How to install a standard MIUI Call on a Xiaomi smartphone

Why do users want to return MIUI Caller?

The standard MIUI Caller (or MIUI Dialer) app is Xiaomi’s proprietary phone module, which many users find more convenient than Google alternatives or third-party calls. It is closely integrated with the MIUI ecosystem, supports proprietary features like smart contact finding, fast dialing and responsive interface to system themes. However, after updates or resets, this application may disappear — especially on devices with global firmware or custom builds.

The main reasons why owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO want to return their native phone call:

• 🔄 The usual interface – for many years used MIUI They don’t want to relearn on Google Phone.
• 📞 Quick dial is a unique ability to call the first letters of the contact name (for example, dial "ma" to call "mother").
• 🎨 Support for topics MIUI — Third-party calls often ignore the system settings of the design.
• 🔒 Local features – for example, blocking spam calls through the Xiaomi database (relevant for Chinese firmware).

In this article, we will analyze 3 working ways to install MIUI Caller on any Xiaomi device - from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Method 1: Installation through APK-File (for most devices)

The most common method is to download and install APK-file MIUI Calls. This is a way to use global devices, EEA Or custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu). APK It should be consistent with your firmware. MIUI (See the compatibility table below).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the current version of APK from a trusted source (we recommend APKMirror or XiaomiUI).Look for files called com.android.contacts or com.miui.contacts.
2. Before installation, enable installation permission from unknown sources: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙️) → Install unknown applications and select a browser or file manager.
3. Install the downloaded APK. If the error "Application not installed", try another version (see "Error Solving").
4. After installation, restart the device and assign MIUI Call to the default application in Settings → Applications → Default → Phone.

Download the correct version of APK for your firmware

Installation from unknown sources

Delete or disable the current call (optional)

Make a backup copy of contacts

Restart the phone after installation

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⚠️ Attention: Some versions MIUI Calls may conflict with Google Phone. If there is a failure after installation (for example, contacts disappear), delete or disable Google Contacts through Settings. → Annexes.

Method 2: Recovery through MIUI backup

If you've used MIUI Caller before and backed up through Settings → Memory → Backup, you can restore the application from the backup. This method only works if you have the system applications stored in the archive.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Memory. → Backup.
• 🔍 Choose the last backup where you were. MIUI Call (check the date of creation).
• ⚙️ Click Restore and tick System Applications (or Contacts/Phone).
• ⏳ Wait for the process to complete and restart the device.

💡 Useful tip: If there are no system apps in the backup, try restoring only Settings - sometimes this returns the standard call as the default app.

⚠️ Note: Restore system applications from the backup can lead to conflicts if the firmware version has changed. MIUI 13 on a device with MIUI 14 may cause malfunction of the call. In this case, use Method 1 (installation) APK).

Method 3: Installation via ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods fail, you can install MIUI Caller via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge, but guarantees you can install the system application without compatibility errors.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 APK-file MIUI Callers (see Method 1).

Instruction commands:

adb devices # Checking the connection of the device


adb install -r -t com.miui.contacts.apk # Installation with replacement of an existing application




adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.contacts # Activation of the system application




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

If the call does not appear in the menu after installation, do:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.contacts


adb shell pm clear com.google.android.dialer # Google Phone Disconnection (optional)

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers on PC (download from the official website).

2. Use the original USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).

3. Switch the connection mode on the phone from "Charging" to "Transfer of files".-->

Solving Typical Errors in Installation

Even with the right MIUI installation, a caller may not work properly. Let's look at the most common problems and their solutions:

🔍 Diagnosis of complex cases:

• 🛠️ If the call is installed but closed immediately, clear the cache and application data in Settings → Annexes → MIUI Caller. → Memory.
• 🔄 If the call disappears after the restart, check if the antivirus deletes it (for example, if it is deleted by the antivirus, MIUI Security). Add APK excepted.
• 📱 On certain devices (e.g, POCO F1) You need an additional installation of com.miui.yellowpage - this is a system application for working the phone book.

💡

If none of these methods worked, check firmware integrity, and your device may have removed critical system libraries and need to be flashed through Fastboot or Recovery.

How to make MIUI Calling the default app

Once installed successfully, you must assign MIUI Calling to the main phone application, otherwise calls can be opened on Google Phone or other applications.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
3. Select the phone and select MIUI Caller (or com.miui.contacts).
4. For reliability, also assign MIUI Contacts to the default Contact app.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), after resetting, the applications are reset by default to Google services. To avoid this, turn off automatic sync in Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.

📌 Additional settings:

• 🎨 To bring back the branded call sounds MIUI, Download them here and install them through Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Call sound.
• 🔍 To activate smart contact search go to the call settings (⋮ → Settings → Quick search) and enable the option.

Comparison of MIUI Calls with Alternatives

Before you return a standard call, you should compare it to popular alternatives, and perhaps one of them will be more convenient for your tasks.

💡 When to choose an alternative:

• 🌍 If you travel frequently, Truecaller is better at recognizing international numbers.
• 🔍 If you need to record conversations, consider Cube Call Recorder (works with any caller).
• 📊 If Call Statistics Are Important, Google Phone Offers Detailed Analytics.

💡

If you use MIUI Caller just for the sake of design, but need Truecaller features (like spam detection), you can set both calls and switch between them via Settings → Default Apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI Caller