How to change the phone app to Xiaomi Redmi: Replace the call

Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners are faced with the desire to replace the standard calling app with a more functional counterpart. MIUI's regular "calling" certainly has its advantages, such as deep integration with the shell, but often inferior to third-party solutions in the convenience of the interface or the quality of automatic numbering. The replacement process does not require Root rights and is available to every user who wants to personalize their device.

The challenge is not installing new software, but reassigning system priorities correctly. Android allows you to have multiple applications to make calls, but only one of them can be active by default. If you ignore this step, the system will continue to run the old interface when you call in, which will cause confusion and discomfort.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for installing Google Phone or other popular alternatives, you will learn how to correctly reset the default settings if the system “forgot” to ask about the choice, and what nuances should be considered when working with the shell MIUI or HyperOS.

Why you should consider replacing a standard call

The standard app is often criticized for overloaded interfaces and intrusive advertising in recommendations, although recent versions of MIUI have partially solved this problem: users are looking for alternatives for a cleaner contact base, a convenient blacklist or integration with the Google ecosystem, and third-party developers are more likely to implement support for new communication standards and VoLTE.

One of the main reasons for the shift is the number-definition database, which Xiaomi’s built-in solutions rely on services that may be less relevant in your region than Google’s global databases or specialized applications like Yandex or GetContact, especially for those who often communicate with unfamiliar numbers or work in the service industry.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party number detectors, check the application's privacy policy.Some may transfer your phone book to their servers for analysis, posing risks of personal data leakage.

And there's also a visual component to this, and many enthusiasts want to see on the lock screen or during a conversation a different style of buttons, animations, or theme that the standard interface doesn't provide, and changing the call is the easiest way to change the way you experience a smartphone without having to customize the system in depth.

Choosing the Right Alternative for Calls

The market for communication apps is vast, but not all of them work equally well in conjunction with the shell MIUI. The leader among the replacements is Google Phone (Phone), which is often pre-installed on global versions of smartphones, but is not available on Chinese firmware.

Other popular options include Truecaller, which is famous for its huge number base, and Simple Dialer for open source enthusiasts and no unnecessary permissions. The choice depends on your priorities: if you want maximum functionality and spam call definition, you better choose market leaders. If privacy is important, look for open-source solutions.

• 📞 Google Phone: Perfect for a clean Android experience, has built-in spam protection and voice input.
• 🛡️ Truecaller: Best determinant base, but requires a lot of permissions and can be overloaded with features.
• 🎨 Simple Dialer: Minimalist design, no advertising and minimal battery consumption.
• 📱 MIUI Dialer (Mod): Modified versions of the regular call with unlocked conversation recording features.

It’s important to consider that some applications may conflict with Xiaomi’s system-based power-saving features. To keep the new call running smoothly and not “flying out” in the background, it (may need) to manually deny autostart or clear memory, a standard practice for aggressive battery optimizers built into HyperOS.

Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of new software

Before you start a replacement, you need to make sure that the system is ready to accept the changes. First of all, check for free space in memory, although modern calls take up a little space. More importantly, ensure a stable Internet connection to download the current version of the application and its databases.

If you plan to migrate contacts, make sure they are synced to your Google account or exported to a.vcf file. This will avoid losing important numbers in the event of an unforeseen failure when installing new software.

It's also worth checking your security settings. With newer versions of Android and MIUI, the system can warn you to install applications from unknown sources, you'll need to give permission to your browser or file manager to install programs, a standard procedure that you shouldn't ignore if you're sure about the source of the file.

Instructions: How to install and activate a new call

The installation process starts with downloading the selected app. If you use Google Play, just search for Google's "Phone." LLC and click "Install." For the Chinese versions of smartphones, you may need to download APK-manual file. Once you have finished downloading, click "Open" or find the icon on your desktop.

When you first start up, Android will automatically find a new call app and prompt you to make it the primary one. A pop-up will appear asking, "Use [App Name] by default for calls?" You'll need to select "Yes" or "Always." If you accidentally choose "Just Now," you'll have to repeat or reset the settings through the menu.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI The selection window may not appear immediately, in which case go to the phone settings, find the "Applications" section, and manually assign a new application to make calls.

Once activated, check the microphone and speaker with a test call, make sure the contacts are displayed correctly and the photos of the subscribers are uploaded. SIM-check if the SIM card is correctly defined for an outgoing call in the new interface.

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If a new call doesn't start when you make an incoming call after installation, try restarting the device. Often the system needs to restart the telecom framework services to properly shift priorities.

Setting up access rights and energy saving

The most common problem on Xiaomi smartphones is the aggressive operation of the power saving system, which can "kill" the process of calling in the background. To avoid missed calls or delays in displaying the call screen, you need to properly configure permissions. Without this step, replacing the application will lose meaning.

Go to Settings → Applications → All apps, find your new call and go to the “Permissions” section. Make sure that the permissions to access Contacts, Phone, Microphone and, preferably, SMS are activated (to automatically determine the number from messages).

• 🔋 Auto Start: Turn on the Auto Start switch so that the application works immediately after the phone is turned on.
• 🚫 Battery savings: Select No Limits mode so that the system does not limit background activity.
• 🔒 Lock in memory: Open the menu of running applications, press the call icon and press the lock to lock it in memory.

It's also worth checking notification settings. Make sure the app allows notifications to be displayed on the lock screen and pop-ups. In MIUI, this is critical, as the standard notification interface can hide incoming calls from third-party apps unless they're marked as important.

Addressing common problems and conflicts

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after installing a new call, the speakerphone or recording of conversations stops working, this is due to the fact that different applications use different codecs and methods of accessing the audio stream, in which case cleaning the cache of a new application or reinstalling it helps.

Another common problem is that there's no Favorites widget on the desktop, the widgets from the old call won't work with the new one, you have to remove the old widgets and add new ones by selecting the app you just installed. They're usually called "[Application Name] Contacts" or "[Application Name] Direct Dial."

⚠️ Note: If the conversation recording stopped working, know that the latest versions of Android (11)+) Google has restricted access to call recording for third-party apps.staff call MIUI Google Phones can bypass this restriction, but the regular apps from the Play Market can’t.

In case the phone starts ringing on its own or "phantom" dialing, immediately delete the new app. Chances are you have installed malware masquerading as useful software. Always check reviews and downloads before installing.

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Properly configuring permissions and turning off battery savings for a new application is a key step without which replacing a call will be incomplete and may lead to missing important calls.

Comparison of functionality: Staff vs Third-party call

To make a final decision, it’s helpful to compare the capabilities of the standard solution with the alternatives. Each side has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice depends on whether you value the use of a smartphone: system stability or advanced features.

The regular app is better optimized to work with a specific Xiaomi hardware, it is guaranteed to support all modem and performance functions. Third-party apps may offer a better interface, but sometimes consume more resources or work slower when dialing.

To sum up, replacing the Phone app is a safe and effective procedure that can significantly improve the user experience. The key is to follow the instructions for setting access rights carefully and not ignore the system security warnings. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between functionality and autonomy of your Redmi.