco devices often find that the system interprets random movements as a command to action, which can be due to a polluted screen, incorrect sensor operation or specific Bluetooth headset settings. Understanding the mechanism of these functions will allow you to quickly regain control of the device and prevent leakage of confidential information during a conversation.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the possible reasons why your gadget behaves autonomously, and provide step-by-step instructions for deactivating unwanted scenarios. We will touch on system settings, accessory performance and software diagnostics to rule out any external factors affecting the communication process.
Auto-response function in accessibility settings
The most likely reason the phone is taking calls is because it has an automatic response option activated, which is hidden in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS in the feature section, so users can answer calls simply by holding the phone to their ear or after a certain time without touching the display.
To check the status of this option, you need to go to the settings menu. Find the Advanced Settings or Additional Features section, then select Special Opportunities. Inside this menu, find the Auto Response tab. If the slider is active, the system will automatically connect the incoming call, ignoring your intention to drop the call or listen to the Caller ID information.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling autoresponse in availability settings is the first and most important step. Even if you didn't consciously enable it, a system failure or third-party app could have activated this setting.
Inside the auto-response menu, there are often additional timer settings. You can set the delay, after which the tube will be raised automatically. If you don't need this feature at all, make sure the master switch is off, rather than just changing the delay time. This ensures that random movements in your pocket or bag won't lead to a connection.
It is worth noting that the path to settings may vary slightly on different firmware versions. On some Xiaomi models, the path looks like Settings → Password and Security → Access to special features → Autorespond. It is important to carefully check all subsections of the accessibility menu, since the logic of grouping items in MIUI often changes with updates.
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If you can’t find a setting through a search, try using the built-in Settings Search by entering the “auto answer” or “auto answer” request in the search bar at the top of the Settings menu.
Problems with proximity sensor and calibration
The proximity sensor is a key element in determining whether the phone is near your ear. If the sensor is not working properly or is contaminated, the phone can "think" it's pressed to its head and automatically accept a call or turn on the speaker. On Xiaomi devices, the sensor is often located at the top of the screen, next to the speaker.
Contamination of the protective glass, thick film or cover covering the sensor can cause false positives. In such situations, the screen can go out or, conversely, activate, mimicking the actions of the user. To diagnose, you need to clean the top of the display with a soft cloth and remove the case to check if the problem has disappeared.
If the physical cleaning didn't work, the software calibration of the sensor may have gone wrong. In the engineering menu or through special applications, you can check the sensor's performance. The engineering menu is called by the code ##6484## or ##4636## (code may vary depending on the model and region). In test mode, select Proximity sensor and follow the instructions on the screen, closing and opening the top of the phone.
- 📱 Make sure that the protective film does not cover the sensor area at the top of the body.
- 🧹 Wipe the screen with an alcohol wipe to remove fat spots that may distort readings.
- 🛠 Use the code ##6484## to log in to the engineering menu and check the sensor's performance.
- 🔄 If the sensor is malfunctioning hardware, you will need to replace the plume or module in the service center.
In some cases, resetting calibration through third-party utilities available in the Google Play store helps. However, be careful and only download proven high-ranking apps. Incorrect calibration can cause the screen to go out during a conversation and you will not be able to manage the call.
Conflicts with Bluetooth headsets and headphones
Often, connected Bluetooth devices are the cause of automatic call-taking. Many wireless headphones and car systems have an automatic response function to incoming calls. If your Xiaomi phone is connected to such a headset, it can initiate the connection, not the smartphone itself.
Check the settings of the connected device. In some headphone models, pressing the control button for a long time or even simply connecting to the phone can be interpreted as a "Response" command, especially for automotive Bluetooth systems, which are often configured to automatically respond for driver safety.
To rule out this factor, try turning off Bluetooth completely and check the behavior of the phone. If the problem is gone, then it's the peripheral settings. Go to the Bluetooth settings on the phone, find the connected device, click on the gear icon next to it and check the available options. There may be an auto-respond or an auto-audio connection.
It’s also worth considering that some Mi Band or Amazfit smartwatches and fitness bracelets may have their own call handling settings.Sync with the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app allows you to flexibly customize how the gadget responds to incoming ones, but sometimes these settings conflict with the phone’s system priorities.
Third-party applications and access rights
The influence of third-party software should not be discounted: Call apps, messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram) or chat recording software can request and obtain call management rights, and if the application does not work correctly, it can initiate a call response itself.
Check the list of apps that have permission to use your phone. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Rights → Phone. Analyze the list: If there are programs that do not require constant access to calls (such as a flashlight, calculator or games), immediately revoke these rights from them.
| Type of application | Probability of conflict | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Callers (Dialer) | Tall. | Clear the data or change to standard |
| Call recorders | Medium | Check the autoresponse settings in the application |
| Messengers | Low. | Update the application to the latest version |
| Antiviruses | Medium | Check the call lock logs |
Special attention should be paid to applications for recording conversations, which are often embedded in the process of calling deeper than other programs and can intercept control. If you recently installed a new "bell ringer" or recorder, try to remove them and test the phone in standard mode.
⚠️ Warning: Some malware may disguise itself as system processes. If an autoresponse appears after installing an unknown application from an unverified source, remove it immediately and scan the device with an antivirus.
Failures in the shell MIUI and HyperOS
Software errors in the operating system itself are another common reason for the strange behavior of the smartphone: In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, there are periodic bugs associated with processing interrupts from the modem, which can lead to the system misinterpreting network signals as a connection command.
Often, these issues are solved by updating the system to the latest available version. Xiaomi developers regularly release security patches and bug fixes. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the system version to check for updates.
What to do if the update does not help?
In some cases, cleaning the cache of the Phone app helps. Accumulated temporary files can cause conflicts. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Memory and choose Clear cache. Don't confuse this with clearing data, as it will delete the call history.
If the problem has occurred after a specific firmware update, you may want to consider rolling back on the previous version or waiting for the next patch. On the Xiaomi user forums, you can often find information about known bugs of a particular version of the software.
☑️ Diagnostics of program failures
Mechanical damage and moisture
Physical impacts on the device cannot be ruled out, as moisture, even in microscopic amounts, can close the touchscreen contacts, creating what is known as "ghost touches," and the phone can sense these touches as if it were pressing a green tube.
If the phone has recently fallen or been exposed to water, the problem may be damage to the display plume or the touchscreen itself, in which case “phantom” taps may occur not only during calls, but also in normal use, opening apps or scrolling pages.
To test, you can run a touchscreen test in the engineering menu (code ##6484## → Touchpanel). Swipe your finger over the entire screen surface: if there is no reaction in some areas or, conversely, it is fixed without touch, repair is required.
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If the "phantom" presses are observed not only when calling, but also in the menu, the problem is likely to be hardware in nature and requires replacing the display module.