How to install and configure a call on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: all ways

Why do you need to set up a call for MIUI 12?

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 has brought many changes to the interface and functionality of smartphones, including the standard phone app. However, not all users know that even in basic firmware, you can flexibly customize your call to your needs, from changing the melody to integrating with Google Contacts or third-party services. Moreover, after upgrading to MIUI 12, some owners face problems: contacts disappear, number determination does not work or call settings are reset.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can install and configure a call on Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12, from restoring a standard app to installing alternative solutions like Truecaller or Google Phone. We’ll focus on common bugs (such as when the call doesn’t open after resetting) and how to fix them without losing data. If you just upgraded to MIUI 12 or bought a used smartphone with this firmware version, this guide will help restore the phone to work in 10-15 minutes.

Method 1: Recovery of the standard MIUI 12 call

If the phone app disappears after updating or resetting, do not rush to install third-party analogues. In MIUI 12, the standard call (com.android.dialer) is system and is not deleted completely - it can be returned through settings or a hidden menu.

First, check if the app is hidden:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the phone (or Dialer) in the list and make sure it is not disabled.

If the application is disabled, turn it on and restart the smartphone.

Open "Settings → Applications"

Find the phone on the list.

Make sure the application is not disabled

Reset the device-->

If the call is not on the list, try resetting the application settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset App Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

After this procedure, all system applications, including the call, will return to factory settings, but user data (photos, messages) will not be affected.

⚠️ Note: If the call never appeared after the reset, it may have been deleted through ADB Or custom recovery, which requires you to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 2: Install an alternative call (Google Phone, Truecaller, etc.)

The standard MIUI 12 caller is not popular with everyone due to limited spam detection features or an uncomfortable interface. Fortunately, you can install third-party calling apps on Xiaomi smartphones, such as:

• 📞 Google Phone – the official application from Google with the integration of spam filter and smart search by contacts.
• 🛡️ Truecaller – a popular caller with a database of spammers and scammers (requires registration).
• 🔄 Drupe is a minimalist caller with quick access to your favorite contacts.
• 📊 ExDialer – a lightweight application with support for themes and gestures.

To set up an alternative call:

1. Download. APK-file from an official website (e.g. Google Phone in Play Market) or via APKMirror.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and allow access to contacts, microphone and phone calls when you first start up.
4. In Settings → Applications → By default → Phone app, select a new call.

Standard MIUI

Google Phone

Truecaller

Another.-->

An important caveat: some alternative calls (such as Truecaller) may conflict with MIUI system services, causing delays in incoming calls. If you encounter such a problem, try disabling battery optimization for the application in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.

Method 3: Set up a standard MIUI 12 call

Even if you choose to leave a standard call, it can be greatly improved through hidden settings, such as MIUI 12, which features a Smart Response feature that automatically offers quick messages when a missed call is made, as well as an improved spam definition (although it only works for Chinese numbers).

To set up a standard call:

1. Open the Phone app and tap on three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings and go to the section Sounds and vibrations:

Quick answers

💡

If contacts are missing, check sync with Mi Account or Google. Go to Settings → Accounts → Sync and enable contact options.

Method 4: Solving the Call Problems in MIUI 12

MIUI 12 users often encounter typical call bugs:

• 🔄 The call won't open - usually associated with cache damage Solution: clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse.
• 📞 No sound when calling – check if Do Not Disturb or Sound Effects is activated in Settings → Sound.
• 📱 Contacts are not displayed – sync them again via Google or Mi Cloud.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge – turn off background activity to call in Settings → Battery. → Optimizing the battery.

If the call is crashing when an incoming call is made, try the following steps:

1. Remove updates for the Phone app in Settings → Apps → Phone → Three dots → Remove updates.
2. Turn off the permission to Change System Settings for all third-party calls (if installed).
3. Perform a reset of network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro with a MIUI 12.0.3) There was a bug when the bell stopped working after connecting to the Mi Band.

Method 5: Set up a call for two SIM-map

One of the key advantages of Xiaomi smartphones is the support of two SIM-But in the MIUI 12 setting up calls for each one requires a different configuration. Here's how to do it:

1. Priority SIM-call-card:

- Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Priority SIM-call-card.

Choose which SIM will be used by default for outbound calls.

Activate the option to always ask if you want to select SIM before each call.

2. personal settings for each SIM:

- In the Phone application go to Settings → Challenges → Settings SIM-map.

- You can ask here:

Different call melodies for each SIM.

Separate block lists (e.g., block spam on only one SIM)

Call forwarding (useful if one of the SIMs is used only for the internet)

3. Using different contacts for different SIMs:

When editing a contact in Google Contacts or MIUI Contacts, you can specify which SIM to call that number with by default.

This is convenient if one SIM is used for work and the other for personal calls.

💡

If you have the Always Ask option activated to select SIM but no selection window appears, check the permissions for the Phone app in the security settings.

Method 6: Optimize calls to save battery

Calling MIUI 12 can consume up to 5-7% of battery life per day, especially if spam detection or contact synchronization is actively used.

• 🔋 Turn off background contact synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Synchronization (leave only manual synchronization).
• 📵 In the call settings, disable Number Definition and Spam Blocking if they are not critical.
• ⚡ B Settings → Battery. → Battery optimization add the call to the list of Do Not Optimize (paradoxically, but it reduces background activity).
• 🔄 If you use Truecaller, disable Autoupdate Spam Base in its settings.

For advanced users:

1. Install ADB on your computer and connect your smartphone.
2. Run the command to turn off background activity for the call: adb shell cmd appops set com.android.dialer RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND ignore
3. Reset the device.

This command forbids the call to work in the background without an explicit call by the user.

Xiaomi Calls Compared to MIUI 12

To help you choose the best solution, we compared the standard MIUI 12 call to popular alternatives:

💡

If you want to record conversations but don’t want to pay for Truecaller Premium, try the Cube ACR app, which records calls for free and integrates with a standard call.

FAQ: Frequent questions about calling MIUI 12