The situation when the phone’s name is not displayed on the Xiaomi screen or the incoming call interface is completely absent is one of the most annoying problems for smartphone owners of this brand. The user hears the horn, but the screen remains black or shows only the status bar, causing him to frantically look for the reset button to the touch. Often this happens after an update to the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, which resets some system permissions.
The main reason lies in aggressive optimization of power consumption, which kills the Dialer process or the contact application, preventing them from displaying an image on top of the locked screen, in some cases, the display settings on top of other applications conflict, and sometimes third-party themes that incorrectly display the system dialog boxes are to blame.
Below, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for restoring functionality, ranging from simple settings checks to deeper system changes, and it is important to understand that the problem can be both software-based and a result of a malfunction in a particular caller application.
Checking the basic settings of the display of calls
The first step is to make sure that the phone app itself does not have any visual settings that are lost. MIUI allows you to hide certain items or change topics, which can lead to the disappearance of avatars or contact names during a conversation.
Go to the call app settings by tapping three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen. Find the section that handles incoming calls. Make sure the Show Call Screen switch is active. If you use a third-party design theme, try temporarily switching to a standard Classic or Default theme to eliminate graphical conflict.
It is also worth checking the subscriber ID settings in some regions or when using the service. SIM-This feature can block the output of the name if the contact is not stored in the memory of the phone, but is determined through the operator’s network.
- 📱 Open the Phone app and go to settings via the menu.
- 🎨 Select Incoming Calls and check for display activation.
- 🎭 Temporarily change the theme to the standard one to check compatibility.
- 👤 Make sure your contacts are synced to your Google or Mi Account.
⚠️ Warning: If you use Blacklist or antivirus apps, they can intercept calls before the system has time to display the caller's screen.
Application permissions and access rights
The most common reason Xiaomi doesn't show who is calling is because it doesn't allow "Master on top of other apps." Without that right, the security system blocks the call window output if the phone is locked or you're in another app.
You need to find the Apps section in the settings and go to rights management. Find the Phone app (it can be called MIUI Dialer or just Caller). In the permission list, make sure that the "Master on top of other apps" (or "Pop-ups") option is activated.
If the phone app is not allowed to read the phone book, it will not be able to physically upload the name of the subscriber and display it, showing only a dry number.
After making changes, remember to completely close the call application through Task Manager and run it again. Sometimes the system caches the old permission settings, and you need to restart the process to apply new ones.
Clearing the cache and data of the call app
Accumulation of temporary files or damage to the contact database often leads to incorrect interface. If the call screen does not appear, try resetting the application state to factory settings. This will not delete your saved numbers (since they are stored in the cloud or on SIM), but will return the call settings to their original state.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the list “Phone” or “Call.” Click “Clear” and select “Clear Cache.” If that doesn’t work, select “Clear All” (or “Reset”), and then the phone can behave like a new phone when the call is first started.
A similar procedure is recommended for the Contacts app and the Contacts and Sync system application, and often desynchronization between these three components leads to the system forgetting how to display information about the caller.
| System component | Action. | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (Bell ringer) | Clear everything. | Resetting the call settings |
| Contacts | Clear the cache | No. |
| Contact and synchronization | Clear the cache | No. |
| Systemic UI | Reboot. | No. |
Once the data is cleared, the system can request permissions to be re-authorized the first time you call, and be sure to agree to all requests so that the functionality is fully restored.
Impact of MIUI and HyperOS energy saving
Xiaomi shells are known for their rigid background control policies.The system can “sleep” the bell app to save battery power, which makes the screen simply not light up when an incoming call is made or lights up too late.
You need to remove the Phone app from your optimized list, go to your battery settings, find the charge charge charge section or the background activity limit section, and in the application list, find the Phone and set the "No Limits" value, which will allow the call process to remain active in RAM at all times.
Also check Do Not Disturb and Sleep Mode. If activated, the phone can block the call screen, allowing only selected contacts to pass calls or blocking the light display altogether.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery.
- ⚙️ Click on the gear in the upper right corner.
- 📞 Find the phone app in the list.
- ✅ Select the option “No restrictions».
⚠️ Warning: Setting No Limits mode may slightly increase battery consumption, but for system call applications, it is critical for stable operation.
Problems with Google Assistant and Screen Mode
In recent versions of Android and MIUI, the incoming call processing function is often intercepted by Google Assistant. If it has Automatic or Favourite Only mode in its settings, the call screen may not appear, but instead a voice greeting or reset will work.
Go to Google Assistant settings, Phone or Inbound Calls. Make sure Inbox Filters are disabled or configured correctly. Often, it is the service that blocks the standard Android interface, replacing it with its own, which can be glitchy.
It's also worth checking "Mode in your pocket." If the proximity sensor is contaminated or closed with film, the phone can think it's in your pocket and lock the screen when you call to avoid accidental taps.
Try turning off "Mode in your pocket" in the lock settings and check if the phone's behavior changes when you call. If the problem disappears, then it was a false alarm of the sensor.
System failures and software updates
If the software methods didn’t help, the problem may be the bug of the current firmware version. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and MIUI updates that fix such bugs. Check for updates in the About Phone section.
In some cases, network resets help. This won't delete your personal files, but will return to factory settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile networks. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
If that doesn’t work, the last resort is a full factory reset, and make sure to back up all the important data before you do so, as the phone will be cleaned completely.
Remember that if the problem occurs after installing a specific update, it makes sense to wait for the next patch or contact the service center if the phone is warranty.