How to set the background when calling on Xiaomi: from static photos to live video

Modern Xiaomi smartphones provide users with the widest possible personalization of the interface, which goes far beyond the standard features. One of the most spectacular ways to stand out is to set a unique background during an incoming call. This can be a high-quality static image or a dynamic video that will bring the screen to life the moment someone calls you. However, standard system settings often hide these capabilities or offer limited choices, forcing users to look for additional solutions.

The process of changing the background depends on the version of the operating system, whether it is a classic MIUI or a new HyperOS, and the region for which the device is released. In global versions of firmware, the functionality may differ from Chinese counterparts, which creates confusion. You will need to not only know where to look for the desired menus, but also properly prepare the media files so that they correctly display on the display without distortion and delay.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the methods available, from using built-in themes and live wallpaper to using third-party applications to install a video caller. We will look at the nuances of working with contacts, setting up group calls and solving common problems faced by owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones.

Built-in MIUI and HyperOS capabilities for customizing calls

To start with, the operating system itself offers, and the MIUI and HyperOS shells already have mechanisms in place to change the visual style of calls, although they are not always obvious at first glance. The main tool for this is the Themes app, which is system-based and pre-installed on all the brand's devices, and this is where the content store, which includes not only icons and fonts, but also specialized packages for the lock and call screen.

To use this method, you need to open the Themes app and go to Profile or My Resources, where you will find the Ringtones or Video Call category. The system will ask you to choose from the available options that are optimized for running without lags. It is important to understand that embedded video backgrounds often have a short playback cycle and may not be supported on older CPU models.

An alternative way is through the settings of the Phone app itself. In some versions of the firmware, especially in Chinese, you can click the settings button on an incoming call and select "Video Call" or "Call Background." Here you can choose a static photo from the gallery or a short video from the system proposed. However, the functionality can be limited to the region: if you have global firmware, these items may be missing or hidden.

⚠️ Note: When using the built-in themes from the official Theme Store, keep an eye on the amount of data you download. Some packets can weigh more than 100 MB, which is essential when using mobile traffic.

For those who prefer minimalism, the system allows you to set a simple static high-resolution image, this is done through the ringtone selection menu: when you assign a melody, you often see a preview where you can replace the default picture with any other one of your gallery, which is the most reliable way to ensure compatibility and no problems with battery performance.

Using live wallpaper as a background call

One of the most popular features in Xiaomi’s ecosystem is live wallpaper, which is short videos that are animated when unlocked or, importantly, during an incoming call, and their mechanism of operation is different from conventional video files, as they are optimized at the system level for cyclic playback without consuming noticeable resources.

To set this wallpaper, go to Settings → Wallpaper or use the widget on your desktop. In the Live category, you will find a collection of animations. After selecting the animation you like, the system will suggest using it. The key here is to choose the right application area. You need to click on the Apply button and in the menu that appears select the option “lock screen and incoming call” or similar, if it is available in your version of the software.

• 🎨 Live wallpaper automatically adapts to the orientation of the screen and the size of the device.
• 🔋 System live wallpaper optimized for minimal battery consumption compared to third-party video.
• 🔄 Animation can be interrupted if a heavy application that requires resources is launched at the time of the call. GPU.
• 📱 On some Redmi and Poco models, the selection of live bell wallpapers may not be available without installing additional plugins.

Not all live wallpapers support the call background function, but the description of a particular package in the theme store or the system gallery often indicates whether the video Ringtone is supported. If it is not, it is likely that the animation will only work on the lock screen or desktop.

Installing video on a call through third-party applications

If the built-in tools aren't enough and you want to use your own video from the gallery, you'll need third-party solutions. The most popular and proven tool for this task is the Video Live Wallpaper app or specialized call launchers like Truecaller (with video background function) or Background Video Call. These programs create a layer on top of the call interface by playing back the file you choose.

The installation process usually goes like this: after downloading the application from Google Play or GetApps, you open it and select a video file. The program will offer a cropping of the frame, since the video format (usually 16:9) may not match the aspect ratio of your smartphone screen. Once you set the settings, you must give the application all the requested permissions, including access to storage and, critically, the right to display over other windows.

However, third-party software can be in conflict with the MIUI system interface, especially the Full-screen feature or camera cutouts. Xiaomi antivirus systems can block such programs from working because they are suspicious because of the wide permissions request. You will have to manually add the application to the battery exclusions, preventing the system from "killing" its process in the background.

⚠️ Note: When installing video calling apps from unknown sources (APK-Be very careful, they may request access to microphones and contacts, which poses a risk of personal data leakage.

For users who want maximum control, there are apps that allow you to create your own video ringtones with effects and text overlays, tools that often require root rights to fully integrate into the system, but in most cases you can do with standard user rights simply by using the mechanism of “live wallpaper” through third-party software.

Set up individual backgrounds for contacts

Personalization is not limited to the general background; you can assign a unique image or video to each particular subscriber in the phone book. This is a very useful feature that allows you to visually identify the caller without even looking at the name. The implementation of this feature in Xiaomi depends on whether the application is used for calls: a standard MIUI Dialer or Google Phone.

In Google Phone, it's as simple as possible: Open a contact, click the three dots in the top corner or edit button, select Add a photo or Video. If you choose a video, the system will suggest cropping it and saving it as a video ringtone for that contact. Once saved, that person's call will play that file, ignoring the background.

In the native MIUI dialer, the algorithm may differ. Often you can't directly upload video to a contact without using a theme. However, there's a workaround: create video rington through system settings or theme app, and then in the contact card in the Melody field, select the video you created. If you don't have that option, then only the static photo that you set when you edit the contact is left.

Creating and optimizing video for calls

The quality of the background display depends on the source file. It is not always advisable to shoot video specifically for a call, since modern cameras write in high resolution (4K), which is excessive for a small smartphone screen and can cause delays. The optimal solution is to use video editors to prepare the file.

You need to consider specifications. The video resolution should match the screen resolution of your device (e.g. 1080×2340 for FullHD+ screens). If the video is horizontal and the screen is vertical, the system will either trim the edges or leave black bars. Therefore, the vertical format (9:16) is preferred.

• 🎬 The video should be short, ideally 5-15 Seconds, as it will be reproduced in a cycle.
• 📉 Bitrate should not be too high; the value in 2-4 Mbps is enough for a clear picture.
• 🎵 The sound in the video file for the background is usually ignored if the main ringtone is enabled, but it is better to use files without the audio track to save space.
• 📂 The file format should be as compatible as possible: MP4 codeced H.264 works best.

You can use the built-in editor in the Xiaomi Gallery or apps like CapCut and InShot to edit, which are easy to crop videos, add filters or text, and then export the result in the desired format. Remember to keep a copy of the original if you want to use the video for other purposes.

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Use video compression apps (like Video Compressor) if the background causes interface slowdowns.Reducing bitrate often solves the lag problem on Redmi's budget models.

Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions

Despite the ease of setting up, users may encounter a number of technical difficulties, most often with Android and MIUI security permissions, which aggressively control background processes. If the video doesn't turn on, first check if the app is in power saving mode.

Another common situation is the desynchronization of sound and video or the absence of image when using a Bluetooth headset, which is due to the fact that when connecting an external audio device, the priority is given to the transmission of sound, and the video stream can be blocked to save resources, in such cases, rebooting the Theme service or cleaning the cache of the Phone application helps.

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For a stable video background on Xiaomi, it is critical to set up the auto-run of the application and prevent the system from limiting its background activity in the battery menu.