Google Hangouts on Xiaomi: what kind of app is it and how to get rid of it

Xiaomi smartphone owners who use global firmware MIUI or HyperOS often encounter a pre-installed set of apps from Google, including Google Hangouts, a bewildering program that users first turn on the device and ask what the service is, why it is needed, and whether it can be removed to free up memory space or increase privacy.

In fact, Google Hangouts is an outdated messenger that is gradually decommissioned by the developer. On modern Xiaomi smartphones, its presence may be the result of residual files after a system update or a specific version of the firmware. Understanding the purpose of this software is critical to the proper configuration of your Xiaomi Redmi or POCO.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the functionality of the application, the reasons for its appearance in the system, and provide step-by-step instructions for its complete removal or disabling. You will learn why Google abandons this product and what modern analogues should be used for video communication.

What is Google Hangouts and Why is it on Xiaomi?

Google Hangouts is a communications platform developed by Google, originally conceived as a universal communication tool that combines instant messaging, video calling and telephony integration, and on Xiaomi smartphones, as well as other Android devices, the app could appear automatically when synchronized with a Google account or logged in to the Play Market.

Hangouts has long been the primary means of communication for users of the Google ecosystem. But technology is changing, and the company has made a strategic decision to split the functionality. Now video calls have moved to Google Meet, and text messages to Google Messages (RCS). Having Hangouts on your Xiaomi Mi today is more a legacy of years past than a necessity.

Many users mistakenly believe that this is a system component that will cause the phone to break down. It is not. The application is a separate service, and its absence will not affect the MIUI operating system or the basic functions of the smartphone in any way.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Google Hangouts with Google Play Services system services.Deleting the messenger itself is safe, but trying to remove Google services will lead to unstable device performance.

So if you see this icon on your desktop, you are dealing with a regular communication app that is currently considered obsolete.

Development history and current status of the service

The service’s history spans more than a decade, dating back to the era of Google Talk and Google Voice. Hangouts has combined them into a single interface, offering users cross-platform. However, over time, the app has become overloaded and slow, especially on budget Xiaomi smartphones with limited RAM.

Google has officially announced the phase-out of Hangouts, which has been migrating to new platforms like Meet and Chat for years, and has made it mandatory for corporate users of Google Workspace, while for individuals, the old app is being progressively curtailed.

Hangouts currently receives no significant security updates or new features, and its Android operation can be terminated at any time, making it inappropriate for the company to continue using the software from a data security perspective.

Instructions: How to remove or disable Hangouts on MIUI

If you decide you don't need this messenger, it can be easily removed. Depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS firmware, the procedure may be slightly different, but the overall algorithm remains the same for all models.

First, you need to go to the application management menu. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. In the list, find Google Hangouts. If search is difficult, use the search bar at the top of the screen.

Once you select the application, a page will open with information. If the Delete button is active, just click on it and confirm the action. The system will request final confirmation, as this action is irreversible without re-downloading from the Play Store.

In some cases, when the application is part of the system image (which is rare for global versions, but possible for Chinese firmware with Google installed), the delete button may not be available. In this case, the option is available to Disable, which will hide the icon and stop all processes associated with the program, effectively making it non-functional.

⚠️ Note: If the delete button is inactive (gray), do not attempt to delete the application through third-party root file managers without deep knowledge - this may violate the integrity of the system.

After successful removal, it is recommended to restart the Xiaomi smartphone so that the system clears the cache and updates the lists of running processes.

Alternatives: How to replace Hangouts for communication

By abandoning an outdated service, users are often looking for a replacement.The Android ecosystem and Google Play store offer a host of modern solutions that run faster and safer on Snapdragon and Dimensity processors.

For video conferencing and business meetings, Google Meet is the perfect choice, the direct successor to the Hangouts video part, which is optimized for mobile networks and supports high image quality even when the connection is unstable.

For text and multimedia, it is better to use Google Messages with support for RCS. This standard allows you to send high-quality photos, see typing statuses and use Wi-Fi to send messages, similar to popular instant messengers.

It’s also worth looking at third-party solutions like Telegram or WhatsApp, which are often pre-installed on Xiaomi smartphones or easily downloaded by the user.

Impact on Xiaomi’s performance and battery

One argument for removing unnecessary apps is to optimize the device. While Hangouts isn’t a heavy app by modern standards, its background processes can consume resources.

On Xiaomi’s MIUI-shelled smartphones, which are known for their aggressive energy savings, having a variety of background services can lead to conflicts. Hangouts can try to synchronize message history or check statuses by wasting battery power and mobile traffic.

Removing unused software is a good digital hygiene practice, freeing up not only internal storage space but also RAM, which is especially true for entry-level models like the Redmi A series or the Redmi Note of the past.

💡

For maximum power saving on Xiaomi after removing applications, go to the battery settings and check if there are no “tails” in the form of background processes that can be forcibly stopped.

In addition, the reduction in the number of active background applications has a positive effect on battery life, allowing the smartphone to stay in standby mode longer.

Security and data privacy concerns

Using software that is being phased out carries potential security risks, and if a developer stops issuing patches for vulnerabilities, the device becomes a target for attackers.

In the case of Google Hangouts, the lack of updates means that any holes found in encryption or authorization protocols will remain unclosed.

Switching to supported counterparts like Google Messages with encryption enabled ensures your data is protected by modern standards. Xiaomi also puts a lot of emphasis on security by regularly releasing patches for its shell, but third-party apps must meet these requirements.

⚠️ Note: Do not store sensitive information in applications that are officially discontinued or are in the process of being completed.

Timely cleaning of the smartphone from outdated software is a basic principle of cyber hygiene that every user must follow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Google Hangouts on Xiaomi is an outdated app that can and should be removed to improve security and performance, replacing it with Google Meet or Messages.