“Connected except calls” on Xiaomi smartphones: reasons and fix

The message “Connected except calls” on the Xiaomi screen is one of the most annoying problems for smartphone owners of the brand. You see the icon of the mobile network, but you can’t call, send SMS or use the mobile Internet, and Wi-Fi and messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram) work fine. What is the matter?

This error occurs due to malfunctions in the SIM- card, incorrect network settings or software conflicts in the MIUI. Most often, the problem occurs after a firmware update, a change of operator or physical damage to the card slot. In 80% of cases it can be eliminated without contacting the service center - just follow a few simple steps.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to fix the Connected Except Calls error on Xiaomi Redmi, POCO, Mi and other models, as well as explain why it occurs and how to prevent it from recurring.

1.What does the status "Connected except calls" mean?

The message “Connected except calls” (or “Only emergency calls” in the English version of MIUI) indicates that your smartphone is connected to the network of the operator, but can not use the basic functions:

• 📞 Calls (outgoing and incoming)
• 📩 SMS/MMS
• 🌐 Mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G)

In doing so,

• ✅ The network icon is displayed in the status bar
• ✅ Wi-Fi and applications are working normally
• ✅ Emergency numbers (112, 911, etc.) can only be called.

This error is not related to locking IMEI or hardware breakdowns (unless you drop your phone in water or damage the SIM- slot).

2.The main causes of the error

Before we move on to fixing it, it’s important to understand why the problem arises. Here’s TOP-5’s reasons for “Connected Except Calls” status on Xiaomi:

The most common cause is the incorrect settings of the APN (access points), which can get lost after a system update, change of operator or manual editing, and the error is often caused by dual SIM- cards if one of them is inactive or blocked.

⚠️ Warning: If the problem occurs after a phone drop or moisture hits, do not attempt to fix it programmatically, this may be a sign of damage to the antenna module or contacts of the SIM- slot, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

3. Quick ways of correction (without reset)

Start with the simplest methods. They work 70 percent of the time and don't require complicated manipulation.

3.1. Rebooting the phone

A lot of MIUI failures are fixed by a normal reboot:

1. Press the power button for 3 seconds.
2. Select “Reboot” (not “Switch off!”).
3. Wait 1-2 minutes and check the connection.

Switching flight mode

This method resets all network connections:

1. Activate “Flight Mode” in the notification curtain.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn off the mode and check the network.

3.3 Manual selection of the network

Sometimes the smartphone can't automatically connect to the correct network operator.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Choice of network.
2. Turn off Automatically and select your operator manually.
3. If the network is not listed, try Network Search.

Try rebooting | Turn on/off flight mode | Checked network selection manually | Make sure SIM- card is inserted correctly-->

4. APN setting (access points)

Incorrect APN (Access Point Name) settings are the main cause of problems with the mobile network, and even if the Internet works, calls can be blocked due to the lack of the right settings for voice communication.

4.1 How to reset APN to factory settings

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to factory.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

4.2 Manual setting of APN for popular operators

If automatic resetting doesn't work, create a new APN manually, and here are the options for major Russian carriers:

After adding a new APN:

1. Save the settings.
2. Select the profile created in the list.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If after manually configuring APN the calls did not work, but the Internet appeared, the problem may be blocking voice services by the operator. Check the balance and status of services through your personal account or USSD- team (for example, *100# for MTS).

5 Problems with SIM- Card: Diagnostics and Solutions

If previous methods failed, the problem may lie in the SIM- card itself or its slot.

5.1 Physical check SIM- card

• 🔍 Extract and inspect the map: if there are cracks, chips or contaminants on the contacts.
• 🧹 Clean the contacts: wipe them with a soft cloth soaked in alcohol.
• 🔄 Move to another slot: if you have a two-sim Xiaomi, try inserting the card into another connector.

Compatibility check

Not all SIM- cards work correctly with Xiaomi, especially with:

• 🆔 Old cards: If your SIM is more than 5 years old, it may not support modern standards (VoLTE, 4G Calling).
• 📱 Virtual operators: Some MVNO (e.g. Yota, Tinkoff Mobile) have problems with voice communication on MIUI.
• 🌍 Overseas Cards: Roaming SIM cards sometimes block calls due to operator restrictions.

Decision:

• Replace the SIM- card with a new one in the operator’s cabin (free of charge).
• If you use a virtual carrier, try the physical SIM of the main provider (e.g. Tele2 instead of Tinkoff Mobile).

6. Network reset and extreme measures

If none of these methods worked, it's time for radical solutions, starting with resetting your network settings, which will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile connectivity, but will not affect personal data.

Resetting network settings

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
2. Confirm the action (a password may be required).
3. After restarting, reset the connection.

6.2 Reset to factory settings

This is an extreme measure that should be used if:

• The problem came after the MIUI update.
• None of the methods worked.
• The phone started to glitch not only with the network, but also with other functions.

Before discharge:

Make a backup copy of the data|Remember your Mi Account (if tied)|Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%|Out. SD-card (if any)-->

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset all settings.
2. Select “Delete all data”.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes (the phone will reboot several times).
4. After turning on, set the phone as new.

⚠️ Warning: If the problem persists after the reset, it may indicate a hardware malfunction (damage to the communication module or antenna).This requires a diagnosis at a service center. Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - this may lead to loss of warranty.

7. Additional methods for advanced users

If you are confident in your skills, you can try more complex ways to fix.

7.1 Restoration of IMEI

Sometimes the error “Connected except calls” is associated with a loss. IMEI (For example, after a failed update. IMEI team-wise:

*#06#

If you see a number that's "Null" or "Unknown," the IMEI needs to be restored.

1. Download the Chamelephon or IMEI Tool app (root rights required).
2. Enter the correct IMEI (it is listed on the phone box or under the battery).
3. Reset the device.

7.2. rollback of firmware

If the problem occurs after the MIUI update, you can return the previous version:

1. Download the old firmware from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
3. Install the downloaded file and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware rollbacks can cause data loss, and it is not recommended to install firmware older than 1-2 years, because they may contain security vulnerabilities.

Verification through the engineering menu

In the engineering menu, you can check the status of the communication module:

1. Enter the code ##4636##.
2. Select "Phone Information".
3. Look up the status of Voice Service. If it's not Connected, the problem is on the network or the SIM- card.

💡

If you see "Unknown" or "Disconnected" in the engineering menu in the "Network" section, this confirms a hardware malfunction.

FAQ: Frequent questions by error "Connected except calls"

💡

If you frequently experience network problems on Xiaomi, turn on the option “Disable Automatic Network Selection” in the developer settings. This will help avoid accidental switching to unstable base stations. To activate developer mode, tap 7 times on the build number in Settings → About phone.