The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of voice communication, becoming a powerful multimedia center, where visual contact plays a key role. For owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, the issue of organizing high-quality video communication often arises immediately after purchase, especially when switching from other platforms or updating firmware. In the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS, the configuration process can have its own nuances related to regional features and preinstalled software.
Users have access to many ways to communicate, from classic VoLTE and proprietary Mi Video Call service to third-party apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. However, it is the native capabilities of the phone that often raise the most questions due to hidden settings or the need to activate additional services from the operator. It is important to understand that image quality and connection stability depend not only on the application, but also on the correct operation of communication modules and camera resolutions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of organizing video communication on Xiaomi devices, you will learn how to activate built-in functions, adjust application priorities and eliminate typical errors that can prevent successful connection.
Activation of native video call via SIM-card
The first and most obvious way is to use the standard Phone app with VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology, which is enabled by default on many modern tariffs, but sometimes you have to activate it manually in your smartphone settings, so you need to go to the SIM card menu and find a corresponding switch that allows voice and video to be transmitted over a 4G network without falling into 3G.
If your carrier and data plan support video calls, a special button will appear in the dialing interface with a camera image, and clicking on it before a call or during a conversation will initiate the transmission of a video stream. It is important to note that a video call on the operator's network can be charged separately from voice minutes, so it is worth checking the terms with the provider.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the interlocutor also has VoLTE and video calls enabled, otherwise the connection may not take place or only pass in audio format.
In some regions and firmware, the feature may be called ViLTE (Video over LTE). If the option is not displayed in the settings after the button is turned on, you may need to update your network profile or contact operator support to activate the service on the server side.
💡
To save traffic when using the mobile Internet, set the video quality limit in the settings of a specific caller application, if such an option is available.
Setup of the Mi Video Call application
Xiaomi devices often feature their own Mi Video Call app, which allows video calls over the Internet using a Mi Account.It is a convenient way to communicate between devices of the same brand without requiring third-party software installation. However, in global firmware versions, this application may not be available or require a separate download via GetApps.
To get started, you need to log in. Without logging into your Mi Account, the functionality will be limited or completely unavailable. Once authorized, the application will request access to contacts, camera and microphone — all of these permissions are critical to the correct operation.
☑️ Checking the Mi Video Call settings
The interface is quite simple: at the top of the screen, you can see contacts that also use Mi Video Call and are available for communication. When you click on the user's avatar, the system immediately starts a video call. If the contact is not displayed as available, it may be disabled or not authorized in the service.
Consider that Mi Video Call consumes less battery power compared to heavy messengers, as it is optimized specifically for Xiaomi iron. However, the quality of video stream compression may be inferior to market leaders like Zoom or FaceTime.
Integration of Google Duo and Google Meet
Most Xiaomi smartphones with a certified version of Android pre-installed Google services, including Duo (which is gradually integrated into Google Meet), one of the most reliable ways of video communication, working steadily even at low Internet speeds thanks to efficient compression algorithms.
You don't need to register separately, because the app is linked to your Google account, and the phone number is automatically verified, and contacts from the phone book that also have Duo or Meet installed are marked with special icons, which allows you to instantly switch to video right from the contact list.
| Parameter | Google Duo / Meet | Mi Video Call | Operator (VoLTE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required account | Mi Account | SIM-map | |
| Video quality | High (adaptive) | Average. | Depends on the network. |
| Traffic consumption | Optimized | Medium. | Package/minute |
| Cross-platformity | Android, iOS, Web | Android (MIUI) | Any phone. |
An important feature is the ability to create link invitations for those who do not have a Google account, which makes the service a universal tool for group conferences, in the settings of the application you can choose the quality of video (standard or high) and allow the use of mobile data if Wi-Fi is not available.
Use of third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
Third parties dominate the mobile market, and Xiaomi is no exception: WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber apps require detailed permissions set in the MIUI system so that a video call is not interrupted when the screen is rolled up or the device is locked.
A common problem is that aggressively kills background processes to save energy. To make a WhatsApp video call pass when the phone is in your pocket, you must prevent cleaning the application. To do this, open the list of running applications, find WhatsApp, click on the lock or select "Place".
It is also critical to check the permissions in the settings menu. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the right messenger and select Permissions. Make sure that access to the camera, microphone and Auto Run is allowed. Without this, an incoming video call may not arrive until you manually open the app.
⚠️ Note: In new versions of Android and MIUI at the first video call, a system window may appear with a request for permission to record the screen or use the camera - be sure to click "Allow", otherwise the interlocutor will not see the video.
It is also recommended for Telegram to enable the “Use mobile data for calls” feature in the “Data and memory” section if you plan to communicate not only via Wi-Fi. This will prevent unexpected communication breaks when leaving the wireless network coverage area.
Solving problems with camera and microphone access
If a video call is connected but the image is black or the person you are talking to cannot hear you, the problem is privacy settings: MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS have implemented a Privacy Protection system that can block applications from accessing sensors without the user's knowledge.
Check the indicators in the upper right corner of the screen (green dot for the camera, orange for the microphone). If the indicator is on, but the apps write about an error, it may be that access is blocked at the security level. Go to Security → Privacy Protection → Permissions Management and check the status for the desired application.
Another common cause is application conflict: If you use a video call in your browser (like Zoom via Chrome) and you run your camera app at the same time, the system may not give the video call back.
What if the camera says “I couldn’t connect to the camera”?
It is also worth checking the physical condition of the device. On some Xiaomi models with a retractable camera, video calls are not possible if the camera mechanism is jammed or it is not fully advanced.
Optimizing the network for stable communication
The quality of the video call depends on the bandwidth of the channel and the ping, even if you have an icon. 4G/LTE The speed may not be sufficient for HD-You can use the built-in speed test or third-party utilities to diagnose.
If you're in a hot spot, try switching network types. Sometimes a forced 3G/2G switch (via an engineering menu or modem setting) gives you a more stable, albeit slow, channel without ping surges, which is better for voice-activated video calls than a ragged 4G.
For Wi-Fi connections, make sure the router is not overloaded. A high-resolution video call can consume up to 2-4 Mbps. If large files are swinging on the network or 4K video is broadcast on TV, the communication quality on a Xiaomi smartphone may fall.
💡
Connection stability is more important than maximum speed: stable 3 Mbit / s is better than jumping from 1 to 20 Mbit / s.
In the Wi-Fi settings on Xiaomi, there is a Wi-Fi Assistant feature that switches to mobile internet if the signal is weak. For video calls, this feature is better off, as it can cause a connection to break when switching between networks.