The standard incoming call interface on smartphones often looks too simple or does not correspond to the individual preferences of the device owner. Many users want to personalize their gadget, from desktop wallpaper to how exactly a contact is displayed when making a call. Fortunately, the operating system Android provides ample opportunities for customization, allowing you to change not only pictures, but also the location of controls.
The process of changing the call screen may vary depending on the manufacturer of your smartphone, be it Samsung, Xiaomi or pure Android on devices Google Pixel. In some cases, the built-in settings only allow you to change the wallpaper, while deeper modification of the interface will require third-party applications. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available customization methods.
Built-in theme and design settings
The first thing you should do is check the capabilities that are already built into the shell of your smartphone. Manufacturers often add their own themes that affect both the lock screen and the incoming call screen. To access these functions, you usually need to go to the section Settings and find an item related to appearance.
For example, on devices Samsung with a shell One UI there is a separate application Galaxy Themes. Through it you can download full-fledged design packages that change icons, fonts and, what is especially important for us, the style of the call screen. Themes can be either free or paid, but they guarantee compatibility with the system.
In smartphones Xiaomi (shell MIUI or HyperOS) a similar function is in the application Themes. Here you can select the "Call Screen" category and apply the design you like. It is important to understand that the use of such a theme may affect other interface elements, so you should carefully read the description before installation.
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party themes from official manufacturers' stores, make sure that they are compatible with your firmware version to avoid visual bugs or unstable system operation.
If If you don't want to change the entire theme, look for the "Call screen wallpaper" option in your lock screen settings. This will allow you to install a static image or photo slideshow without affecting the rest of the system's design. This approach is the most secure and does not require installing additional software.
Using third-party applications for calls
When the built-in tools are not enough, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue Google Play. These apps completely replace the standard interface for dialing and receiving calls, offering unique designs and advanced functionality. Some of the most popular solutions are Truecaller, CallApp and Hiya.
After installing such an application, you will need to grant it the necessary permissions. The system will request access to contacts, phone number and, critically, the right to be a calling application default. Without granting these rights, the new interface will not be able to intercept incoming calls and display on top of other windows.
In the settings of the application itself, there is usually a “Themes” or “Design” section, where you can select a ready-made style or configure it manually. You can change the background color, the shape of the answer and reject buttons, and add widgets with caller information. Some apps even allow you to stream full-screen video when a call comes in.
- 📱 Truecaller — A well-known caller ID app that also offers stylish themes for the call screen and a call recording feature.
- 🎨 CallApp — Provides a huge selection of themes, the ability to set up video calls, and integration with social networks to display avatars.
- 🛡️ Hiya — Focuses on security and blocking spam, but also has several design options for the dialing interface.
It is worth noting that replacing the standard “dialer” can affect the speed of the interface, especially on older smartphone models with a small amount of RAM. Before making your final choice, test several options to find a balance between beauty and performance.
☑️ Check before installing a new application
Setting wallpaper and video calls
The function of setting video as the background during a call deserves special attention. This option is becoming increasingly popular and is available both in some stock firmware and through third-party utilities. Video wallpapers make the call screen lively and dynamic, responding to user actions.
To set up a video call on devices Samsung you can use the application Video Wallpaper, which is often preinstalled on brand devices. You need to select a video from the gallery or download it from a special directory and then assign it to the lock screen or call screen. The process takes only a few minutes and does not require complex settings.
If your smartphone does not support this function natively, you can use applications like Video Live Wallpaper. However, there is a nuance here: such applications often work as desktop wallpaper, and their correct display on the call screen may require additional manipulations or a paid version of the software.
| Content type | Impact on the battery | Setting up complexity | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static image | Minimal | Low | All devices |
| Animated themes | Average | Average | Most Android |
| Video background (Live) | High | High | Powerful smartphones |
| 3D effects | Very high | High | Flagships |
Using heavy high-resolution video files can significantly increase consumption battery charge. If you notice that your smartphone is draining faster after installing a video call, consider using shorter videos or static images with a parallax effect.
Optimize the video for the call screen: before installing, trim the video to 10-15 seconds and reduce the resolution to 720p to reduce CPU load and save battery.
Display problems on different versions of Android
With the release of new versions of the operating system Android (12, 13, 14 and newer), Google is tightening security and window management rules. This directly impacts how third-party apps can modify the call screen. In some cases, the system may block the display of custom interfaces on top of the lock screen.
The main problem is the permission to display on top of other applications. In new versions Android this menu item is often hidden deep in the settings or called differently. If you have installed the application, but the call screen remains standard, check the section Applications → Special access → Display on top of other applications.
It is also worth considering the features of working with notifications. Starting Android 11, call notification management has become more strict. Calling applications must be properly configured in the notifications section to have priority and show a full-screen interface even when the phone is locked.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu item names may vary depending on the Android version and the manufacturer's shell. If you do not find the item you need, use the search in your phone settings.
Another common problem is a conflict between several applications that claim to be a phone book or dialer. The system may be confused about which application should handle the incoming call. In this case, you need to clearly indicate the default application in the corresponding section of the system settings.
What to do if the call screen is black?
If when you receive an incoming call you see a black screen instead of the interface, try disabling the "Proximity sensor" function in the settings of the phone or a specific caller application. Sometimes the sensor gets stuck or does not work correctly with new themes.
Return to factory interface settings
There are situations when experiments with themes and applications lead to unsatisfactory results: the interface is slow, looks sloppy, or is simply boring. In this case, the only correct solution is to return to the factory call screen.
If you used a third-party application as your main dialer, the return process is simple. Go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Phone and select your manufacturer's standard application (for example, Google Phone or Samsung Phone). After this, all calls will be processed by the standard interface.
If you changed the theme through the system themes application, then you need to go to this application, go to the "My themes" section or "Profile" and select the "Default" or "Classic" theme. Using a standard theme will restore the original appearance of all system elements, including the call screen.
In extreme cases, when the settings are lost and it is not possible to return them using standard methods, you can clear the data in the "Phone" application. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear data. Important: this action will not delete your contacts or call history (since they are stored in a separate contact storage), but will reset all interface settings and preferences of the dialer itself.
- 🔄 Change the default application in the system settings to deactivate the third-party dialer.
- 🎨 Apply the "Default" theme in the theme store of your smartphone.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of the standard application phone to reset its visual settings.
Returning to the standard interface is a safe procedure that does not delete personal data, contacts or call history, but only resets the visual settings of the application.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to set your photo to full screen when call?
Yes, it is possible. On many smartphones, in the contacts settings, you can select a specific photo for the subscriber, which will be displayed on the entire screen. You can also set general wallpaper for the call screen in the theme or lock screen settings, which will be visible when you call any number.
Why does the call screen not change after installing the theme?
Most often the problem lies in the lack of necessary permissions. Check if the theme app or dialer has the "Display on top of other windows" permission. Also make sure that the theme is fully compatible with your version of Android and shell.
Does changing the call screen affect the quality of communication?
No, the visual design does not affect the quality of voice communication or the operation of the modem. However, too heavy animated themes can load the processor, which could theoretically lead to micro-delays in the interface during a call, but not the call itself.
Is it safe to use third-party apps for calls?
Most popular apps from Google Play are safe, but they require access to your contacts and call history. Read the privacy policy carefully and download applications only from trusted developers with high ratings.
How to remove advertising on the call screen?
Advertising often appears in free versions of third-party calling applications. To get rid of it, you can purchase a premium version of the application, turn off the Internet for a specific application in the settings (if this does not interfere with its functionality) or return to the standard phone application.