Users of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often faced with the need to fine-tune the system after buying or updating the firmware, one of the key questions is how to manage the telephony: how to choose which one to choose. SIM-The map will be used for calls, and which for the Internet, or how to assign a specific application to make calls. MIUI These options are scattered across different menus, which can cause confusion among those who are used to pure Android.
The wrong configuration can cause important calls to go through a paid roaming operator, and miss notifications will not come if the system is asleep. The default setting is not just a convenience, but a way to avoid unnecessary costs and loss of communication. We will take a look at all aspects of telephony management, from choosing a SIM card to changing a standard caller app.
In this article, we will look at the algorithms for different versions of the operating system, you will learn how to force the device to use the right contacts and communication channels. Xiaomi system takes priority over the operator settings over the user, unless you activate a special mode "Always ask", this is an important nuance that is often overlooked when you first set up a gadget.
Management SIM-mapping and call setting
The first thing to start with is the basic configuration of the communication modules, and in dual-symbol devices, the system should clearly understand which card to use for voice communication by default. If you don't, the phone will ask you for your opinion every time, or worse, use a randomly selected card. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
Here you'll see the Voice section, and you can click on that, and you can select a specific one. SIM-But for more flexibility, you should choose the "Always Ask" option, which allows you to decide which operator you're calling from when you dial, which is especially useful when you have different rates.
- 📞 Always ask – the system will offer a SIM card selection before each number dial.
- 🔒 Fixed selection – all calls will go through the selected SIM card until you change the setting manually.
- 🌐 Mobile Internet – a separate setting that determines which SIM card is responsible for data transfer (4G/5G).
You can call via SIM 1, and browse the internet via SIM 2, a configuration often used to optimize costs, with one operator providing cheap minutes and the other providing unlimited traffic.
Assignment of a standard call app
In the Android ecosystem, including Xiaomi shells, there can be multiple applications installed to make calls. In addition to the standard Caller, users often put third-party solutions like Truecaller, Google Phone or corporate clients, and you need to prioritize what application to run when you click on a number in contacts.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select “Other Settings.” Find “Default Apps.” In the list, find the “Phone” category and select the desired application. If you don’t see the right software in the list, make sure it has the necessary permissions to work with telephony.
⚠️ Note: When you change the standard call app, the old redirect or block spam call settings may stop working if they were tied to the system call.
If you accidentally choose the wrong app, don't panic. Go back to the same default settings menu. Some versions of MIUI have a Reset or Default Clear button, and then the next time you dial, the system will ask you again what to open the action.
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If you have installed a third-party call but it does not appear in the list of available, give it all the permissions requested in the App Permissions section and restart the device.
Instructions for MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS
Shell interfaces are constantly changing, and what worked in MIUI 12 can be hidden in HyperOS. In recent firmware versions, Xiaomi seeks to unify menus, but sometimes hides important features deeper.
In HyperOS, the logic remains the same: Settings → SIM-But the design of the cards has become more minimalist. SIM 1 by default" - it can be hidden inside the menu of a specific SIM card if the "Smart SIM card" mode is activated».
☑️ Checking the communication settings
Users of the Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series often note that after upgrading to MIUI 14, roaming settings are reset. Be sure to check whether automatic data roaming is activated if you are traveling. This can be done in the same SIM card menu by clicking on the gear next to the desired operator.
For those who prefer hidden settings, there is an engineering menu, but you should not intervene in it unless absolutely necessary. Standard tools of the system are enough for 99% of use cases. If the menu is empty or items are inactive, check if you insert it. SIM-map.
Solving problems with number identification and contacts
A common problem is when the phone doesn't identify a number or shows "Unknown Number" even though the contact is saved.This is often due to the number being written in different formats. Xiaomi's system is sensitive to a record format of +7, 8, or no country code.
To fix this, open the Contacts app, find the problem entry, and edit the number, bringing it to an international format (e.g., the number, +7999..). Also check where the contact is kept: SIM-card or account Google/Mi Account: SIM card contacts have limited functionality and may not sync correctly.
- 📂 Sync – Make sure your Google account settings enable contact sync.
- 🧹 Cache Clearance – sometimes cleaning the Contacts and Phone app data through the App Management menu helps.
- 🔗 Unification – if one contact is displayed twice, use the “Unite” function in the Contacts app.
If numbers are determined but the name is not displayed when an incoming call is made, check the Security app (Xiaomi antivirus). In the Antispam → Blacklist section, you may block unknowns or, conversely, the display settings may conflict with the theme of the design.
Why are contacts duplicated?
Comparison of telephony settings in different versions of Android
Different versions of Android and MIUI shells offer different levels of call control, and here is a table comparing customization options in older and newer versions of the system.
| Function | Android 10 / MIUI 11 | Android 12 / MIUI 13 | Android 14 / HyperOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selecting SIM for a call | A pop-up window | A pop-up window | Pop-up window / Default setting |
| Recording of conversations | Built into the bell. | Limited (depending on region) | Requires Google Phone or a patch |
| Spam lockdown | Basic | Expanded (online databases) | Integration with AI-filter |
| Default setting | Standard Android menu | Extended MIUI menu | HyperOS Unified Menu |
As you can see from the table, with each update, the system gets smarter, but also more difficult to fine-tune, whereas in older versions everything worked out of the box, in HyperOS, the user has to intervene more often to get the desired result, which is a price for increased security and functionality.
Frequent errors and their elimination
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring permission requests from the system: When you install a new call or messenger (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram), they ask for access to contacts and phone, and if you click "Opt", the application will not be able to integrate into the system as the default communication tool.
Also, users often forget that settings can be reset after a firmware update. After a major MIUI update, always check the SIM section. Sometimes the system defaults to prioritizing a deaf SIM card for the Internet, which leads to connection errors.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install questionable number-finding apps from unknown sources. SMS. Use only proven solutions from Google Play or GetApps.
If the phone stopped seeing the SIM card after setting up, try removing the tray, wipe the SIM card contacts with a soft cloth and paste back in. A communication module software failure is often treated by rebooting, but physical contact is also important.
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Regularly checking settings SIM-cards after system updates - the key to stable communication and the absence of unexpected costs for roaming.
Using third-party applications to manage calls
Xiaomi's standard tools are good, but sometimes the functionality is not enough. Third-party applications like Truecaller or Call Recorder can take over the call management. To make them the main ones, you not only need to set a priority in the system, but also properly configure within the application itself.
When you install this software, Android will ask, "Do you use this application by default for calls?" Consent anchors your choice. However, MIUI has an aggressive power saving system that can kill the background processes of these applications, and you need to go to the battery settings and select the "No Limits" mode for the selected call.
- 🛡️ Autostart – Enable Autostart for the telephony app in the security settings.
- 🔋 Energy savings – Turn off energy savings for mission-critical communication applications.
- 🔔 Notifications – Allow all types of notifications to avoid missing an incoming call.
Using third-party solutions provides powerful functionality, but requires attention to system settings. If you notice that the phone has stopped ringing or vibrating when incoming, first of all check the permissions and power saving settings for the active application.