How do I open default dialer?

What is a default dialer app?

The default dialer app is the app that handles all outgoing and incoming calls on an Android phone. When you tap on a phone number to call or receive an incoming call, the default dialer app opens and facilitates the call.

The default dialer has permission to access call logs, voicemail, contacts, and other phone data needed to fully enable calling functionality. Android operating systems route all calls through the designated default app.

Most Android phones come preloaded with the stock dialer app made by the manufacturer, like Samsung’s Phone app or Google’s Phone app on Pixel phones. This stock app acts as the default dialer out of the box. However, users can change the default if desired.

Setting a third-party app as the default effectively replaces the manufacturer’s dialer with your preferred app. All calls will now go through that newly selected default dialer.

Why would I want to change the default dialer app?

There are several reasons you may want to use a dialer app other than the default one that comes with your Android phone:

New features – Many third-party dialer apps offer additional features the default one doesn’t have. This includes things like visual voicemail, better call blocking and spam protection, recording calls, and more intuitive interfaces.

Visual voicemail – One of the most popular reasons to use a new dialer app is for visual voicemail. The default Android dialer requires you call in to check voicemails. Apps like Google Voice provide a visual voicemail inbox so you can easily browse and listen to messages.

Better spam blocking – Third party apps like Truecaller use crowd-sourced databases to identify and block spam calls. They can provide much better protection compared to what’s built into the default dialer.

Customization – Alternative dialer apps allow changing themes, colors, icons, fonts and other visual elements. This allows personalizing the look and feel.

Improved contacts and calling – Some dialers integrate better with your contacts, make it easier to access frequent contacts, return calls with one tap, and provide search across businesses.

By switching to a third party dialer app, you can gain access to great features the default one lacks. Just be sure the new dialer works reliably for your needs.

How to determine your current default dialer

To check which app is set as your default phone and dialer app on Android, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Tap on “Apps & notifications” or “Applications”, depending on your Android version.
3. Look for the “Default apps” section and tap on it.
4. Under “Default apps” you will see an option labeled “Phone app” – this is your current default dialer.
5. The app listed next to “Phone app” is your current default that handles calls and the dialer.

So in the Default apps section, simply look at what is set as the “Phone app” to see your current default dialer. If you want to change it, tap on the current default app and you will be able to select a new default dialer app.

You can also check in the Apps section of Settings. Go to the app you want to check, such as the Phone app, and look at the option labeled “Open by default”. If it says “Supported intents” below it, that app is set as the default handler for those actions like calls and dialing numbers.

So in summary, your current default dialer will be listed under “Default apps” or flagged as “Open by default” for the Phone app in Settings. This makes it easy to check and confirm your current default calling app.

Setting a new default dialer app

The process for setting a new default dialer app on your Android phone can vary slightly between different device manufacturers, but generally involves the following steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Navigate to the Apps or Application Manager section. On Samsung devices this is often under “Apps > Default apps”. On other Android devices look for “Default apps” or “Advanced” in the Settings menu.

https://digitaluncoded.com/change-default-dialer-android

3. Tap on “Phone app” or “Calling app”.
4. You will see a list of installed dialer apps. Tap on the app you want to set as the new default.
5. Confirm the change if prompted.

The new dialer app you selected should now be set as the default handler for calls on your device. You can verify this by placing a test call. The new default dialer app should open automatically.

If you want to switch the default back, simply repeat these steps and select your previous default dialer app again.

Granting default app permissions

In order for a new dialer app to function properly as the default, you need to grant it access to certain permissions like calls, contacts, and SMS. Android requires explicit user consent to allow apps access to sensitive data like calls and messages. When you select a new default dialer app, Android will prompt you to allow permissions. You should see dialogs asking if you want to allow the app access to contacts, phone calls, and SMS. You need to select ‘Allow’ for each of these permissions prompts for the new dialer to work correctly.

These permissions allow the dialer to initiate calls using your contacts, see call history, send and receive texts, and generally operate like a phone app should. Permissions like CALL_PHONE, READ_CONTACTS, READ_CALL_LOG, READ_SMS, RECEIVE_SMS, and SEND_SMS allow full functionality.

If you accidentally denied permissions, you can go into app settings, select the dialer app, choose permissions and enable them. Without proper permissions, you may notice issues like inability to call contacts, see call history, or send texts.

Copying data to the new dialer

Once you’ve set the new dialer app as your default, you’ll likely want to transfer over data like call logs, favorites, and voicemails from your old dialer app. Here are some tips for transferring that data:

For call logs, you can use a third party app like Wondershare’s MobileTrans to transfer call logs between Android devices. As they note, you can “select ‘clear data before copy’ if you want to delete the existing data on your new Android device” while transferring [1].

To transfer voicemails, make sure to backup the voicemail folder located in internal storage at data/com.hb.dialer.free. Then on your new dialer app, go to settings and look for a backup/restore option to restore that folder [2].

For favorites/contacts, those are usually synced to your Google account, so they should transfer over automatically when you log into your Google account on the new device and dialer app.

Overall, transferring data requires a bit of manual work but is very doable. Be sure to backup any data you want to transfer before making the switch to avoid losing anything important.

Troubleshooting Issues

If you encounter problems after changing your default dialer app, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

• Clear the cache and data for the dialer app – Go to Settings > Apps > Dialer app > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data (https://community.oneplus.com/thread/514043)
• Uninstall updates for the dialer app – Go to Settings > Apps > Dialer app > Uninstall updates
• Restart your phone – A simple restart can help clear any glitches
• Check app permissions – Make sure the new dialer has phone and contacts permissions
• Revert to the previous default dialer – Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Phone app and choose your previous default
• Update the dialer app – Go to the Play Store and check for any available updates
• Delete the dialer app – Uninstall the problematic dialer completely

If you continue to have issues such as freezing, crashes or reverting to the old dialer app, your last resort may be performing a factory reset. This will erase all data and reset your phone to default settings. Make sure to backup any important data first.

Uninstalling the dialer app

If you decide you don’t like your new default dialer app, you can uninstall it and revert back to the previous default dialer.

To uninstall the dialer app on your Android device:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps or Application Manager.
3. Locate the dialer app you want to uninstall.
4. Tap Uninstall.

You may need to grant permission for the uninstall if your device prompts you. After uninstalling, your previous default dialer app will become the default again automatically.

If for some reason the previous default does not become active again, go back into Settings > Apps > Default Apps and select the dialer app you want to set as default.

According to Google Support, if the dialer app came pre-installed on your Android device, there may be no way to fully uninstall it. You can still install an alternate dialer and set it as your default if desired.

Best dialer apps

If you want to customize and expand the features beyond what your phone’s default dialer offers, third-party dialer apps provide excellent options. The top third-party dialer apps add useful functionality like better caller ID, call recording, contact management and more.

Based on expert recommendations and user reviews, some of the best third-party dialer apps include:

ACR Phone – This dialer app is packed with advanced call recording features, including the ability to automatically record all calls, selectively record calls, and more. It also identifies callers even if the number is not saved in your contacts. (Source)

Drupe – Drupe combines dialer and messaging functionality in one app. It can automatically back up your contacts and provides caller ID. An in-app social feed gives additional context on your contacts. (Source)

Simple Dialer – With a clean, minimalist interface, this dialer app focuses on efficient calling and contact management. It can block unwanted calls and identifying unknown numbers. The app is free with no ads. (Source)

Conclusion

Changing your default dialer app on Android is a straightforward process, though it does require a few steps. To summarize:

First, determine your current default dialer under Settings > Apps. Then download an alternative dialer app you’d like to use as the default instead.

Open the new dialer app’s permissions and enable the “Make this my default phone app” option. You may need to disable that permission for your previous default dialer app.

Allow the new dialer to access your contacts and call history data if you want to transfer that over. You can then uninstall the old dialer if desired.

Troubleshoot issues by double checking the default app permissions settings. Overall, changing your default dialer gives you more control over the calling experience on your Android device.