How to Call Xiaomi Camera: A Detailed Guide with Settings and Tips

Xiaomi cameras are no longer just surveillance devices. Modern models such as the Mi Home Security Camera 2K, Xiaomi Mi Camera 360° or Xiaomi Smart Camera C400 support two-way audio communication — essentially, the ability to “call” through the camera to hear and transmit a voice.

However, not all users know how to set up the feature, what apps are needed to do this, and how to avoid typical problems such as when the sound is interrupted or the camera does not respond to a call. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to make “calls” through Xiaomi cameras, including setting up through Mi Home, Xiaomi Home and third-party applications, as well as give tips for troubleshooting. If you are just planning a purchase, here you will find a comparison of models on communication quality.

What Xiaomi Cameras Support Calling Function

Not all Xiaomi devices can be used for voice communication, and two-way audio (or “calls”) is only available in models with built-in microphones and speakers.

• 🔍 A microphone and speaker – without them, the camera can only broadcast video, but not transmit sound.
• 📱 Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app support – some older models only work through third-party firmware.
• 🌐 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection – most Xiaomi cameras don’t support 5GHz networks.

List of popular models with call support:

If your model is not included in the list, check the specifications on the official website or in the instructions. For example, Xiaomi Mi Home Camera Basic does not support two-way communication, although it looks like other models.

Preparing the camera for calls: setting up the microphone and speaker

Before you try to "call" through the camera, make sure it's properly connected and configured. Here are the mandatory steps:

1. Connect your camera to Wi-Fi – only via a 2.4GHz network (5GHz is not supported by most models).
2. Update the firmware – go to Settings → About the device → Update the software in the Mi Home application.
3. Turn on the microphone and speaker – in the camera settings, activate the option “Two-way communication” or “Audio”.

If the camera is already connected but the sound is not working, check:

• 📵 Mi Home app permissions - in settings Android/iOS Give me access to the microphone.
• 🔌 Camera power – some models turn off the microphone when the battery is low (relevant for battery versions).

Connection to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi |

Camera firmware update |

Turning the microphone on in settings|

Volume check on the phone |

How to call through the camera Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The easiest way is to use the official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home for new models).

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your camera from the device list.

If there is no microphone icon, check:

• 🔧 App Version – Update Mi Home to the latest version in Google Play or App Store.

For models with Push-to-Talk support (such as the Xiaomi Smart Camera C400), the algorithm is slightly different:

1. Hold the microphone button in the app.
2. Speak while the button is pressed.
3. Release the button to hear the answer.

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If the sound is interrupted, try reconnecting the camera to a router on a different Wi-Fi channel (e.g. 6-by-11), which helps with interference from neighboring networks.

Alternative Calling Methods: Third-Party Applications and Integrations

If standard methods don’t work or you need additional features (such as recording conversations or missing call notifications), you can use third-party solutions:

• 🤖 Home Assistant + Xiaomi Mi Home Integration – allows you to set up automatic sound transmission to the camera on a schedule or event (for example, when detecting movement).

Integration with Home Assistant requires:

1. Install Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi or other server.
2. Add Xiaomi Mi Home integration through HACS.
3. Set up automation using the service camera.play_stream.

Example of code for automatically enabling communication when motion is detected:

automation:


- alias: "Calling through camera while moving"




trigger:




platform: state




entity_id: binary_sensor.motion_sensor




to: "on"




action:




service: camera.play_stream




target:




entity_id: camera.xiaomi_camera




data:




media_player: media_player.living_room_speaker

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after you set it up properly, users face challenges, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the camera is connected via Mi Home, but the sound still doesn’t work, try:

• 🔄 Reset the camera settings – press the reset button for 5-10 seconds (located on the back panel).
• 📡 Use a different router – some Xiaomi models conflict with TP-Link routers or ASUS.
• 🛠️ Install alternative firmware – for example, OpenIPC for older cameras.

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If you've never heard the sound after all the manipulations, check the camera on another smartphone or tablet, and it's probably your device, not the camera, that's the problem.

Comparison of communication quality in different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi cameras are equally good for voice communications, and we tested several popular models on key parameters:

• 🎤 Sound purity – how well the voice is transmitted without interference.
• 🔊 Loudness speaker – can you be heard in another room.
• 📶 Stability of communication - whether there are breaks with weak Wi-Fi.

The best choice for calls is the Mi Home Security Camera 2K: it combines high sound quality, minimal latency and stable operation even with a weak Wi-Fi signal. If you need loudspeaker (for example, for a large room), look for the Smart Camera C400 - it has the most powerful speaker among the models tested.

For comparison: cheap cameras like Xiaomi Mi Home Camera Basic do not support two-way communication at all, and in the Mi Camera 360° 1080p, the sound sometimes breaks with weak Internet.

Security: How to Protect Your Calls from Eavesdropping

Voice over camera is convenient, but don't forget about the security risks. In 2023, Xiaomi cameras were hacked through vulnerabilities in firmware.

• 🔒 Use a complex password for your Mi Home account (at least 12 characters with numbers and special signs).
• 🌐 Disable cloud storage if you don’t use it – data can be transferred through Xiaomi servers in China.
• 🛡️ Set up a local area network – some firmware (like OpenIPC) allows you to restrict access to the camera only from your home network.

We also recommend:

• 📵 Turn off the microphone physically (if the model supports) or in settings when you are not using it.
• 🔄 Regularly update firmware – Xiaomi periodically closes vulnerabilities in new versions of the software.
• 🚫 Do not use the camera in rooms with confidential conversations (for example, in the office with documents).

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For maximum security, connect the camera to a separate Wi-Fi network (guest router network) and limit its access to the Internet through firewall settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the camera turns on the microphone or rotates without your command, immediately disconnect it from the network and check for viruses all devices connected to the same network.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras