Annex DUO Xiaomi: what it is, why you need and how to configure

If you find an unknown application on your Xiaomi smartphone DUO, But you don't understand what it is, and why it's needed, and you're not alone. Many users come across it after the update. MIUI Or buying a new phone. DUO Not included in the standard suite of applications from Google or Xiaomi, but often preinstalled on the brand’s devices, especially in models for the global market.

Actually. DUO — It's not just one app, but a whole suite of call and video functions developed by Google as an alternative to the standard phone module, and it's integrated with Google Play services and can be automatically installed on devices with a mobile phone. MIUI In this article, we'll go through what we can do. DUO, How to use it, why it appears on Xiaomi, and whether it can be safely removed without harming the system.

What is an app DUO And why do you need it?

Google DUO (Now part of Google Meet, it’s a video and voice calling service that was originally positioned as a competitor to WhatsApp, Skype and Zoom, but on Xiaomi smartphones, it often plays another role: replacing the standard Phone app for outbound calls. This is due to Google’s policy, which requires Android device manufacturers to use their services by default.

Xiaomi. DUO It may appear in two versions:

• 📱 Pre-installed application - included in the firmware MIUI Global and not deleted without superuser rights (root).
• 🔄 Auto Update via Google Play – installed as an add-on to a standard call after a Google service update.
• 🤝 Integration with Google Meet – from 2022 DUO Meet was merged with Meet, so now it is a single service for personal and corporate calls.

Main functions DUO Xiaomi:

• 📞 Voice calls over the Internet (VoIP) with traffic savings.
• 🎥 Video calls in HD-quality 720p Most of the Xiaomi models).
• 🔒 Point-to-point encryption" (E2E) privacy.
• 📱 Cross-platform: works on Android, iOS and in the browser.
• 🎤 Knock Knock – Preview video before answering a call.

It is important to understand that DUO It's not spyware or a virus, it's an official Google product certified for Android. MIUI It raises questions among users, especially if they prefer other messengers (for example, Telegram or Viber).

Why? DUO Appears on Xiaomi smartphones

There are several reasons, and they all have to do with the agreements between Xiaomi and Google:

1. Requirements of Google Mobile Services (GMS). In order for Xiaomi devices to use Google services (Play Market, Gmail, YouTube), the manufacturer must pre-instal a number of applications, including: DUO. It's part of the license agreement.
2. In some regions (e.g. Europe), Google requires that the Phone app be their default design. DUO This role is performed even if the user does not plan to use it.
3. Automatic updates. DUO It may not be available after the Google Play Services update or MIUI. The system itself installs the "recommended" applications.

It is interesting that the Chinese versions MIUI (without GMS) DUO It's not available, it uses its own Calls app from Xiaomi, but it's on global firmware (like Redmi Note 12 Global or something like that). POCO X5 Pro) DUO It may even appear after resetting the settings.

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If DUO appeared after the update MIUI, Check the list of automatically installed applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-update. You can turn off the forced installation of unnecessary services.

If you do not plan to use DUO, It can be disabled or removed (we will discuss how to do this safely below). DUO It can cause a crash in the standard call – the system will try to open the missing application when an outgoing call.

How to use it DUO Xiaomi: Main functions

If you're going to try it out. DUO, Here’s what this app can do on Xiaomi smartphones:

High-quality video calls

DUO It automatically adjusts video quality to the speed of the Internet. On Xiaomi with a good camera (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Xiaomi). POCO F5 Pro) can be broadcast in 1080p, If both people have a stable connection, you can manually limit the resolution in the settings to save traffic:

DUO → Settings (⚙️) → Video quality → Limit mobile data

2. Voice calls over the Internet (VoIP)

DUO It allows you to call other numbers over the Internet, saving you minutes of mobile fare. It's useful for international calls:

• 📞 Open up. DUO And click on the phone icon below.
• 🔍 Enter the number or select the contact.
• 💬 Press the Audiovizov (green tube).

3. Knock Knock function

Unique chip. DUO — The ability to see a subscriber's video before you answer a call only works if both users have enabled the feature in the settings:

DUO → Settings → Knock Knock → Insert

On Xiaomi AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Knock Knock is displayed as animation on a locked screen.

Group video calls

You can create group chats with video calls for up to 32 participants (free version).

• 👥 Click Create a Group in the upper right corner.
• 📋 Add participants from contacts.
• 🎥 Press video call.

DUO supports:

• 🎨 Video filters and effects (includes when swipe rings to the left).
• 📝 Text messages (like in messenger) between users DUO.
• 🔕 Do Not Disturb for Individual Contacts.

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DUO Xiaomi can replace the standard call, but does not block other messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram.

How to disable or remove DUO Xiaomi

If DUO You don't need it, there are a few ways to get rid of it, and the important thing is that you don't have to remove it completely on all models, depending on the version. MIUI and the availability of superuser rights.

Method 1: Disconnect (without deleting)

This is the safest method that will not damage your system files:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find it. DUO in the list and select it.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system, and updates will no longer be installed for it.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

You will need a computer and the enabled debugging. USB:

Enable debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Return to the Extra → For developers)

Install ADB drivers on PC (download from Google website)

Connect Xiaomi to your computer and allow debugging

Download the platform ADB Tools (e.g. Minimal) ADB and Fastboot)

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Then execute commands in the terminal:

adb devices


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

If the team doesn’t work, try:

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

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI removal DUO This can cause errors in the standard call. Before executing commands, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

Method 3: Removal with root rights

If you have Magisk or another root manager installed on your Xiaomi, you can delete it. DUO fully:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find folders with the names Tachyon or Duo and delete them.
4. Reboot the phone.

After complete removal DUO Outgoing calls will be handled by the standard Phone app from Xiaomi or Google (depending on firmware).

Problems with DUO Xiaomi and how to solve them

Xiaomi users often encounter bugs associated with the DUO. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

1. DUO Opening instead of the standard call

This happens if DUO assigned to the default call app to return the standard call:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Default management.
2. Select the Phone App.
3. Install a phone (from Xiaomi or Google) instead DUO.

2. DUO It constantly hangs in the background and drains the battery.

The app can run in the background even if you're not using it, to limit its activity:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Choice of applications.
• 🔍 Find it. DUO and select Limit background activity.
• 🚫 Turn off autostart: Settings → Permits → Auto-start → DUO → Turn it off.

3. Mistake "DUO He does not answer when he calls.

If the app crashes or does not open the call:

• 🔄 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → DUO → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Update the app through Google Play.
• 🔧 Reset the settings. DUO: Settings → Annexes → DUO → Warehouse → Drop it.

4. DUO not working SIM-card

If the application cannot make a call over a mobile network (VoIP only):

• 📶 Check if mobile data is included for DUO: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → DUO.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📞 Install another application for calls by default (see paragraph 1).

⚠️ Attention: If after removal DUO All outgoing calls have stopped working, restore the app through Google Play, or reset your phone to factory settings. MIUI DUO tightly tied to the system call.

Alternatives DUO Xiaomi: What apps to use instead

If DUO You are not suitable for this, here are the best alternatives for calling and video calling on Xiaomi:

For video calls, the best choice is Google Meet or Zoom, and for voice calls, WhatsApp or a standard caller. MIUI. If you care about privacy, look for Signal or Session – they offer end-to-end encryption without data collection.

Security and Privacy: What You Know DUO yo

Like any application from Google, DUO It collects certain data. Here's what you need to know:

• 📱 Access to contacts: DUO asks for permission to read your phone book to make it easier to call, and you can revoke that permission in your settings.
• 🎤 Microphone and camera: only turn on when you call (check the usage indicator in the notification curtain).
• 📍 Location data: not collected by default, but can be used to improve communication quality.
• 🔗 Log of calls: DUO Keeps your call history, but it can be cleaned manually.

To limit data collection:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → DUO → Permits.
2. Disable access to Contacts, Microphone and Camera (but then calls will not work).
3. In the settings DUO Turn off Personalization and Diagnostics.

Encryption in DUO It works on a point-to-point basis" (E2E), So, if you're talking to Google, you can't even listen to your conversations, but the metadata (call time, duration, subscriber number) can be stored on the company's servers.

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DUO does not sell your data to third parties, but Google may use it for targeted advertising on other services (for example, on YouTube or Gmail).

FAQ: Frequent questions about DUO Xiaomi