How to call Xiaomi: 5 ways to make a call and set up a phone connection

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer many ways to make a call, from classic dialing to voice commands and gestures. However, even experienced users sometimes face difficulties: fast calls do not work, the phone icon is missing on the screen or the device does not recognize voice commands. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of calling on Redmi, POCO and Mi phones, including hidden MIUI functions, and solve typical communication problems.

The flexibility of MIUI is that you can configure the display of contacts, change the behavior of the call button, or even create a shortcut for an emergency call on the home screen, but these features often go unnoticed. For example, did you know that you can call Xiaomi without unlocking the screen or set up an automatic response to incoming calls? If not, read on.

1. Classic method: call through the application "Phone"

The most obvious, but not always the most convenient method.The phone app on Xiaomi hides a few useful tips:

• 📱 Quick dial: Hold the number 1 on the keyboard to call voicemail (not working in all countries).
• 🔍 Contact search: start typing a name or number right in the top line – the system will show matches even from messengers.
• 📞 Latest calls: Swipe up in the main application window will open a story with the ability to re-typing.
• ⚙️ Hidden settings: tap on ⋮ → Settings → Additionally, to enable recording of conversations or to disable the number definition.

If the Phone app icon is missing from the home screen, check the Tools folder or search the system (swipe down on the home screen). On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12), the app can be hidden in Settings → Apps → Hidden apps.

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Add the Phone widget to the home screen: pinch the empty space → Widgets → find the Phone and drag it to a convenient place.

2.Voice call: "OK Google" and "Xiaomi Assistant"

Voice commands save time, especially when hands are busy. Xiaomi has two options:

1. Google Assistant: Activated by saying "OK, Google" or holding the Home button: 🗣️ «Call your mom on your mobile if the contact is saved with the tag "Mother"). 🗣️ «Dial the number. +79123456789». 🗣️ «Repeat the last outgoing call».

Assistant Xiaomi (XiaoAI)

It works on Chinese firmware and some global versions (for example, Mi 13 Ultra), activated by the phrase "Hey, XiaoAI" or double pressing the power button. Supports commands in Chinese and English, but for Russian functionality is limited.

⚠️ Warning: If the voice assistant doesn't respond, check: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google → Permits → Microphone (must be allowed).

3. Quick action: call from locked screen

MIUI allows you to make calls without unlocking your phone, which is convenient in an emergency.

• 🔓 Shortcut on the lock screen: add the phone icon or emergency call to Settings → Lock screen → Labels.
• 📱 Double-touch gesture: Enable in Settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Double tap to wake up, then tap twice on the screen turned off and swipe up the phone icon.
• 🆘 Emergency call: on the lock screen, press Emergency call → Enter the number (e.g. 112) → Tap the call.

In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70 Pro) Double-touch gesture may not work when Always-On Display is enabled. Turn it off in Settings → Screen. → Always-On Display.

Enable the "Phone" label on the lock screen|Add Contact to Favorites for Quick Access|Check the work of the gesture "Double touch"|Set up an answering machine for emergency numbers-->

4. Call through contacts and favorites

If you call the same people often, set up quick access:

1. Favourite Contacts: Open the Contacts app → slip on ⭐ This contact will now be displayed in the Favorite tab in the Phone app.
2. Contact Widget: Add 4×2 Contacts widget to the home screen (press screen → Widgets → Contacts) and it will show 4 frequently used contacts with quick call buttons.
3. Contact Groups: Create a group (e.g. Family or Work) in Contacts → Groups, then call all group members simultaneously via Group Call (available on MIUI 14+).

⚠️ Note: If contacts are not synced, check: Settings → Google accounts → Contact synchronization (should be enabled) on some models (POCO X5) Synchronization may conflict with your Mi Account – disable duplicate synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account.

5. Alternative methods: calling through messengers and smart devices

If a standard telephone module is not available (for example, in case of problems with the telephone). SIM-map, use:

• 💬 WhatsApp/Telegram: voice calls over the Internet. MIUI These applications can be added to Quick Settings (swipe down) → edit → find out WhatsApp/Telegram).
• 🎧 Bluetooth Headset: Configure voice dialing through Settings → Connected devices → Headset settings → Voice set.
• 🏠 Smart watches / bracelets: on Mi Band 8 or Xiaomi Watch S3 You can accept/deflect calls, and on some models, initialize a call through the Mi Fitness app.
• 🖥️ Mi PC Suite: If the phone is connected to a computer, you can call through the Mi program PC Suite (available for Windows).

⚠️ Note: Calls via messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) do not replace standard telephone service in emergency situations!

6 Problem Solving: Why You Can't Call

If the calls don't go through, check:

1. SIM-map: Make sure that SIM activated and inserted correctly (on some models, for example, Redmi) 10C, second hybrid slot - check if the memory card is occupied.Reboot your phone or switch network mode to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network (just try it) 4G auto).
2. Number lock: Check if the phone number is locked → ⋮ → Number locking: Some operators (e.g. Tele2) can block outgoing calls with negative balances.
3. MIUI Settings: In Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Phone, check that the application has Microphone, Contacts and Phone rights. Some firmware (MIUI Global) may enable Do Not Disturb for all contacts – turn it off in Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb.

If the problem persists, reset your network settings:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset

This will remove stored Wi-Fi networks and passwords, but will not affect contacts or files.

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If after the MIUI update, call functions (for example, recording conversations) are lost, try clearing the cache of the Phone application in Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi calls