The situation when the line is busy or the interlocutor does not pick up the phone is familiar to every smartphone user. This problem becomes especially acute when trying to call government agencies or technical support of large operators, where the waiting time can be tens of minutes. In such cases, the function auto redial becomes a real salvation, eliminating the need to constantly press the call button manually. However, in the operating system Android 9 Pie this option is not always obvious and can be hidden in different sections of the menu depending on the device manufacturer.
You can enable automatic call redial on the “nine” in several ways: through the standard phone application, using USSD commands or third-party software. It is worth noting that some manufacturers, such as Samsung or Xiaomi, modify the standard Android interface, moving the necessary switches to non-obvious places. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for activating this function, and also consider the nuances of how auto-dialer works on different models of gadgets.
Before you start setting up, make sure that your device is actually running the version Android 9. This can be checked in the section Settings → About phone. If the system version is different, some menu paths may not coincide with those described below, but the general setup principle will remain similar for most shells.
Standard settings of the “Phone” application
The easiest and most reliable way to activate redial is to use the built-in capabilities of a standard dialer. In "pure" Android 9, this function is usually located in the application settings menu. Click on the handset icon on the desktop, then touch the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen and select Settings.
In the menu that opens, you need to find the section responsible for call behavior. It may be called Calls, Advanced settings or Call settings. Inside this section, look for the option Auto redial or Automatic call back. Activating this switch will cause the smartphone to automatically redial the number again after a certain time interval if the line was busy or the call was rejected.
However, the interface may differ significantly on devices with proprietary shells. For example, on smartphones Huawei with the EMUI shell, the path may look different. Users of such devices should pay attention to the following list of possible settings locations:
- 📞 Stock Android: Three dots → Settings → Calls → Auto-repeat.
- 📱 Samsung One UI: Three dots → Settings → Additional settings → Auto-repeat.
- 🤖 Xiaomi MIUI: Gear → Advanced settings → Auto repeat.
If you do not find the desired switch in the indicated places, your phone model may not support this feature at the system level. In this case, it is worth checking for updates for the “Phone” application in the store Google Play, since developers often add new functions in updates.
⚠️ Attention: On some models in the budget segment, the auto-dial function can be programmatically disabled by the manufacturer to save processor and battery resources.
Use of hidden engineering codes
For advanced users, there is an alternative method for enabling auto-dial - through a special service menu, which can be accessed using USSD codes. This method often works even where the GUI does not provide the desired option. Enter the code ##4636## in the dialing field and press the call button.
After entering the combination, the menu Testing (Testing) should open on the screen. Here select Phone information (Phone Information). In the list of options that opens, scroll down to the section related to call settings. Although there may not be a direct “auto redial” button here, connection timeout settings are sometimes available, which indirectly affect the redial behavior.
It is important to understand that this method does not work on all devices. Manufacturers often block access to the engineering menu or change access codes. For example, on some devices Sony or LG the code may differ or require additional characters. Be careful when changing parameters in this menu, as incorrect settings may cause the communication module to malfunction.
What to do if the code does not work?
If entering the code ##4636## does not bring up the menu, try the code ##4636## or install the QuickShortcutMaker application from Google Play, which allows you to find and launch hidden system activities.
Remember that the engineering menu is intended primarily for diagnosing and testing equipment. Changing the settings of the radio module without understanding their purpose can lead to loss of the network or incorrect operation of the antenna.
Third-party applications for call automation
If the built-in system tools do not allow you to enable the desired function, applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. There are many utilities specializing in call automation and contact management. Such apps often have more flexible settings than a standard dialer.
One of the popular solutions is an application Auto Redial or its analogues. After installing such software, you need to give it permission to make calls and access contacts. In the application settings, you can set the number of dialing attempts, the interval between repetitions, and even the list of numbers for which auto-dial will operate.
Using third-party software has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, you get advanced functionality, on the other hand, the application can run in the background, consuming battery power. In addition, some antivirus apps may perceive such apps as potentially unwanted due to their ability to make calls without user interaction.
☑️ Selecting an application for auto-dial
Before installation, carefully study user reviews, especially those left by owners of smartphones based on Android 9. This will help avoid installing incompatible or low-quality software that can cause conflicts with the system.
Features of working on different Android shells
The Android operating system is famous for its fragmentation, and version 9.0 Pie is no exception. Different manufacturers add their own unique touches to the interface, which directly affects the layout of the settings. Understanding these differences will save you time when searching for the right option.
On devices Samsung with the One UI shell (which replaced Experience UI in Android 9), call settings have been significantly redesigned. Here, the auto-repeat feature is often hidden deep in the menu. Users Xiaomi with MIUI 10 or 11 shell should look for settings in the “Advanced settings” section, since the standard dialer menu there is often truncated.
For clarity, here is a table with approximate paths to setting up auto-dialer for popular brands:
| Brand | Shell | Path to settings |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Stock Android | Settings → Calls → Auto-repeat |
| Samsung | One UI | Phone → Menu → Settings → Additional. settings |
| Xiaomi | MIUI | Phone → Settings → Advanced settings |
| Huawei | EMUI | Phone → Menu → Settings → More |
If your manufacturer is not listed in the table, try using the search inside the smartphone settings menu. Enter the word “repeat” or “redial” into the section search line Settings, and the system itself will tell you where the desired switch is located.
Use the settings search: enter the word "repeat" in the search bar in the main settings menu to instantly find the desired option, regardless of phone model.
Problems with auto-dialing and their solutions
Even with proper configuration, users may encounter a situation where auto-dialing does not work. Most often, the problem lies in restrictions on the part of the telecom operator or the peculiarities of the network in a particular region. Some plans block frequent repeated calls to the same number for a short period of time.
Another common reason is aggressive energy conservation. Android 9 may put a phone app to sleep if it is not actively used for a long time, causing background processes, including auto-dialers, to malfunction. To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Battery and select mode No restrictions or disable optimization for this application.
It is also worth checking if you have Do Not Disturb mode set. In this mode, the phone can ignore outgoing calls or block repeated connection attempts during certain hours. Make sure that the settings in this mode do not conflict with your goals.
⚠️ Attention: Frequent automated calls may be considered by the operator as spam or an attack on the network, which will lead to temporary blocking of your SIM card. Use the function with caution.
If the problem persists after all checks, try clearing the Phone application cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage and press the button Clear cache. This action will not delete your contacts or call history, but may fix software errors.
Impact of Android version on functionality
Operating version system plays a key role in the availability of certain functions. Android 9 Pie brought with it a number of changes in the call management policy and application permissions, which directly affected the operation of auto-dial. In previous versions, such as Android 8 Oreo, access to dialer functions was more open.
Starting with “nine”, Google has tightened the requirements for background activity of applications. This was done to improve security and battery life, but sometimes complicated the operation of services that require constant interaction with the network. Therefore, setting up auto-dialing on Android 9 requires more careful attention to permissions and battery settings than on older versions.
In addition, Android 9 has improved integration with VoLTE and video calls. If you are trying to enable auto redial for a video call, make sure that your operator and the person you are calling with support this technology. Otherwise, the system may automatically switch to a normal voice call or abort the connection attempt altogether.
On Android 9, it is critical to disable battery optimization for the Phone application so that auto-dialing works reliably in the background.
Understanding these technical nuances will help you set up your smartphone correctly and avoid false conclusions about a device malfunction. If you plan to upgrade to newer versions of Android in the future, keep in mind that the logic of how these settings work may change again.
Is it possible to enable auto redial for just one specific number?
The standard Phone app on most devices does not provide this option - the function works globally for all outgoing calls. However, some third-party applications allow you to create lists of favorite numbers for which automatic redial will be active, ignoring the rest.
Does the operator charge an additional fee for auto-dial?
The auto-redial function itself is free and works at the level of your device. However, each successful connected call is charged according to your tariff plan. If auto-dialer makes 10 attempts and they are all connected, you will pay for 10 minutes of conversation.
Why does auto-dialer turn itself off after a while?
This may be due to power saving settings that forcefully close background processes. Also, some auto-dialer applications have a built-in limit on the number of attempts or operating time, after which they automatically stop to save resources.
Does auto-dialer work if the phone screen is turned off?
Yes, if you set the permissions correctly and disable battery optimization, auto-dialer should work even when the screen is off. However, on some models with a very aggressive sleep mode, the screen may periodically turn on when trying to connect.
How to disable auto-dialing if it has become annoying?
To stop the process, simply press the call reset button during the next dialing attempt. To completely disable the function, return to the settings of the “Phone” application and move the switch Auto-repeat to the inactive position.