Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where the standard call app seems to them not comfortable or functional enough. The standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS impose their own call from Google, adapted to Chinese standards or with limited functionality for global versions, by default. Users often want to install third-party solutions such as Yandex.Callers, Truecaller or good old versions of Google Dialer, to get an improved number determinant or just a more pleasant interface.
The process of changing the main application for calling in Android, which is the basis of Xiaomi firmware, is technically simple, but in practice it can hide several nuances. The operating system security requires explicit user confirmation when changing a default application. However, depending on the version of Android and the specific shell assembly, the selection menu can behave unpredictable or hide deeper in the settings. Understanding the logic of Android in conjunction with the manufacturer’s branded add-ons will allow you to easily manage this parameter.
In this guide, we will discuss all the ways to assign the right program to make calls. We will look at standard methods through the settings menu, the nuances of working with access rights and possible problems that you may encounter when trying to activate third-party software, which will allow you to personalize the device to your needs without resorting to complex system modifications.
Why you should change the standard call app
The standard dialing tools that are pre-installed on Xiaomi smartphones are often the basic version of Google Phone. While it is a reliable and stable solution, it does not always meet the needs of advanced users. Many are switching to alternatives for advanced spam blocking features, integration with instant messengers, or simply more flexible customization of the interface and fonts.
Third-party developers offer solutions that can run faster or have a more user-friendly call log. For example, some applications allow you to backup contacts and call histories in your own cloud, which is convenient when changing devices. Others focus on the visual component, offering themes that completely change the way you dial a number, making it more modern or, conversely, minimalistic.
In addition, in some regions, a standard call may not work correctly with the identification of a number or have no current spam databases. Installing a specialized application such as Truecaller or Yandex solves this problem at the system level, you get the opportunity to see who is calling before you respond, and automatically block unwanted contacts, which greatly improves the comfort of using a smartphone.
Preparation for installation and configuration of a new application
Before the system allows you to change the default call on Xiaomi, you need to make sure that the alternative app is properly installed and has all the required permissions. Android is a system with a high degree of user data protection, so just download it. APK-The application must be fully integrated into the system and ready to intercept incoming calls.
It's important to understand the difference between just an installed app and an application that's been recognized as a system for certain actions. Even if you downloaded a program from Google Play, it won't automatically call instead of the standard one. You'll need to manually run it at least once and confirm access rights to contacts, microphone and telephony. Without these permissions, the Settings button may be inactive or absent.
Also, consider your operating system version. On newer versions of Android 13 and Android 14 that are already coming to HyperOS devices, security requirements have become stricter. Some older versions of the call may simply be locked by the system and not appear in the list of available to choose from.
☑️ Preparation for the change of call
Method 1: Change through the system settings menu
The most correct and stable way to change the app for calls is to use the built-in Android settings menu, which ensures that the system correctly redirects all calls to the software you choose. The path to this menu may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi devices.
First, you need to get into the main settings menu of your smartphone, usually through the gear icon on your desktop or in the notification curtain, then you need to find the section responsible for managing applications. In newer versions of firmware, it is often called simply “Apps”, and in older versions it could be called “Apps and notifications”, inside this section we are interested in the standard action control.
In the list that opens, you'll see categories of applications that can perform certain functions by default: browser, mail, card, and of course phone. By clicking on "Phone" or "Calls," the system will offer you a list of all the installed applications that have the appropriate rights. This is where you choose a default call handler. Once you select the right application, you capture this action, and now all incoming and outgoing calls will be processed through it.
What to do if the desired application is not on the list?
Method 2: Quickly switching through a pop-up window
There's a faster method that's often overlooked, but it works on most Android versions, including those on Redmi and Poco. It's convenient because it allows you to change your settings right when the system asks you for preferences, such as when you install a new call app or reset your default settings.
When you first start a newly installed dialer or reset an application setting, when you try to make a call, the system can output a pop-up asking, "What to open?" This window will have a list of available apps and a "Always" or "Default" switch. By selecting the desired application and activating the "Always" switch, you instantly assign it to the primary. This action is similar to manually configuring through the menu, but is executed in one click.
However, if you have already selected an app and ticked the Always box, the system will no longer ask you every time you call, in which case the pop-up will not appear, and you will have to use the first method through the settings to reset that choice. Beware: if you accidentally chose the wrong app, don't panic, it's easy to fix through the settings menu described above.
Importantly, some versions of MIUI with aggressive battery optimization may block pop-ups. If you don't see an application selection request, check the notification and permission settings for a new application. Sometimes you need to temporarily turn off economy mode to set new priorities.
Configure access rights and permissions for calling
Simply choosing an app as the main one is not enough to work properly. Android requires a wide range of permissions for applications that work with telephony. Without the right right configuration of rights, you may find that calls do not pass, speakerphones do not work or interlocutors are not identified.
First of all, you need to check the permissions to access contacts and call logs, which are the basic rights without which the app can't display a subscriber list or call history, and the critical thing is the permission to use the microphone, and if you deny access to the microphone, the person will not hear you, even if the call is set, and it takes only a minute to check these parameters, but it eliminates a lot of problems in the future.
Special attention should be paid to the permission to “Draw over other apps” (Draw over other apps), which is necessary to ensure that the incoming call screen can appear on top of any other open programs, whether it is a game, browser or messenger. On Xiaomi smartphones, this resolution is often turned off by default for third-party applications for security purposes, so it must be activated manually.
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For stable operation of the number detector, be sure to enable auto-start for the application in the MIUI battery settings, otherwise the system can “kill” the process and you will not see who is calling.
Comparison of popular apps for calling on Android
Choosing a call app is a matter of taste, but it’s worth understanding the differences in functionality among the major players in the market. Below is a table that will help you navigate the main features of popular solutions available for installation on Xiaomi.
| Annex | The main thing. | Spam number database | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Phone | Stability and integration | Large (global) | Minimum |
| Yandex. Calls. | Exact determinant in Russia | Very large (RF/CIS) | Low. |
| Truecaller | Global Search and Spam Filter | Huge (world) | Medium |
| Simple Dialer | Minimalism and the absence of advertising | Missing (local) | Low. |
As you can see from the table, Google’s standard solution often loses to specialized applications in determining numbers, especially in the Russian segment. Applications from Yandex and Truecaller benefit from cloud databases that are replenished by users themselves. However, it is worth considering that using such databases requires transferring data about your incoming calls to developer servers, which is a critical point for some users from the point of view of privacy.
If you want to maximize privacy and speed, you should look at lightweight alternatives like Simple Dialer, which have no cloud features, are instant and do not require Internet access. For users who just need a dialing tool without unnecessary functionality, this is the perfect choice. The choice depends solely on your priorities: functionality and spam protection or speed and privacy.
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Choose a call based on priorities: protection against spam requires cloud databases, and maximum speed is achieved in offline applications.
Problem Solving: If the call does not change or is not working properly
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes face technical difficulties. One of the most common problems on Xiaomi devices is the inability to choose another application, since the select button is inactive or the standard call is dead.
In this case, reset the default settings for the current phone app, and then search the app list for a standard call, go to its properties, and click Start Default -> Delete Default Settings, and then the next call, the system will ask you again which app to use, which is the standard Android prioritization procedure.
Another problem is the lack of sound or echoes after a change of call, which may be due to codec conflict or a new application malfunctioning with a particular hardware of the smartphone, in which case it is recommended to check whether the new application is not enabled with HD Voice or VoLTE mode if your operator does not support them, or vice versa, try to enable them, and also helps to clear the cache of the new application through the settings menu.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party calls from unknown sources (APK-Be careful. These apps may have access to your conversations and contacts. Only use trusted app stores such as Google Play or RuStore.
If the problem is systemic and no third-party application can become the main one, your version of MIUI may have a strict manufacturer restriction. In rare cases, on Chinese firmware (CN), global calls may not work correctly, in which case the only solution is to use standard software or reflash the device to a global version, which requires more in-depth knowledge.
Why did the call log disappear after the call change?
Can I return a standard Google call?
Does the change of call affect the quality of the call?
Will the recording of the conversation in a third-party call work?
⚠️ Warning: After changing your default call, make sure to check for emergency calls. Make sure that 112 (or 911) is dialed correctly even without the need to call. SIM-card, as third-party software can theoretically have bugs in handling emergency numbers.