The modern rhythm of life dictates its rules, and often there is a need to discuss work or personal issues with several interlocutors at once. Owners of Xiaomi’s smartphone brand and Redmi’s sub-brand may face a situation where the standard call interface doesn’t offer an obvious button to create a group conversation. MIUI HyperOS, which hides some features to simplify the interface.
Conferencing is directly dependent on the capabilities of your data plan and the settings of the device itself. Unlike instant messengers, where group calls are implemented at the level of application servers, classic telephony relies on cellular network standards, which is why on Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi smartphones, the process of adding interlocutors may be different from what you are used to on other Android devices.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can connect your subscribers to a single link, how to activate hidden functions, what limitations your operator imposes, and what to do if the call button is inactive, and understanding these nuances will allow you to stay in touch with the right number of people, using only the capabilities of your gadget.
Technical Limitations and Communication Standards
Before you start setting up, it is important to realize that conferencing is a service provided by a cellular operator, not just a function of a phone. The smartphone is only a call management tool. GSM and VoLTE have their limits, which cannot be circumvented by software methods without using third-party software. Usually, the standard allows you to bring together up to 5-6 participants, but the final number is determined by the provider.
A stable network signal is an important condition. If one of the participants is in a bad reception area during the conference creation, the quality of communication for everyone may deteriorate, or the call will be interrupted. Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced modems, but they can not magically enhance the base station signal. So before an important meeting, make sure that you have 4G coverage or confident 3G.
⚠️ Attention: The conferencing service may be paid or require a special connection from your operator.Clarify the tariff conditions before starting a mass call to avoid unexpected charges.
Also, consider that when active mode "Do not disturb" or when you turn on the lock incoming unknown numbers, the addition of new members can be blocked by the security system Android.
Basic settings through standard MIUI call
In most cases, a standard MIUI shell interface is enough to organize a conversation with multiple people. The algorithm is simple, but it requires consistency. First, you dial the number of the first conference participant, and after he answers, the call control panel will appear on the screen, where the necessary tools are hidden.
To add a second person, you need to press the Add Call button (often looks like a plus or plus-plus handset), at which point the first person will be held, and you will hear the dial beeps, and as soon as the second person answers, the "Unite" button will appear on the screen, pressing it will connect all three in a single audio session.
☑️ Checklist before the call starts
If you're using a smartphone with an updated version of HyperOS, the interface may be slightly different visually, but the logic remains the same. The call add button can be hidden in the drop-down menu, which opens by swiping down or tapping the arrow in the corner of the screen.
The process is repeated to add third and subsequent participants, but there is an important caveat: some operators do not allow new people to be added until the current hold calls are combined, so always bring the process to the end before dialing the next number.
Use of Google Phone Functions
Many new Redmi and Xiaomi models come pre-installed with Google Phone instead of the branded MIUI call. This app has a more rigorous but functional interface. The principle of operation here is similar, but the location of the controls can confuse the accustomed user.
When you talk, click on the screen to expand the full menu, you'll see the Add Call button. Once you dial the second number and respond, the system will suggest combining calls. In Google's app, this process is often more stable, thanks to better optimization for pure Android.
One of the things that's really useful in Google Phone is that you can individually manage your participants, so you can turn off the microphone to a particular person, or you can end the microphone to a particular person, without interrupting the conference for the rest of you, and you can expand the list of participants by clicking on the corresponding icon on the screen.
⚠️ Note: When using Google Phone, make sure the app is allowed to access contacts and microphone. Without these permissions, the conferencing function may not work properly or may not appear at all.
If you upgrade to the latest version of the app, there may be a feature called Spam Filter, which sometimes mistakenly blocks incoming calls from added members. Check your spam protection settings if someone from your colleagues complains that they can’t connect to your conference.
Alternative methods through messengers
When classic telephony fails or the minute of call is too high, Internet technology comes to the rescue. Xiaomi smartphones are great at multitasking, allowing you to use VoIP (Voice over IP), which is voice over the Internet, which is independent of the minutes of your plan.
The most popular apps — Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber — allow you to create group audio calls with more participants than GSM supports. For example, Telegram allows you to call up to 1,000 people, which is impossible for classical telephony.
The advantage of the Redmi messengers is also the ability to display a screen or video link. If you need to not only talk, but also show documents or faces of interlocutors, this option will be preferable. System resources of the Snapdragon or MediaTek processors used in Xiaomi, easily cope with the encoding of the video stream.
Comparison of communication technologies
However, it is worth remembering that all participants in the conference must have the same app installed and an account registered to use instant messengers, which can be a restriction if you call customers or partners who do not use modern means of communication.
Table of comparison of methods of communication organization
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of different methods of organizing group conversations on Xiaomi devices.
| Parameter | Standard Caller (GSM) | Messengers (VoIP) | Third-party annexes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max: Number of participants | 5-6 people | Up to 1,000 people | Depends on the service. |
| Internet dependency | Not required | Definitely (Wi-Fi/4G) | I'll be sure. |
| Tariffing | Operator's rates | Traffic consumption | Often free. |
| Sound quality | Stable (HD Voice) | Depends on the network. | Average. |
As you can see from the table, the choice of method depends on your specific goals. For a short meeting with colleagues who have the Internet, VoIP is better. For emergency communication or calling those who may not have a smartphone or Internet, classic cellular communication is indispensable.
It’s also worth noting that third-party apps like Skype or Zoom are in the middle of the spectrum, requiring the internet but often providing more professional conference tools like recording a conversation or moderating participants.
💡
Use a headset or noise-cancelling headphones during a conference call, which will significantly improve the legibility of your speech for all participants and reduce the strain on the smartphone microphone.
Addressing common problems
Despite the simplicity of the technology, Xiaomi and Redmi users often face problems when creating conferences, one of the most common is the lack of a call add button, which may be due to the fact that the service is not activated on the operator side, in which case no phone settings will help, you need to call in support of the provider.
Another problem is resetting the first call when dialing the second, which happens if the network does not support the call retention function or if it is disabled in the settings. SIM-Check the call settings menu (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additional settings), whether the option "Contain call" is activated».
Sometimes the problem is a crowded phone book or a cache of the Phone app, and cleaning the cache through the app menu can solve the problem of the interface freeze, and try to reboot the smartphone, which is a trivial action that often corrects temporary failures in the communication module.
⚠️ Note: If you hear a busy signal or a carrier message when trying to merge calls, your plan may not support conference calls.
In rare cases, a conflict can cause third-party software to record conversations. If you have an automatic call recording app installed, try temporarily disabling it and checking conferencing.
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Most of the conferencing problems on Xiaomi are solved by contacting the carrier to activate the service or checking the call retention settings in the SIM card menu.
Optimization of communication quality
To ensure the best sound quality during a group conversation on Redmi, it is recommended to turn off energy savings for the Phone application. Aggressive MIUI energy saving algorithms can limit the modem in the background, which leads to interruptions. Go to the battery settings and select No Limits mode for calling.
If you are in a room with thick walls, come closer to the window or use Wi-Fi calls (VoWiFi) if your carrier and smartphone support this technology.Enable VoWiFi allows you to use the home network for calls, which often gives crystal clear sound even in areas of poor cellular reception.
Regularly update your device’s firmware. Xiaomi engineers are constantly releasing patches that improve the radio module and compatibility with networks of different operators. Check for updates in the Settings → About Phone menu.