How to make the default phone app on Xiaomi Redmi 10

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 10 smartphones often face a situation when, after updating the system or installing a third-party call app, the device stops responding to clicks in contacts. Instead of running the usual dialing interface, the system can silently ignore the user's actions or suggest choosing the application every time, which creates serious discomfort, especially in situations where it is urgent to make a call.

The MIUI operating shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 10 has a specific architecture for managing permissions and application priorities. The default application is a program that the system launches automatically when a certain action is performed, in this case a call. If this option is shot down or not installed, the phone does not know which software to use to handle incoming and outgoing calls.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for restoring call settings, learn how to force the right dealer to appoint, reset mistaken priorities, and avoid the typical mistakes that users make when trying to solve this problem themselves.

Why are the calls settings on MIUI being confused?

There are several reasons why Xiaomi Redmi 10 stops using the correct app for calls, most often after a major operating system update, when security settings are rewritten and old permissions are canceled, and the problem arises when installing third-party calls from Google Play that aggressively try to take over the system.

Sometimes the user accidentally selects the "Always" option for the inappropriate application in the pop-up selection window, after which the system no longer asks which program to run, but uses the one that was chosen incorrectly, and if this application was deleted or corrupted, the call function simply stops working.

It's important to understand that the application conflict is not just a software bug, it's a security mechanism, but sometimes it works too aggressively, for example, if you set up a call from Google and the system is still trying to use an old Xiaomi component, there may be a cycle of errors, in which case you need to manually clear the cache and data of both components.

Standard Selection Procedure through Settings

The easiest and safest way to get back to functionality is to use the regular Android settings menu. On Redmi 10, this path is a little hidden, but it allows you to tell the system exactly which software is the main one.

You have to find the section that manages applications in the parameter list, and it can be called differently in different versions of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. You have to find the "Applications" item and go to the "Application Settings" subsection, and that's where all the system's global preferences are stored.

Once you log in to the Default Apps menu, you'll see a list of action categories: browser, camera, gallery, and of course phone. Click on Phone. You'll see a list of all the apps installed on your device that can handle calls. Choose the one you plan to use all the time, such as "Phone" or "Google Phone."

If after selecting the system resets after a while, you may have activated the power saving mode, which "kills" the background processes of the selected application, in which case you should add a call to the battery exceptions.

Resetting priorities and cleaning up data

There are times when the standard choice doesn't work: you pick an application, but when you try to call, the system again gives an error or suggests you choose the program again, which means that the old priority data is stuck in the cache of the system, and it needs to be forcibly cleared.

To do this, go back to the Apps menu and find the app you want to make the primary one (like Google Phone) and go inside his card and find the button "Delete Default Settings" or "Reset Default Settings." If the button is gray and inactive, it's not the main one right now, and you need to look for another application that has taken control.

⚠️ Warning: When you reset the default settings for system components, you may temporarily lose access to the call log or contacts until you restart the device. Don't panic, the data won't go anywhere, just the interface will reset.

It is also recommended to clean up the data for the Phone Services service. Find this system process (may be called Phone Services or Telephony) in the application list. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache. This action is safe for your contacts, as they are stored in a separate storage, but it will reset error logs and suspended states.

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Before resetting your system services data, make sure your contacts are synced to your Google account or saved to your Google account. SIM-card to eliminate the risk of loss of numbers in case of unforeseen failures.

Set up permissions for third-party calls

If you prefer to use third-party solutions like Truecaller, Simple Dialer or other counterparts from the Play Market, on the Xiaomi Redmi 10 they require an extended set of permissions. MIUI is known for its strict security policy, which blocks many of the features of third-party apps by default.

Once you install and assign the application to the primary, you need to manually check its rights. Go to the application card in the settings and select "Allowances." Make sure that access to contacts, microphone, phone and call log is activated. Without at least one of these points, the application will not be able to process incoming correctly.

Special attention should be paid to the function "Start." On Redmi 10, applications do not work in the background unless they are explicitly allowed to. Find the "Start" switch in the application settings and activate it, which will allow the caller to always be ready to take the call, even if you have not opened its interface in a long time.

• 📞 Contacts: necessary to display names when incoming calls.
• 🎙️ Microphone: Critical to a conversation.
• 📋 Call log: Required to keep your call history.
• 🔔 Notifications: To allow you to see missed calls.

Solving problems with Google Phone (Google Phone)

Many Redmi 10 users prefer to replace the standard Xiaomi call with Google Phone because of the better definition of spam and user-friendly interface. However, on MIUI, installing this application as the main one is often difficult.

To anchor Google Phone as a primary, sometimes you don't just need to select it in the settings, but also completely disable the system counterpart. Go to the application settings, find the standard Xiaomi Phone (green handset icon) and click "Disable." If the button is inactive, try first to remove the updates of this application through the menu of three points in the corner of the screen.

Once you turn off the system call, the first time you call in, Android will ask you what to open the call. Select Google Phone and press Always. If that doesn't happen, use the method described in the Priority Reset section to force you to assign a Google app.

⚠️ Note: Disabling the Phone system application completely may cause the hands-free function or call recording to work unstable if the third-party application does not have deep system rights. MIUI They may stop working.

It’s also worth noting that recording conversations on Google Phone works differently than on MIUI Dialer, often requiring hands-free or special scripts, as Google restricts recording for privacy reasons.

Comparison of system and third-party solutions

Choosing a primary call app is always a compromise between functionality and stability. Xiaomi's system solutions are as integrated as possible into the shell, but often inferior in convenience. Third-party apps offer the best interface, but can conflict with energy saving.

The table below compares key features so you can decide which app is best to make the primary one on your Redmi 10.

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For most Redmi 10 users, the best choice is the bundle: system call settings + the Google number detector database installed inside the standard application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)