Hangouts on Xiaomi: what kind of program is it and whether it is needed now

If you own a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone, you've probably noticed a dialog bubble icon on your installed app list, Google Hangouts. For a long time, it was considered the main tool for video calls and messaging in the Android ecosystem, but in recent years, things have changed dramatically. Many MIUI and HyperOS users are wondering: can you remove this component, will it disrupt the system, and where did all the chats go?

In fact, Google has officially announced the service’s gradual shutdown, bringing functionality to more modern solutions. On Xiaomi devices, which often come with a pre-installed GMS (Google Mobile Services) suite, this process can happen differently depending on the firmware version and region. It’s important to understand that the app has stopped receiving critical security updates, making its use potentially vulnerable.

In this article, we will discuss in detail why Hangouts was completely disabled for personal accounts at the end of 2022, how to replace it on your smartphone and how to migrate your correspondence history, if it is still available. We will examine the technical nuances of the background processes in the MIUI shell that can interfere with the correct operation of messengers, and give clear instructions on how to configure alternatives.

Development history and current status of the service

The Hangouts project started as a combination of several Google communications services, including Google Talk and Hangouts for YouTube, originally an attempt to create a single communication platform that seamlessly works across all devices, including Xiaomi smartphones, tablets and desktop browsers. The app has long supported not only text but also video conferencing, making it a popular tool for business and personal use.

But Google's strategy changed, and the company decided to split the flow of communication: Google Chat remained for the enterprise segment (as part of Workspace), and for personal accounts, the functionality was also moved to Chat and Google Meet for video calls. This transition was not instantaneous, causing confusion among millions of Android users around the world. On Xiaomi devices with a pure version of Android, the transition could pass unnoticed, but in heavy shells of MIUI, version conflicts often arose.

For now, the classic Hangouts for regular users (@gmail.com) have completely stopped working. If you try to log in today, you will likely see a notification to switch to another app or a connection error message. For Xiaomi owners, this means that it makes no sense to keep the app for the sake of messaging functionality, since the server part simply will not respond to the request.

⚠️ Note: Trying to use older versions APK-Hangouts files downloaded from third-party resources will not restore functionality. Servers are disabled on the Google side, so local installation on Xiaomi will not lead to anything, except the risk of infection of the device.

However, some corporate users whose accounts are managed by a domain administrator may still have access to limited functionality through compatible clients, but this is more of an exception. In most cases, it is about completely closing the service to the mass consumer. Understanding this chronology helps to understand why the app on your phone no longer sends messages.

Technical features of work on MIUI and HyperOS

MIUI shells and Xiaomi’s new HyperOS are known for aggressive power optimization, which means the system aims to “sleep” or completely stop the background processes of applications that algorithms believe are not in use right now. For instant messengers like Hangouts (and its successors), this has created additional challenges even during their active support.

The problem was with the Doze mode mechanism and the additional back-end limitations, so when you blocked the Xiaomi screen, the system could be connecting to a Google server, causing notifications of new messages to come late or not at all, and users often thought the service was “glutching,” even though it was about battery settings.

In China, where Xiaomi is from, Google services are blocked, global firmware versions have built-in lock-by-lock mechanisms for GMS, but they are not always stable, and when you upgrade or reset your system, Google Play Services may be out of sync, which directly affects Hangouts.

Technically, removing or disabling Hangouts on modern Android versions (10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and above) is a safe procedure. System dependencies that may have required it were rewritten by Google engineers to work with the new Google Chat APIs. So there is no need to fear that SMS or calls through other applications will stop coming after removal.

Instructions: how to replace Hangouts on a smartphone

Since the functionality was split, you'll need a combination of two apps to replace it, one is Google Chat, which is responsible for texting, sending files and creating groups, and the other is Google Meet, which has taken over video calls and conferencing, both of which are available on the Google Play Store.

For Xiaomi users, the installation process is as simple as possible. Often these apps are pre-installed on the system, but hidden or in the Google folder. If they are not, just go to the app store and download them. Once you log in to your @gmail.com account, all your contacts and, in part, your correspondence history will be downloaded automatically.

• 📱 Google Chat: the main messenger for text, stickers and response to messages. the interface is adapted for vertical use on smartphones.
• 📹 Google Meet: video linking app, where you can create meeting links, make screen presentations, and use background filters.
• 🔗 Integration: both apps are closely related. If you receive an incoming video call from Chat, the system will prompt you to respond via the Meet interface.

It’s important to note that the transition wasn’t always smooth for all users, and some data might not sync if the account didn’t activate for a long time, so it’s a good idea to check the security settings and permissions for new apps so they can work in the background on your Xiaomi.

How to Transfer Your Correspondence History and Data

One of the most painful issues when migrating is to preserve your history. Google has an automatic portability mechanism, but it requires certain conditions to be met. First of all, you need to make sure you sign in to new apps (Chat/Meet) under the same Google account that was used on Hangouts.

The migration process usually starts automatically when you first log in to Google Chat. The system detects the archives of the old service and suggests importing them. However, on Xiaomi smartphones with their rigid memory management, this process can be interrupted if the screen goes out during synchronization.

If you don't automatically migrate, you can use Google Takeout, which is a tool that allows you to upload all the data associated with your account, including Hangouts archives. You can request an archive, get a download link, and then manually import the data, although it can be a bit tricky for the average user.

⚠️ Note: Video call history and some types of system notifications from Hangouts are not recoverable.Don't waste time looking for ways to return them, as Google doesn't store these logs after the service is closed for personal accounts.

Removing the application and cleaning the system

Since Hangouts is no longer needed for the Google ecosystem, it can and should be removed to free up space and resources on your Xiaomi. Depending on the Android version and firmware region, the app can be installed as a system (unremovable without root rights) or as a regular user.

To remove a regular application, simply press the desktop icon and select Delete. If you don't have that option, it's built into the system. In this case, it can be "Disable." This action will hide the icon, prevent the application from running and updating, effectively removing it from active use without risking OS stability.

To disable the system application:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select the item of the Application → All applications.
3. Find it on the Hangouts list.
4. Click the Disable button (or Delete if available).

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Before removing or disabling Google system apps on Xiaomi, it is always recommended to create a complete backup of data via Mi Cloud or Google One to have a rollback point in case of unforeseen system errors.

Once disabled or deleted, it is recommended to restart the device, allowing the MIUI system to rebuild the cache and free up RAM previously occupied by the background processes of the discontinued service, and you can also clear the Google Play Services cache through the settings menu to get rid of the residual files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Hangouts is an outdated app that has been completely replaced by a bundle of Google Chat and Google Meet. its removal is safe and necessary to free up the resources of Xiaomi's smartphone.