How to disable the answering machine on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

The answering machine on Xiaomi smartphones can be useful in some situations, but users often find that it activates spontaneously or interferes with calls. This is especially true for owners of devices with MIUI firmware, where voice mail is integrated at the system level. Unlike classic answering machines, which record messages when missed calls, in Xiaomi this option is often associated with operator services or built-in Google Phone features.

The problem is complicated by the fact that the interface MIUI It's updated regularly, and the path to settings may vary depending on the firmware version and the phone model. MIUI 14 menu will be one and on POCO X5 s MIUI 13 to others.In addition, some operators (e.g. MTS or Beeline) impose their answering machine services, which require a separate disconnection through the use of a mobile phone. USSD-team.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current ways to disable your answering machine on Xiaomi, including hidden settings, operator codes, and alternative methods for older versions of MIUI. You’ll also learn how to check if the function is active, and what to do if the answering machine continues to work after all the manipulations.

Why does the answering machine turn on on itself?

On Xiaomi smartphones, the answering machine can activate for several reasons, and not all of them are obvious to the user.

• 📱 Update MIUI: After installing a new firmware version, some settings are reset or changed. MIUI 14 Voice mail function can be activated automatically when the first start of the Phone application.
• 📡 Operator services: Mobile operators (e.g. MegaFon or Tele2) often connect paid answering machine services without the explicit consent of the user. SIM-card or tariff activation.
• 🔄 Factory reset: After a hard reset, some functions, including the answering machine, return to default values. In some regions (for example, in China), voicemail is initially turned on.
• 🤖 Third-party apps: Some call programs (such as Truecaller or Google Phone) have their own autoresponder mechanisms that conflict with system settings.

Interestingly, on devices with MIUI for the global market (Global ROM), the answering machine behaves differently than on the Chinese version of firmware. For example, on Xiaomi 12T with European firmware, voice mail is controlled through Google settings, and on the Chinese version, through the operator's menu.

If you notice that the answering machine turns on after a phone reboot or app update, the problem is likely to be a conflict of services, in which case completely disabling the function at the system and operator level will help.

Method 1: Disconnect via phone settings (MIUI 12–15)

The most reliable way to disable the answering machine is to use the built-in settings. MIUI. The interface may vary slightly depending on the model, but the overall algorithm remains similar. Let’s take a look at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 with the new model. MIUI 14:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Voicemail or Autoresponder (some versions may call Additional Settings → Operator Services).
4. Turn off the slider next to Enable Voicemail or Automatic Response.
5. Confirm the action if the system request appears.

On some devices (e.g., POCO F4), the path may look like this:

Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions → Additional Features → Voicemail

If you don't have Voicemail on your menu, it means that the answering machine is not operated by the system, but by the operator, in which case you move on to the next way.

Make sure you have the latest version. MIUI|Check the balance. SIM-Cards (some operators block changes in negative balances)|Write down the current call settings (in case of resetting)|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 2: USSD-commands to disconnect operator services

If the answering machine is activated by your mobile operator, it must be turned off through special USSD-The following is a table with the codes for the main Russian operators, and it is important that the teams may differ depending on the region and the tariff.

To take advantage of the team:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the keyboard tab.
3. Enter. USSD-command for your operator and press the call button.
4. Wait. SMS-disconnection.

⚠️ Note: Some operators (e.g. MTS) may require confirmation of service disconnection through SMS. If after entering the command nothing happened, check the balance - with a negative or zero score, the services are not turned off.

If USSD-commands did not work, try to contact the operator through an official application (for example, My MTS or MegaFon-Service) or call in support.

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If the answering machine continues to work after disconnecting, try temporarily switching to another one. SIM-A map (like a Tinkoff Mobile virtual card) and check if the problem persists, which will help determine if the operator or phone is to blame.

Method 3: Disconnect via the engineering menu (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try to disable the answering machine through Xiaomi’s engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, as incorrect actions can disrupt the phone.

Instructions for MIUI 13-14:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type section and find Voicemail (which may be called VM Number).
4. Remove the voicemail number (if specified) or replace it with +00000000000.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 11T), the path may be different:

##86583## → Test Voicemail → Disable

⚠️ Attention: Changes to the engineering menu may cause network failures. If the signal is lost or calls stop working after manipulation, reset the network settings to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

On Qualcomm-powered devices (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the engineering menu can block changes to Voicemail settings, which can only be done by using Fastboot or contacting a service center.

Method 4: Disabling the answering machine in Google Phone

If your Xiaomi has a Google Phone app installed (often found on Android One or global firmware devices), the autoresponder can be controlled through it.

1. Open the Phone app from Google (the icon with the green handset).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Voicemail section.
4. Select your carrier from the list (if any) or click on Additional Settings.
5. Turn off the Automatic Response option or Enable Voicemail.
6. Delete the voicemail number if it is listed in the Voicemail Number field.

Some devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One) may require additional sync disabling:

Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Synchronization → Disable “Contacts” and “Phone”

If the answering machine continues to work after shutting down, clear the cache of the Google Phone app:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Storage → Clear cache

Method 5: Reset your network settings (if nothing helps)

If all previous methods failed, the last option is to reset your network settings, which will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile settings, but often solves problems with the answering machine, especially if they are associated with a conflict of operator settings.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
3. Select Network Settings Reset (or Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth Reset).
4. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
5. After restarting the phone, check if the answering machine is off.

⚠️ Note: After a network reset, mobile internet may need to be re-activated via SMS If the Internet is not working, manually enter it. APN-settings for your operator.

If the reset didn't work, the problem could be in the firmware, which would only help if you flashed your phone through Fastboot or Recovery, and you would need to unlock the bootloader and install the official or custom firmware.

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Resetting network settings is a last resort: export contacts before performing and save important data, as some settings (such as VPN settings) will also be deleted.

What to do if the answering machine is still working?

If after all the manipulations, the answering machine continues to activate, the problem may be due to one of the following factors:

• 📲 Firmware with errors: In some builds MIUI (Especially in beta versions, there are bugs that don't save the settings, so the solution is to roll back to a stable version or wait for the update.
• 🔗 Application conflict: Programs like Truecaller, WhatsApp Business, or Skype can intercept calls and activate the answering machine.
• 📡 Operator-side issues: Sometimes voicemail is re-enabled due to billing system failures, so call in support of the operator and demand a complete shutdown.
• 🔧 Hardware failure: In rare cases, the problem is caused by damage to the communication module (for example, after a phone crash.

If you suspect that the firmware is to blame, check out the MIUI version:

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI

Compare it to the latest stable builds on Xiaomi's official website. If your version is outdated, upgrade your phone:

Settings → System Update → Check for Updates

For devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can install an alternative firmware, such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS, where the autoresponder is controlled through standard Android settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the answering machine on Xiaomi