The modern smartphone, especially the popular Xiaomi Redmi, has become a central communication node, and a missed call can cost a major deal or a face-to-face meeting. Call forwarding is one of the basic but critical communication management tools to redirect incoming calls to another number when you are busy, out of reach or just don’t want to answer. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell often face nuances that distinguish the setup process from standard Android, which requires detailed consideration.
Many users mistakenly believe that this option depends solely on the operator’s tariff, but Redmi provides a flexible built-in toolkit to manage these parameters. Competent settings avoid loss of communication in roaming or when the main device’s battery is discharged. In this guide, we will discuss all available ways to activate the service, including hidden system codes and deep configuration through the engineering menu.
Understanding network calls will help you not only enable the feature, but also optimize your communication costs by choosing the right redirect scenario. We will look at the differences between unconditional and conditional redirects, and also find out why on some devices the button may be inactive.
Types of forwarding and their purpose
Before you get to the technical steps, you need to clearly understand what kind of redirect scenarios your carrier offers and how they interpret the Android system. There are several main types of this service, each of which is activated under certain conditions, and confusion in terms can lead to unexpected communication bills or missed calls.
The most common option is to redirect when a line is busy, and this mechanism works when you're already talking to someone and a new call comes in. For business people who can't interrupt a conversation but want the second caller to not hear the beeps, this is ideal, and the system will automatically redirect the second caller to the specified number, whether it's voicemail or the secretary's number.
Another important type is forwarding when there is no response, which is activated if you don't pick up the phone after a certain number of beeps, and the waiting time is usually 15 to 30 seconds, after which the call goes further, and it saves you in situations where the phone is in your bag and you're in a noisy place and you can't hear the bell.
- 📞 Unconditional redirection – all incoming calls are instantly redirected to another number, your phone doesn’t even ring.
- ⏳ When unavailable – activates when the device is turned off, is outside the network coverage area or is removed SIM-map.
- 🚫 When busy – activated only during an ongoing conversation with another subscriber.
- ⏰ Timer – the call is redirected if you do not respond within the time set by the operator.
⚠️ Warning: Activating unconditional forwarding may cause you to stop hearing calls on your device until you turn off this feature.Be careful when choosing this mode.
And it's also worth mentioning that when you're not available, this is a useful scenario when you're planning a trip to a bad reception area or you know your phone is going to run out. Unlike no-tack mode, here the redirect signal is coming from the base station, not your phone, so you don't use up battery power to wait.
Setup through the standard phone menu
The easiest and safest way to manage calls on Xiaomi Redmi is to use the standard interface of the Phone application. The developers of MIUI integrated all the necessary switches directly into the settings of the calling device, hiding complex codes from the eyes of the average user. This method does not require memorizing combinations of numbers and provides visual feedback about the status of each service.
To get started, open the Phone app, which usually has a green tube icon, and in the upper right corner of the screen is a three-dot menu or a gear that indicates settings, and that's where the SIM card and network function section is hidden. On two-sim devices, you will need to select a specific SIM-map.
Once you enter the settings menu, look for Call Settings or Accounts and Sync, depending on the firmware version. Inside, you'll see a list of options available, including Redirect. The system can request permission to access the telephony, which must be confirmed, and then the device will contact the operator's server to obtain current statuses.
☑️ Checking before setting up
In the list that opens, select the type of forwarding you want, such as, "When busy." You'll be asked to enter the number you'll be calling or select the contact from the phone book. After you enter the number, click "On." The system will send the phone. USSD-request to the operator, and after a few seconds a notification of successful activation will be received.
It is important to note that in some versions of the HyperOS shell or older builds MIUI Sometimes you have to go to the general settings of the smartphone, then to the "Applications" section and find the settings of the system application "Phone." But the logic remains the same: search for the item associated with the phone. SIM-mapping and call management.
Use of the USSD-code-in
For those who prefer speed or are faced with a situation where the phone menu is not responding, there are universal options. USSD-These commands are network-level and independent of Xiaomi's firmware version, making them a reliable tool in any situation.
The main command to activate unconditional forwarding looks like 21[number]#. Instead of the word "number," you need to substitute the numbers of the phone number to which the calls will be sent, usually in an international format without a plus. For example, to redirect to 89001234567, the command will look like *21*79001234567#. Once dialed, the system will instantly confirm the action.
The code #21# is used to disable the service. This is a universal reset command that reverses unconditional redirect. If you've used other types of redirects, the codes will be different: #67# cancels redirects when you're busy, and #61# cancels when you don't respond, and knowing these combinations allows you to quickly return the phone to its original state.
| Action. | Team code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Always turn on | *21*number# | All calls go to the specified number. |
| Always turn off | #21# | Resetting unconditional diversion |
| Status of all services | *#21# | Check where and when the redirection is going |
| Cancel all | ##002# | Complete reset of all redirections |
⚠️ Attention: When entering USSD-A single-digit error in a number can redirect your calls to a stranger.
There's also a ##002# code, which is a "nuclear button" to reset all kinds of redirects at once, and if you don't remember what was configured and where, using this command is guaranteed to return all settings to the operator's factory values, which is especially useful after buying a used phone or returning from roaming.
Why can codes not work?
Specifics of work in MIUI and HyperOS
Shell MIUI, And now, the HyperOS that replaces it has its own peculiarities in processing system requests. Unlike pure Android, it has an aggressive energy-saving mode and a permission system that can block background sending. USSD-request or update the forwarding status, the user should consider these nuances when diagnosing problems.
It often happens that after updating the system, the call settings are reset or become unavailable for editing, due to changes in the security policies of Google and Xiaomi, in such cases, it is recommended not only to recheck the settings in the menu, but also to make sure that the application "Phone" and "SIM-card services" are given all the necessary permissions in the "Privacy Protection" section.
Another feature is the separation of settings for each SIM-In Redmi, two-SIM cards, the redirect settings are not automatically synchronized between them. If you set the redirect on the first SIM, it will not affect the second. You need to repeat the procedure for each slot separately, selecting the appropriate tab in the call settings menu.
- 🔋 Energy Saving – Make sure Super-Savings does not block network services.
- 🛡️ Permissions – Check the phone app’s access to network and contacts.
- 🔄 Synchronization – Redirect status may be updated with a delay due to battery optimization.
With newer versions of HyperOS, the settings interface has become more minimalist. Items can be hidden in the submenu "Additional" or "Extended settings." If you don't find the right option, search by settings, typing in "redirect" or "calls." System search MIUI can find even hidden menu items.
💡
Use the search in settings (a magnifier at the top of the settings screen), entering the word "calls" to instantly get to the desired menu, bypassing long searches by section.
Decision and activation errors
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users of Xiaomi Redmi often encounter errors when activating redirects. The most common problem is the message "Connection error" or "Request failed." This does not always mean that the phone broke; most often the cause lies on the operator's side or in the wrong number input format.
The first thing to check is the format of the number. For forwarding, you often need to enter the number in an international format, but without the "+" sign. For example, instead of +7999... you need to enter 7999... or 8999... depending on the specific operator's requirements. Try different formatting options if the standard one does not work.
The second common reason is that the service is blocked by the operator, and some plans don't include a default redirect, or it's paid, and the service can be blocked if the account is negative or the minutes of the packet run out, in which case the phone menu will show an error, because the network rejects the request.
⚠️ Attention: Redirecting calls, especially in roaming or to other carriers' numbers, can be a paid service.
If the problem persists, try to remove it. SIM-You can wipe the contacts and paste them back, and sometimes the contact oxidation or the bad contact with the socket causes the phone to fail to transmit correctly. USSD-Rebooting the device after this procedure also often helps to reset temporary network errors.
💡
90% of redirect activation errors on Xiaomi are solved by changing the number format (add/delete) +(7) or a balance check SIM-map.