Why Google Hangouts is on your Xiaomi and should you touch it?
You opened up the app menu on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO, and suddenly you found Google Hangouts, a service that has not been heard of in the news for a long time, and the logical question is, what is it, why is it pre-installed on your device, and most importantly, can it be removed without risk to the system? In this article, we will analyze everything in detail, from the history of the service to step-by-step uninstall instructions.
Hangouts is not a virus or spyware, but a legal Google app that was once the company’s main messenger, but since 2020, the service has been officially closed to ordinary users, and its functionality has been transferred to Google Chat (formerly Hangouts Chat). However, Xiaomi still includes it in the firmware of some models, especially in regional versions with Google services (e.g., Google, MIUI Why this is happening, we will tell you more.
What is Google Hangouts and why is it still on Xiaomi?
Google Hangouts is a video calling and messaging platform launched by Google in 2013 as a replacement for Google Talk, which was popular with Gmail users and corporate customers at the time, but since 2017, the company has been gradually scaling back its support in favor of new products:
- 📧 Google Chat – the successor to text chats (included in Google Workspace).
- 🎥 Google Meet – a video conferencing platform (similar to Zoom).
- 📱 Google Messages is the standard SMS-Android.
Hangouts for regular users officially stopped working in November 2020, but Xiaomi continues to include it in the firmware for two reasons:
- License agreements with Google: Manufacturers who certify devices under Google Mobile Services (GMS) are required to pre-installe a certain set of applications, even if they are outdated.
- Support for legacy functions: Some system processes (such as contact synchronization or notifications) may optionally use Hangouts APIs, although this is extremely rare.
Important: on new Xiaomi models (released after 2022), Hangouts are usually absent. If you have one on your device, it is likely:
- 📱 Smartphone with firmware MIUI 12 or older (e.g. Redmi Note 9, Mi 10).
- 🌍 Regional version with Google services pre-installed (not Google services) MIUI China).
- 🔄 The device on which the reset to factory settings was previously performed.
Can you remove Google Hangouts from Xiaomi without consequences?
The short answer is yes, 99% of the time, removing Hangouts won't harm the system, but there are some nuances to be aware of:
| Deleting method | Risks. | Are root rights required? |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | No risk. | No. |
| Removal via ADB | Minimum (only for Hangouts) | No. |
| Deinstallation with root | Potential failure of system updates | Yes. |
| Use of third-party cleaners | High (risk of deleting the necessary files) | No. |
We'll talk about each method in the next section, and in the meantime, the key findings are:
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Google Hangouts on Xiaomi is a dead app that is not used by the system. its removal will not affect the work of instant messengers, calls or synchronization of contacts.
⚠️ Note: If your device is operating under control MIUI China (without Google services), but Hangouts suddenly appeared - it's an excuse to check the phone for viruses.
Step-by-step: how to remove Google Hangouts from Xiaomi
Choose a method based on your skills and goals, starting with the safest one.
Method 1: Disabling the application (without deleting)
If you don’t want to take risks, but you don’t want to see the Hangouts icon either, just turn it off:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search bar, enter Hangouts.
- Click on the application → Disable.
- Confirm the action (the system will warn that the application will be hidden).
Advantages:
- ✅ Does not require administrator rights.
- ✅ You can return at any time.
- ✅ It does not affect updates. MIUI.
Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)
For power users who are ready to connect the phone to a PC, this method removes the app completely, but does not require root rights.
Install Platform Tools on PC|Turn on Debugging. USB Xiaomi|Connect the phone to the computer|Check the connection with the adb device command-->
Instructions:
- Download Android SDK Platform-Tools and unpack it on your PC.
- On your smartphone, turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.talk
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: If you have problems with Google Play Services after deleting (e.g., apps stopped updating), return Hangouts with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.talk
Method 3: Removal with root rights (for advanced)
If you have root, you can uninstall Hangouts as a system application using Root Explorer or Titanium Backup. However, this method is not recommended for beginners, as:
- 🔧 Could disrupt Google Play Services.
- 🔄 Can block updates MIUI.
- 🛡️ Deprives the warranty (if the device is warranty).
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Before removing system applications, back up /system partition via TWRP. This will help restore the phone in the event of a crash.
What happens if you delete Google Hangouts: the possible consequences
In most cases, nothing critical will happen, but there are 3 scenarios where problems can arise:
- Google Play Services Updates Failed.In rare cases, Hangouts may be tied to Google's Service Update Pack.Solution: Update Play Services manually through APKMirror.
- Contact sync issues: If you use the older version of MIUI (up to 12.5), deleting Hangouts can knock sync with Google Contacts.Solution: Reconfigure your Google account.
- Fastboot firmware errors. Some custom firmware checks the integrity of system applications. Solution: return Hangouts before you run the firmware.
In our experience, Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14 and later, Hangouts is removed without consequences, but on older versions (for example, MIUI 11) it is better to limit the shutdown.
How do you check if Hangouts is affecting your system?
Google Hangouts on Xiaomi: What to replace?
If you removed Hangouts but want to use similar services, here are the best options for Xiaomi:
| Service | What's the point? | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Google Messages | SMS and RCS-chat | Built into MIUI, supports end-to-end encryption |
| Google Chat | Corporate chat rooms | Integration with Gmail and Google Workspace |
| Telegram | Personal and group chats | Fast, with a bot platform and channels |
| Mi Chat (built into MIUI) | Local messages without the Internet | It works via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct |
For video calls it is better to use:
- 🎥 Google Meet for Work Conferences.
- 📱 WhatsApp or Viber for personal calls.
- 🔒 Signal – when privacy is important.
Frequent errors when deleting Google Hangouts and how to avoid them
Even a simple operation like removing an unnecessary app can go wrong.-5 Mistakes of Xiaomi Users and How to Prevent Them:
- Removal through "cleaners" (e.g. CCleaner) These programs often delete not only Hangouts but also associated libraries, causing Google Play to crash.Solution: use only ADB or built-in settings.
- Attempt to remove Hangouts as a custom application. In MIUI, the "Delete" button for system applications may not be available. Solution: use ADB or disable the application.
- Ignoring backup. If you delete Hangouts from root but don't backup, it's going to be hard to restore. Solution: use Titanium Backup or Swift Backup.
- Remove on a device with the bootloader unlocked, but without TWRP. This can lead to a "brick" the next update.Solution: Set custom recovery before manipulating system files.
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If the Google Play Store or Gmail stopped working after the Hangouts were deleted, the most likely cause is damage to the com.google.android.gms package.Solution: clear the cache and data of Google Play Services in the application settings.