Redmi smartphone owners often face a situation where the incoming call interface looks unusual. Instead of the usual full-screen image with large response buttons, a small floating window appears on the display, resembling a notification, which is the behavior of the MIUI system can be confusing, especially if the device worked differently or the user switched from another brand.
The reason lies in the conflict of permissions for the system application Phone and the component Google Dialer. Android shells sometimes mistakenly classify calls as background processes that do not require the full attention of the user. Fortunately, you can fix this yourself without resorting to complex technical manipulation or firmware.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will return the standard view of calls on your Xiaomi Redmi 8T. You will learn where hidden permission settings are hidden and how to force the system to display the call interface correctly.
Reasons for the appearance of a small call window
The phenomenon of “mini-call” on Xiaomi often occurs after an update to the operating system or the Google Phone app itself. Developers change security policies to require apps to explicitly request rights to display over other windows. If an automatic request was missed or blocked by the system, the interface narrows.
Another reason could be the activated Do Not Disturb mode or the specific customization of the theme, and some third-party themes downloaded from MIUI Themes store don’t have the correct layout for the lock and call screen, leading to visual bugs.
⚠️ Warning: If you use third-party launchers or modified themes, try temporarily returning the standard design to avoid conflicting styles.
Also, it is worth considering that on models like Redmi 8T with global firmware installed, it is the Google app that answers the phone book and calls, not the standard MIUI Dialer. So you need to look for settings in the appropriate section, not in the shell system settings.
Configure permissions of the Phone application
The most effective way to solve this problem is to manually check access rights, and Android could automatically revoke permission to display on top of other apps after another security update, so you need to go to the settings menu and find the App section.
In the list of installed programs, find the Phone app (often has a blue or green handset logo from Google). Click on it to open a detailed menu. Here you are interested in the Other Permits or just Permissions, which lists all the rights that the application requests from the system.
Find the option to display on top of other applications (sometimes called pop-ups or Picture-in-Picture) in the list. Make sure the switch opposite this item is activated. If it is turned off, the system blocks the full-screen deployment of the call window.
☑️ Permit verification
Once permission is enabled, remember to close the settings app completely and try to make a test call. Often, changes take effect instantly, but in some cases, you need to restart the device to apply new security policies.
Resetting the settings of the Google Phone application
If permission checks didn't work, there may have been some erroneous configuration data in the app's cache, in which case the effective solution would be to force the Google Phone app's settings to factory state, which won't delete your contacts, but will return all call settings to their original.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps → Phone. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a Clear or Delete button. Click on it and select Reset all settings (or Clear all data).
| Action. | The result | Security of data |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Deletion of temporary files | Secure, data is stored |
| Resetting settings | Return of default parameters | Contacts and call history are maintained |
| Removal of updates | Retracement to factory version | Requires a re-update |
It is important to understand the difference between clearing a cache and completely resetting. cache contains temporary files that can be corrupted, but resetting the settings affects the logic of the application. On Redmi 8T, this procedure takes a few seconds and often solves the problem with the hung interface.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Working with the Contacts and Blue Screen
In the Xiaomi ecosystem, two related components often handle calls: Phone and Contacts. If the first application is okay, the second application may be the problem, and the logic is, Phone receives the signal, and Contacts draws the interface.
Check the permissions for the Contacts app (usually a yellow icon with a human silhouette) and it also requires permissions to display on top of other apps and access Contacts. Without these permissions, the interface may not unfold correctly.
Special attention should be paid to the so-called Blue Screen or MIUI Dialer. On some global firmware versions it has been replaced by Google Dialer, but the remnants of system files may conflict. If you have a MIUI Security app installed, go to the Permissions → Auto Run and make sure that the Phone and Contacts apps are allowed to run automatically.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable auto-start for system telephony applications, otherwise you may stop receiving notifications of missed calls.
After setting up both apps, it is recommended to reboot the smartphone, which will allow the system to re-index services and set the right priorities for call windows.
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Use the ##2664## code in the Phone app to quickly check audio tests and speakers to make sure the problem is only in the interface, not the sound.
Update and roll back versions of Google Dialer
Often, interface bugs are associated with a specific version of the Google Phone app. Developers could release an update with an error that affects your Redmi 8T model. In this case, an update to the latest version or, conversely, a rollback to the previous stable version will help.
Go to the Google Play Store, search for the Phone app and check for the Update button. If the update is already installed but the problem is there, delete the updates. To do this, select Remove Updates from the app menu (three dots in the corner).
After rollback, the system will return to the factory version of the application built into MIUI firmware.This is often the most stable option, as factory versions undergo rigorous testing by Xiaomi engineers specifically for your device.
The impact of the design theme on the call screen
The themes in MIUI completely replace system icons, fonts and, importantly, lock and call screen, and if you installed a theme that is not optimized for your screen resolution or Android version, it can break the layout of the call window.
To check this out, go to the Themes app, click on the profile icon and select My Themes. Activate the standard Classic or Default theme**. After applying the theme, make a test call.
If the problem is gone, it's a third-party design, so you can either stay on the standard theme or look for an alternative that claims to support full-screen call mode, and in some cases, cleaning the cache of the Theme app helps.
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The standard design theme is the best diagnostic tool for identifying problems with the system interface.
Additional availability settings
In rare cases, the call interface may behave strangely because of the special features enabled. For example, the zoom in or color inversion mode can change the behavior of windows. Check the Settings section → Advanced settings → Special features.
Make sure that the Pocket Mode function is working correctly. Although it is designed to protect against accidental pressing, its improper calibration can block the screen from unfolding when you bring the phone to your ear. Try temporarily disabling this feature in the Lock and Protection menu → Pocket Mode.
Also check Notifications settings for Phone. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management → Phone. Make sure that the Incoming Calls category is mapped to the lock screen and status bar, and prioritized to High.