Owners of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, which received an upgrade to the shell HyperOS or MIUI 14 based on Android 13-14, faced an unpleasant forced replacement of the system application. Google Phone without demand replaced the usual interface MIUI Dialer, which caused a wave of outrage among users accustomed to the functionality of the old “caller”.
The problem is not just visual design, but also the lack of familiar features such as recording conversations with automatic notification or specific settings of the equalizer. Xiaomi implements new standards Google, ignoring the preferences of loyal audiences, but the code allows you to return everything to its place. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to replace the dialer, from simple methods of installing APKs to advanced manipulation through ADB and Root rights.
It is worth noting that the process requires care, since the system application com.android.dialer is a critical component of the OS. Wrong actions can lead to the fact that the phone will stop making calls, although it is usually possible to return everything back. Below are detailed instructions that will help you restore the usual comfort of using the smartphone.
Why Xiaomi and Google are changing their phone
The main reason for the move to Google Phone is because of its security and monetization policies, which Google is committed to unifying the user experience across all Android devices, implementing its services as a de facto standard. For Xiaomi, it is also a way to reduce the burden on supporting its own software and avoid conflicts with certification. GMS (However, for the user, this often means losing functionality to which they have been accustomed for years.
The new call has strict restrictions on recording conversations depending on the region, as well as a changed logic of working with contacts and blocking spam. MIUI Dialer had more flexible integration settings with the system, including design themes and specific gestures, and it is the desire to preserve this functionality that pushes users to find ways to roll back.
⚠️ Note: Forced updates to system components through settings may occur again. After completing all procedures to return the old version, it is recommended to disable automatic updates to applications in the Google Play Store for the Phone package».
In addition, new versions of Android introduce strict verification of app signatures. APK If the signatures do not match or the version is considered outdated compared to the minimum acceptable (minSdkVersion), the installation will be blocked by an error. INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE. That is why it is so easy to install APK Over the new version is often not enough.
📊 Which phone do you like better?
The old MIUI Dialer
New Google Phone
Ture Phone
The other (Truecaller, etc.)
Preparation for System Application Replacement
Before you start the active replacement phase, you need to prepare tools and files. You will need a stable Internet connection to download the necessary components and a computer with ADB drivers installed if you plan to use the method via a PC. Also make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 50% to avoid a sudden shutdown at a critical moment.
The first step is to find and download the right version. APK-file MIUI Dialer: It is recommended to use versions released before the mass transition to Google Phone, such as builds with index. V12 early V13. Files should only be taken from trusted sources, such as official Xiaomi repositories or authoritative like forums. 4PDA, to avoid the introduction of malicious code.
It is also important to back up contacts. Although 99% of the time the data is synced to a Google or Mi Account account, reshuffling system applications always carries a minimal risk of losing local phone book data. Exporting contacts to a.vcf file will take a couple of minutes, but save you from potential problems.
Method 1: Installation with ADB without Root rights
The most secure and common way to return MIUI Dialer is to use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which does not require unlocking the bootloader or having superuser rights, which preserves the warranty on the device, and the essence of the method is to force the older version of the application to install on top of the new one with a downgrading flag.
First, connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-You need to activate the debugging mode on the developer menu, and you need to activate the debugging option. USB (settings for security)" if available. Open the command line on your PC after you connect and type a command to check the connection:
adb devices
If the device appears in the list, you can proceed to the installation. The command must contain the -d (downgrade) flag, which allows you to install the older version on top of the new one.
adb install -d -r path to file/miui_dialer.apk
Parameter -r It means reinstallation with data storage, although in the case of system applications, data can be reset. If the installation is successful, you will see a message Success. However, on new versions of HyperOS, the system can block this process by giving a Failure error. [INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE] flag-bearing -d. In this case, you will need a method to remove updates or use Root rights.
What to do if ADB writer INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER? If the system reports that the version is older than the minimum required (minSdkVersion), this means that the firmware is hard-wired to ban versions below a certain threshold. APK-file with a higher version number but modified (patched) to bypass signature verification, or use Magisk modules.--> Method 2
Root rights and system partitions For device owners with an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or KernelSU, the most powerful replacement method opens. It allows you to directly modify the system partition. /system or /system_ext, substitute APK Google Phone on file MIUI. This method guarantees 100% The result is that it bypasses all file system version checks, and requires a file manager with Root rights, for example, MT Manager or Root Explorer. You need to find the original file. Dialer.apk directory /system_ext/priv-app/Dialer (The path may vary depending on the model and OS version. Before replacing the original file, it is better to rename (for example, to Dialer.apk.bak) and save a copy of it in case of a rollback. Google Phone Settings (New) MIUI Dialer (Old) System Impact Package com.google.android.dialer com.android.dialer (MIUI) High (systemic) Location /system_ext/priv-app /system/priv-app or /data Requires Root to replace Call Record Restricted to Region Full, no notification Key Advantage Stability High (Google Standard) Medium (depending on version) Conflicts Possible After copying the file MIUI Dialer in the system folder must set the correct permissions. The file must have the rights rw-r.--r-- (644), It's the folder he's in — 755. Failure to comply with access rights will result in the system simply not being able to start the application, and you will get a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot) when you try to make a call. ⚠️ Note: When working with system partitions through Root, it is critically important not to delete the original files without a prior copy. APK This can cause the call function to fail or the system to be fully loaded, and solve compatibility and error problems, even after successful installation, compatibility issues can arise. The new HyperOS shell is heavily using Google frameworks, and the old call may not display contacts correctly or work with quick settings. Often there is a problem when after installing the old version, the application crashes immediately upon launch. This is due to a library conflict or incompatibility of the call database. To solve the problem of departures, it is recommended to clear the data and cache of the Phone application, as well as Contacts and Contact Storage». This can be done through the Settings menu. → Annexes → All applications → Phone. → Clean. Once cleaned, you'll need to reconfigure the contact display and maybe re-index the database, which will take some time, and another common mistake is that there's no sound in the speaker when you're talking, or there's a speaker that's not working when you're on the speaker. This may be because the old version MIUI Dialer incorrectly interacts with new audio drivers in Android 14. In such cases, it helps to install modified versions of the call, specially adapted by enthusiasts for new versions of Android. 💡If the old caller is unstable, try to find a hybrid version where the old interface is used. MIUI Google Telephony's new libraries are integrated, often solving sound and contact issues. Alternatives: True Phone and other dialers If stock returns MIUI Dialer is proving too complex or unstable, and third-party alternatives are worth considering. One of the best solutions is the True Phone Dialer & Contacts app. It is completely independent of Google and Xiaomi policies, offers flexible interface settings, built-in conversation recording and spam blocker. True Phone can be installed as the default app for calls and contact work. It's lightweight, it doesn't have ads in the basic version, it supports themes, and it's for users who care about functionality, not logo. MIUI, It's often the best way to do this. It's done through a standard setup. APK-file without the need for Root rights. 📞 True Phone: Full Replacement with support for all Android features, including T9 smart-set. 🛡️ Simple Dialer: A minimalist, open source option, ideal for older people or those who like simplicity. 📱 Right Dialer: Another popular option with themes and flexible interface configuration, often used on custom firmware. Using third-party solutions avoids dependence on system updates. You get control of your device while retaining the ability to update Android and MIUI/HyperOS without the risk of losing the functionality of the caller, the main thing is to configure the access rights for the application so that it can read contacts and manage calls (FAQ) Is it safe to delete Google Phone through the ADB? Adb uninstall can lead to system errors, as some Google services are tied to this package. Use the adb shell pm disable-user command --user 0 com.google.android.dialer, which disables the application, making it invisible to the system, but not deleting the files physically, allows you to return everything back at any time. MIUI? Yes, if you are using the old version. MIUI Dialer, another update to the system may replace it with Google Phone again or disrupt the recording, and to avoid this, after each major OS update, the procedure for replacing the call will most likely have to be repeated. Using a Root-replacement method in the system partition reduces the risk of automatic replacement, but does not guarantee 100% Protection when changing major versions of Android. MIUI Global version of firmware? Yes, it's possible. Global version. ROM) It has also been replaced by Google Phone. The ADB and Root methods work the same for both Chinese (CN) and global firmware. The only difference is the path to the system file or the package name, but the principle of operation remains the same. What if the phone goes into cyclical reboot? If the phone stops loading after replacing the call, try entering Recovery mode (clamping the Volume Up + Power buttons) and resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data). If this does not help, you will need to flash the device through Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode with saving data (the All Clean option may not help the full loader).