Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where the system automatically selects an app to make calls that is not preferred, this can occur after updating the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, as well as when installing third-party calls from Google Play. The standard Phone app from Xiaomi or Google can conflict with installed counterparts, causing confusion when dialing.
The problem is solved by resetting the default settings for a particular application or changing the global settings of the system. It is important to understand that the process does not require root rights or complex technical manipulations. It is enough to consistently go through the settings menu items to regain control over which software will handle incoming and outgoing calls.
In this guide, we will go into detail about all possible scenarios, from simply switching between two installed calls to completely removing system constraints, learning how to manage application priorities and preventing automatic selection of unnecessary software in the future.
Reasons for imposing the app call
The Android system in the MIUI shell is designed to minimize the number of questions to the user. If you accidentally clicked "Always" when you run a certain call, the system will remember that choice forever. The anchoring algorithm works at the level of Intent filters that tell the OS which application should open when you call.
Often, the cause is pre-installed software from a carrier or third-party number-finding software that intercepts control, which can aggressively infiltrate the system, offering its services as the main communication tool, and without manual adjustments, they will remain a priority.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi system applications may not have a “Delete” button, but they can be forcibly stopped or disabled so that they stop interfering with other programs.
Another common reason is to update Google services or the Google Phone app itself. After the update, the settings may reset, and the system will try to assign a “smart” application by default, based on usage statistics, which does not always coincide with the wishes of the owner of the gadget.
Resetting the settings of the “Phone” application through the menu
The easiest and safest way to change priority is to use the built-in application management menu, a method that allows you to “forget” your current system choices and make it ask you again which program to use for a call, a procedure that is universal for most versions of Android.
First, you need to find the application that you're currently defaulting on in your installed list that you want to remove, which can be either a standard MIUI call or a third-party software, and click on it to open the information page.
☑️ Algorithm of resetting settings
In the menu that opens, look for the default App or Default Launch. Inside, you'll see the Remove Default Settings or Reset button. Once you click, the system will clear the association, and you'll be asked about your preferences the next time you dial.
If the reset button is inactive (gray), then this application is not currently the default for any actions, in which case you need to look for the conflicting application in the list or check the global settings of the system, which will be discussed below.
Global change of call app
In modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, there is a centralized menu where you can rigidly fix the choice of calls, which is more reliable than a simple reset, because it compulsorily assigns priority, and here you choose which application will handle voice communication.
Go to Settings and search by settings by entering the word "Default" and the system will give you the default App section, and in the list, find the Phone or Call category, and clicking on it, you will see a list of all the applications that are installed that can make calls.
| Annex | Status | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone (MIUI) | Systemic | Optimal for stability |
| Phone (Google) | System/Services | Best integration with Android |
| Truecaller | Away. | Requires extra permits |
| Simple Dialer | Away. | Good for minimalism. |
Select the desired application from the list. After that, the system will no longer offer a choice when you start the call function until you decide to change this option again, which ensures that random clicking does not disrupt your settings.
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If the Default Apps list doesn’t have the right program, make sure it’s fully installed and has the necessary permissions to make calls.
Removing duplicates and third-party calls
Often, there are multiple apps on a smartphone that perform the same function, such as moving from another Android smartphone or buying a device from hand, which may leave old software on it, and the presence of duplicates is the main reason for confusion in the default settings.
Check the list of all installed programs. If you see applications with names like Calls, Phone, Dialer from unknown developers, you better delete them. Leave only one primary call that you trust, which will make life easier for the system and for you.
To remove, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find an unnecessary duplicate, click on it and select Remove. If the delete button is missing, it is a system application that can only be disabled, but not deleted without superuser permissions.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove system components with the name "Phone Services», «SIM-"Cards" or "Contacts" if not 100% sure of their purpose, this can lead to complete loss of communication.
Once you clear the duplicate list, be sure to restart the device, allowing the system to re-index the available applications and correctly assign the only remaining call app to priority.
What to do if the application is not removed?
Working with permissions and access to contacts
Modern versions of Android are very careful about which apps have access to telephony. If you want to use a third-party call, but the system insists on a standard one, check the access rights. Perhaps the desired application is simply forbidden to make calls.
Go to the settings of a particular application and select App Permission. Make sure that the Phone and Contact categories are marked as "Allowed." Without these rights, the application will not physically become the primary calling option, and the system will ignore it when choosing.
Also worth noting is the AutoStart feature: In the MIUI shell, an aggressive power saving system can block the background call processes, and if an application can't run in the background, it won't be able to handle incoming calls correctly, even if it's installed by default.
It is also recommended to check the battery settings for the selected application. Set the No Limits mode so that the system does not “kill” the call process in the background, which sometimes leads to a reset of its default status.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a way to force a preference reset via USB debugging, which is especially useful when the GUI is glitchy or the desired button in the menu is hidden. You will need a computer and an installed ADB Driver.
Connect your smartphone to your PC, enable USB debugging in the Developer menu, open the command line on your computer, and type a command to reset your application preferences, which will return the system to a post-fabricated state in terms of software selection.
adb shell pm reset-preferred-appsThis command will reset all Open with all applications at once, and once it is done the first time you call or open a link, the system will ask you again what to do, which is a radical but effective method.
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The ADB team resets all file and action associations, so be prepared to re-select your browser and call when you first use it.