How to Choose the Default Calling App on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Why it is important to choose the right app for calling Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or HyperOS offer users the flexibility to choose the default applications, including the program for making calls. However, many device owners face difficulties: the system automatically resets settings, third-party applications do not appear in the selection list, or after updating the software, previous parameters fly off. This article will help you understand how to correctly assign the application for default calls, avoid typical errors and optimize the phone for your needs.

Unlike iOS, where customization is limited, Android on Xiaomi allows you to install alternative applications for calling — from Google Phone to specialized solutions like Truecaller or Drupe. MIUI/HyperOS, This can lead to loss of quick dial functionality, no notifications of missed calls or conflicts with system services, and then we will discuss how to avoid these problems and make an informed choice.

Built-in “Phone” application vs third-party alternatives: pros and cons

Xiaomi’s standard Phone app (or Phone in global firmware) is tightly integrated with the MIUI/HyperOS shell, which has several advantages:

🔹 Stable work with system functions: fast dialing through a widget, gesture support and voice assistant Xiao AI.
🔹 Battery Optimization: Minimum Power Consumption in the Background.
🔹 Dual support SIM free-of-setting.
🔹 Integration with MI-account to synchronize contacts and call history.

But there are also disadvantages to the standard app, such as not blocking spam at the Google level, not supporting RCS (extended messages), and the interface may seem overloaded, and the app side solves these problems, but not always without consequences.

Criteria	Xiaomi's built-in app	Google Phone	Truecaller	Drupe
Blocking spam	❌ No (only blacklisted)	✅ Yes (via Google)	✅ Yes (with a number database)	❌ No.
Support for RCS	❌ No.	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	❌ No.
Integration with MIUI	✅ Complete.	⚠️ Partial (a fast set may not work)	⚠️ Partial	❌ Minimum
Energy consumption	✅ Minimum	✅ Low.	⚠️ Average (background processes)	✅ Low.
Additional functions	❌ Only basic.	✅ Recording conversations, spam filter	✅ Call identification, chat	✅ Quick access widgets

If you are critically interested in stability and integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, you should stay with the standard application. If the priority is advanced functionality (for example, call recording or RCS), you should consider Google Phone. Truecaller will be suitable for combating spam, but be prepared for increased battery consumption and possible conflicts with system notifications.

📊 What Calling App Are You Using on Xiaomi?

Standard from Xiaomi.

Google Phone

Truecaller

Drupe

Other

How to Assign an Application for Default Calls: Step-by-step Instructions

The default application selection process on Xiaomi may vary depending on the version of MIUI/HyperOS. Below is a general instruction that is relevant for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS 1.0 firmware:

Open Settings and go to the Applications → Application Management section.
Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
Tap on the item Phone (or Phone app in global versions).
In the list that appears, select the app you want (like Google Phone or Truecaller).

If you do not see a third-party application installed in the list, follow the following steps:

Clear the cache and data of the Settings application (Settings → Applications → Settings → Storage)

Reboot the phone

Install the latest version of the app for calls from Google Play

Check if the app supports your Xiaomi model (some are not optimized for HyperOS)

Disable the power saving mode for the application (Settings → Battery → Power saving mode)

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On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12) After changing the application by default, you may need to restart the application to take effect. MIUI/HyperOS Settings can be reset – they will have to configuring again.

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If you stop notifying about missed calls after changing the app, check the permissions for the new app in Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Notifications. Often they are disabled by default.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users may experience problems.

⚠️ Note: If after assigning a third-party application by default, a quick dial from the main screen stopped working (double pressing the home button or swiping on the lock screen), return the standard Phone application. This function is strictly tied to system software and is not supported by third-party solutions.

📞 Calls are made through an old app: Clear the cache and data of both apps (old and new) in Settings → Annexes.
🔕 No sound when incoming: Check if notifications for the new app are disabled in the audio settings (Settings) → Sound and vibration → "Do not disturb" modes").
🔄 Settings reset after update: This is a known issue MIUI. After the update, reassign the application by default.
📱 The app doesn't support Dual. SIM: Most third-party apps (except Google Phone) are not working properly with two apps. SIM-In this case, you'll have to use a standard solution.

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the application settings to factory:

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings

This action will not delete your data, but will return all permissions and settings by default.

Comparison of popular applications for calls on Xiaomi

To make the choice easier, we tested several popular apps on Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ devices with HyperOS 1.0 and MIUI 14 firmware.

Annex	Dual SIM Support Support	Call recording	Blocking spam	Integration with MIUI	Energy consumption
Google Phone	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes, on some models)	✅ Yes (via Google)	⚠️ Partial (no quick set)	✅ Low.
Truecaller	❌ No, only the main one. SIM)	❌ No.	✅ Yes (own base)	⚠️ Partial	⚠️ Average.
Drupe	❌ No.	❌ No.	❌ No.	❌ Minimum	✅ Low.
Simple Dialer	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	❌ No.	⚠️ Partial	✅ Low.

For most Xiaomi users, the best choice is Google Phone, which combines advanced functionality (including RCS) and relatively good integration with the system. If you are critical to blocking spam, try Truecaller, but be prepared for the limitations of Dual SIM.

How to Enable Google Phone Call Recording on Xiaomi

1. Open Google Phone and go to Settings → Record calls. 2. Enable the option to Always Write or select Only certain numbers. 3. Confirm permission to record (some Xiaomi models will require you to install Google Phone as the default call app). ⚠️ On HyperOS, this feature may be blocked due to regional restrictions, in which case use alternative applications like Cube Call Recorder (requires root or root). ADB-unlocker).

Features of the configuration on HyperOS: what has changed

With the release of HyperOS (replacing MIUI on new Xiaomi devices), the default application selection process has changed.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Three dots] → Default apps → Phone

The main differences between HyperOS and MIUI are:

🔄 More aggressive reset after updates – the application by default can be reset even with minor updates.
🔒 Restrictions for third-party applications: some features (like fast dialing) are now blocked for non-system solutions.
📊 Improved battery optimization, but it can force the background processes of third-party calling apps to close.

If you upgraded to HyperOS and are experiencing problems, try the following:

⚠️ Note: HyperOS may lose your log history when using Google Phone. To fix this, turn off history sync in Google Settings → Services → Call history and use built-in synchronization through MI-account.

For owners of flagships (Xiaomi 14, 13 Ultra) on HyperOS, we recommend staying on the standard application if you want the stability and full functionality of the Dual SIM. For older models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5), Google Phone is suitable - it is better optimized for Android 13/14.

How to Get Back a Xiaomi App if Something Goes Wrong

If you have decided to return to the standard solution after experimenting with third-party applications, do the following:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find the phone (or phone) app in the list and open its page.
Click Open by default and select Clear by default settings.
Reassign the standard application in the Applications section by default.

If the standard application has disappeared from the list (this happens after manual removal of system APKs), restore it:

Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI/HyperOS (tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode)


Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Restore Standard Apps

On some firmware (MIUI Global or HyperOS EEA), the standard phone application may be hidden.

Install the APK standard app for your model (you can download from the Xiaomi Community website)

Use it. ADB-unlocker:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.contacts

Reset the device

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After recovery, check the Quick Dial and Notification function. If problems persist, reset through Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings (without deleting data).

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On devices with HyperOS before resetting settings, turn off synchronization with MI-Account to avoid conflicts when reconnecting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing a call app for Xiaomi

Can WhatsApp or Telegram be used as a default call app?

No, messengers cannot replace the standard app for regular calls (SIM-They work only for Internet calls (VoIP), however, you can set up incoming calls to WhatsApp via a carrier (paid service).

Why did voice calls stop working after the app change?

Xiao AI and Call Contact are tightly tied to the standard Phone app. To return functionality, assign it back to default or use Google Assistant with the Google Phone app.

How do you make certain calls from certain numbers automatically open in another application?

There is no built-in function for redirecting calls to numbers on MIUI/HyperOS, but you can use automation via MacroDroid or Tasker: Create a rule for incoming calls from a particular number. Add the "Open App" action and specify the right one (like Truecaller). Set an exception for the standard Phone application. Note that this can cause delays when receiving a call.

Why does Xiaomi not have a history of calls in Google Phone?

This is a well-known problem associated with the synchronization conflict between the two. MI-Solutions: Turn off history synchronization in Google Settings → Services → Call history. Use only one account to sync (or MI, Clear the cache of the Contacts and Google Phone app.

Can you use two apps to call at the same time (for example, for different applications) on Xiaomi? SIM-map)?

No, Android does not support the assignment of different applications for different applications. SIM-You can, however, use the widgets of both apps on the home screen for quick access. SIM in the standard application Phone (Settings) → SIM-map → Install Dual App (Clone of the App) for the second SIM through settings → Annexes → Dual Apps, but it doesn’t guarantee stable performance.