How to turn on the default phone app on Xiaomi: all ways

Have you installed an alternative calling app (like Google Phone or Truecaller) but now want to return the standard dialer from Xiaomi as your primary? Or after resetting, the system constantly asks which app to use for calls? In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to make Xiaomi’s Phone app the default app – from basic MIUI settings to hidden HyperOS features.

The problem is relevant for all modern devices of the brand, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. the causes of failure can be different from accidental resetting to conflict with third-party dialers. We will look at solutions for different versions of the firmware, including MIUI 12/13/14 and the new HyperOS, and understand what to do if the desired option is inactive or absent from the menu.

Why Xiaomi Asks What App to Use for Calls

The system offers to select the application by default in three cases:

• 📱 A second dialer is installed (e.g. Google Phone or Dual Apps for the second account). MIUI automatically selects the main application for calls.
• ⚙️ Resetting (manually or after firmware update) All application settings are reset by default.
• 🔄 Rights conflict between system and third-party applications (often occurring after installing Truecaller or Drupe).

If you see a “Select an app to do this” notification every time you call, it means that none of the apps you have installed are assigned to the primary one, and 90% of the time, the problem is solved through Settings → Apps, but sometimes additional actions are required.

Method 1: Assignment via Application Settings (MIUI 12–14)

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14 firmware.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Tap on the phone (or the Calling Application in some versions).
5. In the list, select Phone (com.android.dialer) – this is a standard application from Xiaomi.

If there's no standard dialer on the list, it's disabled or removed.

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• In the search box, enter the phone.
• Select the app and click Enable (if it is disabled).

The phone app is included in the settings

No active Dual Apps profiles for dialer

Device not in power saving mode for system applications

MIUI updates installed-->

Method 2: Reset application settings (if the option is inactive)

Sometimes the default dialer in the App menu is not highlighted or the select button is inactive, this is due to a cache or rights conflict, in which case resetting the application settings will help:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action (this won’t delete the data, but will reset all default settings).
4. After restarting the device, repeat Method 1.

⚠️ Note: Resetting application settings will also reset the permissions for all programs (camera, microphone, geolocation.

If the reset didn't help, the problem could be due to duplicate profiles (for example, if you used the Dual Apps feature to clone the dialer).

• 📌 Remove all clones of the Phone app in Settings → Dual Apps.
• 📌 Reinstall updates for system dialer through Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.

Method 3: Manual assignment via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use the ADB command to force a default dialer, which is suitable for advanced users and requires a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

File transfer

ADB Tools

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.dialer/.DialtactsActivity

Once you execute the command, restart the phone. The standard dialer will become the default app.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Don't change other settings unless you're sure they're there. For HyperOS, the command may be different -- check the current syntax for your firmware version.

Method 4: Features of settings in HyperOS

The new HyperOS firmware, which replaced MIUI, has a modified settings menu. If your device (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70, etc.) runs on HyperOS, follow this instruction:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select Application Management by default (in some versions – Default Settings).
3. Slip on the item Calling app.
4. In the list, select “Phone” (the tube icon with a green background).

HyperOS also added Auto Select, which can interfere with manual settings to turn it off:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Special access.
• Turn off the option of automatic selection of applications.

What if the standard dialer is not on the list?

If the default App menu doesn't have a "Phone" option, it means that the system app is either removed or hidden. Here's how to return it:

• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI And install the latest version. Often, system applications are restored after an update.
• 📦 Reinstall the dialer manually: Download APK A standard dialer for your model (e.g., from APKMirror site). Install the file through any file manager. Reboot the phone.

Clear the cache of Google services:

Google Play

Settings → Applications → All applications → Google Play Services

Clear the cache

If none of these methods helped, you may have a modified firmware (a custom or regional version of MIUI with stripped down features) on your device.

• 🛠️ Try reflashing your phone to a global stable version MIUI via Fastboot.
• 📞 Use a third-party dialer (like Google Phone) as your primary application.

💡

Before flashing backup, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save contacts, SMS and application settings.

How can we avoid problems in the future?

To avoid having to assign a default dialer every time, follow these tips:

• 🚫 Do not remove system applications unless absolutely necessary, especially com.android.dialer and com.android.contacts.
• 🔒 Disable Dual Apps for Dialer if you don’t use a second account for calls.
• 📵 Do not install multiple dialers at the same time (e.g. Truecaller) + Google Phone + standard).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI/HyperOS — in new versions, bugs with the appointment of applications by default are fixed.