Duo app on Xiaomi and Redmi: appointment, features and removal

Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often encounter strange icons in the system menu, and one of them is the Duo app. This service, developed by Google, preinstalled on most devices with the Android operating system, which raises questions among users unfamiliar with the ecosystem of the American giant.

Many users fear that the unknown software is a virus or spyware, but it is not. In fact, it is a full-fledged video communication tool that is designed to replace standard calls with a better and more functional counterpart. Let's see whether to leave this software on your device or get rid of it.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the functionality, technical features and ways to manage this application in the MIUI shell, you will learn how it differs from Messenger or Skype, and also get step-by-step instructions on how to remove it if you do not plan to use it.

What is Google Duo and why is it Android?

Google Duo is a video calling app that was introduced in 2016 and has since become the de facto standard for video communication on pure Android devices, the idea behind the development of a tool that works as quickly and easily as possible, even when the Internet connection is unstable, which is why it is often found on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones.

The main feature of the service is WebRTC technology, which provides low latency of sound and video. Unlike other messengers, Duo is optimized for working on mobile networks with low bandwidth, which means that even with a weak 3G signal or congested Wi-Fi video conferencing will take place without significant loss of quality.

Another important detail is the phonebook integration, and the app uses your phone number as an ID, so you don't have to create new logins or remember complex passwords, and you just see a list of contacts that have that service installed, and you can call them in one click.

⚠️ Attention: Google Duo consumes mobile internet traffic. If you have a limited plan, monitor data consumption or configure calls only over Wi-Fi.

It's important to understand the difference between this application and standard cell phone calls, the first via the Internet (VoIP), and the second via GSM voice channels, which offers advantages in quality, but requires a network.

Key functions and technical features

The developers have built a number of unique features into the app that make it appealing to users. One of the most popular is the Knock Knock mode, which allows you to see the video stream from the caller before you pick up the phone, which increases security because you can visually identify the person you're talking to.

The app also supports group video calls, and depending on the software version and region, the number of participants can vary, but it usually allows up to 32 people to be connected at a time, making Duo a competitor to Zoom or Skype for family or work meetings.

• 📹 Effects and filters: In real time, you can apply masks, change the background or add fun elements, which is especially popular with younger audiences.
• 🔒 Encryption: All calls are protected by end-to-end encryption, which guarantees the privacy of the conversation.
• 📱 Cross-platform: You can call not only with Android, but also with iOS, as well as through a web browser on your computer.

It's worth noting that the app automatically adapts video quality based on connection speed. If the network falls, the video becomes less clear, but the sound remains a priority so that the conversation doesn't get interrupted.

Comparison of Duo with other messengers

There are many players in the video market, and the question often arises: why do you need another service when you have Viber or WhatsApp? The answer lies in optimization and simplicity. WhatsApp requires that the interlocutor also has WhatsApp installed, and often consumes more battery resources.

Duo, in turn, is easier and faster to run, and it doesn't require a profile, avatars or statuses, it's a video pipe, and it doesn't have a social component, and the table below shows you a comparison of the main characteristics of popular apps.

So if your goal is to just get a quick call from a relative who also has Android, Google's native solution will work better, but it's less suitable for texting and file sharing than its competitors.

Why the application cannot be removed in the standard way

Xiaomi users often notice that the “Delete” button in the app menu is inactive or absent, because Google Duo is a system application, and smartphone makers contract with Google to pre-install a specific set of services (GMS), which includes this video messenger.

System applications are protected from accidental removal to avoid disrupting the integrity of the operating system. While Duo is not critical to Android boot (unlike Google Play Services), it is integrated into the system's contact and call synchronization processes.

In some cases, if you try to remove it through third-party utilities without root permissions, the system can automatically restore the application after restarting or updating, a behavior called "self-repair system components."

So for the average safest user, the path is not to delete it completely, it's to disable it, and it will hide the app from the menu and stop its processes, but it will leave you with the option to revert it back if necessary.

Instructions: How to disable or remove Duo on Xiaomi

If you're determined to get rid of the software, there are a few ways to do it, and the safest and most recommended method is to shut down the system through your settings, and it doesn't require any superuser rights, and it doesn't violate the warranty.

To start, go to your smartphone's settings menu. Find the Apps section or All Apps. Search for Duo (sometimes just Google Duo) in the list. Click on it to open the management page.

You'll see a few buttons on the app information screen, and we're interested in the Disconnect or Turn off button, and when you click, the system will alert you that the app will be hidden and will stop working. Confirm the action.

If you want to uninstall the app completely, you’ll need more sophisticated techniques, such as using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) via your computer.This allows you to uninstall system packages, but requires caution.

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB To remove system components can cause system instability, only if you know which packet you are removing.

For advanced users, the removal command is as follows (USB debugging is required):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tachyon

This command will remove the application for the current user, freeing up space in memory, but leave the possibility of recovery through resetting settings.

Impact on Redmi’s battery and performance

One of the big questions that owners of Redmi and Poco are concerned about is, does the Duo put the battery down? In the background, if the application is disabled or just installed but not in use, its impact on autonomy is minimal. Modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell are able to effectively freeze background processes.

But if you're actively using video, the energy consumption is going to be significant, and video calls are using a camera, a screen, a microphone, a speaker and a data module at the same time, and this is one of the most resource-intensive smartphone scenarios.

• 🔋 Background activity: Without your participation, the application consumes almost no charge.
• 🌡️ Heating: Prolonged conversations can cause the body to heat up, especially if charging is going on at the same time.
• 📶 Traffic: The main blow is not the battery, but your plan if you don’t use Wi-Fi.

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To save charge, turn on the Duo mode "Audio Only" or reduce the video quality if the connection is unstable.

If you notice that the phone is running out quickly even in standby mode, check the battery statistics in Settings → Battery and Performance. If Duo is not on the list of active consumers, then there is nothing to worry about.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Google Duo is a secure and effective video communication tool, but if you don’t use it, you can turn it off to save your system resources.