How to completely disable the answering machine on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: from voice mail to SMS-response

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but owners often face unexpected features that are activated without the user’s knowledge. One of these “unsolicited” options is an autoresponder that can automatically answer calls with voice messages or SMS. Depending on the carrier and MIUI settings, this behavior can annoy both you and your subscribers.

In this article, we will analyze all possible types of answering machines on the Redmi Note. 8 (including voicemail from the operator and built-in functions MIUI), and also provide 5 proven ways to disable them - from standard settings to hidden USSD-We'll focus on the nuances of firmware. MIUI 11/12/13, The interface and location of the options may be different.

If you notice that your phone is answering calls or sending an SMS like “I’ll call you later”, do not rush to blame the operator – most likely, the settings of the device are to blame.

1.What answering machine is activated on your Redmi Note 8?

Before you turn off the function, you need to understand which answering machine is running on your phone. There are three types:

  • 📞 Operator voicemail - automatically activates when missed calls (depending on the tariff) and usually alerts the subscriber with a message such as "Subscriber temporarily unavailable».
  • 💬 SMS-autoresponder - built-in function MIUI, which sends text messages when missed calls (e.g., “I’m on my way, I’ll call you back»).
  • 🤖 Third-party answering machine – can be installed via Google Assistant, Truecaller or other services.

To determine the type, check:

  1. Call your phone from another phone and wait for the answer to go off.
  2. If you hear a voice message ("Leave a message after the beep"), it's the operator's voicemail.
  3. If you have an SMS with text, it is a MIUI or third-party application answering machine.
📊 What kind of answering machine is activated?
Operator's voicemail
SMS-voice-mailer MIUI
The Appendix (Truecaller et al.)
I don't know, I need to check.

Important! Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware can run a combined autoresponder when SMS first works and then voicemail is connected, a feature of integration with some carriers (for example, MTS or Beeline).

2. Disabling the operator's voice mail

Voice mail is a mobile operator service, and its settings are not always available in the phone interface, but there are universal ways to turn off:

Method 1: USSD-Teams (the fastest method)

Each operator has its own commands to manage voice mail, and here are the ones that are relevant for 2026:

Operator.Command to shut downTeam for status check
MTS*111*330# → challenge*111*33# → challenge
Beeline*110*321# → challenge*110*09# → challenge
MegaFon*105*300# → challenge*105*3# → challenge
Tele2*155*2*3# → challenge*155*2# → challenge

Once you have a command, you will receive an SMS confirming the disconnect, and if the command fails, check the balance, as some operators block the change when the negative score is scored.

Method 2: Through the operator's personal account

If the USSD does not help, go to the personal account on the operator's website:

  1. Sign in to the phone number.
  2. Go to the section “Services» → «Voice mail».
  3. Turn off the option (may be called “Self Secretary” or “Voice Box”).

💡

If voicemail still works after turning off, restart the phone - sometimes operator settings are applied with a delay.

Method 3: Calling in support

If nothing helps, call the operator and ask to disable the service manually.

  • 📱 MTS: 0890 (free of charge)
  • 📱 Beeline: 0611 (free of charge)
  • 📱 MegaFon: 0500 (free)
  • 📱 Tele2: 611 (free of charge)

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 8 with two SIM-You can only activate voicemail on one card!

3. Disconnection SMS-answering-box MIUI

In the firmware MIUI 11-14 has an integrated automatic function SMS-It can be activated by accident or after a system update. Here's how to turn it off:

Step 1: Checking the Call Settings

  1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
  2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Settings.
  3. Go to Auto Answer for Calls or Quick Answers (name depends on the version of MIUI).
  4. Turn off the slider Automatic SMS-answers.

Step 2: Removing response templates

Even if the auto-response is disabled, the stored patterns can interfere to remove them.

  1. In the same menu (Calling Auto Answer) find the Message Templates section.
  2. Click on each template and select Remove.
  3. Restart your phone to apply the changes.

Open the Phone app | Go to Settings → Auto-Calling |Deactivate the Auto-Response slider |Delete all message templates |Reboot the phone-->

Step 3: Reset the settings of the Phone application

If the answering machine still works, reset the settings:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the phone and select it.
  3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data (this won’t delete contacts!).
  4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: After resetting the settings of the Phone application, you will have to reconfigure the blacklist and exceptions for calls (if they were).

4. Disconnecting the autoresponder from third-party applications

Apps like Truecaller, Google Assistant, or Yandex.Phone can have their own auto-response mechanisms, and we'll figure out how to deactivate them.

Truecaller

If you have Truecaller installed, it can automatically send an SMS like "Thank you for calling!" to disable:

  1. Open Truecaller → click on the avatar in the upper right corner.
  2. Go to Settings → Calls.
  3. Turn off the answering machine or quick SMS option.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant on Redmi Note 8 can answer calls with voice if Screen Calls is activated.

  1. Open Settings → Google → Services on your device → Google Assistant.
  2. Select Screen Calls.
  3. Turn off the slider or remove the device from the list.

Other annexes

Check out all apps that have access to:

  • 📞 Calls (permission) READ_PHONE_STATE)
  • 💬 SMS (permit SEND_SMS)
  • 🎤 Microphone (permission) RECORD_AUDIO)

Open Settings → Applications → Permissions and revoke unnecessary rights.

How do I find hidden answering machines?
Some applications (e.g., banking or enterprise messengers) may have built-in autoresponders that don't show up in the settings. To detect them: 1. Check the list of recently installed apps. 2. Use ADB to analyze active services (team: adb shell dumpsys activity services | grep -i "auto"). 3. Install App Inspector from Google Play to scan permissions.

5. Virus and malware check

If the answering machine appears suddenly and doesn’t turn off in the standard ways, there’s a risk that your Redmi Note 8 has malware installed.

Signs of infection

  • 🚨 The answering machine turns on itself after restarting.
  • 📱 Unknown apps appear on the menu.
  • 🔋 The battery is discharged faster than usual.
  • 📡 Traffic is consumed even when the phone is on standby.

How to remove the virus

  1. Install antivirus (Dr.Web, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes).
  2. Run a deep scan.
  3. Remove any threats you find.
  4. If the virus is not removed, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings).

💡

If the answering machine came back after the reset, the problem is the firmware. Install the official MIUI version using the Mi Flash Tool.

6. Additional settings for complete shutdown

Sometimes the answering machine can be linked to other phone functions.

Do Not Disturb mode

In some cases, DND mode can automatically send phone answers to fix this:

  1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb.
  2. Select Permissions → Call auto-answers.
  3. Turn off all options.

Settings SIM-map

On the Redmi Note 8 with two SIM-The answering machine can be linked to a specific card:

  1. Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  2. Choose. SIM-map → Additional settings.
  3. Turn off voicemail or voicemail.

MIUI Update

Older versions of MIUI (below 12.5) may have bugs with auto-answers.

  1. Settings → About the phone → System update.
  2. Click Check Updates and install the latest version.

7 What should I do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the answering machine still works, here are the extreme measures:

  • 🔧 Reset all settings (does not delete files, but resets application settings): Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings.
  • 📥 Fastboot flashing (completely reinstalls the system). Redmi Note 8 with a locked bootloader will require unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.
  • 📞 Contact Xiaomi Service Center if the problem is hardware (for example, a failure in the communication module).

Before flashing, be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 8 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the answering machine can be part of the system kernel, in which case only a complete reinstallation of the official system will help. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the answering machine on the Redmi Note 8

Can I turn off the answering machine only for certain contacts?
Yes, MIUI has an exception feature. To do this, Open Phone → Settings → Auto-Calling. Select Exceptions. Add the contacts you want to add to the list. These numbers won't work.
Why does it turn on again after the answering machine is turned off?
This may be due to: Automatic update of operator settings (check out) USSD-Phone malfunction (try to clear its cache), virus or malware (scan your phone with antivirus).
How to check if my answering machine is on?
The easiest way is to call your number from another phone, if you hear a voice-mail greeting or receive an SMS, the answering machine is active, check the call log, if the missed call is marked as "Automatically answered," the function works.
Can the answering machine be wasting my traffic or money?
Yes, in some cases: Operator voicemail can be a paid service (check fare). SMS-Autoresponse spends money if you don’t have unlimited SMS. Viruses can send SMS We recommend turning off all answering machines if you don't use them knowingly.
Does this work on other Xiaomi models (Redmi 9, POCO X3, etc.)?
Most methods (USSD-teams, settings MIUI) Suitable for all smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO base MIUI 11–14. However: Menu items may be different on newer models (e.g. Redmi Note) 12) There may be additional options in the settings → Special facilities → Voicemail.