Xiaomi’s standard smartphone calling app often causes users to feel uncomfortable with limited functionality and an uncomfortable interface. True Phone is a popular alternative with advanced features such as spam blocking, smart search and customization. However, many face the problem that even after installation, the app does not become the main one for outgoing and incoming calls.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to make True Phone the default app on Xiaomi devices running MIUI (including versions 12-14), how to get around system limitations, what settings to change manually, and what to do if the application is reset to standard once the MIUI is updated, pay special attention to the typical errors that may cause True Phone to not work correctly, and give recommendations for optimizing its performance.
Why isn’t True Phone the default app on Xiaomi?
The problem lies in the architecture of MIUI, Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, which aggressively protects system applications.
- 🔒 Protecting system applications: MIUI Blocks the replacement of standard services (calls, SMS, browser, for security reasons, this applies even to Google Play applications.
- 📱 Android Level Limits: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened rules for phone apps requiring special permissions.
- 🔄 Resets after updates: MIUI often resets default settings after major updates (for example, when switching from MIUI 13 on 14).
- 🛠️ Conflict with Google services: Some Xiaomi devices (especially in China) lack Google services, which prevents the correct operation of alternative calls.
It’s important to understand that True Phone can run in parallel with a standard call, but a full replacement will require manual adjustment. On newer versions of MIUI (14+), the process has become more complicated – you now need to not only choose the default app, but also disable battery optimization for True Phone manually, otherwise it will be killed by the system.
Preparing a smartphone before installing True Phone
Before you try to make True Phone the primary app, follow these steps:
- Update MIUI to the latest version. Check firmware relevance in Settings → About Phone → System Update. Older versions (MIUI 11 and below) may not have the right options.
- Delete the cache of the standard call. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone, click Clear Cache.
- Turn off the power saving for True Phone: 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Choice of applications. 🔍 Find True Phone in the list and select “No Limitations».
Check the permits.
True Phone
If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G or POCO F5), the issues are usually less than on the Chinese versions. On devices without Google services (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra for the Chinese market), you may need to manually install APK.
Install the latest version MIUI|Clear the cache of a standard call|Turn off energy saving for True Phone|Give all permissions to the app|Reboot your smartphone-->
Method 1: Configure via the “Default Apps” menu
This is the easiest method, but it doesn't work on all versions of MIUI.
- Open Settings → Applications → Applications by default.
- Click on the "Phone" (or "Caller").
- In the window that appears, select True Phone from the list. If you don't have one, move on to the next one.
Nana MIUI 14 Ways may be different: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Cog badge (⚙️) → Default applications → Phone.
What if True Phone is not listed?
Important: After you select True Phone, restart your smartphone. Sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot. If the call resets again after the reboot, move to Method 2.
Method 2: Forced assignment through call settings
If the first method didn’t work, try cheating the system by initiating a call via True Phone:
- Open True Phone and go to the Caller tab.
- Enter any number (e.g. 123) and press the call button.
- The system will suggest you select an app to make a call. Check "Always" and select True Phone.
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Follow the command to assign True Phone by default: adb shell cmd role add-package com.truecorp.phone android.role.DIALER (if the application package is different, specify it through adb shell pm list packages | grep true).
- Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot
After the reboot, check if True Phone is the primary caller, and if not, repeat the command or check the packet name is correct.
💡
ADB-The method is the only reliable method for MIUI 14+, But you need to be careful. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. If you're not sure, use Method 1 or 2.
Solving typical problems after installation
Even after the successful appointment of True Phone users are faced with bugs.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Call resets after MIUI update | The system restores the standard settings | Repeat the setting through ADB Or Method 2. Turn off auto-updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points (⋮) → Update settings. |
| Incoming calls are not working. | MIUI blocks background activity | Turn off Battery Optimization for True Phone (see Preparation) and check notification permissions. |
| No sound when you ring. | Conflict with Google or MIUI services | Go to Settings → Sound → Additional → Call Settings and select True Phone as the sound source. |
| App lays or flies | Lack of RAM | Clear the True Phone cache. Turn off animations in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → For Developers → The scale of the window animations → No animation). |
If, after all the manipulations, True Phone still doesn’t work as the main call, check:
- 📌 App Version: Google Play should have fresh updates.
- 📌 Firmware region: on Chinese versions MIUI (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro CN) Additional restrictions may be required.
- 📌 Conflict with other calls: Uninstall apps like Google Phone or Dual Apps if they are installed.
💡
On certain devices (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) helps reset application settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Reset the app settings. Reset the True Phone after that.
Optimize True Phone for Maximum Performance
To True Phone works stably and does not slow down, follow these recommendations:
- Disable unnecessary functions: 📊 In True Phone settings, turn off Animations and Call Vibration if you don’t need them. 🌍 Deactivate Contact Geolocation if you don’t use it – it reduces battery load.
- Set up synchronization: ☁️ Turn off automatic sync with Google Contacts if you use local contacts. 🔄 Enable Backup in True Phone (Settings) → Backup copy) to save the call history.
Limit background activity of other applications
- 🚫 B Settings → Battery → Add True Phone to exceptions, and for other messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) set a limit.