You try to call a bank hotline, support or automatic service, but the Xiaomi Redmi phone stubbornly does not recognize the keyboard presses during a call? DTMF-without it, no voice menu or robot will "hear" your choices.
In this article, we will analyze where the tone button on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (including Redmi Note models) is located. 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 And others, how to manually activate it, why it might not work, and how to check if it's on, and what to do if you don't have settings on the menu. MIUI (from 12 before 14) android 10 before 14).
What is a tonal mode and why it is needed
Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) is a technology that converts phone button presses into unique audio signals, transmitted over a phone line and recognized by automated systems (e.g., banks, call centers, or voice menus).
- 📞 Voice menus do not respond to your choices (e.g., “click 1 to communicate with the operator»).
- 🏦 Banking services (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) do not accept commands to confirm transactions.
- 🤖 Autoinforming robots (e.g. in taxis or delivery services) ignore data entry.
- 🔢 Access codes (for example, to connect to conference calls) are not transmitted.
On older push-button phones, the tone mode was automatically activated when dialing. In Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, it is often turned off by default to save battery power or avoid accidental taps, but this creates problems when interacting with automated systems.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the tonal mode with the tonal set (pulse). The latter is outdated and is used only in analog PBX. Modern Xiaomi smartphones support exclusively DTMF.
Where is the tone button on Xiaomi Redmi
Unlike older phones, where the tone mode was turned on by a physical button (e.g., * or #), on Xiaomi Redmi, this is done software-based. There is no button to activate the mode on the keyboard, it is replaced by a virtual switch in the settings.
- During the call: Make a call to any number (for example, to the hotline of the bank). After the connection, the keyboard for the dial will appear on the screen. In the upper right corner of the keyboard, find the Ton icon (or «DTMF») — This is usually an icon in the form of a # or three dots. ⋮. Tap the icon - if it lights up, the mode is on.
- In phone settings: Open the Phone app (pipe icon). Press three dots ⋮ top-right → Settings. Select Dial or Calls (depending on version) MIUI). Find the Tonal Mode or DTMF and activate the switch.
If the settings do not include Tonal Mode, this can mean:
- 📱 Your Redmi model uses an alternative path (see next section).
- 🔄 Firmware MIUI modified (e.g. custom or global version).
- 🛠️ The function is blocked by the operator (rarely, but occurs in some virtual operators).
Step-by-step: how to turn on the tone mode on different models of Redmi
The path to tone settings may vary depending on the Xiaomi Redmi model and the MIUI version. Below are the current instructions for popular devices (checked on MIUI 12-14).
| Model phone | The path to settings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5 | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Dialing number → Tonal regimen | In some cases, the item is called DTMF-pitch. |
| Redmi 10/11, Redmi 9 | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Additionally. → Tonal set | Global versions of MIUI may require a reboot. |
| Redmi K40/K50 | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → System settings → Tonal regimen | On some firmware, the item is hidden - use the search in the settings. |
| Redmi 8/8A and older | Phone. → ⋮ → Settings → Calls. → Tonal set | Older versions of Android 9-10 may not have a visual indication. |
If your model is not in the table, use the universal method:
- Open the Phone app.
- Click on the search icon (magnifying glass) in the upper right corner.
- Enter the tonal or DTMF request.
- Follow the proposed system by search results.
Make a test call to a number with a voice menu (e.g. *100# for balance).
Press any number on the keyboard during the call.
Listen to whether the sound is transmitted (high and low tones should be heard).
If there is no signal, the mode is off.
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Why Tonal Mode Doesn't Work: 5 Reasons and Solutions
You've switched on the tone mode, but the automatic systems still don't recognize your taps? The problem may not be just the phone settings, but the typical causes and ways to fix them.
1. Software failure in MIUI
Sometimes MIUI settings are reset after an update or due to application conflict to fix:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone (hold the power button) → Reboot).
- 📱 Reset the settings of the application Phone: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management. Find the phone. → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete the call history!
2.Problems with SIM-card-carrier
Some operators (especially virtual ones, Tele2 or Yota can block transmission DTMF-Check the signals:
- 📶 Try inserting. SIM-card of another operator (for example, MTS or Beeline).
- 📞 Call the same number from another phone – if the problem persists, it’s the operator’s fault.
3.Conflict with call apps
If you use third-party calls (like Truecaller, Google Phone), they can intercept the dial.
- 🚫 Temporarily disable the third-party call (in the application settings).
- 📲 Install the standard phone application from Xiaomi by default: Settings → Annexes → By default. → Phone. → Select "Phone"
4.Outdated version of MIUI
On MIUI versions below 12, the tone mode may not work properly.
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 📥 Download and install the latest version MIUI.