Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face the intrusiveness of the standard shell MIUI or HyperOS. One of the common problems is the inability to quickly replace the built-in call with a more functional counterpart from the Google Play store. Users want to install third-party applications such as Truecaller or Simple Dialer, but the system stubbornly returns them to the native interface with every incoming call.
This creates confusion, especially if the device has multiple communication programs. In the Android operating system, a special mechanism is responsible for choosing priority software that can be reconfigured, but in the shell from the Chinese manufacturer, access to these settings is sometimes hidden or does not work correctly after updates.
In this article, we will discuss how to force the default application to change and completely remove unnecessary icons from the call screen, you will learn about the intricacies of system restrictions and how to circumvent them without obtaining superuser rights.
Reasons for imposing a standard caller
Xiaomi’s policy is to keep the user inside its service ecosystem. The standard MIUI Dialer app is deeply integrated into the system, allowing it to intercept access rights earlier than third-party programs do. Often, after another firmware update, the settings are reset, and the phone begins to offer the native interface again.
Another reason is that there are multiple profiles or clones of apps, and if you use the Second Space feature, each profile may have its own call settings, which causes Google Phone to work in one space and a system caller to work in another, which is puzzling for the owner of the gadget.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to remove system application calls via ADB or root rights can cause the communication function to be completely inoperable, the phone will stop receiving and making calls, and it will be difficult to restore work without flashing.
Also, consider that some third-party launchers or themes may conflict with the system settings of the call. If you have recently installed new themes or changed the launcher, try returning the standard look to see if they are the reason for the reset.
How to Make Another Phone by Default Through Settings
The safest and most appropriate way to change the priority app is to use the built-in Android settings menu, which doesn’t require any additional software and works on most versions of MIUI. You need to find the default app section and select the program from the list.
Go to Settings and find the App. In the menu that opens, select the Settings tab (usually in the top right corner or as three dots), and that's where the default key parameter of the App is hidden, which controls how the system behaves when certain actions are started.
In the action list, find the Phone or Calls item. Click on it and the system will tell you to choose from the available options. If you have previously installed a Google Phone or other analog, it should appear in the list. Select it, and now all incoming and outgoing calls will be processed through the selected program.
- 📱 Open the settings and go to the Application Management section.
- 🔍 Find the default program selection menu for basic actions.
- ✅ In the "Phone" item, specify the desired application from the list.
- 💾 Confirm your choice to make the changes effective immediately.
If the system continues to open the old call after doing this, the old application may still have default rights, in which case you must forcefully reset those rights in the management menu of a particular application, which we will discuss in the next section.
Forced resetting of call application rights
Sometimes, simply choosing a new application is not enough, because the old one retains its privileges, so to get the call app out of priority, you need to go to its individual settings, which will forcefully break the connection between the system and the specific executable file.
In the App menu, find the standard Xiaomi caller (often called simply "Phone" and has a blue handset icon) in the list of all programs. Click on it to open the control screen. At the bottom of the screen or in the top menu, find the Open default or Start default button.
On the screen that opens, you'll see a switch or a button called Remove Default Settings. Click on it. Then the system will "forget" that the application should open automatically. The next time you call, the phone will ask you which program to use to make a call, and you can select a new one.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
If the Remove Settings button is grey or missing, it means that the application is system-based and protected from changes, in which case only disabling the application (if available) or using it will help. ADB-commands for freezing, but not removal.> It's important to understand that once you reset your old application, it's not going anywhere, it's just going to stop running automatically, and its icon may stay on the menu, but it won't do the call interception function anymore. This is ideal for those who want to use alternative solutions, but are afraid to disrupt the stability of the system. In the case of Xiaomi system components, complete removal is impossible without Root rights. However, there is a safe alternative - disable). This feature hides the application from the menu and blocks it from working, making it invisible to the system. To turn it off, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find a standard call. If the Disable button is active, feel free to press it. The application will disappear from the desktop and stop consuming resources in the background. This is an effective way to "remove" the program without breaking the system. Action Result of the default Return Risks Calls go through the new program Minimum Easy Reset Settlement System will ask for a choice when calling No Automatic Shutdown (Disable) App is blocked from the global system, it is difficult to remove the plug (Rot) and the plugged from the system. In these cases, (users) often resort to using a computer and debugging over USB, but this requires more technical knowledge. Solving the problems with duplication icons A common situation: you installed a new phone, but there are two call icons on the desktop. One leads to the new software, the other to the old one. To remove the extra icon, you do not need to disable the application itself. You can simply remove the shortcut from the desktop. Press and hold your finger on the extra icon until the action menu appears. Choose Remove (do not delete the application), and use the interface, and only help you to change the interface from the interface. In the settings of the theme or desktop MIUI You can often have Hidden Applications, and you can put a system call in there, and it stops corny eyes, and it stays available when you need it. 🗑️ Remove the shortcut from the desktop with a long tap. 🙈 Hide the system application in the launcher settings. 📂 Move the icon to a folder with rarely used utilities. 🎨 Change the theme to change the visual style of the icons, remember that having two icons doesn't affect performance if one of the apps is disabled or not in use, but that the interface you want opens when you call. Use of third-party launchers and tools For advanced users who want to fully control their devices, there are special tools. Apps like Package Disabler or Bloatware Remover allow you to manage system components more flexibly than standard Android settings, and they can force you to stop the processes that the system is trying to run. You can also use third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allow you to completely redraw the desktop and application menus. In the settings of such launchers, you can often set your default rules for opening applications, ignoring system preferences. MIUI. 📊 Standard XiaomiGoogle PhoneTruecallerSimple DialerOther However, be careful: aggressive use of such tools can lead to unstable phone operation. HyperOS system and MIUI have powerful security mechanisms that can perceive third-party interference as a security threat and block functions. ⚠️ Warning: Do not use questionable programs to "accelerate" or "clean up" systems that promise to remove system calls, often containing ads or malicious code that will steal your contacts. The best solution is to properly configure with regular funds or use time-tested launchers from well-known developers, which ensures that the device remains secure and stable in the long run (FAQ) Can you completely delete a Xiaomi system call without root rights? Complete removal of an application file (.apk) from the system partition without Root rights is impossible. But you can use the "Disable" feature in your application settings or hide the icon, which will give you almost the same result for the average user. Why do you get your call settings knocked off after you update the firmware? MIUI or HyperOS system often checks the integrity of system components. If a standard call application has been disabled or changed, the update can return it to active state and restore default settings to provide a stable--What if the phone stopped ringing after changing the app? First, check if the new app has the necessary permissions to access contacts and phone. If the problem persists, reset the default app settings and try to restart the device. In extreme cases, turn on the standard call back. Is it safe to use a Google Phone instead of a Google Phone? MIUI Dialer? Yes, Google Phone is fully compatible with Xiaomi devices and often works even more stable, offering better spam protection and a more user-friendly interface.It's a recommended replacement for global smartphone versions. 💡Competent setting of application priorities allows you to use any convenient interface of calls without disrupting the basic functions of the smartphone.