How to change the background of the call on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Smartphone personalization has long ceased to be just a change of wallpaper on the desktop, and owners of Xiaomi devices know this firsthand. The function of changing the background during a video call has become especially relevant in the era of remote work, when you need to quickly hide the clutter in the room or simply add professionalism to your image. Standard tools of the MIUI system and the new HyperOS offer ample opportunities for customizing the visual range, but not all users know exactly where these settings are hiding.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of changing the background using built-in system tools and third-party applications, learn how to activate the blur function, replace the real environment with a static image, or even start a video background, which will allow you to look presentable in any situation, whether it is a business conference or chatting with friends.

It’s worth noting that feature availability can vary depending on your device model and operating system version. Hardware acceleration plays a key role in the quality of video stream processing, so on older models, some effects may work less stable.

Built-in MIUI and HyperOS capabilities

Starting with certain versions of the MIUI shell, the company has implemented native video effects support that works systemically, which means you don't have to look for settings inside every single app, whether it's Zoom, Skype or the built-in Caller.

To access these settings, you need to go to the system configuration menu. The path is usually: Settings → Screen is always on and lock screen or settings → Additional features → Video effects. This is where the main switch that activates image processing is located. Without it, applications may not see the available effects.

It’s important to understand the difference between software and hardware processing. On flagship models with powerful Snapdragon processors, background blur occurs almost without delay. On low-end devices with entry-level Helio or Dimensity processors, the system can warn of possible performance declines when heavy effects are included.

⚠️ Note: In some regional firmware (e.g. Global) ROM) The video effects menu can be hidden or renamed. If you don't find this item, try changing the region in your phone's settings to India or China, but remember that this may affect other system services.

System effects are often updated through the theme store, so it’s worth checking for new effects packages periodically, allowing you to add new blur types or background images without updating the entire operating system.

Setting up the background through the Camera and Gallery app

Many users are surprised, but the standard Camera app on Xiaomi smartphones has hidden modes that affect the operation of video communication. In some versions, the video call background settings shell is integrated directly into the viewfinder interface when the video mode starts.

To check for these features, open the camera app and switch to video recording mode. In the upper corner or in the "More" menu» (≡) You can have a wave-square icon or a little man, and you can click on it and you can have a selection of effects, like blur, studio light, vignette, or background change.

If you want to use your own photo as a background, you'll need the Gallery app. Choose the appropriate high-resolution image, click on the "More" button and select the "Install as" option. In the list that appears, look for "Video Call Background" or "Video Wallpaper" image resolution should match the proportions of the screen to avoid distortion.

And there's also the video-based Portrait Magic feature, which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to separate the object from the background, and the quality of this function is directly dependent on indoor lighting, and in dim light, the boundaries of the object can shake, which is noticeable to the person who is talking to you.

Using third-party applications to change background

There's not always enough regular funding, especially if you need specific functionality or if your smartphone model doesn't support system effects, and then Google Play apps come to the rescue, and they create a virtual camera that replaces the real video stream with the processed image.

One of the most popular solutions is the X-Blur app or its analogues, which works by creating a virtual input device, and once you install and configure the application, a new option will appear in the camera selection menu in any messenger (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp), such as the X-Blur Camera.

The process of setting up third-party software usually looks like this:

• 📱 Download the application for background replacement from the official store.
• 🔒 Provide the necessary permissions to access the camera and microphone.
• 🖼️ Upload the desired image or select the blur effect.
• 🎥 In the call app, select a virtual camera instead of the main camera.

However, this method has its drawbacks: using third-party filters puts additional strain on the processor, which can lead to heating of the device and rapid battery discharge, and some applications can watermark the image in the free version.

⚠️ Attention: Be careful when granting permissions to third-party applications. Background replacement programs require full access to the video stream, which could theoretically be used for surveillance.

Specificity of work in popular messengers

Different communication apps interact with Xiaomi’s system settings differently, with some ignoring system effects and relying only on their own algorithms, while others are completely subject to shell settings.

In Zoom and Microsoft Teams, the background settings are usually inside the app itself. Before or during a meeting, click on the video settings icon and select Virtual Background. If MIUI system effects are activated, they can conflict with the application's internal settings, causing double blur.

Telegram and WhatsApp have a similar situation, and the latest versions of these messengers have a built-in background blur feature that works independently of the system, so you have to go to your privacy settings or directly to the video call interface to activate it.

We recommend experimenting with combinations: turn on the system blur and turn it off in the application, or vice versa, which will help to find a balance between the quality of the picture and the performance of the device.

Solving common problems and errors

Despite the convenience of features, users often face technical difficulties, one of the most common problems is a black screen instead of a background or a strong slowdown in video stream, which is often due to a lack of RAM, especially if many background applications are running.

If the camera stopped showing the image after installing a new effects app, try clearing the cache of the standard Camera app. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Camera → Memory → Clear. This action will not delete your photos, but reset the settings of the camera itself.

Another problem is lip and sound desynchronization, which happens when the processor can't handle video encoding and real-time effects, so the only solution is to reduce the video quality in the settings of a particular call app or turn off the heavy effects.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to get root rights just to change the system files that control the camera effects, which can lead to a security module malfunction and a block on banking applications.

It’s also worth checking for updates to the Google Play Services app and system components, and often camera bug fixes come with these updates, rather than an entire firmware update.

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For better video call effects, close all heavy applications (games, navigators) before an important meeting, which will free up RAM and reduce the load on the processor.

Tips for Optimization and Image Quality

The quality of your image on the interlocutor’s screen depends not only on the software settings, but also on the physical conditions. Even the most expensive Xiaomi smartphone will not be able to process the background qualitatively if you are sitting in the dark or against a bright window.

Perfect lighting should fall on your face from the front or slightly from the side, which helps the camera clearly define the contours of your body and separate them from the background. If this is not possible, use a ring lamp or just turn your face to the window.

When choosing a static image for the background, avoid too colorful and contrasting images. They can distract the interlocutor and create a ripple effect on the screen, especially when compressing the video stream in messengers.

Stability of the Internet connection also plays a role: If the Wi-Fi signal is bad, the system can automatically turn off background processing to save video communication, so it is better to use a wired connection or 5G network when it is available for important negotiations.

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Video quality is a balance between camera resolution, processor power and internet speed. Changing the background adds load, so watch the temperature of the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)