How to set up Xiaomi Redmi as the default phone: 5 working ways

You bought a new smartphone Xiaomi Redmi, but faced with a problem: calls still come to the old device, and messengers stubbornly ignore SIM-Are you using two phones at the same time and want to make Redmi the main one for specific tasks? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of setting the device by default on firmware MIUI 13/14 and earlier versions.

It is important to understand that the concept of "default phone" is multifaceted: this may apply to the phone. SIM-call-card/SMS, Messaging apps, media devices (like when connecting to a car) or even the main Xiaomi account, we’ll look at all scenarios, from basic settings to basic settings. MIUI To the hidden features for power users, we will pay special attention to the Redmi Note models. 12 Pro+, Redmi 10 2022 and POCO X5 Pro, where the algorithm may differ.

If you’ve moved from an iPhone or other Android device, some points may seem obscure — like why WhatsApp doesn’t see. SIM-Google Assistant is using an old phone for voice commands. Don’t worry: after reading this article, you can set up Xiaomi Redmi as the main device in 10-15 minutes, avoiding the typical mistakes.

1.Tune in. SIM-Default cards for calls and SMS

The most basic scenario - the choice of the main SIM-Maps for outbound calls and messages. In Xiaomi Redmi with two slots (or eSIM), this process is intuitive, but there are nuances for different versions MIUI.

In MIUI 14/13 firmware (based on Android 13/12), the path looks like this:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Select the Control item SIM-maps (or settings) SIM-maps in older versions).
3. Put it on the right foot. SIM-map (e.g., map, SIM 1 or China Mobile if you have a Chinese version).
4. Activate the switches: 📞 Default calls – for outgoing calls. 💬 SMS by default - to send messages. 🌐 Default data transfer – for mobile internet.

⚠️ Note: Redmi models for the Chinese market (with China firmware) ROM) point SMS In this case, use the Google Messages app instead of the standard one. MIUI-The messenger – it allows you to choose SIM-map when each is sent SMS.

If you have Redmi with eSIM (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G), the algorithm is similar, but you first need to activate the virtual card via the Add Mobile Network menu in the same settings. Note: not all carriers support eSIM on Xiaomi – check this point in advance.

2. Selecting the default phone for apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber often ignore system settings SIM-And these cards require manual binding, and this is especially true if you're using two phones with one account.

For WhatsApp:

1. Open the application and go to ⋮ → Settings → Account.
2. Select Change the number (if you need to move your account) or Confirm the number (for a new registration).
3. Enter the phone number associated with SIM-map in Redmi, and confirm the code from SMS.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used WhatsApp on another phone, linking to the new number will automatically deactivate your old account.To avoid losing chats, first back up to Google Drive via Settings → chat → Backup.

For enterprise instant messengers (such as Microsoft Teams or Slack), the default setting of the phone is usually not required – they use account data, not account data. SIM-However, if you need to change the number for calls through Teams, do so in the web version of the service in the Settings section. → Devices.

3. Set up Xiaomi Redmi as the primary device for Google services

If you use the Google ecosystem (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Assistant), it’s important to link Redmi to your primary account, which affects data synchronization, voice commands, and notifications.

To make Xiaomi Redmi the primary device for Google Assistant:

1. Open the Google app (not to be confused with Chrome!).
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Google Assistant → Devices.
3. Select your Redmi from the list and activate the Use as your primary device option.

To synchronize contacts and calendar:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your primary account (e.g. yourname@gmail.com).
3. Turn on the switches for Contact, Calendar and Gmail.

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If contacts are lost after changing your device, check to see if sync is disabled in your Google account settings, and MIUI sometimes resets these settings after the update.

Redmi models with MIUI 14 may have a "duplicate contacts" notification, which is because the system creates local copies in addition to Google contacts, to fix:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap it on. ⋮ → Contact management → Connecting contacts.
3. Choose Connect with Google and confirm the action.

4.Using Xiaomi Redmi as the main phone in the car (Android Auto, Bluetooth)

If you connect Redmi to a car radio recorder via Android Auto or Bluetooth, the system can automatically select the wrong phone for calls or media.

For Android Auto:

1. Connect Redmi to the car via USB (original cable is recommended).
2. On the tape screen, select Settings → Devices → Device by default.
3. Please include your Xiaomi Redmi in the list of available devices.

Bluetooth (if Android Auto is not supported):

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Bluetooth on Redmi.
2. Find your car in the list of associated devices and tap on ⚙️ near her name.
3. Activate options: 🎵 Audio by default - for music and calls. 📞 Contacts and Call History – for synchronization.

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese versions of Redmi (e.g. Redmi) K50 For the domestic market, there may be no support for Android Auto due to firmware limitations, in which case use Mi Car, Xiaomi’s proprietary app for automotive integration.

5. Transfer data from your old phone to Xiaomi Redmi

To make Redmi a full-fledged main device, you need to transfer all the data to it: contacts, photos, messages and applications. Xiaomi offers several ways to migrate:

Method 1: Mi Mover (official appendix)

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (available from Google Play or App Store).
2. On the old phone, select Send, on Redmi, Receive.
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use Hotspot.
4. Select data for transfer (contacts, SMS, photos, applications) and confirm the transfer.

Method 2: Google Account (for contacts and calendar)

If you've previously synced your data with Google, they'll automatically pull up to Redmi after you log in to check:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Make sure that sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.

Method 3: Manual transfer via computer

For photos and documents:

1. Connect your old phone to your PC and copy the files to a folder on your computer.
2. Connect Redmi and transfer the data to the appropriate directories (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads).

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If problems persist after all manipulations, check if antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) or energy saving mode blocks them in Settings → Battery.

7. Additional settings for experienced users

If standard methods don’t work, you can use hidden MIUI features or developer tools.

Method 1: Configure through ADB (for advanced)

If Redmi is reluctant to become the default phone for certain tasks, you can manually prioritize the following things through ADB:

adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 1


adb shell settings put global multi_sim_vt_call 0




adb shell settings put global multi_sim_sms 0

These commands force SIM 1 to be used as a primary call and SMS. Be careful – the wrong settings can disrupt the network!

Method 2: Resetting network settings

If the problems are connected:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the action (you will need to enter) PIN-code SIM-post-reset maps).

Method 3: Use Dual Apps (for instant messengers)

If you need to use one messenger on two phones at the same time:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Dual Apps
2. Select the desired messenger (such as WhatsApp) and create a copy of it.
3. Log in to a copy of the application under a different number (from another number) SIM-map).

⚠️ Note: Dual Apps is not available on all Redmi models. on budget devices (e.g. Redmi). A1) It may not be due to memory limitations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi Redmi as the default phone