Google Hangouts on Xiaomi: why you need it, how to install and configure

Google Hangouts is a Google app that is often featured on Xiaomi's smartphone pre-installed list, but many users don't understand what it's for, how to use it, and whether it can be removed without any system consequences, POCO Or Mi and wondered whether it is worth spending time on it – this article will help you understand.

Although Hangouts is no longer as much promoted by the company (it is gradually being moved to Google Meet and Google Chat), it is still a useful tool for communication, especially if you work with Google Workspace services or often communicate with users abroad.

• 🔹 What is Google Hangouts and how it differs from other messengers;
• 🔹 How to check if it is installed on your Xiaomi and where to find it;
• 🔹 Step-by-step instructions for setting up an account and basic functions;
• 🔹 Can I delete the application without harming the system and how to do it correctly;
• 🔹 Hangouts Alternatives for Xiaomi Users in 2026.

Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of the service on firmware MIUI, Because they sometimes limit the background activity of apps, which can affect notifications and call quality. If you've never used Hangouts, but want to know if you should start, read on.

What is Google Hangouts and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Google Hangouts is a multi-platform messaging, voice and video calling service developed by Google in 2013, originally positioned as a universal communication solution that integrates chat rooms, SMS On Xiaomi smartphones, the app can appear for two reasons:

• 📱 Pre-installation in some regional versions MIUI (especially in the European and American markets);
• 🔄 Automatic installation via Google Play Services when synced to a Google account.

Unlike WhatsApp or Telegram, Hangouts is closely integrated with other Google services.

• 📧 Allows you to send messages to Gmail addresses (even if the recipient does not have an app);
• 🎥 Supports video calls via Google Meet (formerly Hangouts Meet);
• 🔗 Syncs with Google Contacts and Calendar for easy appointment planning.

Xiaomi service can be useful if you:

• 💼 Work with Google Workspace Corporate Accounts;
• 🌍 Talk to foreign colleagues or friends (many overseas still use Hangouts);
• 📱 You want to have a backup channel in addition to the main messenger.

⚠️ Note: Google has been gradually phasing out Hangouts support for regular users since 2021, moving business functions to Google Chat and video calls to Google Meet.

How to check if Hangouts is installed on your Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi models come with Hangouts preinstalled. To see if you have one on your device, follow the following steps:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Type in the search bar Hangouts or Google Hangouts.
3. If the app is not found, check the Google folder (sometimes it is hidden there).
4. You can also go to the settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and enter the name in search.

If Hangouts is missing but you want to install it, download the official app from Google Play:

• 📲 Google Hangouts on Google Play

On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 10) the application can be disabled by default:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Find Hangouts in the list;
3. Click Enable (if the button is active).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Google Hangouts and other Google services are not available by default. to install them will require unlocking the bootloader and firmware global version MIUI.

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If you don't plan on using Hangouts, but it takes up space in memory, you can not delete it, but simply turn it off in the application settings, which will free up resources, but will retain the ability to quickly turn on if necessary.

Google Hangouts Step-by-step on Xiaomi

If you decide to try out Hangouts, the first thing you need to do is set up your account and basic settings. MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Google Hangouts app. The first time you start, you'll see a welcome window -- click Next.
2. Select the Google account you want to use (or add a new one if you need to).
3. Allow access to Contacts and Microphone (without this, calls will not work).
4. Set up notifications: go to the menu (☰) → Settings → Notifications and enable the option to Show Notifications.

For stable operation on Xiaomi is also recommended:

• 🔄 Enable AutoRun for Hangouts in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Hangouts → Auto-start;
• 📶 Allow the use of mobile data in the background (Settings) → Annexes → Hangouts → Mobile data);
• 🔔 In Battery Settings, select the application mode No restrictions.

If you plan to use Hangouts for video calls, check the camera permissions and make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection or a free Wi-Fi connection. 4G/5G (High quality video requires at least 1,5 Mbit/s).

Main features of Hangouts: what the application can do

Google Hangouts offers a few key features that can be useful on Xiaomi:

One of the unique features of Hangouts is the ability to send SMS via the application (if it is configured as the main one for messages:

1. Open the Settings. → SMS;
2. Choose to use Hangouts for SMS;
3. Verify the phone number.

On Xiaomi smartphones with two SIM-Hangouts cards can only work with one of them (the one chosen for mobile data by default).

Can you delete Google Hangouts from Xiaomi without consequences?

If you don't plan on using Hangouts, you can delete it or disable it, but there are a few nuances:

• ✅ Deletion is possible if the application was installed manually through Google Play;
• ⚠️ Disconnect – if Hangouts is preinstalled as a system application;
• ❌ Complete removal of system Hangouts requires root rights and may disrupt stability MIUI.

How to turn off Hangouts (without root):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Find Google Hangouts and select Disable;
3. Confirm the action (the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system).

How to remove Hangouts (if manually installed):

1. Open Google Play;
2. Find Hangouts in the list of installed apps;
3. Press Delete.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) A1/A2/A3 With pure Android One, Hangouts can be part of the firmware.It's impossible to remove without root, but shutting down is safe.

Hangouts on Xiaomi and how to fix them

Xiaomi users sometimes face typical problems when working with Hangouts, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

After the update MIUI Hangouts have stopped working, try it:

1. Clear the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Hangouts → Memory. → Clear the cache);
2. Remove updates (if any) and reinstall the application;
3. Check if it's blocking. MIUI Security access to the network (Settings) → Security → Transfer of data).

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, you may need to additionally adjust the camera and microphone permissions via Settings → Confidentiality → Application authorizations.

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If Hangouts is critical to work, but it doesn’t work well on Xiaomi, consider using the web version via a browser (hangouts.google.com). MIUI background.

Google Hangouts Alternatives for Xiaomi Users in 2026

If Hangouts isn’t right for you but you need similar features, consider these alternatives:

• 📱 Google Messages – the official messenger from Google with support RCS (improved SMS);
• 💬 Telegram – a reliable messenger with cloud storage and video calls;
• 🎥 Google Meet – a standalone video conferencing app (replacement of Hangouts Meet);
• 🏢 Slack or Microsoft Teams for corporate communication;
• 📞 WhatsApp Business – if you need a messenger to work with customers.

On Xiaomi, all of these apps are more stable than Hangouts, because they are optimized for modern versions of Android. If you want to integrate with Google services, the best choice is Google Messages. + Google Meet.

For business users who used to rely on Hangouts, Google recommends switching to Google Chat (part of Google Workspace), which offers similar features but with improved support.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Hangouts on Xiaomi