Owners of budget smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC often face the obsessive MIUI shell policy, which aggressively promotes its own services instead of standard Google solutions. This situation causes discomfort, especially when the system constantly offers to use Mi Dialer instead of the usual dialing interface. Understanding how to forcibly regain control of the device is a key skill for any Android user.
The problem is not just aesthetics, but functionality: the standard Google Dialer often works more stable, has better integration with contacts and more convenient search by database of numbers. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to fix the selected application as the main one.
Don’t worry if the settings menu doesn’t open from the right place the first time around – MIUI interfaces can vary depending on the firmware version (Global, EEA or Russia) and we’ll look at all the possible ways to solve this problem, including hidden menus and reset preferences.
Why Xiaomi is changing apps by default
Xiaomi is actively developing the Mi Services ecosystem, seeking to replace standard Google services with its counterparts, and this is especially evident on the Redmi 9C NFC model, since the device is focused on the mass segment, where advertising and own services are a source of additional profit for the manufacturer.
The MIUI system algorithm periodically checks which application is used for calls. If you have installed third-party software but have not fixed it rigidly in the system settings, the shell can reset the choice after an update or reboot, not by chance, but to increase user engagement in the brand ecosystem.
⚠️ Note: Some versions of the firmware MIUI They can automatically return Mi Dialer after a major system update. Always check your app settings after installing new versions of Android.
In addition, some regions (such as the European firmware version) have strict GDPR rules that formally give the user more rights, but in practice Xiaomi bypasses them through complex settings menus.
Basic configuration through the application menu
The easiest way to change the call app is to use the standard program management menu, which doesn't require superuser rights or a computer connection, but takes place directly on the Redmi 9C NFC screen.
First, you have to find the app you want to make the primary one, usually Google Phone, or any other app you have installed, and clicking on the app icon in the settings menu opens up a card with the details.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section.
- 🔍 Select All Apps to view the full list.
- ⚙️ Find the right app in the list (for example, Google Phone).
- 🚀 Click the Default Start button or Open by Default.
In the window that opens, you'll see the Open Supported Links switch or the Clear Default Settings button. If the system allows you to select the application here, just activate the switch you want. However, on MIUI 12 and 13, this path is often blocked or hidden.
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If the Start by Default button is inactive, try first pressing Clear Default Settings and then making a test call again.
Deep tuning through system parameters
If a direct path through the app card fails, you need to use a deeper level of Android settings. There is a dedicated menu in the MIUI shell that manages startup priorities for all types of actions, and this is where most conflicts between Mi Dialer and Google Phone are resolved.
Access to this section will require care, as menu items can be named differently depending on the localization. On Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC, the path is usually hidden inside the general system settings. We recommend using a search by settings if you can not find the item manually.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (top right) → Access to special features → Default AppsIn this menu, you'll see a list of categories: browser, map, messages and, most importantly, Phone. Clicking on this item, the system will suggest you to choose from the available installed applications. Choose Google Phone or other preferred option.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Description of the impact |
|---|---|---|
| Phone. | Google Phone | Determines which application opens the dial number |
| SMS | Messages (Google) | Responsible for processing incoming text messages |
| browser | Chrome | Opens links from other applications |
After selecting, make sure that the MIUI logo or the default checkmark appears next to the selected application, which means that the system has recorded your choice in the preference register.
☑️ Checking system settings
Use of the hidden MIUI menu
For advanced users who are not afraid to experiment with the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC system settings, there is access to a hidden engineering menu, which is especially useful when standard interfaces do not display the desired options or work incorrectly.
Entering special codes into the caller can open access to diagnostic tools, but beware: changing unknown parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the communication module. We will only consider safe commands for resetting preferences.
⚠️ Note: Entering codes like ##4636## is safe to view, but don’t change the values in Radio Information sections without understanding their purpose.
Often, the problem is solved by simply resetting the application usage statistics. To do this, in the Settings menu → Applications → All applications, you need to find three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset application settings. This will return all requests for a choice of actions on the first run.
What to do if the hidden menu is not opened?
Resetting and cleaning of Mi Dialer data
Sometimes the system gets stuck in a loop, constantly offering Mi Dialer, even if you choose another option, in which case the method is to force the cleanup of a competitor's data. On the Redmi 9C NFC, this releases the privileges that the system has seized.
You need to find the Phone system app (namely from Xiaomi, usually with a green or blue icon depending on the theme). Once you enter its properties, select Clean → Clear Everything. This will not delete your contacts, but reset the settings of the call app itself.
- 🗑️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 📞 Find the phone (Mi Dialer) and click on it.
- 🧹 Choose Clean and Confirm the Action.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
Once you reboot the first dial, the system will ask again which app to use, at which point it is critical not just to click "One time", but to select the "Always" option (if available) or immediately fix the choice in the settings, as described in the second section.
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Cleaning up the data of the Mi Dialer system application does not delete the call history and contacts, as they are stored in a separate system database.
Solving Access Rights and Permits Issues
Even if the app is installed by default, it may not work properly without the necessary permissions.On Android 10 and 11, which are on the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC, the security policy requires explicit confirmation of access to the microphone, phone and contacts.
Go to the settings of your chosen application (e.g. Google Phone) and go to App Permissions. Make sure that access to your Phone is in "Allowed" mode and access to contacts is also active. Without this, calls may not be initiated or subscriber names may not be displayed.
Also worth checking for energy-saving restrictions. MIUI is known for its aggressive memory cleanup, which can "kill" background call processes. In battery settings, select "No Limits" mode for calling applications.