Modern Android smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi 9C, offer users a wide range of options for customizing the interface and functionality. One of the key questions that arises after buying or updating the system is choosing the main tool for making calls. Often users are faced with a situation when clicking on the number in contacts opens the wrong application they planned to use, or the system insists on installing third-party software as the main one.
The MIUI operating system installed on the device has a complex permission structure that can sometimes confuse even an experienced gadget owner. Understanding how to manage these settings is critical to the comfort of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to assign the desired application to the phone, why programs conflict, and how to return standard settings if something went wrong.
Consider not only the standard methods through the settings menu, but also the nuances of working with the HyperOS shell or older versions of MIUI 12, which are relevant for this model, you will learn to distinguish between system limitations and software failures, and understand when it is worth interfering with the work of standard Google services.
Standard Applications and Alternatives in MIUI
By default in the smartphone Redmi 9C And the Android system is designed to have every type of action (calls, messages, browsers) that you have "-handler" In the case of calls, it's an application that opens the dial and call log when the signal arrives.
However, many users are looking to replace Xiaomi’s standard “caller” with a more functional one, such as Google Phone, because Google’s solution often features a better spam filtering base and user-friendly interface, and it’s important to understand that replacing a standard application is not just about installing a new program, but also reassigning system priorities.
It is worth noting that in some regions or firmware versions, a standard application may be blocked for removal, but it can be successfully deactivated as the default application, which allows the system to understand that the current user choice is no longer relevant, and suggest choosing a new option at the next dial.
- 📱 Xiaomi’s standard Phone app has a minimalist design, but sometimes inferior in spam recognition.
- 🛡️ Google Phone Provides Better Protection Against Fraud Calls With Updated Database.
- ⚙️ Third-party launchers and callers may require additional permits to operate in the background.
When choosing an alternative, always pay attention to reviews and permission requirements.Some programs may request access to contacts or a microphone without an explicit need, putting your digital security at risk.
How to Assign a Default Application Through Settings
The most reliable way to change the program for calls is to use the system menu settings Android.This method works regardless of which version of the shell is installed on your Redmi 9C. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
First, you need to open the main menu of device settings. To do this, click on the gear icon on the desktop or in the notification curtain. Next, you should find the section responsible for managing applications. In newer versions of firmware, it can be simply called "Apps", in older ones, "Applications and Notifications".
Inside this menu, find the "Default Apps" item, and that's where the operating system stores information about which program to run for specific actions, and then find the "Phone" or "Number Set" line and click on it, and the system will offer a list of all the applications that are installed that can make calls.
☑️ Check before changing the annex
Select the app from the list. If you want to go back to factory settings, select the standard option. After that, all phone number links and incoming calls will be processed by the selected software. This change is effective instantly and does not require a device reboot.
⚠️ Note: If the selection point is inactive (grey), this means that another application with a higher priority is active in the system or the device administrator restrictions are in effect.
Resetting default settings for a specific application
Sometimes, a user accidentally selects "Always" when running a particular application, and now the system does not ask for a re-selection, for example, you wanted to use Skype or Viber once to call, but permanently fixed them as the main one, in which case the default reset function will help.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. In the list, find the app you are currently using for calls (or want to “decompose”). Click on it to open the management page.
At the bottom of the screen or in the three-dot menu in the corner (depending on the MIUI version), find the default or default button. When you click on it, you will see the "clear default settings" or "reset" button. Once you click, the link between the call action and this application will be broken.
Now, the next time you try to make a call from contacts or a magazine, the system will again display a window asking: "What to open?", Here you can select a new application and, if you wish, again pin the choice with the "Always" button.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| View all applications | Settings → Applications → Application Management | List of all installed software |
| Resetting priority | Selected Application → By Default → Reset | The system will forget the choice for this type of action. |
| Removal of updates | Selected App → Three Points → Remove Updates | Return to the factory version of the program |
| Forced stopping | Selected Appendix → Stop | Temporary closure of the annex process |
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Installation of Google Phone on Xiaomi Redmi 9C
Many users prefer to install Google Phone (Google Dialer) instead of the standard, as it often comes with more up-to-date numbering databases. On Xiaomi smartphones, this process can have its own features related to battery optimization.
First, download the installation file (APK) from a trusted source or find the application in the Play Market, if it is available for your region. After installation, take your time to open the program. First, you need to provide it with all the permissions requested, especially access to contacts and telephony.
Then follow the default appointment procedure described in the previous sections. However, on Xiaomi devices, there is an important caveat: the system can aggressively "kill" the background processes of third-party calls to save energy. To avoid missed calls, you need to go to the battery settings for the Google Phone application and select "No restrictions" mode.
⚠️ Attention: When installed APK-Files from Unknown Sources System MIUI It'll give you a few security warnings, and you'll be careful when you press the confirmation buttons, so you don't put any advertising junk in the bundle.
It’s also worth checking if the “Mi Optimize” feature is included in the developer’s special features, as it can block third-party call interfaces, which often solves dialing interface display problems.
Problems with access and permits
Even if the app is installed and selected by default, it may not work correctly without the right permissions. Android 10 and above, which is based on Redmi 9C, access rights are strictly regulated. If the program is not allowed to read contacts, it will not be able to display the names of callers.
To check access rights, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select the right call and click Application Permissions. Make sure the switches opposite Phone, Contacts and Microphone are active. Without phone permission, the app will not physically be able to make the call.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after updating the system, permissions are reset, in which case you need to manually double-check each item, and you should also pay attention to pop-ups: if the system asks "Allow display on top of other applications?", be sure to answer in the affirmative, otherwise the dialing interface may not appear during the incoming call.
- 🔍 Check the permission of "Contacts" to display names in the log.
- 🎙️ Microphone resolution is critical to the conversation process.
- 📱 The permission "Phone" is necessary to manage the SIM card and dialing number.
💡
If the speaker stops working after changing the app, check the Accessibility settings. Some calls conflict with the system availability services, try turning them off temporarily for verification.
Frequent mistakes and their solution
During the setup process, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9C can face a number of typical problems, one of the most common is a black screen when calling, which means that the caller application is running, but its interface is not rendered, most often solved by clearing the app cache through the application management menu.
Another problem is that you can't complete the call. If the reset button doesn't work, try restarting the device. If the problem persists, it may be that third-party software that has overlay rights over windows (e.g., blue screen filters or recorders) conflicts.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of double dialing, which can sometimes cause the system to misread touches if it has a non-optimized launcher or a low-quality safety glass, in which case calibration of the screen or a return to a standard launcher helps.
💡
Most of the problems with calls on Xiaomi are solved either by setting up the battery access rights (no restrictions mode) or resetting the default settings in the system menu.
If none of these methods worked, you might have damaged the system files, and in this case, you might try resetting your phone to the factory settings, but you back up the data beforehand, and it's a radical method, but it's a surefire way to eliminate software conflicts.