Where to look for the Phone app on Xiaomi smartphones: from menus to hidden folders

Losing the Phone app icon on Xiaomi is easier than it seems: it is enough to accidentally drag it into a folder or delete it from the desktop. And after updating the MIUI, the icon can disappear completely from view — the system sometimes automatically hides standard applications to “unload” the interface. But this does not mean that the call function has turned off: the application continues to work in the background, just you need to find it correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible places where the Phone app can hide on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from the obvious (app menus) to the non-obvious (hidden system folders). And if the icon is missing after a reset or update, you’ll learn how to return it to your desktop in 30 seconds. Spoiler: 90% of the time, the problem is solved without flashing.

To be clear, this is a standard Phone or Dialer app that handles calls and contacts. If you're looking for a messenger or other software, check the name in Settings → Apps. Also remember that on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12), the application may be called "Calls" instead of "Phone".

Before you go into the search, answer one question:

Every day |Several times a week |Only when necessary |Nearly don't use calls-->

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1.App menu: first place to search

The most logical place to look for the Phone app is the menu of all apps (aka "box" or app drawer).

• 📱 Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (on most Xiaomi models with a MIUI 12 and newer).
• 🔍 Enter the word “Phone” or “Dialer” in the search box (in English firmware).
• 📞 Check the “Frequently Used” tab – sometimes the system automatically adds a call app to the tab.

If the icon is not on the menu, try to scroll through all the pages – sometimes apps are sorted alphabetically, and “Phone” can be at the bottom of the list (for example, after “YouTube”). On some firmware (for example, MIUI for POCO), the application menu can be disabled – in which case all the icons are displayed directly on the desktop.

Important: If you see an app on the menu but it's not on your desktop, just press the icon and drag it to the free space. On MIUI 14 and later, a gesture also works: click on the icon → "Add to the desktop."

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On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro), the app menu can be opened by swiping upwards from the bottom edge of the screen twice.

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2. folders on the desktop: where could the icon "fall"

A common reason for the disappearance of the Phone icon is that it is accidentally moved to a folder. MIUI automatically creates folders for similar applications (for example, Google or Tools), and a call icon can get there.

• 📁 Google folder – sometimes the system puts the Phone in there along with Contacts and Messages.
• 📱 Tools or Utilities folder – there may be utility applications.
• 🔧 Another folder – if you haven’t sorted the icons manually, check this folder last.
• 🗑️ The basket, on MIUI 12.5+ Icons removed from the desktop fall into the basket (hold your finger on the desktop) → «Basket»).

If there are many folders on the screen, use the search on the desktop:

1. Touch the free space on the screen and hold your finger.
2. Select "Search" (magnifying glass icon).
3. Enter the phone.

On Xiaomi with the POCO Launcher shell, folders can automatically hide – swipe left on your desktop to see them.

Check the Google folder.

Open the Tools folder.

Look at the "Basket" on the desktop

Enable the display of hidden folders (if any)

Use a search on the desktop-->

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3. Hidden system applications: how to show them

On MIUI, some standard applications (including Phone) can be hidden from the user, this happens after updating the firmware or resetting the settings, to return them to the menu:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. In the list, look for Phone (or com.android.dialer for tech users).
4. Click on the app and select “Show” or “Add to desktop.”

If there is no “Show” item in the list of applications, then the application is not hidden, but simply removed from the desktop, in which case return it through the application menu (see section 1).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for Redmi Note 11), the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Application privileges → Special Access → Show hidden apps.

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4. Search through Settings: If the icon is missing after the update

After updating MIUI (especially on Xiaomi 13/14 or Redmi K50), standard applications can “fly” from the desktop, in which case a search by system will help:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. In the top line of the search, type “Phone”.
3. If the system finds an application, click on the result and select “Open” or “Add to desktop”.

If the search in the settings does not give results, check the section "All applications": Settings → Applications → Application management → All applications (tab).

This shows all the programs installed, including the system ones, and you can find the Phone or Dialer and click Open.

Note: Some firmware (e.g. MIUI for POCO F4) may not find system applications in the settings, in which case use the voice assistant:

1. Activate Google Assistant (hold the Home button or say “OK, Google”).
2. Say, "Open the phone app."

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If the phone app is not searchable, but calls are working (for example, you can receive incoming calls), then the icon is simply hidden. Restore it through Settings → Applications.

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5.Restore via Launcher: Reset desktop settings

If you tried all the ways, but the phone icon never appeared, the problem may be the Launcher crash.

1. Hold your finger on the free space of the desktop.
2. Select “Desktop Settings” (or “Desktop Style”).
3. Scroll down and click “Reset settings”.
4. Confirm the action – after the reboot, all icons will return to the default places.

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12S Ultra), the path may be different: Settings → Desktop → Additional → Restore standard settings.

Warning:

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will return all icons to their original state, including folders and widgets. If you have customized the desktop for yourself, take screenshots of the current location before resetting.

If the reset didn’t help, try switching to a standard launcher:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the current launcher (e.g. POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher).
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is active) and confirm.
4. The system will offer to return the standard launcher - agree.

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6. Reinstallation of the Phone app: extreme measures

If the Phone app is not just hidden but removed (for example, after manual intervention or reset), it can be restored via MIUI Recovery or ADB.

Method 1: Using MIUI Recovery (without data loss)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select Connect with MIAssistant (if any).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool to restore system applications.

Method 2: Through ADB (requires an unlocked bootloader)

1. Install ADB on your PC and connect your phone.
2. Enter the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.dialer
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Recovery can cause data loss or device blink. If you are not sure, contact Xiaomi service center.

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7. Alternative ways to call without the icon Phone

If you have not found the phone application, but you need to call urgently, use alternative methods:

• 📞 Voice dial: Say “OK Google, call your mom” (if you have contacts set up).
• 🔗 Number link: Open the browser and enter tel:89123456789 (replace it with the right number).
• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber can be called via the Internet.
• 📋 Contacts: Open the Contacts app» → select a subscriber → tap on the tube icon.

If none of the methods work, check if the call function is disabled in the settings: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → A challenge → Turn on outgoing calls.

Important: Some firmware (e.g., MIUI for the European region) may have a browser limit, in which case use messengers or a voice assistant.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about missing phone app