Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often faced with a situation where the built-in Mi browser refuses to run a video call or scan QR-Code. Security system. MIUI HyperOS by default blocks applications from accessing sensitive sensors, which is an excellent protection against spying, but creates inconvenience when working.
Modern websites are using multimedia features for login, communication and entertainment. If you try to log in through video confirmation and the screen remains black, then the privacy settings are prohibited. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to quickly allow access to the camera and return functionality to the browser.
Sometimes the problem lies not only in explicit permission settings, but also in the operation of optimization services. Android strictly monitors which applications use the video stream. So it is important to check all levels of protection, from the basic parameters of the phone to the specific security features of Xiaomi.
Checking basic permissions in Android settings
The first step should always be to check the standard application management menu, and that's where the fundamental level of access to the hardware of the smartphone is set, and if it's banned, no other manipulations can get you to start a video stream.
You need to go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the Mi Browser (or just the Browser) list. Click on App Resolution. Here you will see a list of all the sensors that the program can access.
Find the Camera line. If it has a cross icon next to it or it says "Disallow", just click on this item and select "Allow" option. After that, the changes take effect instantly, you do not need to restart.
In some versions of the MIUI shell, the path may be slightly different, for example, in new firmware, settings are often hidden inside the Privacy Protection menu, and you can also control access for each software you install.
- 📱 Open "Settings" and go to "Applications".
- 🔍 Find the list of "Mi Browser" or "Browser".
- 🎥 Select "Permissions" and activate access to "Camera".
- ✅ Check that the status has changed to "Allow".
⚠️ Warning: If the site still can't see the camera after enabling permission, try closing the browser completely through Task Manager and opening it again.
Set up through Xiaomi Security Center
A unique feature of Xiaomi smartphones is the built-in Security app. It is not just an antivirus, but a powerful access control center that can block the camera even when the resolution in the basic Android settings.
Open the desktop security app. Scroll down to Permissions. This shows a summary table of all applications that have access to microphone, camera and geolocation.
Find the Mi Browser. If there is a red light or a cross next to the camera icon, it means locking at the security level. Click on the icon to change status to green (allowed).
It is important to understand that settings in Security → Permissions take precedence over standard Android settings in some use cases.
Also on this menu is the Privacy Protection feature, so make sure that it does not include the Hidden Launch or Background Activity Restrictions mode for the browser, as this may interrupt the video stream.
- 🛡️ Launch the Safety app (green lightning icon).
- 📜 Go to the "Permissions" or "Permissions Management" section".
- 📸 Find the Camera and make sure the Browser is ticked.
- 🔄 If there is a ban, tap it to switch status.
HyperOS sometimes hides these settings deeper, and if you don't find "Resolutions" right away, click three dots in the corner of the screen or go to the "Privacy" tab.
Solving Access Problems in Incognito Mode
A common cause of camera failure is the use of Incognito mode, in which the browser operates with isolated privacy settings and by default does not request access to sensors to leave no trace.
If you urgently need to hold a video conference or verify your identity through a bank, incognito mode can become an obstacle. The system simply will not show the access request pop-up window, as it considers this mode to be temporary and unsafe for the transmission of multimedia.
To solve the problem, open a regular browser window. If the site requires logging in to your account, make sure you are not in a private tab. Only in normal Mi mode, the browser correctly saves permissions after the first request.
Sometimes cleaning the cache helps. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Memory and click Clear Cache. This won't delete your bookmarks, but will reset the camera module's temporary errors.
⚠️ Note: In incognito mode, permissions are reset automatically after the tab is closed. If you are constantly working with video services, use regular tabs or add the site as an exception if this feature is available in the browser version.
It is also worth checking whether the "Block Trackers" or "Tracking Protection" function is enabled in the browser settings itself. Aggressive filters can block scripts responsible for initializing the video stream.
Additional privacy options MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS
Newer versions of Xiaomi firmware have advanced security features, one of which is the Virtual Camera or Empty Permissions, which, if activated, will make the browser think it has access but will receive a black screen instead of a real image.
Check the settings in Privacy Protection → Special Permits. This can be "Camera" with "Empty Permits" or "Virtual Data" and make sure that Mi Browser is "Allowed" and not "Virtual Data".
Another important setting is Access Monitoring, where there may be a green dot in the top right corner of the screen (or in the notification curtain) that is a camera indicator, and if it's on but there's no image, it means that access is formally open but redirected.
HyperOS also introduced a feature called Memory Protection, which limits the background activity of applications, and if the browser is folded during a video call (such as in a messenger), the system can cut off access to the camera to save resources.
☑️ Checking the privacy settings
It is also recommended to look at the "Special permissions" settings, which may include "Above other windows"; the browser sometimes needs this permission to correctly display the video call window over the main interface.
Comparison of access settings in different versions of MIUI
Xiaomi’s settings interface is constantly changing. What worked in MIUI 11 may be elsewhere in MIUI 14 or HyperOS. Below is a table that helps you navigate the menu paths for different versions.
| Shell version | The Way to Camera Settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 11-12 | Settings → Applications → Permissions | Classic Android interface, minimum locks. |
| MIUI 13 | Privacy Protection → Permit Management | There is a function of "Empty Permissions". |
| MIUI 14 | Security → Permits / Settings → Privacy | Enhanced control of background activity. |
| HyperOS | Settings → Applications → Access Rights | Integration with AI-Protection and virtualization of data. |
As you can see from the table, with each updated version, Xiaomi makes it harder to access the camera, focusing on user privacy, and this requires a closer look at all menu items.
If you've recently upgraded and your video calls are no longer working, you're probably resetting after the system update, and then the algorithm is described above, and we check both the standard permissions and the security center.
What if the camera works in other apps but not in the browser?
Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting (FAQ)
Even after all the instructions are followed, specific situations can arise, and here are the answers to the most popular user questions that will help troubleshoot the problems.
Why does the browser not show a request to access the camera?
The camera in the browser shows a black screen, although permission is given.
Can access be allowed only for a specific website?
Will resetting the network settings help?
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Expert advice: If none of these methods worked, try installing a third-party browser (like Chrome or Firefox) and checking the camera there. If the camera works in another browser, then the problem is in the Mi Browser app itself – it should be reinstalled or updated through the GetApps store.
By following these guidelines, you can quickly configure access to the camera. Remember that Xiaomi’s security system is designed to protect your data, so sometimes it requires manual confirmation of user actions.
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Main conclusion: For stable camera performance in Mi Browser, you need to check the permissions in three places: standard Android settings, the Security app and the MIUI/HyperOS privacy settings.