Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users a wide range of options for managing communications, but sometimes standard settings create confusion, one of these features that is often puzzling is the so-called “second call” or the service “Second number”. Users may face a situation where the device receives calls to an additional virtual number, or they simply want to abandon the paid service of the operator, activated by default.
You need to clearly understand the difference between the technical ability of the phone to accept calls to two physical devices. SIM-In most cases, when it comes to how to disable the second call, it is precisely the deactivation of the service "Second Number" from the provider or the setting of routing calls in the system that is meant to be deactivated. MIUI. Misinterpreting settings can cause you to continue losing money for an unused service or miss important calls.
In this article, we will discuss all aspects of incoming call management in detail. SIM-How to disable paid services through USSD-And the way you set up the behavioral filters for the incoming connections, and the way you set these parameters up is not only going to save you money, but also making your smartphone more comfortable and safer.
Differences between Dual SIM and Second Number
The first step to solving this problem is to diagnose the situation correctly. Many Xiaomi owners mistakenly believe that the dual SIM function and the number two service are the same. In fact, they are fundamentally different technologies. Dual SIM is the hardware ability of the phone to work with two physical chips at the same time. You see two separate signal icons in the status bar, and each SIM card has its own number, specified in the contract with the operator.
Unlike hardware, the service "Second Number" (or "Virtual Number") is a network function of the operator. It allows you to redirect calls to one additional number to your main SIM card, the phone does not know that it has a second number; for the system, it is a normal incoming call to the main SIM, but with a identifier indicating a virtual number.
- 📱 Physically SIM: requires a slot in the tray, works independently of the operator’s network (except for coverage), is controlled through the phone settings.
- ☁️ Virtual number: does not require a physical medium, is completely dependent on the operator’s servers, is often a paid subscription.
- 🔄 Redirect: can be configured manually by the user to redirect all calls to another number, which can also be perceived as a “second call».
It's important to understand that these functions are disabled in different ways. If you have one card in the tray, but the calls go to two different numbers (main and secondary), then this is a network service. If you have two cards inserted into your phone and you want one of them to stop accepting calls, change the settings of the Android system in the SIM card section.
Physical management SIM-card MIUI
If your goal is to temporarily or permanently disable one of the two physical SIM cards installed in the phone so that it does not receive calls and consume traffic, you do not need complex manipulations. The MIUI shell interface provides convenient and fast access to manage each slot separately, which is especially useful in roaming or when you need to unload the battery by disabling the communication module that is not in use at the moment.
To do this, you need to go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models. You need to find the section responsible for connecting wireless networks, where the SIM card activity switches are located.
Find the SIM card you want (SIM 1 or SIM 2) next to the operator name or phone number, put it in an inactive position, the system can request confirmation of action, warning that calls and SMS to this number will stop coming, and after confirmation, the network icon for the selected SIM card will disappear from the status bar, which will signal a successful shutdown.
☑️ Shutdown algorithm SIM-map
Deactivation of the service "Second Number" from the operator
The most common reason users are looking for a way to turn off a second call is because of the plans of Big Three operators and virtual operators, and the Second Number service is often automatically connected when you change the tariff or offered as a free option for a trial period, after which the subscription fee starts to be charged, and you can not turn it off through the phone settings, since this is a server function.
The fastest and most reliable way to deactivate is to use USSD-These codes are universal for all phones, including Xiaomi, and work even when the keyboard is locked or there is no internet.The codes vary depending on your carrier, so it's important to use the right character combination for your case.
To enter the command, open the Phone app and type the appropriate code, then press the call button. You will receive SMS-Notification of successful service shutdown or voice message: If the code does not work, it is possible that the service has already been disabled or the name of the service on the operator's network is different from the standard one.
| Communications operator | USSD-switch-off | Alternative method |
|---|---|---|
| MTS | *111*1212# | Annex "My MTS" |
| Beeline | *110*1051# | Personal account on the website |
| MegaFon | *105*0013# | Chat with bot in the app |
| Tele2 | *155*005# | Team in the private office |
⚠️ Note: After the service is disabled, the virtual number may remain active for some time (usually until the end of the billing period.
If USSD-If you have codes that don't help or you're not sure of your subscription status, the most effective way to do this is to go to the operator's personal account via a mobile app or web version, where you can see all the active options visually in the Services or Subscriptions section and manage them with a single button. This also helps to avoid errors in character setup.
What happens if you don’t turn off the paid service?
Set up redirection and hiding the number
Sometimes, what we call a second call is a call that is duplicated or shared across multiple devices at the same time, which can be configured through a redirect function. In Xiaomi smartphones, the management of these parameters is built right into the standard caller, allowing you to flexibly customize the phone's behavior scenarios when the call is in.
To check and change these settings, open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the top right corner (or menu button), then select Settings. Next, look for Accounts for Calls or Directions. Here you will see a list of SIM cards and four types of forwarding: always when busy, when not responding and when not available.
For each type, you can set the number to which the calls will go, or turn off the function altogether. If you want the second call (for example, from a virtual number) not to arrive at the current phone, you need to make sure that the forwarding from the virtual number is configured to turn off or transfer to voicemail, and not to your current number.
- 🚫 Always: All incoming phones are transferred to another number, your phone doesn't ring.
- ⏳ When busy: A second call will come if you're talking on the first line.
- 🔕 When not responding: redirection will only work after a certain number of beeps.
Also in this section, the option to Hide a Number or Number Definition is often found. If your second call appears as Unknown Number or Private Number, the outgoing ID hide feature may be activated. To turn off this feature in the call settings menu, select "Additional" and set the value to "Show a Number" or "Default."
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Use call profiles to separate: MIUI can configure different tunes and vibrations for SIM 1 and SIM 2, which will help you instantly understand which number (main or second) you are calling without looking at the screen.
Blocking unwanted calls and spam filters
Another interpretation of the second call problem is that the user wants to stop calling, and turning off the operator service is not going to help, because real people or robots are calling your main number. Android, in conjunction with the MIUI shell, has powerful built-in tools to combat this.
To activate the lock, go to the Security app (green shield icon) that is pre-installed on all Xiaomi phones. At the bottom of the screen, find the Antispam or Lock section. Here you can turn on Smart Lock, which automatically detects spam databases and blocks suspicious numbers, which is more effective than manually blacklisting each number.
If the second call comes from a specific number you want to ignore, the easiest way to blacklist it is to blacklist it directly from the call log. Click on the "i" icon or arrow next to the number in the call history, scroll down and select "Block." After that, all attempts to communicate from that number will be interrupted automatically, and the caller will hear the beeps or reset.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful with the "Block All Unknown Numbers" feature, which can cut off not only spam, but also important calls from couriers, taxis or doctors who call from city or hidden numbers.
You can also set up Do Not Disturb Mode, which will ignore all incoming calls and notifications except those added to the exceptions (like calls from contacts on the Favorites list), which is ideal if you need to temporarily turn off the second plan of communication and focus on work or leisure.
Reset network settings and eliminate program errors
In rare cases, the problem with unnecessary calls or incorrect display of the second line can be caused by a software failure in the communication module of the phone. If neither the service disconnection nor the redirect settings helped, it is worth trying to reset the network settings. This action will return the parameters of mobile Internet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to factory values, but will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts, applications).
To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings. Confirm and wait for the device to restart. Once you turn on your phone, you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords, but the SIM card configuration must be updated and synced with the operator’s network correctly.
Also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and improvements for communication modules. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version. If an update is available, install it. Often, you will find items on the changelog like “Optimize the stability of communication” or “End problems with the definition of a second SIM card.”
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If the problem persists after all the settings and resets, it may be damaged the SIM card tray or the card itself. Try to remove the SIM card, wipe the contacts with a pin and insert back, or replace the SIM card in the operator's cabin with a new one while saving the number.