Many users of modern smartphones are faced with a situation where, when calling a subscriber or receiving an incoming call, a voice message is automatically launched or the speakerphone is turned on. This can be extremely inconvenient, especially if you're in a quiet place or just don't want your phone to act like a secretary. Most often, by the phrase “auto answer,” users mean the operator’s voicemail function or automatic answer in applications like Google Phone.
The process of deactivating this function is not always obvious, since smartphone manufacturers and mobile operators are constantly changing interfaces and menu item names. In this article we will analyze all possible options, from standard system settings to specific operator codes. It is important to understandthat in some cases the setting is not in the phone, but on the side of the communication provider.
Regardless of the model of your device, be it Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi or pure Android from Google, the principle of voicemail remains similar. However, the settings paths may vary. We have prepared a universal guide that will help you regain full control over your calls and get rid of annoying automatic answers.
What is an answering machine and why is it turned on
Before you start turning it off, you need to understand the nature of the phenomenon. Answering Machine (or voice mail) is a service provided by a mobile operator that automatically answers to call if you cannot or do not want to answer the phone. the caller hears the greeting and can leave a message. In contrast, the Auto Answer feature in Accessibility Settings is designed for people with disabilities and automatically hangs up a call or answers with a message.
Often, users confuse these concepts. If your speakerphone turns on when you put the phone to your ear or when you connect a headset, this is the work of sensors or Bluetooth profiles, and not voicemail. It is critically important to distinguish: if the call switches to voicemail after 4-5 rings or immediately when the line is busy, this is an operator service. If the phone picks up the phone itself and turns on the speaker, these are Android system settings.
Enabling auto answer could happen accidentally when resetting the settings, updating the firmware, or after a visit to the service center. Also, some mobile operator plans enable basic voicemail by default when you first install a SIM card. Understanding the source of the problem will help you choose the right method to solve it.
Disabling auto answer through the standard Phone application
The most common way to manage voicemail is directly in the “dialer” - a standard application for making calls. Most modern smartphones use an application Google Phonethat has a unified interface. To get to the settings, open the application and find three dots in the upper or lower right corner of the screen.
By clicking on the menu, select “Settings”. In the list that opens, look for the “Voicemail” section. This is where the main switches are hidden. If you have a dual SIM card installed, the settings will be separated for each of them separately. You need to check the settings for both slots, even if the second one is not actively used.
There may be several options within the voicemail menu. We are interested in the “Use voicemail” or “Auto answer” switch. If it is active, simply move the slider to inactive. You can also change your voicemail number here, which sometimes helps if the operator’s standard number does not process calls correctly.
If you cannot find the “Voicemail” item in the application settings, try entering the USSD code ##002# in the dialing field and press the call button - this is the universal code for resetting forwarding.
Auto answer settings on smartphones Samsung
Devices Samsung run on the One UI shell, which has its own menu structure, different from stock Android. Here the feature may be called "Auto Answer" and located in the Accessibility section, rather than in Call Settings. This often confuses users accustomed to standard Google logic.
To disable it, go to the general “Settings” of your smartphone. Find the "Special" section. opportunities" (Accessibility). Inside you need to select the subsection “Improving audibility” or “Answering and ending a call”. This is where the Auto Answer switch is located, which can be activated for certain scenarios, such as when a headset is connected.
In addition, Samsung phones have a Driving Mode feature that can also automatically answer calls with a message. Check the Do Not Disturb or Driving mode settings to make sure that automatic response is not set there. System Settings takes precedence over the operator settings, so it is better to start diagnostics here.
☑️ Checking Samsung Settings
Managing voicemail for telecom operators
If the settings on your phone are turned off, but auto-answer still works, it means that the service is activated on the mobile operator’s side. In this case, the soft buttons in the Android interface may be grayed out or missing. To control the service, USSD commands are used, which are sent as regular SMS requests to the network.
Each operator has its own codes for disabling voicemail. For example, to disable forwarding to voicemail when busy or no answer, code ##002#is often used. However, to completely deactivate the service, it is better to use short numbers or commands in your personal account. Below is a table with popular commands for Russian operators.
| Operator | Shutdown command | Check status | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megafon | *110*20# |
*110*20# |
Through the Megafon application |
| MTS | *111*4770# |
*111*477# |
Section "Services" in Personal Account |
| Beeline | *110*090# |
*110*09# |
Answering machine settings |
| Tele2 | *129*00# |
*129# |
Voicemail |
Remember that some tariff plans include voicemail as a required option. In this case, it may not be possible to completely remove the auto-reply, but you can disable the missed notification or change the greeting. USSD requests processed instantly, but in rare cases, updating network settings may take up to 24 hours.
⚠️ Attention: USSD codes may vary depending on your region and specific tariff plan. If the code does not work, contact your operator's support chat or check the latest information in the official application.
Third-party applications and software conflicts
Sometimes auto answer is enabled not by the system, but by third-party applications that you have installed to record calls, identify numbers, or block spam. apps such as Truecaller, Call Recorder or various detectors have their own auto-answer settings that override the system ones.
Go to the settings of each installed telephony-related application. Look for the items “Automatic answer”, “Auto Answer” or “Record all calls”. Often the auto-answer feature is enabled there so that the application can start recording the conversation immediately after the beep. If you don't need this feature, turn it off or uninstall the app.
Why does auto-reply turn on only with certain contacts?
It could be the "Favorites" setting in voicemail or a special "Do Not Disturb" mode that only lets your favorite contacts through to voicemail while you sleep.
It's also worth checking permissions applications. If an unknown application has access to your phone and microphone, it may interfere with the call process. Go to Settings → Applications → Rights Manager and check which apps have access to calls. Disabling suspicious applications will help identify the culprit.
Problems with Bluetooth headsets and car systems
A very common situation: auto-answer works only when you are in the car or connect wireless headphones. This is not an Android bug, but a Bluetooth protocol feature known as “Auto Answer in Car” or “Auto Answer” in the Hands-Free profile.
Settings for this option are often not located in the general Bluetooth menu, but in a hidden engineering menu or in the settings of the connected device itself. On some cars, the Automatic Reply setting is located in the car's multimedia system menu. You need to find this item in the car settings and turn it off.
In Android, this feature may be called “Auto answer in car”. It is on the way Settings → Connected devices → Connection settings → Auto answer in car. If this switch is active, the phone will automatically answer calls a few seconds after connecting to the car's Bluetooth system.
The auto-answer feature in the car is designed for safety so that the driver is not distracted by the screen while driving, but it can be easily turned off in the Bluetooth settings.
Accessibility and accessibility modes
Android has a set of features for people with hearing or motor impairments that can trigger an automatic answer. For example, Hearing Aid Mode or Gaze Control (on newer models) may interpret certain actions as a command to respond. Check the “Accessibility” section in the settings.
Pay attention to the “Gesture Control”, “Switch by Selection” or “Voice Control” items. When these features are enabled, your phone may respond to background noise or random movements as a command to answer a call. Disabling unused accessibility features often resolves the problem of auto-reply.
Also check to see if Motion Reply is enabled. Some smartphones Xiaomi and Samsung have an option that allows you to answer a call by holding the phone to your ear. If the proximity sensor is dirty or covered with film, the phone may “think” that you have brought it to your ear and turn on the speakerphone or auto answer.
Frequently asked questions and problems (FAQ)
Why does auto answer turn on itself some time after turning it off?
This may be due to synchronizing settings with your Google account or operator profile. Try disabling auto-reply via USSD code and then reboot your phone. If the problem persists, a third-party application may be to blame, as it restores its settings upon startup.
Is it possible to remove auto-reply only for certain contacts?
It is not possible to divide the auto-reply by contacts using standard Android tools. Voicemail works globally for all incoming calls. However, you can set up Do Not Disturb so that certain contacts ring and others go to auto-answer, but this only works when the mode is activated.
Does the operator charge you to listen to auto-answer?
Incoming messages to voicemail are usually free, but when roaming they may be charged as an incoming call. An outgoing call to listen to messages is charged as a regular outgoing call to a voicemail number.
What to do if the auto-answer settings are gray and cannot be pressed?
This means that control has been transferred to the telecom operator or the device administrator (in corporate smartphones). Use USSD codes to disable it or contact your operator's communication center.
To summarize, we can say that you can remove auto-reply on Android in several ways, starting from simple switches in the “Phone” application and ending with operator codes. The main thing is to correctly identify the source of the problem: a system setting, a helper application, or a communication service. Carefully check all the sections described above, and you will definitely find the switch you need.