BIG Phone brings contacts, call history, the dialler and call screens into the same large, clearly labelled style as BIG Launcher. Looking up a number, returning a missed call and answering an incoming call all use a familiar layout and straightforward controls.
You can keep a confirmation before dialling and hide the options for deleting contacts or call-history entries. These safeguards help reduce accidental calls and deletions while keeping everyday calling simple. This guide focuses on setting up incoming calls as part of that simpler phone interface.
Choose how an incoming call appears
In BIG Launcher → Preferences → Phone → Show the incoming call as, there are three choices:
- Call screen if Android allows it. Choose this when the priority is a dedicated call screen with large controls. The wording matters: Android still controls when an app may open that screen.
- Heads-up notification. Shows the call as a pop-up notification. This is an alternative when the full call screen is unavailable or when you prefer a notification while using another app.
- Notification in the Notification bar only. Keeps the call notification in the notification bar. It is a poor fit for someone who already struggles to find an incoming call, because it is less prominent.
The phone may present a call differently while unlocked and in use than while locked with the display off. Choosing the full-screen option expresses your preference; it does not override Android’s notification and background-app restrictions.
Set BIG Phone as the default calling app
- Install and open BIG Phone for Seniors. Tap Yes when asked to make it the default phone app, and allow the requested call, contact and call-log permissions.
- Open the incoming-call setting above and select Call screen if Android allows it.
If the default-app prompt does not appear, open Android Settings → Apps → Default apps → Calling app or Phone app, then select BIG Phone for Seniors. On some phones, Default apps is inside the three-dot menu. BIG Phone needs this role to handle the incoming-call screen; installing it without selecting it as default is not enough.
Adjust the details that affect answering
Under Preferences → Phone, Contact photo size lets you give the caller’s photo more space. A larger photo can help with recognising the caller, but leaves less room for controls, so choose a size that keeps both useful.
If accidental swipes are a problem, leave Swipe to reject call disabled. This option concerns swiping away the incoming-call notification; it is not a setting for swiping through contacts or call history.
Show call screen immediately on ringing is a separate option that tries to bring up the call screen as ringing starts. Android and manufacturer restrictions can still affect whether it appears.
Make a call before handing over the phone
Ask someone to call while the phone is unlocked, then again after you lock it and let the display turn off. Have the person who will use the phone answer both calls. Can they recognise the caller and find the answer control without guidance? If both calls work as needed, there is no reason to change additional Android permissions just to complete a checklist.
If the phone rings but the call screen is missing
First confirm that BIG Phone is still the default phone app. Then open BIG Launcher → Preferences → Phone → Fix: no call screen immediately on ringing, or follow the BIG Phone black-screen troubleshooting guide. It explains the background and lock-screen permissions used by phones that block the call screen, including Xiaomi models.
These are repairs for a specific symptom, not extra steps everyone must complete. Permission names and locations depend on the manufacturer. Keep the Android screen lock in place while trying permission-based fixes; removing it weakens the phone’s security.
If the screen appears but there is no ringtone, that is a different problem. Check ringtone volume and Do Not Disturb, then use Preferences → Phone → Select phone ringtone sound. The no-ringtone guide covers that case.
Make the incoming call easier to find
Try BIG Phone’s large call screen on your Android phone, with the person who will use it doing the answering.
