The modern rhythm of life dictates its rules, and often we are not available for calls, whether in meetings, in the movies or just in the area of unstable reception of the signal. At such moments, voicemail becomes an indispensable tool that allows subscribers to leave important messages even when you can not answer. For owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, the setting of this feature can seem confusing due to the features of the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, but in fact the process is quite transparent if you know where to look.
Unlike simple answering machines, voicemail works on the carrier side, which guarantees a call recording even when the phone is turned off or the battery is discharged. However, in order for this system to work correctly, you need to properly “friend” your device settings with the servers of the mobile company. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of activation, setting up greetings and solving typical problems that users of Xiaomi devices face.
Before you start technical manipulation, it is worth understanding that the basic service "Autoresponder" or "Voicemail" should be connected at the level of your tariff plan. Without an active service from the operator, any settings in the phone will not lead to the desired result, so the first step is always to check the status of the service through the application of your provider or the service provider. USSD-team.
Verification of service support by the communications operator
The first and most critical step is to wait for your mobile carrier to provide voicemail and it is active on your mobile phone. SIM-In Russia, the main operators (the “big four”) offer similar services under different names: “responder”, “voice mail” or “Instead of me.” Without connecting this option on the network side, the Xiaomi phone will not physically be able to forward incoming calls to the recording server.
Often users try to find settings in the phone menu without knowing that the service is simply not paid for or activated. To check, you can use the operator's personal account or send a special request. For example, for Beeline this command *110*09#, and for MTC activation often occurs through an application or command *111*1791#. Tele2 and Megafon also have their own codes that can be found on official sites.
- 📞 Open the Calls app and dial USSD-your operator code to check the status of the service.
- 💳 Make sure there are funds on the main account balance, as the service is often paid or requires a minimum amount.
- 📱 Call your number from another phone to check if the default autoresponder is enabled.
- 🌐 Go to the operator’s personal account via mobile Internet and check the section “Services».
If you don't use it regularly, the carrier can automatically turn off the feature to save network resources, so if you plan to rely on voicemail, make sure it's active right now.
⚠️ Note: Some virtual operators (MVNO) or corporate rates may not support voicemail by default, in which case the phone's standard settings will not work and you will need to contact the provider's support team.
Activation through the standard application "Phone"
Xiaomi smartphones have Google's Phone app installed by default, which is the primary call management tool, and that's where the main redirect settings are hidden. To access them, you have to open the app and click on the three dots in the top right corner, selecting Settings, and then we're interested in Voicemail or Additional Settings, where you can find the redirect settings.
The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and shell. MIUI. In some versions, the path looks like settings. → Voice mail. → Advanced settings. Here you'll see a list. SIM-cards, if the device supports two SIMs, each of which can be customized, allowing flexibility to manage availability.
☑️ Activation checklist
The key is to set up the voicemail number, and by default, it should have a special number provided by the operator (for example, 0500 for MTC or 0679 for Beeline). If the field is empty or contains the wrong number, messages will not be recorded. You can manually enter the desired number if the automatic setting does not work.
- 📲 Press and hold the number “1” on the dial keyboard – this is a standard quick voicemail call.
- ⚙️ Check to have the option “Always Redirect” or “If Busy/Unavailable” in the settings, depending on your preferences.
- 🔊 Listen to the test message to verify the quality of the communication and the microphone.
Google is implementing its own visual voicemail system in new versions of Android, which transcribes messages into text, but in Russia this feature is still unstable or not supported by operators, so relying on classic redirect settings remains the most reliable option.
Set up manual call forwarding
If you automatically configure through the menu, you can use a deeper level of control, manual redirection settings, which is especially true for older Redmi models or when using third-party SIM cards. To do this, you need to find the Call Redirect menu, the system will request latency, then provide a list of options: "Always", "When busy", "When not responding", "When not available".
For full voicemail, it is recommended to choose When Unavailable or When Not Responding mode if you want to hear calls but have a safety net.Always mode will redirect all calls at once, preventing your phone from even ringing, which can be uncomfortable in everyday use.
| Redirection mode | When it works. | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Always. | Immediately upon receipt of the call. | Not recommended for permanent employment |
| If it's busy. | During another conversation | Good for business people. |
| If you don't answer | 15-30 seconds tone. | The best option for most |
| If not available. | With or without a network, the phone is off. | Definitely for those who are missed offline |
When manually installing a number, make sure you enter it in an international format or in the format required by your operator. Often errors occur due to an extra "plus" or no country code. Once you enter the number, click Enable or OK. The system can send USSD-request that will be executed in the background.
⚠️ Note: When manually configuring forwarding to a voicemail number, additional rates may be charged per minute of connection, even if you do not pick up the phone.
Secret codes for resetting redirects
Use USSD codes for quick management
For those who prefer speed and do not like to dig into the menu, there are special options for the user. USSD-They allow you to control forwarding directly through the operator's network, bypassing the interfaces of Xiaomi. This is especially useful if the phone's menu is cluttered or slow. The commands are universal and work on any phone, including button models.
The basic codes for managing redirects are as follows: 61* voicemail number # - set forwarding when no response is available; 62* number # - when unavailable; **67* number # - when busy. To disable the function, the code is added with a "#" symbol at the end, for example, # #61#. These commands are instantly sent to the operator's server.
- 🔢 Enter the ##002# code and press the call to reset all redirect settings to factory.
- 👁️ To check your current settings, use the code #61#, #62# or *#67#.
- 📞 The voicemail number can usually be found by dialing *#61# and it will be displayed after the number.
Advantage of use USSD-The codes are that they don't depend on the Android version or the Internet. This is a "hardened concrete" method that works even in roaming (although there may be restrictions there). If the menu in Xiaomi gives an error "failed to update the settings", try manually entering the command.
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Keep the basics. USSD-Your operator's codes in notes or make contact with the name "Voicemail" and answering machine service number for quick access.
Third-party applications for autoresponder
If Xiaomi’s built-in features don’t suit you or the operator doesn’t provide a quality service, you can turn to third-party solutions from Google Play. Autoresponder applications such as Truecaller, Google Phone (with screening feature) or the specialized Answering Machine can take calls on themselves. However, they have a significant limitation: the phone must be on, unlocked (partially) and have access to the Internet.
These applications are software-based, pick-ups, and when a call comes in, it automatically responds and records a conversation or plays a greeting, which is not a classic operator voicemail, but can be a great replacement for Wi-Fi calling, or if you don't have cellular coverage, but you have Wi-Fi.
When installing such applications on Xiaomi, you need to give them advanced permissions. MIUI is known for its aggressive battery saving, so you need to go to Settings → Apps → Permissions and give full permissions to access the phone, microphone and background work. Without this, the system will “kill” the recording process in a few minutes.
- 🛡️ Truecaller – a popular number determinant with autoresponder function and recording conversations.
- 📼 Call Recorder – Specialized voice recorders that can automatically answer calls.
- ☁️ Google Voice – works mainly for the US, but demonstrates the principle of cloud telephony.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party applications to record conversations may violate your country's privacy laws.Always alert the interviewee to record if required by law.
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
Even with the right setup, Xiaomi users can run into problems. One of the most common is the message, "Failed to update redirect settings." This is often associated with a VoLTE conflict (Voice over). LTE). Technology allows you to speak through 4G, But sometimes it blocks forwarding commands. Solution: temporarily disable VoLTE in the settings. SIM-maps or engineering menus.
Another problem is that voicemail turns on too early, preventing the phone from ringing for the right amount of time, which is set up not on the phone, but on the operator's side, usually by calling support or using a special greeting setting menu (by dialing the voicemail number and following the robot's instructions) to increase the wait time to 15, 20 or 30 seconds.
It’s also worth checking if Xiaomi’s built-in antivirus or Security is blocking the Phone app’s access to the network. Sometimes “memory cleanup” closes the background processes needed to handle incoming calls. Add the app to battery exceptions (Settings → Battery → Permissions → Autostart).
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In 90% of cases, the problem with voice mail on Xiaomi is solved by disabling the VoLTE function or re-activating the service from the operator.