Replacing Google Phone with Xiaomi Caller: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Why do users change Google to Xiaomi and should they?

Xiaomi Dialer (or Mi Dialer in older versions) offers a number of features that are not found in the standard Google Phone call: it’s built-in conversation recording (in some regions), and adaptive interface for MIUI themes, and integration with Xiaomi Cloud services. However, not everyone knows that replacement is possible not on all devices – there are nuances with firmware, regional restrictions and even Android versions.

The main reasons for replacing the brand usually boil down to three things: design (many prefer the minimalist style of MIUI), functionality (for example, the built-in spam blocker from Xiaomi works more efficiently than Google), and habit – if you switched from another smartphone brand and want to keep the familiar interface. But before you start replacing, it is important to understand that on some devices (especially with “clean” Android) this can lead to the loss of emergency call functions or conflict with system services.

Compatibility: What devices can be replaced?

Not all smartphones support the installation of Xiaomi Dialer as the main call, here are the key compatibility criteria:

• 📱 Smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO — They are replaced without problems, since the application is originally built into the firmware MIUI (Even if Google Phone is the default, except for the global firmware model. MIUI Global, where manual activation is sometimes required.
• 🤖 Devices on pure Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) – there are conflicts. Xiaomi Dialer app can be installed via the Internet. APK, But it won't be system-based, which means it won't be able to handle incoming calls.
• ⚙️ LineageOS, Pixel Experience — it depends on the build, and in some cases you will have to edit the build.prop files or install patches through Magisk.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions – in China, India and some Asian countries, the Xiaomi Dialer replaces Google Phone by default, and in Europe and the US it may require manual configuration.

To check your device’s compatibility, open Settings → Apps → All apps and find Xiaomi Dialer on the list. If you have one, you can make it the primary one. If not, you’ll need to install an APK (as discussed below).

Preparation for replacement: backup and rights verification

Before you change the phone, do two things:

1. Back up your contacts. Even if you sync them to your Google Account, export your contacts to your VCF file via Contacts → Settings → Export/Import. This will protect you from data loss when you crash.
2. Check the rights of the Xiaomi Dialer application. Go to Settings → Applications → Xiaomi Dialer → Permissions and make sure that: - Phone (required!), - Contacts, - Microphone (for recording conversations), - Storage (for backups).

If you install Xiaomi Dialer via APK (for example, on a non-Xiaomi device), you will additionally need:

• 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Security → Unknown sources).
• 📥 Download the current version APK from a trusted source (recommended by APKMirror).
• 🔄 Make sure the Android version on your device is not lower than Android 9 Pie – older versions may not support all features.

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If incoming calls are lost after replacing the call, check the default settings in Settings → Applications → Default Apps → Phone. Sometimes the system resets the choice after rebooting.

Step-by-step: how to make Xiaomi Dialer call by default

If Xiaomi Dialer is already installed on your device (for example, on a Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphone), follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings and go to the Application section.
2. Select the default Apps (or Silences in some versions of MIUI).
3. Click on the Phone and in the list of available apps, select Xiaomi Dialer (may be called Dialer or Mi Dialer).
4. Confirm the selection and restart the device.

If Xiaomi Dialer is not listed (for example, on global firmware), it must first be activated:

1. Install the Xiaomi Dialer APK (you can download it here).
2. After installation, open the application at least once.
3. Return to Settings → Default Apps → Phone and select Xiaomi Dialer.

On custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS), additional adjustments may be required via ADB:

adb shell cmd role add-package android.role.DIALER com.android.dialer


adb shell cmd role set-default-dialer com.android.dialer

Problem Solving: What to do if the call is not working?

After replacing Google Phone with Xiaomi Dialer, you may experience typical problems.

If after all the manipulations the call still does not work, check:

• 📵 Settings SIM-maps: go to Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and make sure that SIM activated.
• 🔄 Conflict with other apps: Disable apps like Truecaller or Drupe that can intercept calls.
• 🛠️ Firmware errors: on some versions MIUI 13/14 For the global market, you need to roll back to an older version or install Chinese firmware.

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If emergency calls (112, 911, etc.) stop working after the replacement calls, immediately return Google Phone as the default app!

Features Comparison: Xiaomi Dialer vs Google Phone

To see if you should change the call, compare the key features of both apps:

The obvious advantages of Xiaomi Dialer are recording conversations (if available in your area) and deeper integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem (for example, synchronization with Mi Band for missed call notifications).

If you make frequent calls to other countries, check out the “International Dialer” feature in Xiaomi Dialer, which automatically substitutes country codes for travel. Google Phone has a similar feature, but it only works when you manually select a country.

Additional settings Xiaomi Dialer: hidden chips

Once you have successfully replaced your phone, you can customize the Xiaomi Dialer to suit your needs, and here are some useful features that many people don’t know about:

• 🔍 Search T9: Type the contact name on the digital keyboard (like in old button phones). For example, for Anna, type 2-6-6-2.
• 🎨 Contact Color Labels: Open Contact → Edit → Color tags to highlight important numbers (e.g. red for work, green for family).
• 📞 Quick dial: Hold the number on the keyboard to call the saved contact (configured in Call Settings) → Quick set).
• 🔇 Quiet mode for specific contacts: in the contact card you can enable the option "Vibration only" or "No sound".
• 🌐 Duplication of calls to other devices: If you have a Xiaomi tablet or Mi Notebook, enable sync in Settings → Devices nearby.

For conversation records (if the function is available):

1. Open the call settings → Record conversations.
2. Choose which calls to write: all incoming or only outgoing.
3. Specify the location of the records (internal memory or Mi Cloud).
4. Enable the option of "Notice of Recording" (required for legal use in some countries!).

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If you don’t like the standard call sound in Xiaomi Dialer, you can replace it with any one. MP3-Put the audio file in the folder. /MIUI/ringtone/ and select it in the tune settings.

For MIUI 14 users, the Smart Response feature is available – the call can automatically offer quick responses to incoming calls (e.g., “I’ll be back in 10 minutes” or “I’m on the subway”). To enable it, go to Settings → Smart Features → Smart Call Response.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions