If you’ve ever looked into the call settings on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, you’ve probably noticed a mysterious item called “TTY.” Many users don’t understand what it’s for, and often accidentally activate it, and then encounter problems when making calls. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what a teletype mode is, how it works on Xiaomi smartphones, and why it’s best left unattended.
Teletypewriter (from English Teletypewriter, abbreviated) TTY) — This is a technology that was developed in the middle of the XX In modern smartphones, including the Redmi Note 9, this mode has been preserved as a means of accessibility for people with hearing or speech impairments. However, for most users, it is not only useless, but can also create difficulties with ordinary calls. Next, we will tell you how to properly configure or disable the teletype, and what nuances should be considered.
What is a Teletype (TTY) and what is it for?
TTY allows texting instead of voice communication, which was originally used in teletype machines, devices that print text on paper when receiving a signal. In smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, this feature is adapted to:
- 👂 People with hearing impairments who cannot hear voice calls.
- 🗣️ Users with speech limitations who have difficulty speaking on the phone.
- 📡 Emergency services supporting TTY-connections (in some countries).
- 🔌 Connecting to legacy systems that require textual data transmission.
In normal circumstances, when you call a friend or colleague, teletype completely blocks voice communication, replacing it with a real-time text chat, which means that if you accidentally turn on TTY, your interlocutor will not hear your voice, and you will not hear it - instead, a text dialogue will be displayed on the screen (provided that the interlocutor also has TTY turned on).
It's important to understand that TTY is not the same as SMS or messengers, it's a separate protocol that only works when two teletype-enabled devices are directly connected, and most of the time, today's users don't need this feature, because there are more convenient alternatives for text messaging: SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other instant messengers.
How to turn on or off the teletype on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9?
If you really need to activate the teletype mode (for example, for special needs), or you want to turn it off after accidentally turning it on, follow this instruction. The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the algorithm is the same overall:
- Open the phone application (pipe icon).
- Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Settings».
- Go to the Calls or Additionals section (in some versions of MIUI, Call Settings).
- Find the "Teletype (TTY)" item and tap it.
- Select one of the modes: TTY Off - Disabled (recommended for most users); TTY Full - Full mode (text instead of voice); TTY HCO - Mode for people with hearing impairments (text + voice of the interlocutor); TTY VCO - Mode for people with speech impairments (voice + text of the interlocutor).
Save the changes and restart the phone if needed.
If you can’t make a normal call after TTY is turned on, go back to the settings and select “TTY Off.” In some cases, it may be necessary to reboot the device for the changes to take effect.
Make sure the interviewer supports you too. TTY|Check the balance - some operators charge for TTY-call-up|Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" or "Air Mode" modes»|Write down important call settings in case of resetting-->
Problems that may arise when using TTY
Although the teletype mode is designed to help people with disabilities, accidentally turning it on can cause a number of problems, among the most common ones:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No sound when you ring. | TTY Full mode is enabled, which blocks voice | Disable TTY or select TTY Off mode |
| The interviewee can't hear your voice. | TTY VCO activated (only text from your side) | Switch to TTY Off or TTY HCO |
| The call is interrupted in a few seconds. | Operator does not support TTY-linkage | Disable TTY or contact the operator for clarification |
| Text chat appears on the screen instead of voice | Both devices have turned on TTY | Turn off the mode on both phones |
If you still have sound problems after TTY is turned off, try the following steps:
- Reboot the phone.
- Check if the Do Not Disturb or Quiet mode is activated.
- Make sure the volume of the call is not set to a minimum (use physical volume buttons while calling).
- Update your MIUI firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
Regime. TTY It's not designed for stealth, it's about accessibility, not security. TTY-The same as regular calls, making this method completely unsuitable for anonymous communication.
Alternatives to Teletype on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
If you need text chat while calling but TTY is not suitable (for example, due to lack of operator support), consider these alternatives:
| The alternative | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Live Transcribe (Google) | Recognizes the speech of the interlocutor and displays the text on the screen in real time | It requires the Internet, does not work in all languages. |
| SMS during the call | Simplicity, does not require additional settings | You need to switch between the call and the messages. |
| Subtitled video call | Visual contact + text transcription | High traffic consumption |
| Special Applications (Ava, Rogervision) | Optimized for people with hearing impairments | They may be paid or require registration |
To activate Live Transcribe on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9:
- Install the app from Google Play (unless it is preinstalled).
- Open Settings → Special Options → Live Transcribe.
- Turn on the function and allow access to the microphone.
- During the call, click on the app icon in the notification panel to begin transcription.
💡
Google’s Live Transcribe is the best alternative to TTY for most users, it works without operator support, does not block voice communication, and supports multiple languages.