Xiaomi Phone Picks Up Your Phone: 7 Reasons and 10 Ways to Fix It

Why does a smartphone behave like a “ghost”?

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or other model starts taking incoming calls on its own even though you haven't even touched the screen?It's not only annoying, it creates risks, from random conversations with strangers to leaking personal data if the phone is picked up by scammers.The problem occurs on devices with MIUI 12-14 and is most often associated with a combination of hardware glitches and software conflicts.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible causes, from the banal defect of the screen to the hidden Android features that you may have accidentally activated, and most importantly, give step-by-step instructions for each situation, including those when the phone no longer responds to your commands. Don't rush to bring the device to the service - in 80% of cases, you can solve the problem yourself in 10 to 30 minutes.

We warn you right away: if your Xiaomi does not just pick up the phone, but also calls, sends SMS or opens applications - this is a sign of a more serious malfunction (possibly a virus or damage to the motherboard).

1. Check for physical damage to the screen

The most obvious reason is false touches because of a damaged touch layer, and even a microcrack or film detachment can make the screen "think" you've pressed the call button.

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Turn on the flashlight and light the screen at an angle - look for cracks, bubbles under the protective glass or spots (a sign of moisture getting in).
• 📱 Touch Test: Open the Phone app, dial ##6484## (on some models ##2664##) and select Touch Test. If random dots appear on the screen without your touch, the sensor is faulty.
• 💧 Moisture: If the phone fell into water or was in a wet environment, the oxidation of the contacts could disrupt the touchscreen.

If you find damage, don't delay repairs, the problem will get worse over time, and it'll cost between 1,500 and 4,000 to replace the sensor at the service center. ₽ (For a temporary solution, you can turn off the screen during the call - read about this in the section on settings.

Failures in the operation of the protective film or glass

Often the problem is not the screen itself, but the protective coating, and cheap films or improperly pasted glass can create parasitic pressure on the sensor by mimicking touch.

• 🧲 Magnetic test: Hold the magnet to the screen (not to the speaker!) If the film contains metal particles, it can distort the sensor signals.
• 📏 Edge check: Lift the film from the side with your nail – if dirt or air bubbles accumulate under it, this can cause false positives.
• 🔄 Test without film: carefully remove the protection and monitor the behavior of the phone 1-2 days.

Important: Xiaomi 13 Series and later models use an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the screen, and poor quality films can block its operation, which leads to failures in the processing of touches.

If it is confirmed that the film is to blame:

1. Remove it completely and clean the screen with an alcohol napkin.
2. Use only certified coatings (e.g. Xiaomi Original Screen Protector).
3. Avoid bubbles when sticking – use an applicator or credit card to smooth.

3. Software failures: viruses, application conflicts, MIUI-bug

If the hardware is OK, it's the software that's to blame.

Start by checking for viruses:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Google Play Protect and start scanning.
2. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light for a deep check.
3. If threats are found, remove infected applications and reset to factory settings.

If there are no viruses, try safe mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press and hold Power Off → select Safe Mode.
3. Test your phone for 1-2 hours. If the problem is gone, delete the apps installed before the crash occurs.

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MIUI 14 has a hidden feature called Developer Mode → USB Debugging → Disable USB permissions, which blocks suspicious activity from background apps. Turn it on if you suspect a virus.

4. Hidden Xiaomi features you may have activated

In MIUI, there are several “features” that can simulate a self-response to a call:

• 🎤 Voice response: Voice assistant (in some regions) can receive calls on the command "Respond". → Special facilities → Voice assistant.
• 👋 Gestures: In Settings → Screen. → Gestures can be enabled by lifting to answer (the phone accepts the call when you bring it to your ear).
• 🔕 Autoresponder: Some firmware has an option to Auto Reply for certain contacts (check Settings). → Calls. → Voicemail).
• 📞 Quick answer: if you have previously configured Text Answers (in Phone) → Settings → Quick answers, the system can be triggered falsely.

How to disable all automatic functions:

1. Go to Settings → Special Features and deactivate all voice or gesture-related options.
2. In Settings → Calls turn off Autoresponder, Loud Default Communication and Vibration when responding.
3. Reset the settings of the application Phone: Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Reset settings.

5. Conflicts with headsets and Bluetooth devices

If your Xiaomi is connected to a Bluetooth headset, smartwatch, or car system, they can automatically accept calls.

• 🎧 Xiaomi headphones: models Redmi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro have the function of automatic response when wearing.
• ⌚ Smartwatch: Mi Band 7/8 Xiaomi Watch S3 They can receive calls by gesture (shaking hands).
• 🚗 Automotive systems: Android Auto or CarPlay sometimes conflict with the MIUI, duplicate.

How to check and correct:

1. Disable all Bluetooth devices in Settings → Connected devices.
2. Reboot your phone and test calls without a headset.
3. If the problem is gone, update the device’s firmware (for example, for Redmi Buds via the Mi Earphones app).
4. In the headset settings, turn off options like Auto Response or Smart Wear Detection.

⚠️ Attention: If you use magnetically fastened wireless charging (such as in a car), it can interfere with the sensor and simulate touch.

6. Radical-solutions: reset, flashing, service center

If none of these things work, it's time to move on to radical measures. Start with a soft reset.

1. Create a backup of data through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Perform Settings Reset: Settings → Additional → Settings Reset → Reset all settings (this will not delete files, but will return system settings to factory settings).
3. Test your phone for 1-2 days. If the problem persists, proceed to a complete reset.

For a complete reset (Hard Reset):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume and power buttons).
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

If that doesn’t work, there are two options:

1. Firmware: Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website and run through Fastboot (instructions for power users).
2. Service center: if the phone is warranty, contact the official service Xiaomi. ₽ (depends on the diagnosis).

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Before resetting or flashing, be sure to check the phone's IMEI (type *#06#).If it's unknown or missing, it's a sign of a major motherboard malfunction.

7. How to temporarily block automatic response (if nothing helps)

If you do not have time to diagnose, but you urgently need to prevent self-response to calls, use these methods:

• 🔇 Turn off the microphone: during the call, quickly press the Volume down button to put the call into No Sound mode (the interlocutor will not hear your voice).
• 📴 Screen locking: in Settings → Lock screen set Lock when calling (the phone will require unlocking to respond).
• 📵 Do Not Disturb Mode: Activate It in Settings → Sound and add exceptions only for selected contacts.
• 🔄 Call forwarding: temporarily forward all calls to another number via Settings → SIM-map → Call forwarding.

Critical information: on Xiaomi 12T, 13 Lite and later, there is a hidden option to Lock random touches in Settings → Special features → Interaction and agility → Lock random touches. Turn it on if the screen reacts spontaneously.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions