Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 offer users a wide range of privacy management capabilities, and one of the most popular features is the ability to hide your number when you make an outgoing call, which can be necessary when calling customer support, when communicating with strangers, or to protect personal data in a corporate environment. The MIUI system installed on the device allows you to accomplish this task in several ways, depending on the settings of the phone itself and the operator’s tariff plan.
However, the process of deactivating the display of Caller ID is not always intuitive the first time. Users often find that standard menu switches can be hidden or blocked by the provider. It is important to understand that the phone settings are only one of the levels that affect the display of the number. The second level is the server part of the mobile operator, which can take precedence over local parameters of the gadget.
In this detailed guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for hiding a number on the Redmi Note 9. We will look at the regular Android tools, specific codes for various operators, as well as third-party solutions. You will learn why the feature can be inactive and how to circumvent standard restrictions. Remember, full hiding of the number is possible only with the support of this service with your tariff plan. Let’s study each step in detail to achieve complete anonymity.
Settings for the identification of the caller in Android
The first and most obvious way to change the display settings of the number is to use the built-in operating system interface. In Xiaomi smartphones, call management is carried out through the standard Phone application or through system settings. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same for the entire Android ecosystem.
To access the menu, you need to open the Phone app, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select Settings, then go to Accounts for Calls or Additional Settings, and this is where the key parameter, Caller Identifier, is hidden, and when you click on it, the system will try to request the current status from the operator's network.
In the window that opens, you will be offered three options: you can leave everything as it is (default settings), allow the number to be displayed or hide it. Selecting Hide the number sends the corresponding request to the network. However, if after selecting this item, an error occurs or the setting immediately returns to its original state, this means that the operator blocks the change of the parameter from the device.
- 📱 Open the Phone app and go to the settings menu via the three-point icon.
- 🔍 Find the “Calling Accounts” section and select yours SIM-card, if two are installed.
- ⚙️ Click on the item "Calling subscriber ID" and wait for the network status to load.
- 🚫 Select the “Hide Number” option to activate anonymity mode.
⚠️ Note: If you try to change the settings, you see a message “Request not executed” or “Not supported by the network”, then your operator requires the activation of the service through your personal account or USSD-team.
It is worth noting that on the two-symbol versions of the Redmi Note 9, the settings are applied separately for each of the two-symbol versions. SIM-This allows for flexible privacy management, such as leaving a number for a work SIM and hiding a number for a personal SIM.
Use of the USSD-operator codes and commands
When the phone's software settings don't work, direct network commands come to the rescue. Operators use special codes to manage additional services, including the Number Anti-Detector service, which are universal for most phones, including Xiaomi, and work independently of the firmware version.
The main code for hiding a number on most GSM networks is #31#. However, the permanent activation of the service often requires entering a special combination specific to your provider. For example, activating the Anti-AON service often uses the *31# code or more complex combinations that can be found on the operator's website, entering these codes directly in the dial field, as in a normal call.
Different carriers offer different terms, some have free and default activated service, others have paid option, and below is a table of these codes and features for major carriers that may be relevant to users of Redmi Note 9.
| Operator. | Activation code (example) | Status of service | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | *111*414# (AntiAON service) | Free/Feed (depending on the rate) | Requires confirmation in the LC |
| Beeline | *110*090# | Paid | Hiding the number forever |
| MegaFon | *105*0050# | Paid/test period | Anti-AON service |
| Tele2 | *155*0051# | Paid | Activation via menu |
It is important to distinguish between one-time concealment of a number and permanent activation of a service. For a one-time call when you do not want to be identified, you can use the prefix #31# before the number you dial. For example, if you want to call 89001234567 anonymously, dial #31#89001234567 and press the call button, in which case the number will disappear only for that particular call, even if the phone settings are “Show number”.
Hiding a number for individual contacts and calls
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 users often don’t need constant anonymity, but selective anonymity. For example, you only need to hide the number when you call a specific person or organization. The standard Phone app in the MIUI shell does not have the built-in Hide the number for this contact in the contact card, but there are workarounds.
The easiest way is to use the #31# prefix before every call, as mentioned earlier. However, it's not easy to keep all the numbers in your head. The solution might be to keep the number in contact with the prefix already. You can create a new contact or edit an existing one by adding the #31# code at the beginning of the number, and then the number will be hidden automatically when you call from the phone book.
Alternatively, third-party calling apps that have more flexible settings than standard dialer allow you to create rules: “If I call number X, hide the ID.” However, installing third-party calls on Redmi Note 9 can lead to conflicts with the system call, so this method is suitable for more experienced users.
Problems with activation and their solution
Despite its apparent simplicity, Redmi Note 9 users often face difficulties, and the most common problem is that they can’t change the caller ID settings, and the phone can give a connection error or simply ignore the command, because modern 4G/LTE and VoLTE (Voice over LTE) networks have their own caller data protocols.
If standard methods don't work, try switching the network type. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose. SIM → Network type and temporarily set the "Only" mode 2G» or «3G/2G». Then try changing the concealment setting again, sometimes in the old protocols. 2G/3G When you set up the teams, you can return the preferred network type.
Another reason for blocking may be the corporate tariff, if the SIM card is issued to a legal entity, the administrator of the corporate network could prohibit changing the Caller settings. ID In this case, only contacting the operator's support service or in the IT-department.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after changing your network settings to reset the cache of network settings.
- 📶 Check if the In-Aircraft mode is enabled, which can block the shipment USSD-request.
- 💳 Make sure there are funds on the account if the number hiding service is paid.
⚠️ Note: When using the “only” mode 2G» Internet speed will drop significantly. Remember to return settings. LTE/4G after the call configuration has been completed.
Third-party applications for call management
If MIUI's built-in functionality seems limited to you, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives. Dialers apps can take over the management of outgoing calls. Popular options include Truecaller, CallApp, or simple utilities like "Hide My Number."
These applications often operate on Callback technology, or call back through your server, and you dial an app number, it connects to its gateway, and the gateway calls you and connects you to the subscriber, and the caller screen displays the app server number or random number, but not your personal number.
However, there are significant drawbacks to this method: First, it can cost money (pay for traffic or minutes of an application); second, the quality of communication can deteriorate due to dual connection; third, you trust your contacts and call history to a third-party developer, which can be critical from a data security perspective.
The Impact of VoLTE Technology and Wi-Fi Calling
Modern smartphones, including the Redmi Note 9, are using VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and Wi-Fi Calling to improve voice quality, which stream voice as data through the Internet protocol, creating sound and fast dialing, but they may conflict with old methods of concealing numbers.
The problem is that with VoLTE, the number hiding setting must be maintained and interpreted correctly. IMS-If the operator has not configured the correct transmission of the "private" flag in the headers SIP-In the case of a packet, your number will be visible even if the phone ticks "Hide" -- a technical feature that the phone user cannot fix.
In some cases, disabling VoLTE helps solve the problem.The path to setup: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose. SIM → Use VoLTE (turn off) After disconnecting, the phone will switch to standard voice communication, where the number concealment commands work more predictably, albeit with loss of sound quality.