How to set up or change the answering machine on Xiaomi phones: all the ways

Voice answering machine on Xiaomi is a useful feature that allows you to avoid missing important calls when you are busy or out of coverage. Despite its apparent simplicity, setting up this option raises questions for many users: where to find the answering machine menu in MIUI, how to record a personal greeting, and why the function sometimes does not work. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the answering machine on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones – from basic settings to solving typical problems.

It’s important to understand that the functionality of the answering machine depends on the firmware version (MIUI 14/15), the carrier and even the region. For example, in some countries operators block the standard Xiaomi answering machine, offering their alternatives. We took these nuances into account and collected universal instructions that will help to customize the function regardless of the model – whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12.

Where is the answering machine in Xiaomi phones

Unlike iPhone or Samsung, where the answering machine is integrated into the standard Phone app, Xiaomi has a different setup path, with the latest MIUI versions (starting with 12) hiding the feature in the Additional menu, and some firmwares not having it at all, instead running the operator service.

To find the answering machine:

• 📱 Open the phone application (pipe icon).
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner (or swipe right for Redmi with gesture control).
• ⚙️ Select Settings → Voicemail or Voicemail.
• 🔄 If there is no item, check the section Additional → Operator services.

On some models (like the Poco X5 Pro), the path might look like this: Settings → System → Advanced Settings → Autoresponder. If you don’t find the feature, it’s likely disabled by the operator (more on that below).

How to change the answering machine on Xiaomi

There are three main ways to set up an answering machine in MIUI: through the standard menu, using the USSD code, and through the operator's application. Let's take a look at each in detail.

1. Standard MIUI settings

This is the simplest method, but it doesn't work on all firmware.

1. Open the phone → Settings → Voicemail.
2. Choose. SIM-card (if two of them).
3. Activate the switch to Enable the answering machine.
4. Click Write down the greeting and follow the prompts (recording lasts up to 30 seconds).
5. Set the waiting time before the operation (by default - 20 seconds).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi 10C) After recording the greeting, you need to restart the phone, otherwise the changes will not apply. → The permissions of the application "Phone" have access to the microphone.

2. USSD-quick-fix

If the standard method doesn’t work, try it. USSD-They're versatile and work regardless of the version. MIUI:

• 📞 To activate the answering machine: dial 61 [operator voicemail number]# and click "Call».
• 🔄 To check status: *#61#.
• ❌ To turn off: ##61#.

Voice mail numbers for operators:

Once you have the code, you will receive a confirmation SMS, and if the command fails, it is possible that the operator will block this function (often with virtual operators like Yota or Tinkoff Mobile).

3. Applications of operators

Many operators offer their own applications for controlling the answering machine.

• 📱 MTS: Annex “My MTS» → section “Services» → «Voice mail».
• 📱 Beeline: My Beeline» → «Services» → «Voicemail».
• 📱 MegaFon: Personal Cabinet» → «Services» → «Voice mail».

In these applications, you can not only turn on the answering machine, but also:

• 🎤 Record a personal greeting (up to 1 minute).
• 📅 Set up a schedule (for example, only include outside hours).
• 🔔 Receive notifications of new voice messages.

Make sure that SIM-card supports the service|Check the balance (some operators charge a fee)|Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" and "On the Plane" modes"|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

How to write a personal greeting on an answering machine

A standard "Subscriber temporarily unavailable" greeting sounds faceless, it's much more convenient to write down your own voice text -- it takes less than a minute. Here's how to do it:

Method 1 (via MIUI):

1. Go to the phone → Settings → Voicemail.
2. Press Record the greeting.
3. Hold the record button and say the text (e.g., "Hello! I'll call you back later. Leave a message after the beep.")
4. Save the recording and listen to it for verification.

Method 2 (via USSD):

Dial 61, then follow the robot's voice instructions. Usually, the system says:

• 🎙️ Record a new greeting (click 1).
• 🔊 Listen to the current one (click 2).
• ❌ Delete the entry (click 3).

⚠️ Note: If you record a greeting through an operator, be aware that some services (for example, MegaFon) cut the recording up to 15 seconds. To meet the limit, prepare the text in advance and practice saying it at a normal pace.

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Use free services like Vocaroo or Online Voice Recorder to record a greeting on your computer and then upload it to your answering machine via the operator’s app (if this option is supported).

Why the answering machine doesn’t work on Xiaomi

If you set up an answering machine but it doesn’t work, the reasons may be as follows:

A common mistake is to conflict with other operator services, such as if you have Call forwarding or Blacklist activated, the answering machine may not work. To reset all forwarding, dial:

##002#

Then set up the answering machine again.

Another possible reason is the power saving mode, which in MIUI, it can block the background of the Phone app to fix:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving Mode.
2. Select No Limits for the Phone app.
3. Reset the device.

How to turn off the answering machine on Xiaomi

If the function is no longer needed, it can be deactivated in several ways:

Method 1 (via MIUI):

1. Open the phone → Settings → Voicemail.
2. Turn off the voicemail switch.
3. Confirm the action (if required).

Method 2 (via USSD):

Dial it in:

##61#

Or to completely reset all redirects:

##002#

Method 3 (via operator's application):

Go to the operator’s personal account (for example, “My MTS”) and turn off the Voicemail service in the “My Services” section.

⚠️ Warning: After the answering machine is disabled, all saved voice messages will be deleted without recovery. If they are important, export them first (for example, by writing to another phone).

Autoresponder on Xiaomi for business: advanced settings

If you use a Xiaomi smartphone for work, a standard answering machine may not be enough.

• 📊 Conditional forwarding: Set up different greetings for different contacts, for example, one message for customers, another for colleagues. USSD-codes of the form 61[number]11[time]#, where 11 is a condition (e.g., "occupied" or "unavailable»).
• 🕒 Schedule: Turn on the answering machine only during non-working hours. This can be done through the operator's application (for example, in My Beeline there is an option "Mode of work»).
• 📞 Voice menu (IVR): For advanced users, services like Zadarma or Asterisk allow you to create a multi-level answering machine with a choice of options (for example, “Push 1 for sales department»).

Important: Business settings will be required SIM-Call Forwarding and Conditional Call Forwarding card, check with the operator if they are included in your tariff.

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For business use, it is better to choose a tariff with unlimited calls and support for extended services (for example, “Business” from MTS or “Corporate” from MegaFon).

Frequent questions about the answering machine on Xiaomi