How to turn on the tone mode on the Xiaomi phone: a detailed guide with pictures and tips

Why You Need Tone Mode and How It Works on Xiaomi

Tonal mode (or DTMF – Dual-tone multi-frequency) is a technology that allows you to transmit digital signals over the phone line during a call. On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models), this mode is used to interact with automated systems: banking services, voice menus of telecom operators or corporate PBX. Without activating the tone dial, you simply cannot “push” buttons on the keyboard during a conversation – the system will not recognize them.

Unlike older push-button phones, where DTMF was automatically turned on, modern smartphones on MIUI require manual adjustment, which is due to the optimization of power consumption and the features of VoLTE. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, the tone mode may not work due to conflict with the settings of the 5G network. Next, we will discuss how to activate it correctly and avoid typical errors.

Preparing the phone before turning on the tone mode

Before you get into settings, make sure your Xiaomi is ready to work with DTMF. Here are the key points users often miss:

• 📶 Check the network: the tone dial only works when you are making an active call. Make sure there is a signal on the phone (at least not less than that). 2-3 On models with VoLTE support (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) There may be delays, that’s normal.
• 🔊 Call volume: If the sound is too quiet, the automatic systems won't recognize the signals. 70-80% via side buttons during the call.
• 📱 Update MIUI: in older versions of the firmware (below) MIUI 13) the tone mode may not be working correctly. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Pay special attention to the SIM card. Some virtual operators (such as Tinkoff Mobile or Yota) can block the transmission. DTMF-If after all the manipulations, the mode does not work, try inserting a Symbol of another operator (for example, MTS or Beeline) and try again.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the tone mode on Xiaomi

The activation algorithm depends on the version of MIUI and the phone model, and below is a universal method that works on 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 11 Pro and POCO X5):

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Dial the number you want to interact with (for example, a bank short number or operator support).
3. Press the call button and wait for the autoinformer to respond.
4. When you start the conversation, you'll see a keyboard on the screen. ⋯ (three points; or ⚙ (gear).
5. In the drop-down menu, select Tonal Dial or DTMF. On some firmware, it may be called Tonal Dial Mode.
6. Activate the switch (it should turn blue or green), and now when you press the numbers, the signals will be transmitted during the call.

If you don't have Tonal Dial on your menu, you're not setting it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions.
2. Make sure the app has access to the Microphone and Calls.
3. Return to the Phone app, repeat steps 1-6.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 With pure Android, the tone is automatically activated when you first press the keyboard during a call. If the signals don't pass, try pressing the hands-free button (🔊) re-enter.

Features of the tone mode on different models Xiaomi

The manufacturer updates the MIUI interface regularly, so the settings may vary, and the table below provides a comparative overview of popular lines:

On global firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi for the European market), the path to settings may be different. If you use custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), the tone mode is enabled in Android settings along the Settings path → System → Calls → Additional.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after you set the tone right, the tone mode may not work properly, and here are the typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

• 🔇 Systems do not recognize signals: Increase the volume of the call to maximum. Some PBX (for example, in banks) require a delay between button presses - pause at 1 second.
• 📵 Mode turns on but doesn't work: Check if the battery-saving app (like Security or Battery Saver) is blocking signals.
• 🔄 DTMF delayed: This is typical of VoLTE calls. Try turning VoLTE off in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Call by VoLTE and restart your phone.
• 🚫 No item "Tonal dial" in the menu: Reset the settings of the Phone application in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Drop it.

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), DTMF latency can reach 1.5 seconds due to audio codec optimization. This is not a bug, but a feature of the chipset. If the delays are critical (for example, to work with a trading platform), try using an alternative application for calls, such as Google Phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI In Russia, the default tone mode works only with the SIM cards of the "big three" operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon). For virtual operators (for example, SberMobile) you may need to manually edit the file. /system/build.prop (Root rights are required).

Alternative modes of transmission DTMF-signal

If the standard method does not work, use one of the workarounds:

• 📱 Google Phone: Install it from the Play Market and make it the default call app. It turns on the tone mode automatically.
• 🔊 Loud communication: Press the hands-free button (🔊) During a conversation – sometimes signals are better transmitted through a speaker.
• 📞 Additional codes: For some banking systems (for example, Sberbank) you can use USSD-So instead of a voice menu, for example, instead of a typing menu *900# Select the menu items immediately *900*11# balance-check.

For enterprise users who often work with PBX, we recommend using specialized applications like Zoiper or Bria. They support advanced DTMF settings, including signal duration and volume adjustment.

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If you frequently call hotlines, create a shortcut for quick access to the tonal mode: add the shortcut widget to the home screen and select the Tonal Dial action from the Phone app.

How to check if the tone mode is working

To make sure that DTMF-Signals are transmitted correctly, perform the test:

1. Call +74957873737 (MTS test line for checking the tone set).
2. After the automatic system responds, press any number on the keyboard (e.g., 1).
3. If the system sounds the number pressed (“You pressed one”), the tone mode works.
4. For more accurate check, use the DTMF Test service (you will need to call an international number).

Xiaomi with MIUI 14 has a hidden self-diagnostic DTMF function to activate it:

1. Enter the combination ##3863### in the Phone app.
2. In the menu that opens, select the DTMF Test.
3. Press any number – the screen will display the graph of the transmitted signal.

⚠️ Attention: Test numbers (e.g, +74957873737) may be charged when calling from certain operators.

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If the test is successful, but the banking system or PBX does not recognize the signals, the problem is likely on the recipient's side. Try calling from another phone or contact support for the service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about tone mode on Xiaomi