How to Make a Video Call on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a device for voice communication, becoming a universal communication center, where video conferencing has become the norm for work and communication with loved ones. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the need to quickly organize video communication, but the interface of the shell MIUI or HyperOS offers many hidden features and nuances that not all users know. Understanding how to set up and run video broadcasts can significantly save your time and nerves at an important moment.

There are several fundamentally different ways to perform video communication, each with its own technical features and requirements for the quality of the Internet connection. Standard system tools such as Google Duo (now Meet) or built-in operator functions work differently than popular messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram. The choice of the specific method depends on which device is on the other end of the wire and how stable your current network signal is.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from simple SIM card calls to professional conferences through third-party applications, learn how to optimize the camera and microphone to make the person see and hear you perfectly, and also consider the frequent errors that can interrupt the connection. Properly configuring privacy settings and accessing smartphone equipment is the first step to quality communication.

Use of standard Google applications and system

The Android operating system on which Xiaomi smartphones are based provides native video communication tools that do not require registration with third-party services. The main application here is Google Meet (formerly known as Duo), which is often preinstalled in the Google folder or integrated into the standard Caller.

The process of launching a video call through the system means is as simple as possible and focused on speed: you do not need to search for a contact in the list of friends in the application; you just open a standard phone book or the Contacts application, select the right subscriber and click on the video camera icon next to the number. The system automatically determines whether the application is installed in the interlocutor, and initiates a connection over the Internet, bypassing the tariffification of the operator's voice minutes.

⚠️ Note: If you only see a black screen or connection error when you try a video call via Google Meet, check if access to the camera is blocked in the system’s privacy settings.

An important advantage of using system solutions is their deep integration with the MIUI shell. Incoming video call notifications are displayed on a locked screen as brightly and prominently as regular calls, which reduces the likelihood of missing an important conversation. In addition, the application can automatically switch between the front and main camera depending on whether you hold the phone in front of your face or put it on the table.

For users who value minimalism, the built-in functionality is the best choice: it does not require the installation of additional software, minimal battery consumption in the background and ensures stable operation even with the slowest Internet thanks to effective algorithms for compressing video stream from Google.

Video calls via messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber

The most popular way of communication in Russia and the CIS remain messengers, which offer not only text correspondence, but also high-quality video communication. the market leaders are WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber, each of which has its own features of video conferencing on Xiaomi devices.

To make a video call through the messenger, open a chat with the desired contact. At the top of the screen, next to the name of the interlocutor or phone number, you will find the video camera icon. In some versions of the interfaces, such as Telegram, you first click on the contact name to go to the profile, and then select the video call. WhatsApp icon is located directly in the dialogue header, which speeds up access.

• 📱 WhatsApp: High connection stability even with weak signal 3G, But it's very compressive.
• ✈️ Telegram: Offers the ability to make video calls from the profile screen, has a screen demonstration function and support for group calls with a large number of participants.
• 💜 Viber: Often used for landline calls (paid) and has built-in filters and camera effects popular with younger audiences.

You should pay special attention to quality settings. Most messengers have automatic quality selection by default, but if you have fast Wi-Fi, you can manually set it. HD-To do this, in the app settings, look for data and storage or call and select the maximum resolution, which is critical if you're doing an interview or a business meeting.

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If the person is “square” during a WhatsApp video call, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile internet (or vice versa) – this often helps to change the routing server and improve the flow.

Setup permissions and camera access in MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI and HyperOS shells are famous for their strict security system, which can sometimes block applications if they are not given the right permissions. If you try to make a video call and see a black screen instead of yourself or a camera error message, the problem is almost certainly the privacy settings.

To fix this, you need to manually check permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the right messenger (like Telegram) in the list and click on it. Select Application Permits (or Rights). Access to Camera and Microphone should be activated here. Without these two components, video communication is technically impossible.

Another important aspect is the background. Xiaomi's aggressive energy saving system can kill video calls if you turn off the app or turn off the screen. To avoid this, find Battery or Energy Saving in the same app settings menu and select No Limits, which ensures that the system does not force the communication process to close.

Video calls via telecom operator (VoLTE and ViLTE)

Traditional cellular communication has also evolved, and now many operators support ViLTE (Video over LTE) technology, which allows video calls directly through a standard phone book using 4G/LTE channels, without having to open messengers, and the picture quality is usually higher, and the sound latency is minimal, since it is the voice and video traffic of the operator that are given priority.

To use this feature, your plan must support video calls and SIM-card to be registered on the network 4G. Both parties must also be in the safe reception zone. LTE. On Xiaomi smartphones, the feature is often enabled by default, but its status can be checked. → SIM-maps and mobile networks, select your SIM card and find the "Video Call" or "Use" switch VoLTE/ViLTE".

⚠️ Note: Operator video calls may be charged separately from packet minutes and the Internet. Check with your provider to avoid unexpected costs.

The main advantage of this method is instantaneous connection. You don't have to wait for the application interface to load, log in and establish a connection to the server. You just press the call button, and in a second you see the person you're talking to, and this is especially true in emergency situations or when talking to older people who have difficulty understanding the interfaces of messengers.

Group videoconferencing and screen demonstration

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have enough processing power to support group video conferencing with 4, 8 or more people, and these are best suited for specialized applications like Zoom, Google Meet (web version or app), or group calls on Telegram.

One of the most useful features in business communication is the screen demonstration, which allows people to see the contents of your display in real time. On Android, when you start this feature, the system will ask for confirmation: "Start recording or broadcast?". This is the standard Android security warning, meaning that everything that happens on the screen will be visible to others.

• 🖥️ Telegram demo: Click on three dots in video call → "Show the screen".
• 📹 Demonstration in Zoom: Click Share (Share) → Select Screen).
• 📱 Demonstration in Google Meet: Click three dots → "Share the screen".

When active video mode, especially in a group, the smartphone can significantly heat up. Xiaomi processor works at the limit, encoding the video stream from multiple cameras and decoding the streams of interlocutors. It is recommended to remove the protective case if it is dense and poorly removes heat, and do not put the phone screen down on soft surfaces to avoid overheating and trottling (decreased performance).

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For long-term group conferences on Xiaomi, it is better to use a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, as it provides greater bandwidth and stability compared to 2.4GHz or mobile internet.

Troubleshooting: black screen, no sound, echo

Despite the reliability of Xiaomi’s technology, users may experience software failures, and the most common problem is a black screen during a video call when the person sees you and you don’t, or vice versa. Often this is solved by simply restarting the application, but if the problem recurs, you need to check if another application that captured the camera (for example, a flashlight or scanner) is working in the background. QR-code).

Sound problems, such as echoes or lack of audio, are often associated with improper noise cancellation. In the phone settings → Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound effects, you can try to turn off or change the sound improvement modes. It is also worth checking whether the microphone is closed with a finger or a case, especially on models with the lower location of the main microphone.

If the video call is constantly interrupted or the picture quality is very low ("soap"), check the Internet speed. Run a speed test in your browser. HD-quality requires incoming speed of at least 5 Mbps If the speed is lower, the application will automatically reduce the quality to maintain communication, but the picture will become blurred.

In conclusion, video communication on Xiaomi smartphones offers flexibility and quality, depending on the correct settings. Understanding the differences between system tools and third-party applications, as well as competent permission settings, avoid most typical problems. Use this knowledge to stay connected anywhere, anytime, choosing the best method for each specific situation.