Why Xiaomi forced Google Dialer on Redmi and POCO devices

If you visit any Xiaomi community forum, you will inevitably find one recurring complaint: “Bring back the MIUI Dialer.” Long-time Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO enthusiasts often despise the pre-installed Google Phone and Messages apps, viewing them as a downgrade from the feature-rich, integrated native Xiaomi alternatives.

While the loss of the classic interface and native call recording is frustrating for many, this forced switch isn’t without reason. These “annoying” Google apps house a sophisticated, often-overlooked security layer that the old offline dialers simply cannot match: Real-time Spam Detection.

The Hidden Shield: Why You Need It

The Google Phone and Messages apps are not just communication tools; they are active defense systems. unlike the legacy Xiaomi apps which relied on static, local definitions, Google’s ecosystem leverages a massive, cloud-augmented threat intelligence database.

This feature works silently in the background to:

• Identify Fraud: Cross-reference incoming calls against millions of reported scam numbers in real-time.

• Quarantine Threats: Automatically reroute malicious SMS payloads (phishing links, fake bank alerts) into a hidden “Spam & Blocked” sandbox before they can clutter your inbox or trick you into clicking.

How to Activate Your Defense

To turn this annoyance into a security asset, you need to ensure the protection protocols are active. Here is the configuration audit:

1. Silence the Spammers (Phone App)

• Open the Google Phone app.

• Go to Settings > Caller ID & spam.

• Enable “Filter spam calls”.

  • Result: Your phone will now automatically block known high-risk numbers from ringing, preventing the disturbance entirely.

2. Clean Up Your Inbox (Messages App)

• Open Google Messages.

• Tap your Profile Icon and select Messages settings > Spam protection.

• Toggle on “Enable spam protection”.

  • Result: Heuristic analysis will now screen every incoming text, segregating potential threats without you needing to lift a finger.