Smartphone personalization has long gone beyond just installing live wallpaper on your desktop, and owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices are keen to make the incoming call process as unique as possible. Set up video instead of a standard static picture or black and white avatar turns a boring lock screen into a dynamic show, allowing you to immediately know who is calling you, even before the swipe, a feature that is especially relevant for modern MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, which provide ample opportunities for customization of the interface.
However, despite the apparent simplicity, the process of setting up a video call has its own nuances, depending on the version of the operating system and device model. Video call can be set globally for all contacts, and individually for a particular subscriber from your phone book. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods in detail, consider the operation of native functions of the operator and third-party applications, and answer questions about battery consumption.
It's worth noting that the quality of playback is directly dependent on the resolution of the source file and the power of the processor of your gadget. If you have a HyperOS shell based on Android 14, optimization algorithms can automatically reduce the quality of video to save power, which you need to consider when choosing a video. Let's move to the practical part and understand how to activate this feature.
Use of built-in functions of the communications operator
The first and often overlooked way to install video on a call is through a service provided directly by your cellular carrier. Major service providers have long implemented Vidoe Caller ID, or Video instead of Honks, which works at the network level, rather than the smartphone itself, meaning that video content will be displayed to the caller even if the caller has a simple button phone or an old model without high-resolution support.
To activate this option, you will usually need to download your carrier’s official application from Google Play or GetApps. You must find the section related to personalization of calls in the app menu and upload the desired video from the gallery. It is important to understand that most operators provide this service on a paid basis with daily or monthly charges, so you should carefully read the rates before connecting.
⚠️ Note: When using operator services, video content can be broadcasted not in the full screen, but in the form of a small window, since formatting depends on the receiving party and the standards for compressing the video stream in the network.
The advantage of this method is that it is independent of the phone model: you can play a video and it will be visible to everyone you call (provided that their operator also supports display technology). However, if you want the video to play on your screen when they call you, this method will not work, since it is focused on outgoing visualization for the interlocutor.
Set up a video call through the system application "Themes"
The most popular and free way, which does not require additional software, is to use the regular Themes app, preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones. This is where the basic functionality for deep customization of the interface, including the call screen, hides.
To start the process, open the Topic app and go to the bottom menu by selecting the Profile tab (human icon).In the settings list you need to find the Video Call or Video Ringtone. If you can't see this item right away, try switching the region in your phone settings to India or Indonesia, as in some regions this feature is hidden by default, although it works fully.
Inside the video calling section, the system will offer you several categories: popular videos, nature, abstraction or the ability to upload your video. Your video is downloaded through the "+" or "Local" button, after which the system will suggest cropping the video to the vertical screen format. MIUI algorithms will automatically adjust the duration and aspect ratio, but for best results, it is recommended to prepare the video in 9:16 format in advance.
☑️ Preparation of video for the call
Once you select or download the video, you'll be asked to use it. The system can offer two applications: "Apply to all" or "Apply to contact." The second option is especially useful because it allows you to assign a unique video to each important one, which makes the caller's identification instant. The application process takes a few seconds, after which, when you call in, you will see the selected video instead of a static photo.
Why can't the video be used?
Use of third-party apps from Google Play
If you don't have the standard features of the system, or if you want to use complex video formats, specialized applications from the Google Play store will come to the rescue, the leaders in this niche are programs like Video Caller ID, Flashy or Color Call. These applications have more flexible settings, allowing you to overlay filters, text and even create slideshows from several video files.
The main difference between third-party software is that it needs to be open to wide permissions. To work properly, the app needs to gain access to contacts, phone and, most importantly, the right to display over other windows. Without last permission, the video simply cannot run at the time of incoming call, since the Android system blocks the blocking of the call screen by extraneous processes for security reasons.
| Annex | Advertising | Setting up for contact | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Caller ID | High. | Yes. | Average. |
| Flashy | Average. | Yes. | High. |
| System MIUI | No. | Yes. | Low. |
When installing these applications, pay attention to battery optimization settings. HyperOS aggressively unloads background processes, so for a video call application, you need to put the "No Limits" mode in the application management menu. Otherwise, the video call may work once, and then stop turning on until the next manual service restart.
Set up a customized video for specific contacts
One of the most useful features of personalization is the ability to assign a unique video to each individual in your phone book, which allows you to instantly respond to calls from close or important colleagues without even looking at the name of the subscriber, both through the system menu and through the contact app.
To set up, go to the Contacts app, select the right person, and click on the edit button (usually a pencil or three dots). In the editing menu, find the Video Call or Video Ringtone field. By clicking on it, you will access a gallery or built-in video store where you can select a video that is associated with that person.
⚠️ Note: If you have assigned a video to contact, but it is not played when you call, check if the "No Sound" or "Do Not Disturb" tick is worth the contact for that particular contact.
Xiaomi system allows you to use short GIF-animations as video calls, which can be a great solution for saving space and battery. However, if you use a third-party app, make sure it supports the format GIF in full, as some programs can statically display the first frame of animation.
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Use short video magnifiers (cyclic video) 3-5 seconds long for a video call, which will create a live picture effect without sharp cliffs and will less load the processor than a long movie.
Solving problems with reproduction and quality
Users often experience video calls that are either not played or are glitchy. The most common cause is permission conflict or aggressive memory optimization. MIUI 14 and HyperOS require that the system manually prevent the system from "killing" the call process if you use third-party software.
Another problem may be the video file format. The system works best with the H.264 codec in an MP4 container. If you try to deliver a high-bitrate HEVC (H.265) video (e.g., 4K 60fps), the phone may simply lose the black screen or standard ringtone, as the decoder will not have time to start up a fraction of a second before the handset is lifted.
Also worth mentioning is the impact of the theme: Some third-party themes downloaded from Themes may have their own, hard-coded call screens that block the installation of custom video, so you need to temporarily switch to a standard Classic or Default theme, customize the video, and then return the visual style.
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For stable video calls, it is critical to use small files (up to 5-10 MB) and screen resolution to avoid delays when you start playing.
The impact of video calls on the autonomy of the device
The impact of dynamic wallpaper and video on calls on battery life worries many Xiaomi owners. It is logical to assume that the constant operation of the screen and video decoder should quickly land the battery. However, the mechanism of video calling is designed so that the resource-intensive process starts only when the incoming signal arrives.
The rest of the time, when the phone is just lying on the table, the video call consumes no power. The file is stored in memory and not processed by the processor. The charge consumption occurs only when the screen is on and the video is played. So, even if you are called often, the cumulative impact on autonomy will be minimal, usually no more than 1-2% per day when you are actively using it.
This is different if you use live themes, where video on the call is part of a complex desktop animation, in which case the load on the GPU increases. For maximum energy saving, it is recommended to use static themes, activating the video only for the call screen through system settings.