Xiaomi’s MIUI or HyperOS smartphones have powerful built-in call filtering functionality, but many users prefer specialized number identification solutions. GetContact has established itself as one of the leaders in this niche, offering a huge tag base and effective spam protection. The problem is that Android often aggressively manages permissions, preventing third-party applications from intercepting incoming calls without complex manual setup.
Xiaomi owners face the need not only to install software, but also to set priorities correctly so that the caller is determined automatically, not after manually running the program. Without the correct configuration of the system number detector in MIUI, the application will work only inside its interface, skipping incoming calls, which creates the illusion of service failure, although you just need to properly configure the system parameters.
In this guide, we’ll break down every stage of the configuration, from the basic installation to the subtle power saving setup that often blocks background processes. You’ll learn to make GetContact the primary call handler, bypassing Android security restrictions that are designed to protect the device but sometimes interfere with the normal operation of useful software.
Basic installation and initial setting of access rights
The process starts with a standard download of the application from the official Google Play store or AppGallery. Once launched, GetContact will request basic permissions, without which it will not be able to function. The MIUI system can ask for consent to access contacts and phone several times - a standard security procedure that requires user confirmation.
The critical thing is to allow the display to be displayed on top of other apps, without which tags won't pop up during an incoming call, so you need to find the feature section in the phone's settings menu and activate the appropriate switchboard for our app.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → App management and find GetContact in the list.
- 👁️ Go to Other Permits and activate Display on top of other apps.
- 📞 In the Permissions section, make sure that access to Contacts and Phone is set to “Always Allow” status».
Don’t ignore contact sync requests if you want to see other subscriber tags and let the system update your database. Identity only works if you have a current database on the server that is generated by users.
Set up GetContact as the main number determinant
The most important step is to get Android to use a third-party app to handle incoming calls. In modern versions of MIUI, the path to this setting can be hidden. You need to go to the call menu and find the default settings for working with numbers.
Often, the system will only suggest selecting an application to perform the action when you first call after installation, and if you miss that moment or choose "Just now," you'll have to go to a deep settings menu, and you'll have to force the call handler to change.
⚠️ Warning: When you try to change the default app, the system may issue a red security risk alert.This is the standard Google Play Protect protection that you need to alert by clicking on "Change Still" or "Install».
The algorithm for the forced change of priority is as follows:
- 🔍 In search of phone settings, type the phrase “default” or go to Settings → Annexes → Settings (three points in the corner) → Default applications.
- 📲 Find the Phone or Number Defineer and Spam.
- ✅ Select GetContact from the list of available options by replacing the standard Xiaomi or Google determinant.
☑️ Checklist of default settings
After this procedure, all incoming calls will go through GetContact filters, and if you return the standard settings, the app will continue to work, but only when you open it yourself to check the number, not when you call.
Optimizing MIUI energy saving for stable operation
The MIUI and HyperOS shells are known for their aggressive policies towards background processes. The system seeks to save battery power by killing applications that are not in active use. For instant messengers and number detectors, this is fatal: if the process is stopped, the call will pass without detection and locking.
To avoid this, add GetContact to the exception list, which will allow the app to be permanently hanging in memory and instantly reacting to an incoming signal, and without this setting, you risk missing an important call from a courier or customer that has been flagged as spam.
Follow the following steps to set up auto-start and no restrictions:
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Find GetContact.
- ⚡ Click on Activity Control (or “Charge Saving”) and select No Limits.
- 🚀 Activate the AutoStart switch so that the app starts with the phone after the restart.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (Especially Chinese or global with early updates, the "No Limits" item may be called "No Limits" or hidden in the "Battery" submenu».
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Lock the application in memory: after turning on all permissions, open the menu of running applications (swipe from bottom up with a delay), find the GetContact window, press the lock or pull down to show the lock icon. This will prevent the application from closing when the memory is cleared with the "cross" button.
Integration with system call and advertising blocking
Even after setting up, there may be conflicts between the built-in Xiaomi call and GetContact functionality. Sometimes users complain that the definition interface appears with a delay or overlaps with system windows, in which case resetting the settings of the standard Phone application helps.
Also worth mentioning is the ad blocking. In some regions, the app may display banner ads. While it doesn't affect the number definition, it can be annoying. In GetContact's settings, you can often find options to disable ads or switch to a premium version, which also speeds up the database.
The table below shows a comparison of the functionality of the standard Xiaomi call and the Xiaomi + GetContact bundle:
| Function | Standard MIUI call. | GetContact (configured) | MIUI + GetContact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room database | Local + Google | Global (user tags) | Maximum fullness |
| Definition on call | Yes. | Yes (when setting by default) | Yes (priority) |
| Blocking spam | Basic | Extended (by tag) | Effective |
| Search for a name | Contacts. | All over the tag database. | Available everywhere |
Using third-party determinants doesn’t cancel Xiaomi’s built-in filters, they work in parallel, but GetContact takes over the primary processing of unknown numbers thanks to a more up-to-date database of “popular” tags.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the correct setup, users may find themselves in a situation where the app stops identifying numbers after a system update, a common problem when switching to newer versions of Android (like 13 to 14).
First, check to see if the access rights have been updated automatically, and make sure that the application itself is synchronized. If the problem persists, try clearing the app's cache, but don't delete the data so you don't lose your history.
What to do if the tags are not displayed?
Another cause of failures may be conflict with antivirus or other memory "optimizers" installed by the user additionally.MIUI has built-in antivirus, and third-party defenders can interfere with GetContact.
- 🔄 Update the app to the latest version via Google Play.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache in the App menu → GetContact → Memory.
- 📵 Check if Do Not Disturb or Total Silence mode is enabled, which can hide pop-ups.
⚠️ Note: If you use a corporate profile or work accounts, the organization’s security policies may prohibit the installation of third-party number detectors.
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The main reason GetContact is not working on Xiaomi in 90% of cases is the aggressive power saving MIUI, which “kills” the background process of the application.