The situation when you cannot answer an important call is familiar to many smartphone owners. Call forwarding becomes an indispensable tool in such cases, allowing you to redirect incoming calls to another number, voicemail or operator service. On brand smartphones Xiaomi with shell MIUI or new HyperOS the setup process is as simplified as possible, but many users get lost in the abundance of menus.
In this article we will look in detail at how to activate the forwarding function calls on line devices Redmi. We will look at both standard methods through the phone settings, and universal USSD commands that work even if the interface fails. You will learn about the nuances of working with two SIM cards and understand why forwarding may not turn on.
Correctly setting up this function will ensure you are always in touch with clients, colleagues and loved ones, even if your main phone is discharged or is in an area of poor signal reception. Below are the current algorithms of actions for modern versions of Android.
Preparing for setup and checking the balance
Before you start changing system parameters, you need to make sure that your SIM card is ready to work with additional services. Telecom operators often require a positive balance or connection of certain tariff options for activation conditional forwarding. If the account is blocked, the system will simply reject your request to forward calls.
It is also important to check whether your SIM card supports voice calls in the current network mode. In some cases, especially when using older cards in 4G/5G slots, conflicts may occur. It is recommended to temporarily switch the network type in the phone settings to 2G/3G preferable to successfully send the request to the operator's server, after which you can return to automatic selection.
⚠️ Attention: Call forwarding is a paid service for most operators. The cost depends on the tariff and direction of the call (often you pay for a minute of conversation from your number to the forwarding number). Check the current rates in your operator's personal account, as conditions may change.
Make sure that the number to which you plan to forward calls is active and accepting incoming calls. It makes no sense to set up forwarding to a switched off phone or a number with incoming calls barred, since in this case the caller will still hear busy tones or an unavailable message.
☑️ Ready to configure
Enable via the standard Android settings menu
The easiest and most obvious way to activate the function is to use built-in phone menu. The interface MIUI may differ slightly depending on the version of Android, but the logic of actions remains the same for all devices Redmi. You won't need third-party applications or complex commands.
Open the application Phone (green tube) and go to the settings menu. This is usually a gear icon or three dots in the top corner of the screen. Find the section Call accounts or Call settings. Here the system will prompt you to select a SIM card if the device has two communication modules.
After selecting the desired SIM card, find the item Call forwarding. The system will begin polling the operator's server, which may take several seconds. If the setup doesn't load, check your internet connection or try again later. In the menu that opens, you will be offered various redirection scenarios.
If the "Call forwarding" item is missing or inactive, try clearing the cache of the "Phone" application through Settings → Applications → All applications → Phone → Storage → Clear cache.
Select the required forwarding type from the list. For each type, you will need to enter the phone number to which calls will be sent. After entering the number, press the button Enable or OK. The feature status will change to "Enabled" and you will see a corresponding notification in the status bar or in the menu itself.
Forwarding types and usage scenarios
Understanding the differences between call forwarding types will help you configure your phone as efficiently as possible to suit your needs. The Android system on Redmi offers four main options, each of which reacts to a specific line condition.
Always forward means that all incoming calls will be instantly forwarded to the specified number, without ringing on your device at all. This is an ideal option if you have lost your phone or are going on vacation and leaving the device at home.
The remaining options are conditional and work only under certain circumstances. They allow you to stay in touch, but give you the opportunity to miss a call in specific situations without losing contact with the subscriber.
- 📞 When busy: the call is forwarded if you are currently talking to another subscriber.
- ⏳ No answer: forwarding is triggered if you do not pick up after a certain number beeps.
- 🚫 Unavailable: the call goes to another number if the phone is turned off or is outside the network coverage area.
- 🔄 All voice calls: a combination of all the above conditions for full insurance.
Setting the waiting time before forwarding in the "No Answer" status is usually regulated by the telecom operator, but in some firmware Xiaomi this parameter is available for editing directly in the number selection menu.
Setting up forwarding via USSD codes
Sometimes the graphical interface crashes or works incorrect due to the specific features of the operator’s firmware. In such cases, universal ones come to the rescue. This method works on any phone, even push-button, and is the most reliable way to manage communication services. USSD commands. This method works on any phone, even push-button, and is the most reliable way to manage communication services.
To enter commands, open the application Phone and go to the dialing tab. Enter the appropriate sequence of characters and press the call button. The response from the network will come in the form of a pop-up message or SMS.
Below is a table with the main commands for managing forwarding. Please note that instead of the symbol # at the end of the command you need to insert the phone number to which you want to redirect the call, in international format (for example, +79991234567).
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Enable always | **21*number# |
All calls go to the specified number |
| Enable when busy | **67*number# |
Forwarding if line busy |
| Enable without answer | **61*number# |
Forwarding if you don't pick up |
| Enable if unavailable | **62*number# |
Forwarding when the phone is turned off |
| Disable all | ##002# |
Full reset of all types of forwarding |
⚠️ Attention: When entering a number in the USSD command, be sure to use the international format without spaces and brackets. For example:
**21*+79001234567#. Using a local format (for example, 8900...) may result in a command execution error.
After successful execution of the command, you will receive a confirmation message from the operator. If you receive the error "Code is invalid" or "Connection error", check the correctness of the input and the presence of a balance.
What to do if the command does not work?
If the USSD code gives an error, the service may be blocked on the operator's side or your SIM card does not support this command in roaming. Try turning off Wi-Fi and using the mobile network, or contact your operator's support service.
Features of working with two SIM cards
Smartphone owners Redmi often use two numbers at the same time. It is important to understand that forwarding settings are applied individually for each SIM card. Changing the parameters for the first SIM card will not affect the operation of the second in any way.
When setting up through the phone menu, the system will explicitly ask you to select a slot: SIM 1 or SIM 2. Be careful when choosing so as not to redirect calls from your work number to your personal number or vice versa. In Dual Standby (DSDS) mode, call forwarding may experience a slight delay if both lines are active.
If you use Second Space or App Cloning on MIUIthe system call settings are not affected. Forwarding remains at the modem and base station level, so it will work correctly regardless of the software divisions of the interface.
To check the forwarding status on each card, you can use the command *#002#. It will show the current forwarding status for the currently active slot. Switch the active SIM card for calls in the settings to check the status of the second card.
Forwarding settings are stored in the profile of each SIM card separately. Changing the card in the slot or rearranging SIM cards requires re-checking the settings for each number.
Troubleshooting and common errors
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties. The most common problem is that the forward button is inactive or gives an error when you try to enable it. Most often this is due to a lack of registration in the voice network.
Try to restart your smartphone. This simple action forces the device to re-register with the operator's network and update its service profile. It's also worth checking to see if you have Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode enabled, which could be blocking changes to your call settings.
If the problem persists, your phone plan may not include this option by default. Some budget tariffs require a separate connection to the "Forwarding" service through the operator's application or website. In this case, the settings on the phone will be unavailable until the service is activated on the provider's side.
- 📶 No network: Make sure that the network icon is active and there is no sign "Emergency calls only."
- 🔒 Call blocking: Check whether incoming/outgoing barring is enabled in the operator settings.
- 📱 Software failure: Update the Phone application and system software to the latest version.
- 💳 SIM problems: Try moving the SIM card to another slot or wiping the contacts.
⚠️ Attention: If you reset your phone to factory settings, all forwarding settings may be deleted. After the reset, you must reactivate the necessary call redirection scripts.
In rare cases, a conflict may be caused by an installed application for recording calls or identifying numbers. Try temporarily disabling such apps and check the operation of the standard forwarding function.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will I be charged for forwarding if I am in roaming?
Yes, special rates apply when roaming. Usually the call is charged twice: from the caller to you (as an incoming call in roaming, which is often free, but depends on the tariff) and from you to the forwarding number (as an outgoing international or local call). This can be very expensive, so when traveling, it is recommended to disable call forwarding or check with your operator for conditions.
Will the caller know that the call has been forwarded?
No, the standard network does not transmit information about call forwarding to the subscriber. For the person calling you, the process looks completely normal: he hears the dial tone and then connects to the number to which the forwarding is configured. He will not see any notifications about this.
Is it possible to forward calls to a landline number?
Yes, this is possible. When entering a forwarding number, simply enter the city number in the correct format (with the city code and without the eight at the beginning if you are using the international format). However, make sure that your tariff allows you to make calls to landline numbers, since this is the call that will be initiated by the network.
Why doesn't forwarding to voicemail work?
For forwarding to voicemail to work, the "Voicemail" service must first be activated by your operator. The voicemail number is usually registered automatically, but if it is not there, find it out in the operator's help desk and enter it manually in the "No answer" or "Unavailable" field.
Are forwarding settings reset when you change phone?
No, forwarding settings are stored on the operator's server, and not in the phone's memory. If you move your SIM card to any other device, forwarding will continue to work according to the previously set rules until you change them or disable the service.