Quick dial on Xiaomi: how to set up in 5 minutes (all ways)

The quick dial feature on Xiaomi smartphones saves time when calling frequently used contacts โ€” instead of searching in the phone book, one touch is enough. However, many users of Redmi, POCO or Black Shark face problems: the quick dial button disappears after the MIUI update, contacts are not saved, or the function works unstable. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of setting up (including hidden ones), and also tell you how to restore a quick dial if it disappears after a reset or firmware.

The MIUI feature is that the quick dial interface can vary depending on the shell version (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the button is displayed on the main call screen, and on the Redmi Note 12 it should be searched for in the Favorites menu. We tested all methods on current firmware in 2026 and identified 3 reliable methods that work even after reset to factory settings.

If you use a Xiaomi smartphone at work or call the same people often, fast dialing is a real lifesaver. But what if suddenly the function stopped working? Or you just bought a new POCO X6 Pro and can't find where to turn it on? In this article, step-by-step instructions with pictures, troubleshooting tips and answers to frequent questions. And also a unique way to return a quick dial through ADB if it disappeared after the MIUI update.

1. Standard method: setting up through the application "Phone"

The easiest method is to use the built-in Phone app (green handset) which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-15.

Open the Phone app and go to the Contacts tab (the person icon in the bottom menu). Here you need to find the Favorites section โ€” usually located at the top of the screen under the search bar. If this section is not available, click on three dots (โ‹ฎ) in the upper right corner and select Favorites in the drop-down menu.

Now add contacts to your favorites:

  1. Click Add to your favorites (+ or star).
  2. Select a contact from the list or find it through a search.
  3. Assign a number (if the contact has several).
  4. Save the changes.

After that, the contact will appear in the Favorites section, and you can call it with a single touch. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T), the favorite contacts are also displayed on the Keyboard tab in the Phone application, which speeds up manual dialing.

๐Ÿ“Š What Xiaomi model do you use?
Redmi Note 12/13
POCO X5/X6
Xiaomi 13/14
Black Shark
Another model

2. Quick dial through a widget on the desktop

If you're uncomfortable opening the Phone app every time, you can put your favorite contacts right on the home screen.

Long click on the free space on the desktop โ†’ select Widgets โ†’ find the Contacts widget or Phone (depending on the version of MIUI). Drag it to the screen. In the widget settings, select Favorite Contacts or Quick Dial.

The advantage of this method is:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Instant Access โ€“ Calling in 1 touch without opening apps.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Flexible setting โ€“ you can choose the size of the widget (4ร—1, 4ร—2) and the number of contacts displayed.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Personalization - on MIUI 14+ Widget themes available.

Note that some firmwares may not have a quick dial widget, in which case an alternative method will help (see section 4).

Update the Phone app in Google Play

Check that contacts are synced with your Mi Account

Clear the cache of the Phone application (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Phone โ†’ Storage)

Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps with interface glitches)-->

3.Rapid dialing problems: why it goes missing and how to get it back

A frequent complaint of Xiaomi users is the disappearance of the quick dial button after updating MIUI or resetting settings.

Problem.Reason.Decision
The "Favorites" button disappeared in the "Phone" appMIUI update resets settingsReset the settings of the Phone application (Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Phone โ†’ Storage โ†’ Reset)
Contacts are not retained in the selectedSynchronization conflict Google/Mi AccountTurn off contact sync in Settings โ†’ Accounts, add contacts manually, then turn on sync back
Quick dial widget is not updatedWidget cache errorRemove the widget from the screen and add it again.
No sound when dialing through a quick dialFailure in call settingsCheck the volume in Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Loudness of calls

If none of these methods worked, try the hidden method through ADB (Section 5). But first check if the feature in the developer settings is disabled:

โš ๏ธ Attention: On some firmware MIUI for China ROM) The fast dial is disabled by default. To activate it, you need to switch to Global. ROM Or use the patch through Magisk.

4. Alternative applications for rapid recruitment

If standard methods donโ€™t work or you need advanced features (like voice dialing or contact groups), you can install third-party apps.-3 Verified options for Xiaomi:

1. Truecaller โ€“ not only blocks spam, but also allows you to assign hotkeys for quick dial. After installation, open the application settings โ†’ Quick Access โ†’ add contacts to Favorites.

2. Drupe Contacts is a minimalist gesture-enabled app (like swipe up for a call) Suitable for MIUI 13+, where the standard phone interface is overloaded.

3. Simpler Dialer is a lightweight dialer with T9-search (set by the first letters of the name).Ideal for older Redmi models (for example, Redmi 9A), where the standard Phone application slows down.

Warning: When using third-party dialers, disable the standard Phone app to avoid conflict.

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Phone โ†’ Disable.
  2. Select the new application by default on the first call.

๐Ÿ’ก

If after installing a third-party dialer, call notifications stop coming, check the permissions for the application in Settings โ†’ Notifications โ†’ Application permissions.

5. Restore Quick Dialing via ADB (for Advanced)

If the quick dial is gone after the MIUI update and is not restored by standard methods, you can try turning it on via ADB. This method is suitable for users who are familiar with debugging over USB.

You'll need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ†’ 7 times press to unlock the developer settings, then turn on Debugging by USB).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global favorite_contacts_enabled 1
  3. Reboot your smartphone.

If the team doesnโ€™t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.contacts/.activities.TwelveKeyDialer

โš ๏ธ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.

What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
1. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers from the official website. 2. Check if File Transfer (MTP) mode is enabled when connecting via USB. 3. Try another cable or USB port. 4. Reinstall ADB Tools (it is recommended to use the latest version from Google site).

6. Optimizing fast dialing: tips for convenience

To make using a quick dial even more convenient, use these tips:

1. Set up the order of contacts.

In the Favorites section, you can swap contacts by drag and drop, and you can put the most important subscribers at the top of the list.

2. Use contact photos.

Add a photo to your frequently used contacts, making them easier to find visually. Open the contact โ†’ click on the camera icon โ†’ select the photo.

3. Create quick dialing groups.

For example, you can make separate groups for work, family and friends.

  • Open the Contacts app.
  • Press Groups. โ†’ To form a group.
  • Add the necessary contacts and save.

4. Set up voice dial.

On MIUI 14+, voice control is available. Activate it in Settings โ†’ Voice Assistant โ†’ Voice dial. Now you can say, "Call Mom," and the smartphone will find contact.

๐Ÿ’ก

Regularly update the Phone app via Google Play โ€“ new versions fix quick dial bugs and add new features (for example, integration with Mi AI in MIUI 15).

FAQ: Frequent questions about fast dialing on Xiaomi

Can I assign a quick dial to physical buttons (such as the power button)?
No, Xiaomi smartphones donโ€™t have a built-in function of fast dialing to hardware buttons, but you can use apps like Button Mapper (root rights required) or Tasker to create automatic tasks.
Why did all the selected contacts disappear after the factory reset?
When reset, all local data, including the quick dial settings, are deleted. To avoid this, export the contacts to the file before reset. VCF (Contacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Import/Export) or sync them with your Mi or Google account.
How to make a quick dial for international numbers?
Add an international number to the contact in +[country code][number] format (e.g. +79123456789). Then add it to your favorites in the standard way. Make sure the phone settings include the Show Country Code option (Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Call Settings).
Can I transfer the settings of fast dial to another Xiaomi smartphone?
Yes, if both devices are tied to the same Mi Account. Enable Contact Sync and Favorite in Settings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Sync. You can also manually export selected contacts through a VCF file and import them on a new phone.
Why does the wrong contact sometimes work when you click on a quick dial?
This can occur due to: Phone app cache errors (clear the cache in the app settings); duplicate contacts (combine them in the Contacts app); touch screen failure (check sensitivity in Settings โ†’ Display โ†’ Touch sensitivity).