How to install a quick dial on Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi and Redmi models, store hundreds and sometimes thousands of contacts. However, in an emergency or in a hurry to search for the right number in the total mass of records, it is extremely inconvenient and long. It is for such cases that there is a feature of fast dialing that allows you to make a call with just one touch of the screen. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell often wonder how to activate this feature, since the standard interface does not always look intuitive for beginners.

Fast dialing on Android devices can be done in a number of ways, from classic desktop pinning to special widgets or voice commands. Each method has its own advantages and is suitable for different use cases. For example, it is more important for someone to see a photo of a caller right on the lock screen, and for others to be able to dial a number without unlocking the device. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods that will help you optimize the communication process.

We'll look at the standard features, the HyperOS shell, and third-party solutions you might need if the built-in functionality doesn't suit you, learn to create shortcuts, customize voice search, and use special codes to make an instant call, especially for older people or those who are often on the move and can't spend time navigating menus. Let's get to the practical part and set up your smartphone for the fastest possible connection.

Using widgets to quickly access contacts

The easiest and most visually understandable way to set up fast dialing on Xiaomi is to place contact widgets right on your desktop. The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a lot of customization to bring photos of favorite subscribers to the home screen, eliminating the need to open the Phone or Contacts app every time you need to call. Just click on the human face icon to initiate a call.

To implement this method, you need to go to desktop editing mode. Usually, you need to make a long tap (press your finger) in the free space of the screen or pinch the screen with two fingers. In the menu that opens, select Widgets or Add a widget. In the list of available tools, find the section associated with contacts or calls. The system will offer several options for design, from simple lists to large round avatars.

Once you have selected the style of the widget, the system will ask you to assign specific contacts, you can choose up to 4-8 people who will always be at your fingertips, and contact widgets not only speed up the set, but also allow you to see subscriber status or missed events if the widget supports this functionality, which is especially convenient for contacting close relatives or colleagues with whom you communicate daily.

⚠️ Attention: When placing a large number of widgets on the desktop, device performance can decrease, especially on low-end Redmi models with a small amount of RAM. Try not to overload the screen with animated elements.

Configure the buttons of quick dialing in the phone application

Xiaomi’s built-in Phone app (often a modified version of Google Dialer or MIUI Dialer’s own development) has a hidden but very useful feature: a Favorite tab or a special panel under the dial screen, which many users ignore, although it is designed for those who need to call most often, and you can pin up to 9-12 contacts that will be displayed with tiles.

To set up this section, open the Phone app and go to the Favorites tab (usually an asterisk icon). Press the add or edit list button. The system will suggest select contacts from your phone book. Once added, they will appear as large tiles with photos. The quick dial buttons in this interface work even without the Internet and do not require additional applications to be installed.

In addition, the application settings can activate the Quick Call function. It allows you to assign an action to press the digital key long-term in dial mode. For example, if you press the number 1, the phone will automatically dial the voicemail number or contact you specify in the settings. To set up, go to Settings → Call settings → Quick Call. Here you will see a list of numbers from 2 to 9, to which you can associate numbers.

Creating Contact Shortcuts Through the Settings Menu

If standard widgets don't fit your design or functionality, there's a more flexible way to create direct contact shortcuts, which allows you to put a specific person's icon on your desktop, which, when you click, will immediately be called, bypassing any intermediate menus, which is the maximum possible degree of optimization of the call process.

The algorithm is slightly different from installing widgets. Go to the standard Contacts app (not through a phone book, but a separate app with a list of all the records). Find the right subscriber and open their card. In the upper right corner or in the "More" menu (three dots), find the "Create a shortcut" or "Add to the desktop".

Once confirmed, the system automatically creates an icon on the home screen, which you can move around like a regular app, or put in the Urgent Calls folder, which is particularly useful for creating personalized control panels, for example, for older parents who have difficulty understanding complex interfaces, and the label is stable and doesn't disappear after rebooting the device.

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Creating a separate shortcut for each important contact is the most reliable way to ensure that you can call even when widgets fail.

Voice dialing and Google Assistant on Xiaomi

In the age of touch screens, we often forget that hands can be busy. Voice dialing is a powerful tool built into the ecosystem of Android and Xiaomi. Google Assistant or XiaoAI (in Chinese versions) allows you to make calls without touching the screen. Just say the trigger phrase, and the phone will execute a command. This is especially true while driving or cooking.

To activate, use the "OK, Google" command or press the assistant call button (usually a long press of the power button or swipe from the corner of the screen). Say "Call [Contact Name]" or "Dial [Number]." The system recognizes speech and initiates a call. To do this effectively, it is important to write the names of contacts in the phone book correctly, avoiding complex abbreviations that the assistant may not understand.

You can also set up voice dialing directly from the Phone app. In the app settings, find Voice dial and select activation mode: "When you raise your phone to your ear" or "When you press a button." The first option is very convenient: you bring the phone to your face, and it starts to "listen" to the call command, which saves time and eliminates unnecessary finger movements.

⚠️ Attention: Voice dialing requires a stable Internet connection to recognize speech in the cloud (3G/4G) The function may be delayed or not working at all.

Use of the control panel and side panel

MIUI is famous for its functional Sidebar, which allows you to run applications and perform actions on top of other windows. Although you can't directly add contact to it, you can use a workaround by creating the shortcut described above and adding it to the panel. However, there is another method - using the control panel (curtains).

With the newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, the control center is more flexible. You can add switches to it, but direct contacts are not put there. However, many users use control panel-style widgets, placing them at the top of the desktop, which creates the illusion of an extended curtain with fast numbers. Also worth mentioning is the Pocket Mode feature, which prevents random calls but does not help with quick dialing, so it is better not to be confused with the features discussed.

For advanced users, you can use macros through the Security app or third-party automatizers. You can create a scenario: "When you double tap on the back cover (if supported by a model) open contact Mom." This requires settings in the Additional → Special Features section. Not all Xiaomi models support back tapping, but on flagships this function works perfectly.

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Use the Emergency Call feature on the lock screen to add medical data and emergency services contacts that are available even without unlocking your phone.

Decision and questions

Despite the ease of setting, users sometimes face problems: widgets disappear, shortcuts are not created or voice dialing does not recognize commands. Most often the reason lies in the memory cleaning system or insufficient resolutions. Make sure that the Contacts and Phone app is allowed to display on top of other windows and work in the background. Check the power saving settings: Super-energy saving mode can block widgets.

If a contact shortcut is not created, the launcher cache may be overflowing. Try clearing the System Launcher app cache through the application settings. Also make sure there is free space on the desktop. In some design themes, third-party widgets may not display correctly - try switching to the standard Classic theme for verification.

In Chinese versions, some Google services may not work properly without additional settings, which affects voice dialing, and in such cases, it is recommended to use standard MIUI widgets, which work independently of Google services.