Users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation where the incoming call interface occupies only a small part of the display, leaving the rest of the space black. This can be caused by the features of the MIUI shell, the conflict of settings of the Phone application or the operation of third-party number detectors. The standard call widget in modern versions of Android tends to be minimalist, but the habit of seeing a large photo of a subscriber or full-screen control buttons has persisted for many.
To fix this, you don't have to have superuser rights or reflash your device. In most cases, you just need to change the display settings on the system menu or switch to a standard Google dialer. Full-screen mode is much more convenient, because it allows you to respond faster to a call without aiming at small buttons, and you can see the information about the caller better, especially for people with visual impairment.
In this article, we will take a look at all the known ways to expand the incoming call area, we will touch on the theme settings, application access rights and hidden system parameters, you will learn to distinguish a software bug from the developers' idea and you will be able to regain comfort when using your gadget.
Reasons for the appearance of a small window of an incoming call
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the nature of the problem, and users often blame the hardware for this, even though it's software. The MIUI shell has many layers of customization, and the conflict between them can lead to incorrect display of widgets.
One of the main reasons is that third-party number identifiers like GetContact or NumBuster are used, and these apps take control of the call and display their own, often unoptimized window over your screen, and if you notice a change in the interface after you install the software, that's the problem.
⚠️ Warning: Some antivirus programs also have an “antispam” feature that can force the call interface to change to its own, blocking the standard full-screen mode.
Also worth considering is screen resolution and aspect ratio. On models with cutouts or holes under the camera, the system dialer can automatically reduce the area of the active window so as not to overlap important interface elements or proximity sensors, in which case the system tries to prevent accidental cheek pressing during a conversation.
Setting up the standard application "Phone"
The first step in solving the problem should be to check the internal settings of the main application for calls. Depending on the region and the firmware version, Xiaomi can either have its own MIUI dialer or Google Phone, the algorithm for which the actions differ, but the goal is to find a switch that is responsible for the display style.
If you have a standard Xiaomi interface, open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. Here you should look for the section related to Incoming Calls or Answering a Call. Some versions of MIUI have a Full Screen Mode option that you need to activate.
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If the phone settings menu does not have an explicit window size switch, try changing the theme to a standard one - custom themes often break the layout of system windows.
For owners of devices with Google Dialer, the situation is different. Here the settings are more hidden. Go to the app settings through the smartphone menu, find the Response Screen section (if available in your version). Often Google uses a responsive design that depends on the orientation of the device. Try to flip the phone to a horizontal position at the time of the call - this can force the full mode to start.
It is important to check whether Do Not Disturb or Quiet Mode is enabled with special display settings. Sometimes the system simplifies the incoming call interface to minimize distractions if these features are activated.
The influence of third-party number determinants
As mentioned earlier, Caller ID applications are a frequent culprit in narrowing the call window, and they work on an overlay, which is layering over the system interface, and if it takes precedence, it dictates its own display rules.
To check if the detector is affecting the situation, try temporarily uninstalling the application or disabling its “Master over Other Windows” function. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find your number detector, and select “Other Permits”.
- 📱 Find the item “Display on top of other apps” and turn it off.
- 🔒 Check the permissions to access contacts and phone – sometimes resetting these rights restarts the service as normal.
- 🗑️ If the problem has gone away, consider an alternative app or use the built-in database. MIUI.
It is worth noting that some "Chinese" versions of firmware MIUI Have built-in but hidden integration with spam databases that may conflict with the ones you have installed APK-In this case, the best solution would be to completely abandon third-party software in favor of system security features.
Using design themes to change the interface
One of the most effective and safest ways to resize an incoming call window is to change the theme. The MIUI theme store allows you to replace system graphics, including the lock screen and the call window. Designers often create themes where the call takes up 100% of the screen area.
Open the Themes app on your desktop. Search for "Full screen call" or "Big call." You'll be offered a variety of options. Before installing, look at the screenshots in the description, which usually shows what the incoming call looks like.
⚠️ Warning: When installing themes from third-party sources or even from an official store, always check the author's rating.A low-quality theme can cause the answer buttons to become invisible or merge with the background.
After applying the theme, be sure to restart the device, so that system services fully update the GUI cache. If the call is full-screen after the reboot, but other important elements (such as time or battery status) are missing, try a different theme from the same author.
Comparison of problem-solving methods
For user convenience, we have organized the main ways of solving the problem into a table, which will help you quickly choose the right method depending on your situation and level of technical training.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dialer settings | Low. | Medium | Absent. |
| Removal of the determinant | Low. | Tall. | Loss of number database |
| Change of subject | Medium | Tall. | Interface instability |
| Resetting settings | Tall. | Maximum | Loss of data |
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The safest and most stable method is to use official MIUI themes, as they are tested for compatibility with your version of Android.
As you can see from the table, simple adjustments don't always give you 100%, especially if the problem is deep systemic conflicts. ADB-commands or root rights in this case are excessive and may lead to loss of warranty.
If none of the soft methods helped, it is possible that your particular Redmi range has a hardware limitation or firmware bug that will only be fixed with the software update.
Verification of permits and special facilities
Android has an Accessibility mechanism that applications often use to intercept screen control, and malignant or simply poor-coded applications can use that access to change the call interface.
Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special Features. Carefully review the list of services enabled. If you see unfamiliar apps or services that you haven't consciously activated, try turning them off.
☑️ Testing of special facilities
It’s also worth checking the permissions for the Phone app itself. Make sure it has the right to change the system interface settings if such an option is present in your version of the OS. Sometimes resetting the Phone app permissions to factory ones helps return the standard view of the window.