Owners of Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation when an unknown Duo app appears in the list of running processes or in the battery consumption section. The name can scare an inexperienced user, especially if they actively spend resources or request permissions to access the camera and microphone in the background. However, it is not worth rushing to conclusions about viruses or miners, since in most cases it is a legitimate product of Google.
Originally designed to simplify video communication by competing with popular instant messengers, the service has changed dramatically over time, and understanding what it does on your device will allow you to manage your smartphone resources and personal security. In this article, we will discuss in detail the nature of this software, its impact on MIUI and how to control it.
Modern versions of Android deeply integrate Google services, and Duo is no exception. Even if you've never run video calls through it, the process can work in the background, ensuring compatibility with other applications or waiting for an incoming call. It's important to distinguish between the original application and possible camouflagers, although on pure Xiaomi firmware with a global version of the software, the risk of encountering a fake is minimal.
History and evolution of video communication service
The project was introduced by Google back in 2016 as a standalone, independent video calling app, with the goal of making it as easy and fast as possible to work on even unstable mobile networks. Unlike heavy-duty social networks, Google Duo is optimized for low-end devices, making it a frequent guest on Redmi and MI smartphones.
A key feature in the early stages was Knock Knock, which allows you to see a video of the person you're talking to before you pick up the phone, which created a sense of presence and increased the ease of communication. However, over time, Google made a strategic decision to combine Duo functionality with classic ones. SMS-This has led to the fact that the standalone application (detached) gradually loses its relevance and turns into a system module.
Xiaomi devices with MIUI shells are very specific. Users can see both the app shortcut and the hidden system process. In the latest versions of Android (starting with 11 and up), Duo functionality has completely moved to Google Meet, and the old app has become just a redirect shell. If you see the active energy consumption of this process on a new smartphone, there may be a synchronization of contacts or update of components.
⚠️ Note: If the Duo application requires access to the file system or geolocation without an explicit call, this could be a sign of version conflict or malicious activity masquerading as a system process.
The evolution of the service has led to it becoming more of a background library than a full-fledged end-user messenger, meaning that for Redmi owners, a complete deletion could disrupt video calls through Google Assistant or a smart home.
Technical Features of Work at MIUI
In the Xiaomi ecosystem, Google’s processes are closely intertwined with MIUI system services. com.google.android.apps.duo can start automatically when the system starts. This is necessary to register the device on Google servers and maintain a constant connection (keep-alive) so that you do not miss an incoming call. On low-cost Redmi models with a small amount of RAM, this can cause periodic slowdowns of the interface.
Technically, the process uses ports to transmit video and audio data in real time. It's integrated with the Android phonebook, which allows you to determine whether a contact has a video communication app installed. In MIUI settings, you can often see that Duo has permissions to work in the background, auto-start and access the network even when the screen is off.
It is important to note the difference between the user version and the system version. The user version can be removed or disabled through settings, while the system version (stitched into the firmware) requires more complex manipulations to deactivate. On global firmware Xiaomi usually has a custom version, which can be safely removed if it is not needed.
- 📱 Contact Integration: Automatically adds a camcorder icon to contacts with a service installed.
- 🔋 Background activity: Consumes battery power to maintain online status and wait for a call.
- 🔔 Notifications: Can duplicate missed notifications if sync with Google Messages is not configured correctly.
Users of the Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series often notice that Duo activity increases after the Google Play Services update. This is normal behavior when updating video codec libraries. However, if the process warms the phone at rest, it is worth checking the power saving settings.
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To save charge on Xiaomi, go to Settings → Battery → Find problems and limit background activity for Google Duo if you don’t use it.
Data security and confidentiality
The issue of video security is always a hot topic: Google Duo uses end-to-end encryption for all calls, meaning that third parties, including Google itself, cannot listen to the data, and it is transmitted over secure channels, making it extremely difficult to intercept even advanced hackers.
But the app does require a wide range of permissions, and it needs a camera, a microphone, a phone book, and network access to work. In Android, it's standard, but Xiaomi users who care about privacy can restrict these rights, for example, you can deny access to geolocation, because video calls don't require it.
Beware of phishing links that may come on Duo's behalf. The process itself is safe, but social engineering remains a threat. It's also important to keep track of which version of the app is installed. Outdated versions may contain vulnerabilities that are already closed in new updates through Google Play.
| Parameter | Description | Level of risk |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Through (E2EE) | Low. |
| Metadata collection | Time and duration of the call | Medium. |
| Access to contacts | Full access to the phone book | High (in case of leak) |
| Background work | Permanent connection | Low. |
⚠️ Warning: Never give access to a screen or files to unknown people during a video call, even if they are represented by technical support staff.
For maximum security, Redmi recommends using the built-in Privacy Protection feature in MIUI, which allows you to track when exactly the application is accessing the camera or microphone.
Instructions: How to disable or remove the application
If you don't use Google video, the app can be safely removed or disabled.This will free up RAM and reduce battery consumption a little. On Xiaomi smartphones, the procedure may differ depending on the version of MIUI and whether the superuser has rights.
The easiest way is to uninstall through settings, but if the "Delete" button is inactive (gray), then the application is built into the system, in which case it can only "Disable" that hides it and stops all processes, but does not delete the files completely.
For advanced users who want to clean the system completely of unnecessary Google components, there is a method of removing through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a connection to a computer, but allows you to remove even system applications without losing warranty (if you do not remove critical components).
☑️ Checklist before removal
The sequence of actions for normal removal:
- Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
- Go to the Appendix section → All Appendices.
- Find in the list of Duo or com.google.android.apps.duo.
- Press the Remove or Disable button.
If you use the ADB method, the command will look like this. Be careful when you type commands:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.duoOnce you do this, the process will stop appearing in Task Manager, and if you need it again in the future, you can always download it from the Google Play Store.
What to do if the application is not removed?
Impact on productivity and battery
Many Redmi users complain about fast battery drain. While Duo isn't the most voracious app, its background activity contributes to the overall balance, especially on models with small-capacity batteries or on older devices where battery wear is already high.
The application can wake the processor to check incoming calls or synchronize contact statuses. MIUI There's an effective control tool called Battery and Performance, and you can see a detailed consumption chart here.-5 Even if you don’t use it, it’s a signal to action.
Reducing the system load is achieved by limiting background activity. Xiaomi allows you to configure AutoRun applications. By disabling Duo from autorunning, you guarantee that it will only start when you open it for a call.
- 📉 Memory Optimization: Disabling background processes frees up RAM for gaming and heavy applications.
- ⚡ Speed: Less background tasks – faster interface response MIUI.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Decrease in processor activity reduces heat of smartphone case.
Keep in mind that completely removing Google system components can lead to instability in other services such as Google Photos or Assistant, so the best solution is to restrict rights, not radically delete if you are not sure about your actions.
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The optimal strategy for most users is not to remove the app completely, but to limit its background and auto-start in the MIUI settings.