How to make a full screen inbound call on Xiaomi

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face situations where the incoming call interface looks different than they used to. Instead of the usual window on top of the desktop or lock screen, the call can only occupy a small part of the display or, conversely, block the entire screen, preventing the review of notifications. This feature of the MIUI shell or HyperOS often causes discomfort, especially for those who have switched from other operating systems.

The problem is simple enough to know where the switch is hiding. In recent firmware versions, the manufacturer has changed the logic of displaying the phone book and calls, separating them into separate components. Full-screen mode can be both annoying and desirable, so it is important to be able to manage this setting. We will understand all the available ways of setting up, including hidden functions and resetting the application settings.

Below is a detailed guide to help you tailor your call interface to your personal preferences, learn how to switch between a floating window and a full screen mode, and learn what to do if standard methods don’t work, which will make you feel confident using your Android device.

Features of the call interface in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells have their own unique application structure. The phone book and dial screen are often Google system applications, but the visual part of the call (Caller ID, answer buttons) can be handled by the MIUI Dialer system module. It is this module that is responsible for exactly how the screen will look during the incoming connection. Understanding this architecture is necessary for proper configuration.

In older versions of firmware, things worked differently, and the call always overlapped the entire contents of the screen. Modern versions of Android and add-ons from the manufacturer allow more flexibility to manage windows. However, sometimes updates can reset default settings, returning a full-screen view, even if you used a compact window.

Note that interface behavior may depend on your device model. On the Redmi and POCO budget series, memory optimization can force background processes to close, affecting display. At the same time, Xiaomi flagship models offer more customization across themes. It is important to distinguish between system limitations and user settings.

Switching between full screen and floating mode

The main way to change the format of a call is directly in the Phone app, which works in most cases when the system is running normally, you don't need to install third-party software or get super-user permissions, just do a few simple actions in the call settings menu.

First, open the standard Phone app, which usually has a green tube icon. In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see a three-dot icon or a gear, which is the menu entry. When you click on it, select Settings. This is where the switch you're looking for, which is often hidden from the eyes of the inattentive user.

In the menu that opens, find a section that may be called Inbound Calls or Response Mode, and you will be offered two options: Full-screen and Small Window (or Floating Window). The first option will cause the call to close the entire screen, blocking access to other applications until the answer or shutdown. The second option will allow the call to hang over other windows.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t see Incoming Calls in the app’s settings menu, your shell version may be MIUI uses the standard Google dialog without advanced display settings, in which case try resetting the app settings or updating Google components.

Use of advanced system settings

If the phone’s standard menu doesn’t work, it’s worth looking deeper into the system settings of the smartphone itself. Xiaomi often duplicates features in different places for convenience. Sometimes the global system parameter can override the app’s local settings.

Go to the main Settings menu of your device. Scroll down and find the Special Features or Additional Features section. Depending on the firmware version, the path may vary slightly. Look for the subsection related to window management or call interface.

In some HyperOS builds, there's a separate floating window option, where you can set behavior for all applications, including the phone book, and if you activate or deactivate this switch, you force the interface to change its logic, which is especially true for devices with large screens, where one-handed control is difficult.

It's also worth checking the Notifications and Status Bar section. Sometimes the problem isn't with the call window itself, but with the notification priority. If the call isn't allowed to appear on top of other windows in the system permissions, it may not behave properly. Make sure the Phone app has all the necessary access rights.

Configure the display through the Themes app

One of the biggest strengths of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the theme store. The visual style of the call often depends on the theme you’ve set, and if you want to radically change the way you call, make it more modern, or, conversely, bring back the classic style, the theme is the best tool.

Open the Themes app on your smartphone. Search for keywords like "Call screen" or "Dialer." You'll find hundreds of design options that completely replace the standard interface. Many of them offer unique animations and button layouts that may be more convenient than the standard ones.

After downloading and installing the theme, apply it through the Profile menu. Note that some elements of the theme may not apply if you use a third-party launcher, in which case the system will suggest switching to the standard MIUI launcher for full display of effects. This is normal security behavior.

Resetting the settings of the phone application

There are situations where a software failure causes the settings to stop being saved or applied correctly, the call screen can get stuck in one mode, ignoring your attempts to change the configuration, in which case the method is forced resetting of cache and application data.

Go to Settings on your smartphone, then select Apps and All Apps. Find Phone (green handset icon) in the list, click on it and select Clean. It's important to choose Clear Everything or Reset, not just Clear Cache, because we need to delete the saved configuration files.

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Before resetting your app settings, make sure your contacts are synced with your Google account or SIM-a card to avoid losing important numbers, although when the application itself is reset, the contacts are usually saved.

After this operation, the phone can reboot or just return to the desktop. When you first start, the Phone app will behave like a new one. You will have to re-allow the microphone and contacts. Check the incoming call settings again, now they must work correctly, and the choice of display mode will become available.

Solving black screen problems when calling

A separate problem that users who want to have a full-screen call face is the black display while they're talking, and that's because the proximity sensor, which thinks the phone is near the ear, turns off the screen, and if the sensor is closed with film or is not working properly, the call stays black.

To fix this, calibrating the sensor is a must-do procedure. Type ##6484### in the Phone app to enter the engineering menu. Select "Proximity sensor" and follow the instructions on the screen. Cover the top of the screen with your hand, then remove it so that the system records the values.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use thick protective glass or high-sided covers that overlap the top of the screen.This physically interferes with the approach sensor, and no software reset here will help.

There's also a "Mode in your pocket" option in the call settings. If it's on, the phone blocks random taps when it's in your pocket, relying on the sensor. If the sensor is floundering, it's best to turn off this feature so you can see the call screen and control it without removing the device.

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Calibration of the proximity sensor through the engineering menu solves 90% of black screen problems during a conversation on Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions