How to turn off the answering machine on Xiaomi, if the phone picks up the phone

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started spontaneously accepting incoming calls even though you haven't touched it? It's not only annoying, it creates risks: random conversations with scammers, wasting money on unnecessary minutes, or even leaking personal data if someone picks up the phone, and the reasons for this behavior can range from bugs in MIUI to third-party apps or hardware failures.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible ways to disable autoresponse on Xiaomi, including hidden settings, engineering menus, and radical measures like factory resets. You will learn how to check if the headset or case is to blame for the problem, and what to do if standard methods do not help. POCO X3 Pro), where autoresponse may be triggered due to false alarms of the proximity sensor.

Why Xiaomi is taking on challenges: 5 main reasons

Before you start fixing the problem, it’s important to understand the root of the problem, and here are the most common reasons why Xiaomi’s smartphone can pick up the phone spontaneously:

• 📱 The proximity sensor malfunctions, and if it's contaminated or damaged, it can falsely fire by simulating the phone being brought to the ear.
• 🎧 Connected headset or headphones. Some models automatically accept a call when you press a button on wired or Bluetooth headphones.
• 🔄 The bug in the firmware MIUI. Especially relevant for versions MIUI 12.5–14, where spontaneous response to calls has been reported.
• 🤖 Third-party applications: Automatic call management software (such as Auto Answer or Tasker) may conflict with system settings.
• 🔧 Hardware malfunction: Damage to the screen plume or microphone sometimes leads to false signals about the "raised tube".

On models with an infrared sensor (such as the Xiaomi 11T or Redmi K40), the problem is often caused by direct sunlight hitting the sensor, in which case the phone perceives the light as a face approach and accepts the call.

Method 1: Disabling Auto Response in Standard MIUI Settings

So, to start with, the simplest method is to check system parameters, and in some versions of MIUI, the autoresponse function is hidden in the menu of special features or call settings. Here's how to find it:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Calls section → Additional settings.
4. Look for options like Answer Auto, Answer Auto or Voice Answer, and if you have them, turn them off.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), the path may be different: Settings → Special features → Universal Access → Autorespond to calls.

Open the "Phone" appendix"|Go to "Settings" → "Calls"|Check the section "Additional settings"|Disable autoresponse options (if any)-->

⚠️ Note: If in your version MIUI There are no explicit auto-response options, it doesn't mean that the feature is disabled, it may be activated at the firmware level or through third-party services (for example, Google Assistant).

Method 2: Checking the proximity sensor and sensors

False alerts of the proximity sensor are one of the most common causes of spontaneous response to calls.

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##6484## (some models run ##0*##).
2. In the test menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Cover the top of the screen (where the sensor is located) with your hand. If the screen goes out, the sensor works correctly. If not, you need to clean or replace.

For models with an infrared sensor (such as the POCO F3 or Xiaomi 12 Pro), the test can be done in the Sensor Test app from Google Play. If the sensor is triggered for no reason (such as from bright light), try:

• 🧴 Wipe the sensor area with alcohol (without fanaticism!).
• 🔦 Avoid direct sunlight on the top of the phone.
• 🛠️ If the problem persists - contact the service (possible plume break).

Method 3: Disabling Auto-Response for Headsets and Bluetooth Devices

If the phone picks up the phone itself only when the headphones are plugged in, the problem is the headset settings. Here's how to fix this:

1. Connect problem headphones (wired or Bluetooth).
2. Open the settings → Connected devices → Headphones.
3. Click on the gear icon next to the headset name.
4. Look for options like Autocall or Call Management and turn them off.

For Bluetooth headsets (such as Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi Buds), check out:

• 🔊 Settings in the headphone application itself (if there is a proprietary software).
• 📱 Updates for the firmware for the headset (via Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear).
• 🔄 Resetting headphone settings (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).

Method 4: Engineering menu and hidden commands to disable auto-response

If standard methods don't work, you can try turning off auto-response through the engineering menu, which is only suitable for experienced users - wrong actions can disrupt the phone!

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to Turn off auto answer (or similar). If you don't have one, move on to the next step.
4. Go back to the main engineering menu and select Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor. Here you can calibrate the sensor or turn it off (but this will affect the screen performance during calls!).

For models running a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (e.g., POCO X4 Pro or Redmi K50), the command is available:

adb shell settings put global auto_answer 0

It must be entered through ADB (see ADB configuration instructions below).

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Before working with the engineering menu, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help you recover your phone if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause firmware failure or loss of warranty.If you are not sure about your actions, contact Xiaomi Service Center.

Method 5: Checking Third-Party Apps and Resetting Settings

Some applications (such as AutoAnswer, Tasker, or MacroDroid) can automatically receive calls according to predefined rules.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date – new programs are more likely to cause a problem.
3. Check the application permissions: If the program has access to the Phone and Microphone, but you are not familiar with it, delete it.

If the culprit is not found, reset the settings for applications only (without deleting data):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset application settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

For root-access models, you can use the App Inspector app to find the process that controls auto-response, but it's risky because doing the wrong thing with root can make your phone malfunction.

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Resetting application settings deletes all stored data in programs (such as logins), but does not affect photos and files. If the problem is a system failure, only a complete reset will help (see Method 6).

Method 6: Extreme measures - factory reset and flashing

If none of these methods work, there are radical solutions, and a complete reset will bring the phone back to its original state, but it will delete all the data.

1. Make a backup of important files (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, set the phone up as new and check if the problem persists.

If the reset didn't work, it could be the firmware.

• 📥 Download the official firmware for your model from the site MIUI Download.
• 🔧 Use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it (instructions are available on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🛡️ Before the firmware, unlock the bootloader via Fastboot (this will delete all data and reset settings!).

⚠️ Warning: Firmware re-flashing will void the warranty and may lead to a "brick" of the phone if the wrong version of the software is selected. If you are not sure, contact the authorized Xiaomi service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about auto-response on Xiaomi