Modern smartphones, including the flagship Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, offer users a wide range of privacy management capabilities, including the ability to hide your phone number when making outgoing calls, allowing you to remain anonymous when calling delivery services, announcing or communicating with strangers when you do not want to disclose your contact details.
In Android, which runs the MIUI shell, this feature is built-in at the software level, but its activation may depend on your mobile operator's settings. It is important to understand that the setup process may vary depending on the firmware version and the region in which the gadget was purchased. We will look at all the available ways to implement this feature so that you can choose the most suitable one.
Before we start to change the system settings, it is worth mentioning that hiding a number is a two-way process: on the one hand, it is the configuration of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro device itself, and on the other hand, the permission from the telecommunications company. Without the agreement of these two factors, the desired result may not be achieved, and your number will still be displayed to the interlocutor.
Using the built-in Android settings
The most direct and obvious way to hide the number on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is to use the phone’s standard settings menu. Android developers have provided a special section for managing subscriber identification. However, it is worth noting that the location of this item may vary depending on the version. MIUI.
To start, you need to open the Phone app, which is the standard dialer, which is usually a green handset on your desktop. Once you open the app, find a menu that is often indicated by three dots or stripes in the corner of the screen, and then select Settings, which will open the list of available options for calls.
In the menu that opens, look for the section that is associated with accounts or additional settings. In some versions of the shell, it can be called "Additional" or "More." This is where the key parameter Displays the number, and clicking on it, you will see options: show the number, hide the number, or use network settings.
If you select Hide Number, the system will send a request to the operator's network, and if the operator supports this service and it is active on your SIM card, your calls will be marked "Unknown Number" or "Hidden Number", otherwise the system may issue an error or simply ignore the request.
⚠️ Note: Some global versions of the firmware MIUI The item “Display Number” may not be in the standard menu, due to regional restrictions or specificities of Google certification in a particular region.
Configure through the engineering menu and codes
If the GUI doesn't provide the right option, you can use hidden commands or engineering menus, which is more advanced and requires caution, but it often allows you to bypass the limitations of the interface. To access hidden settings on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro used special USSD-codes or login to the engineering menu.
One of the most common codes to manage a determinant is #31#. However, to set up a permanent mode, you often need to type in a special format. Try dialing #31# to check status or #31# before the number for a one-time hiding. Sometimes the #31 code with the call button works for permanent setting.
A deeper setup is done via the engineering menu. To get there, type ##4636##. If the code doesn't work, your version of MIUI may be blocking that entry, and then you can try the code ##6484##, which leads to the CIT hardware testing menu, where telecom settings can also be available.
Commands for managing subscriber ID:
*#31# - Status check
#31#Number – Hide the number for a single call
*31#Number - Show the number (if hidden by default)In the engineering menu, you should go to the Phone Information section. There may be a drop-down list or a checkbox responsible for Caller ID. Changing these settings directly affects how your Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro modem registers on an outgoing call. Be careful: do not change other options in this menu, so as not to disrupt the radio module.
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If the codes don't work, try entering them without pressing the call button. Some commands are executed automatically after the last character is entered.
Activation of the service from the mobile operator
Even if the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro settings are correct, the final decision on whether to see the caller’s number is made by the carrier. Many operators provide the service “Number Antidetector” or “Hidden Number” as a paid option or as part of the tariff, without activating this service on the network side, telephone exchanges will ignore the requests of the smartphone for anonymity.
The activation process can vary from operator to operator, most often through the operator's personal account, sending USSD-For example, some operators have a team or a support call *118*9# may activate the service, but the exact codes must be specified on the official website of your provider.
Also, consider that the service may be activated by default or, conversely, be inaccessible for certain tariff plans. Corporate tariffs often have rigid identification settings that cannot be changed by the user, in which case even the deep settings of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro will not help hide the number.
☑️ Checking the service from the operator
It is important to keep in mind the legal aspect: in some countries, hiding a default number is prohibited by law, and the operator is required to broadcast the caller number, in such regions, the function on the phone may be software blocked or not work, regardless of your actions.
Use of third-party applications
When Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro and operator settings fail, third-party apps from the Google Play store take over the call function and allow you to flexibly manage call settings, including hiding the number, but their effectiveness also depends on operator support.
Popular caller apps like Truecaller, Dialer One, or CallApp often have their own privacy settings. Once you install the app and assign it to the default caller app, you get access to an advanced settings menu, and you can find the Hide My Number or similar option.
The advantage of third-party solutions is that they can use alternative call routing methods or more persistently send requests to hide the ID. In addition, they often provide call statistics and additional spam blocking features, making their installation useful in the complex.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party calls, you give the app access to your contacts and call history. carefully review the developer's privacy policy before installing.
Some applications may require root rights for deep integration into the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro. Obtaining superuser rights (root) removes many of the limitations of Android, allowing you to change the system files responsible for telecom protocols. However, this is a complex process that can lead to loss of warranty and unstable device operation.
One-time hiding of the number before the call
If you don't need to hide the number all the time, but only for a specific call, there's no need to change the global settings of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro. There's a simple and versatile method that works for almost all operators in the world, and that's using a special prefix in front of the dialed number.
To hide the number on a single call, you need to dial #31# before the subscriber number. For example, if you need to call 89001234567, you must enter #31#89001234567 in the dial bar.
This method is convenient because it does not require you to log in to the settings menu and does not change the behavior of the phone for other calls, and your number will remain open for all subsequent calls until you use this prefix again, which is ideal for situations where anonymity is needed situationally.
Note that the prefix format may vary slightly from country to country, with *67# or other combinations used in some regions, and the correct prefix for your region is best checked with the operator or searched online for "number concealment code [your Operator]".
What does the interviewer see?
Table of codes and methods for different situations
For ease of perception, we have collected the basic methods and codes in a single table, which will help you quickly navigate which way to use in your case with Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro. Please note that the performance of the codes depends on your operator.
| Method | Action. | Team/The Way | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android settings | Constant cover-up | Phone. → Settings → Accounts. | High (depends on operator) |
| Single code | Hiding for a single call | #31# + Number | Very high. |
| Engineering menu | Deep modem setup | ##4636## | Medium (requires skills) |
| Annexes | Alternative caller | Truecaller, Dialer One | Medium (depending on the software) |
| Operator's services | Network-side activation | Personal Account / USSD | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, the most reliable way is to combine the settings on the device and activate the service from the operator. Using the engineering menu is recommended only for advanced users who understand what each parameter is responsible for.
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The most stable result is given by an integrated approach: setting up the phone + activating the service from the operator.
Possible problems and solutions
While configuring the hidden number on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, users may encounter various difficulties. Often, all settings are correct, but the number is still displayed by the interlocutor, this can be caused by caching network settings or conflict of software modules.
One common problem is that the message “Request not fulfilled” or “Can’t change the settings of the display number” when you try to select an option in the menu, which almost always means that the operator does not allow you to control this feature from the phone, in which case the only way out is to contact the technical support provider.
There may also be situations where, after updating the MIUI firmware, the settings are reset or the menu item disappears, in which case it is recommended to check for updates for the Phone app in the Google Play Market. Sometimes Google releases patches for system applications that return functionality.
⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations the number is not hidden, try to restart the smartphone in safe mode. this will help to eliminate the influence of third-party applications that can intercept calls.
Roaming may be another reason for failure: If you are in another country, the rules for displaying a number are governed by agreements between operators; in roaming, hiding a number may not work or cost extra money; always check the pricing conditions before traveling.