Why Xiaomi Redmi Phones Respond to Calls and How to Turn It Off

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone suddenly started responding to incoming calls without you? This problem is more common than it seems, and can be associated with both software failures and activated auto-response functions. In most cases, it is not a breakdown, but the wrong settings or application conflict.

Automatic call response is a feature that was originally conceived for convenience (such as when using a headset or in a car), but sometimes works in the most unexpected situations. In this article, we will explore all the possible reasons why the phone picks up the phone itself, and offer step-by-step solutions for Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10, POCO And other Xiaomi lines, and we'll focus on the hidden settings. MIUI, Which many users don’t even know about.

Reasons for Automatic Call Answers in Xiaomi Redmi

Before you turn off the feature, it is important to understand what exactly activates it. In Xiaomi smartphones, autoresponse can work for several reasons:

• 🔊 Auto Response When Applying to the Ear - Built-in Option MIUI, It's a speakerphone that comes in when you get the phone close to your head, and sometimes it's false.
• 🎧 Connected accessories – a headset, Bluetooth headphones or a machine’s radio can send a signal to automatically respond.
• 🤖 Third-party applications – some messengers (for example, Truecaller) or autoresponders have their own mechanisms for receiving calls.
• 🔄 Failures in the firmware - after the update MIUI or resetting the function may turn on by itself.
• 🛠️ Sensor damage – if the proximity sensor (proxy sensor) is contaminated or faulty, the phone may “think” you’ve brought it to your ear.

The most common reason is Autoresponse when you touch your ear, which is disabled by default but can be activated after you reset your settings or install custom firmware, and the problem often occurs when you connect your phone to a car tape recorder via Bluetooth or USB — some headphone models force your autoresponse on.

How to turn off auto-response in MIUI settings

If the problem is not hardware-related, check the system settings first. In Xiaomi Redmi, the auto-response function can be hidden in different sections depending on the version of MIUI. Here is a general instruction:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Special Features (or Additional Features in older versions).
3. Find the Call Management or Call Functions subsection.
4. Turn off the slider opposite the Auto Response when approaching the ear (may be called Automatic Response or Approach Response).
5. If you have the option Delayed Auto Response, set the value Unplugged.

In some firmware, the path may be different. For example, in MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12, the autoresponse settings are moved to Settings → Applications → Phone → Autoresponse. If you don't find the right item, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

Important! After you turn off the function, restart your phone — some MIUI settings only apply after the reboot. If the problem persists, move to the next section.

Check Bluetooth and Connected Accessories

Often, autoresponse is activated not because of the phone's settings, but because of the connected devices. For example, many car radios (for example, Pioneer or JVC) have automatic response when connected to Bluetooth, the same applies to some models of wireless headphones (AirDots, Sony WH-1000XM5).

To rule out this cause:

• 🚗 Disconnect your phone from the car radio and check if the problem is recurring.
• 🎧 Try answering the call without connected headphones.
• 🔗 In Bluetooth settings, find the connected device, click on the gear next to its name, and turn off the Auto Answer option (if any).
• 🔄 Reconnect the accessory - sometimes the failure occurs due to improper pairing.

If the autoresponse only happens when you connect to a particular device, that's the problem. See the instructions on your radio or headphones, there may be a separate setting for managing calls.

Disabling Auto Response in Third-Party Applications

Some apps have their own auto-response mechanisms, and most often, the culprits are:

• 📞 Truecaller – number detector with automatic response to spam.
• 🚗 Android Auto or Mi Car – apps for car integration.
• 🎧 Apps from headphone manufacturers (such as Sony Headphones Connect).
• 🤖 Autoresponders and voice assistants (e.g. Google Assistant with voice-responder setting").

To disable auto-response in applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find a suspicious app (like Truecaller) and open its settings.
3. Go to the Permissions section and turn off access to the Phone or Microphone.
4. If there are built-in auto-response settings (like Android Auto), turn them off.

Critical: In some MIUI firmware, applications may be granted call management rights without your knowledge. Check the list of applications with permission to "Change Phone Settings" in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Permissions.

Checking the proximity sensor (proxy sensor)

If the phone itself is answering calls even without the accessories connected, the problem may be the proximity sensor, which is responsible for turning off the screen during a conversation (when you hold the phone to your ear), if it is contaminated or defective, the phone may "think" that you have started a conversation, and automatically turn on the speaker.

How to check the sensor:

1. Do not hold your phone to your ear during an incoming call – see if the answer is working.
2. Call your phone and slowly hold it to your ear while watching the screen. If the screen goes out too early (before touching), the sensor doesn't work properly.
3. Use the test code to diagnose sensors: type in the dial ##6484## (on some models ##0*##) and check the approach sensor response.

If the sensor is defective:

• 🧹 Clean the sensor area (usually located next to the front camera) with a soft wipe.
• 🔧 Update your firmware – sometimes sensor failures are fixed in new versions MIUI.
• 🛠️ Contact the service center if the sensor is physically damaged.

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To temporarily disable the response to the proximity sensor during the call, respond to the call button (speaker) – this will prevent false response.

Resetting phone settings and firmware

If none of these things work, the problem may be deep system settings, in which case factory resets or flashing will help, warning: these actions will delete all data from the phone, so back up first.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting (or Resetting to Factory).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If the reset didn’t work, try reflashing the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (power users only!). The official firmware for Xiaomi Redmi can be downloaded at en.miui.com. Before firmware, make sure you choose the right version for your model!

Attention! If you're not sure about your firmware skills, you should go to a service center. The wrong firmware can cause your phone to fail completely.

Additional advice and prevention

To avoid recurring problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions, bugs with sensors and calls are often fixed.
• 🛡️ Install a reliable antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) – some malware can manage calls.
• 📱 Before connecting to a new tape recorder or headphones, check their autoresponse settings.
• 🔧 Periodically clean the cache of system applications (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Clear the cache).

If the problem occurred after a phone drop or moisture, a hardware malfunction is possible, in this case, it is better to contact the service immediately, since self-repair of sensors without experience can aggravate the situation.

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In 90% of cases, auto-responding to calls in Xiaomi Redmi is associated with MIUI settings or connected accessories. Hardware malfunctions (approximation sensor) are less common and are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as spontaneous switching off of the screen.

Frequently asked questions