You picked up your Xiaomi or Redmi to answer the call, but instead of the usual interface, Google Dialer suddenly opens? This is a situation familiar to many users of smartphones from Xiaomi — especially after updates or resets. What is the reason for this behavior and how to return a standard application for calls?
The problem isn’t always system-related. It’s often a result of default application conflict, Google’s automatically installed services, or even intentional firmware changes (e.g., global MIUI versions for the European market). In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons for Xiaomi to replace a call, including hidden MIUI settings that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise, you’ll also learn how to permanently fix the native com.android.dialer app and why in some cases Google Phone may be even more useful.
1.Why does MIUI automatically default to Google Phone?
The main reason is the integration of Google services into MIUI firmware. Beginning with MIUI 12.5 and later, Xiaomi has been actively implementing Google Mobile Services (GMS) components in global versions of its smartphones, due to the requirements of the European and American markets, where users are accustomed to the Google ecosystem.
- 📱 Global firmware (e.g, MIUI Global or EEA) Google Phone is set as the primary caller by default, even if the system has a native app from Xiaomi.
- ⚙️ Default settings reset after update MIUI, The system can automatically select the Google app as a higher priority".
- 🔄 Version Conflict: If you manually updated your Google Phone through the Play Market, it may “intercept” the rights of a standard caller.
Interestingly, the Chinese versions of MIUI (without GMS) don’t have this problem – it uses only the native com.android.contacts app. But if you installed the GMS manually (for example, through Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware), the conflict can even occur on the “Chinese”.
2.How to check which app is responsible for calls?
Before you change anything, make sure the problem is really changing the phone.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
- Find the phone (or caller) item - the current application will be indicated there.
If it's Google Phone and you want to get your phone back, go to the next section. If you already have com.android.dialer, but it still opens in the Google app, the problem goes deeper (we'll talk about this below).
☑️ Diagnostics of a phone call problem
3.How to get back a standard Xiaomi call?
The easiest way is to reset your default app settings.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select Google Phone (or com.google.android.dialer).
- Click Cancel the default settings (if the button is active).
- Return to the Default Applications → Phone and select your native call (com.android.dialer).
If this method doesn’t work, try more radical measures:
- 🔧 Turn off Google Phone: In the app settings, click Disable (Do Not Delete!) This will block its operation and the system will automatically switch to a standard caller.
- 🗑️ Remove updates: In Play Market, find Google Phone, click three dots, and select Remove Updates. This will return the app to the factory version, which may not conflict with the new version. MIUI.
- 🔄 Resetting: in extreme cases, reset to factory settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).
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If after turning off Google Phone calls stopped working at all, check if your native Xiaomi call is accidentally disabled in the application settings.
4. Hidden MIUI settings: why does the call change itself?
MIUI has several hidden mechanisms that can automatically change a call without you knowing.
| Reason. | How it manifests | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-update GMS | After updating the services of Google, the call is reset to Google Phone. | Turn off auto-update for Google Phone in the Play Market. |
| MIUI Optimization | The system “optimizes” applications and can replace the call with a more “stable” one. | Disable Settings → Special features → MIUI Optimization (requires developer rights). |
| Duplicate APKs | There are two calls in the system with the same rights. | Remove one of them via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.dialer |
| Regional settings | When you change region to Europe/US, MIUIforced installs Google Phone. | Return the region to "China" in Settings → Additional → Region. |
MIUI Optimization is particularly insidious, and it runs in the background and can automatically replace system applications with alternatives from Google if it thinks they are more appropriate, to disable it:
- Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in the phone settings).
- Go to Settings → Special features → MIUI Optimization.
- Turn off the slider and restart the device.
What is MIUI Optimization?
5. When is Google Phone Better Than Xiaomi's Home Call?
Don’t be in a hurry to get rid of Google Phone – in some cases it outperforms the standard MIUI bell.
- 🔍 Spam filter: automatically blocks fraudulent calls (in the MIUI This function works worse).
- 📊 Call statistics: shows call times, contact frequency and even offers call recording (on some models).
- 🌐 Google Contacts Integration: Cloud Sync is More Stable Than in Google MIUI.
- 📱 Adaptive interface: supports dark theme and Material You (unlike Xiaomi’s stripped-down call on budget models).
If you make frequent calls at work or encounter spam calls, Google Phone may be a more convenient solution, but it also has its downsides:
- ⚠️ Increased battery consumption (due to background synchronization with Google).
- 📵 Lack of Dual support SIM on some Xiaomi models.
- 🔒 Data Collection: Google Analyzes Your Calls for Targeted Ads.
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If you care about privacy, it’s best to use Xiaomi’s native call. Google Phone collects metadata about calls (numbers, duration, frequency), even if you haven’t given explicit consent.
6. Problems after the change of the call: what to do?
If you returned a standard call but encountered bugs, here are the typical problems and solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming calls are not working. | The conflict is right between the calls. | Restart your phone and check the default settings. |
| No sound when you ring. | Reset the volume settings. | Check the volume slider in Settings → Sound. |
| Contacts are not displayed | The synchronization of contacts is off. | Go to Contacts → Settings → Accounts and update sync. |
| Calling constantly crashes | Damaged application data. | Clear the cache and call data in the application settings. |
If after all the manipulations, the calls still open in Google Phone, try to delete it via ADB (requires PC and USB debugging):
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.dialer⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Before this procedure, create a backup through Settings. → System system → Backup.
7. Prevention: how to avoid automatic change of call?
To prevent the problem from recurring after updates, follow these tips:
- 🔄 Turn off auto-update for Google Phone in Play Market.
- 📵 Block background activity of Google Phone in battery settings.
- 🛡️ Use Magisk modules (e.g., DisableFlagSecure) if you have root rights.
- 📥 Install updates MIUI manually, pre-checking reviews on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA).
If you often encounter these bugs, consider switching to custom firmware (such as Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS), which lacks many of the MIUI optimizations that lead to application conflicts.
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Before installing custom firmware, check the support for your model on the official developer website. Some features (such as NFC or camera) may not work properly.