In an era where visual contact has become more important than voice communication, the ability to quickly organize video communication is transformed from an option into a basic necessity. Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a confusing setup system where video calling functions can be scattered across different applications or hidden in system menus. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS offer many scenarios for using the camera during a conversation, but it is not always obvious how to activate the desired mode.
There are several fundamental approaches to video communication on devices of this brand: you can use native carrier tools if the tariff plan allows VoLTE video, or rely on popular messengers, which have long become the de facto standard.
Our guide will help you figure out how to put a video call on a Xiaomi phone, customize image quality and solve typical camera access issues. We will look at both standard methods and specific features available only in the Chinese manufacturer's ecosystem.
Native video capabilities in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s smartphone shell has built-in functionality that users often ignore. The standard Phone app has the ability to make video calls over Internet protocols if your carrier supports it or if ViLTE is activated. However, in most regions, this feature is disabled by default or requires specific APN settings.
To activate the system video call, you need to make sure that the settings SIM-The interface may vary depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. If you want to use a system call rather than third-party applications, you need deep integration with the operator's network.
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System video call via the “bell” often takes precedence over messengers in moments of weak signal, as it uses specialized communication channels of the operator, rather than the general data flow.
It’s worth noting that native image quality is heavily influenced by the codecs your device and network supports. Mid-range and flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro are better at encoding real-time video streams than budget models.
Use of third-party messengers for video communication
The most common way to “put” a video call is through the use of intermediary apps. WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and Duo (now Google Meet) require separate permissions to work with the camera and microphone. Unlike system calls, here the quality of communication depends on the stability of your Wi-Fi or 4G/5G connection.
To set up a priority video calling app on Xiaomi, you can use the Default Apps feature, although it works more often for voice calls. For video, the system usually suggests selecting an app at the time of an incoming call if you have multiple messengers installed.
- 📱 WhatsApp: Provides stable connection even at low internet speeds thanks to aggressive traffic compression.
- ✈️ Telegram: offers a high degree of encryption and the ability to call in groups of up to 1000 people (in paid versions).
- 🎥 Google Meet: Perfectly integrated into Android, allowing you to switch between devices without breaking the connection.
- 💬 Viber: often used in CIS countries thanks to Viber Out for regular calls.
If a video call fails or fails, check the battery settings for a particular application and set the No Limits mode.
Setup of permissions and access to the camera
The critical thing that makes video calling impossible is to set up the right access. Xiaomi is known for its strict security policy, which sometimes blocks access to the camera even for verified applications. If you click on the call, but you see a black screen instead of the interlocutor, the problem lies here.
You need to go to the settings menu, find the Apps section, and select All Apps. From the list, find your messenger (like WhatsApp) and go to Permissions. Make sure the sliders opposite the Camera and Microphone are active. Also check for pop-ups permission, as the video call is often displayed in a floating window.
⚠️ Warning: Newer versions of HyperOS may have a green light in the corner of the screen when you first start a camera or video call, and it's a system protection that tells you that the camera is being used by some process right now. Don't ignore this unless you initiated the call.
There is also a hidden Privacy Protection setting that can completely turn off the camera for selected apps. Check this section if standard permissions are enabled but the video doesn't work.This is a common mistake by users who accidentally activate "Incognito Mode" for the camera.
☑️ Checklist for video call settings
Function "Video effects" and quality improvement
Today’s Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful image processing algorithms, effects can be available in the camera settings or during the video call itself (depending on the application), and these are not just fun masks, but also useful tools like background blurring or light correction.
In MIUI system settings, there is a section called Video Effects (often in Additional Settings or called by a swipe during a call) where you can enable automatic facial enhancement, which is especially true in low light. The AI algorithm analyzes the picture and adjusts the white balance and exposure.
| Function | Description | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Blurring background | Small depth of field simulation | Average. |
| Face retouching | Skin smoothing and tone correction | High. |
| Adaptive lighting | Balancing of brightness under counterlight | Low. |
| Noise suppression | Eliminating Grain in the Dark | Average. |
The Secret Menu of an Engineering Camera
Using these features requires CPU resources. If your Xiaomi phone starts to heat up or brake during a video call, try turning off the Video Effects, which will reduce the load on the device's GPU and NPU.
Solving problems with black screen and sound
One of the most common problems is when a video call is made but the image is not transmitted, and often it's an application conflict, if you have another process running using the camera (like background recording or scanning). QR-code by another application, the Android system will block access to the call.
It's also worth checking the "Mode in your pocket" settings, which is designed to prevent accidental taps, sometimes mistakenly locks the sensor and camera if you hold your phone in a certain way or use a magnetic cover case. Try turning this feature off in the lock screen settings.
⚠️ Note: If all applications have stopped using video calls after the firmware update, the problem may be with the network settings that have gone wrong. Try resetting the network settings (not data!) from the Connections and Sharing menu».
Sound problems when there is a video and there is no voice are often solved by choosing the right output device. During the call, click on the speaker icon and make sure that the phone speaker or headset is not selected for the Bluetooth headphone (if it is in another room), but for the phone speaker or headset. Xiaomi sometimes has an audio channel that is treated by rebooting the device.
Optimizing the network for HD-video
High-quality high-resolution video (HD or Full HD) requires a stable data channel. Xiaomi smartphones support frequency aggregation, but in mobile network settings you can force the network type to choose. Switching to 4G/LTE Only mode can improve the stability of the video stream by eliminating switching to EDGE/3G.
If you use Wi-Fi, make sure the phone is connected to a 5GHz band if the router allows it.This range is less crowded and provides higher bandwidth, which is critical for video calls. The Wi-Fi settings on Xiaomi also have a feature called "Wi-Fi Assistant" that will automatically switch you to mobile internet if the Wi-Fi signal becomes weak.
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The stability of a video call depends 80 percent on upload speed, not download speed. Check this in your speed tests.
Remember that background downloads (game updates, photo sync to the cloud) can “strangle” the video stream. the “Game mode” or “Game acceleration” feature on Xiaomi has an analogue for important applications – add your messenger to the list of priorities so that the system allocates more network resources to it.