Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation when the device stops asking which one they are using. SIM-This happens after a system update or reset, when the Phone application goes into automatic operator selection mode. For users with two working numbers, this creates significant inconvenience, as calls can go to a card with paid traffic or to a SIM, where the minutes ended.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to return the SIM card request function before calling or customize the rules for each contact. the interface of MIUI and HyperOS has its own features that differ from pure Android. We will look at the settings for both standard Google call and for the Xiaomi proprietary application, which is often preinstalled in Chinese and some global versions of firmware.
It's important to understand that SIM card management is deep within the system settings, sometimes hidden in the Mobile Networks menu, and sometimes in the call settings «SIM-Default cards" and "Always ask" as these functions work in different algorithms. Below is a complete guide to regain control of your calls.
Setting priorities in the menu SIM-maps and mobile networks
The first place to check your settings is the global SIM management menu, which is where the basic behavior of the smartphone is set when you initialize the connection. Go to Settings, then select the item. SIM-Maps and mobile networks. This section shows both of your cards if they are installed correctly.
Here you will see the Calls and Mobile Internet blocks. If a particular SIM card is selected in the Calls block (e.g., SIM 1), the phone will automatically use it for all outgoing calls without specifying. To change this behavior, tap Calls. In the list that opens, select the Always Ask option. Now, with each dial, the system will offer a choice.
- 📱 Click on the "Calls" item in the settings block SIM-map.
- 🔄 Select the “Always Ask” option from the drop-down list.
- ✅ Make sure that the box is not on a specific SIM-map.
- 📡 Check that both SIM cards are active and are defined by the system.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone still uses one card after selecting the “Always Ask” option, the Smart Choice feature may be activated. SIM», call-story.
Some versions of the MIUI shell have a smart switching feature that tries to guess which card to use based on which number the caller has previously called from. Turn it off if you want full manual control. To do this, find the Smart SIM Select SIM Switch on the same menu and deaktivate it.
Settings inside the phone application (Google Dialer)
Most global versions of Xiaomi smartphones use the standard Google Phone app. Its settings take precedence over general system settings in certain scenarios. Open the Phone app (green handset) and click on the three dots in the upper right corner, then select Settings.
In the settings menu, find the “Additional Settings” section or immediately the item «SIM-Here you can flexibly adjust behavior for different types of communication. Please note the section on Preferences. SIM-If you check the "Use the default" box here, the phone ignores the requests. Remove the checkbox or change the value to "Always ask».
Also, Google Phone has a “Pause Add” or “Wait” feature that can conflict with SIM card selection when dialing service numbers. If you dial a number and the card selection doesn’t appear, try clearing the app’s cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone and click Clear Cache.
- 📞 Open the Phone app and go to the settings menu.
- 🔍 Find the section «SIM-maps" or "Call preferences».
- 🚫 Turn off compulsory card use by default.
- 🧹 Clear the app cache if the settings are not saved.
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If you have Android 10 and above, the system may restrict access to settings. SIM-Third-party maps. Use only the regular customization tools.
Features of the MIUI Dialer interface in Chinese versions
Owners of devices purchased in the Chinese market or re-imprinted on the Chinese version of MIUI use a branded call from Xiaomi. Its logic differs from Google Dialer. Here, the SIM selection settings are often sewn deeper. When dialing, two call buttons can be displayed in the interface: green (SIM 1) and blue (SIM 2).
If the buttons don't appear and the call is coming right away, check the settings in the app itself. Click on the gear settings inside the call. Find "Call settings" or «SIM-There should be a "Confirm" switch. SIM-In some versions, it's called "Choice." SIM before-call».
There's a touch nuance. In MIUI Dialer, you can attach a SIM card to a specific contact. If you've previously called a person on the first SIM, the phone will remember it and not ask again. To reset it, open the contact card, find the call history and delete the link, or just select another card the next time you call, and the system will ask if you use the new choice constantly.
| Parameter | Google Phone | MIUI Dialer | Location. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu of choice | Settings → SIM-map | Settings → SIM-map | Inside the app |
| Mode of work | Global priority | Contextual choice | Different. |
| Memory | Contacts. | On the last action. | Automatically. |
| Resetting settings | Cleaning the application data | Resetting call settings | In the app menu |
Why do SIM buttons disappear in MIUI?
Individual settings for contacts and groups
Often, users don’t need a constant choice of SIM card for all numbers, but only for certain categories. For example, calls home always have to go through the home network, and workers – through the corporate SIM. Xiaomi smartphones have the ability to attach the SIM card to the contact.
Open the Contacts or Phone app, find the right caller. There is a point in the contact card, usually at the top or in the Three Dots menu «SIM-Default card, or a numbered SIM card icon, and you can force it to specify which network to always call that person through.
This setting has a higher priority than the general "Always Ask" setting, so if one contact has a choice and another doesn't, check the contact card. To return the choice, you should select "Always Ask" or "Ask Every Time" option from the same menu.
- 👤 Open a contact card in the phone book.
- ⚙️ Find the call settings icon or item «SIM-map».
- 🔀 Select “Always Ask” to Reset the Tether.
- 💾 Save changes if you need confirmation.
⚠️ Note: When importing contacts from Google or other binding settings SIM-cards can be reset or, conversely, set to the default value.
If you are running a business and using groupings (e.g., Customers, Family), unfortunately, you cannot en masse assign a SIM card to the entire group in Android stock, but some MIUI themes or third-party launchers may have this functionality.
☑️ Checking contact settings
Solving problems with the MIUI and HyperOS updates
When the operating system is upgraded to a new version of MIUI or HyperOS, the telephony settings are often reset to factory values, which is a standard behavior designed to ensure that new communication modules are compatible, and if the SIM card selection is lost after the upgrade, the algorithm for action is the following.
First, do a full reboot of the device. Not just turn off the screen, but reboot through the power menu. This is necessary to reboot the modems and SIM readers. If that doesn't work, try removing the SIM cards, erasing the contacts and pasting them back, possibly into other slots (SIM 1 in SIM 2 and vice versa).
In rare cases, network resets help. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will remove stored Wi-Fi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices, but return network settings to their original state, which often resolves software conflicts.
The way to reset the network:
Settings → Connection and Sharing → Settings Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Networks and Bluetooth💡
Network resetting is a radical but effective method if the software choice is SIM-Cards blocked by system failure after update.