Redmi Didn’t Ask Me — It Just Changed Everything

I didn’t press anything. I didn’t install anything. But one day, my Redmi phone—like many others—decided to reinvent itself.

It started with a phone call.

The screen lit up, the ringtone played, and I instinctively swiped up to answer. Nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing. I was confused, frustrated, and nearly missed the call. Then, by accident, I swiped left… and boom. The call connected.

That’s when I realized: my phone had changed. And not just the call gesture. The contact list, dialer, and incoming call screen all had a new look. It felt like my phone had gotten a makeover overnight.

What’s Going On?

This isn’t just a Redmi 13C thing—it’s happening across multiple Xiaomi devices. The company is rolling out a major update under its new HyperOS system, which replaces parts of MIUI and brings a fresh visual experience to core apps like Phone, Contacts, and Messaging.

Here’s what’s new:

• Call Screen Gesture: Instead of swiping up to answer, you now swipe left or right.
• Centered Call Button: A draggable button replaces the old swipe bar.
• Updated UI: Cleaner layout, rounded icons, and new animations.
• Contact List Redesign: Grouping and display styles have changed.

These changes are part of Xiaomi’s push to make its software more intuitive—but for many of us, it’s just confusing at first.

Why It Feels So Weird

We build muscle memory around how we use our phones. When something as basic as answering a call changes, it throws us off. I missed a couple of calls before figuring it out—and I’m not alone.

See What It Looks Like

Ajewole’s Redmi UI after the update

See What People Are Saying Online

Users across forums and social media are sharing their confusion and feedback

What You Can Do

If you’re not loving the new look:

• Try a Different Dialer App: Apps like Truecaller, Simple Dialer, or Drupe offer customizable interfaces.
• Disable Auto-Updates: Go to Settings → Apps → System Apps Updater and turn off auto-update.
• Send Feedback to Xiaomi: Use Settings → Feedback to share your thoughts.

Final Thoughts

Technology evolves, and updates are meant to improve our experience. But when those changes come without warning, it can feel invasive. My Redmi still works great—but I wish it had asked me first.

If your Xiaomi phone suddenly feels unfamiliar, you’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.