Modern smartphones of the series Xiaomi Redmi are powerful multimedia devices that can provide high-quality communication even in conditions of an unstable Internet connection. However, despite the advanced features, users often encounter difficulties when using the video calling function in the messenger for the first time. WhatsApp. This is not due to the lack of a function, but to specific shell security settings MIUI or HyperOS, which by default can block application access to the camera or microphone.
In order to make video calls without failures, you must not only install the application, but also correctly configure access rights in the system menu of your Redmi. Often the problem lies in the fact that the system saves battery power by forcibly closing the background processes of the messenger, which leads to a disconnection or the absence of an image for the interlocutor. In this article, we will analyze in detail each stage of setup, from checking for updates to fine-tuning data transfer quality parameters.
The correct configuration of the device ensures that you can contact loved ones anywhere in the world using both the front and main cameras of your smartphone. Connection stability and the clarity of the picture directly depends on how competently you allow the application to interact with the hardware components of your gadget.
Checking compatibility and updating the application
The first step before any deep configuration is updating the software. Developers WhatsApp regularly release patches that correct vulnerabilities and improve the performance of video compression codecs on various processors, including popular chips Snapdragon and MediaTekused in Xiaomi. An outdated version of the application may simply not support new video stream encryption protocols, which will lead to a connection error. Go to the store
Go to the store Google Play or GetApps (Xiaomi brand store) and check for updates for the messenger. If the Update button is active, be sure to follow this procedure. It is also worth making sure that the operating system itself Android on your Redmi has the latest security patches, since system image processing libraries are often updated along with OS patches.
Sometimes users ignore updates, considering them insignificant, but for the video calling function this is critical. Incompatibility of versions for the caller and the receiving subscriber may cause the call to not go through at all. In rare cases, if the update does not install, it is recommended to delete the application and download it again, having previously saved a backup copy of the chats.
If the update freezes at the “Download” stage, try clearing the Google Play store cache in the smartphone settings before trying again.
Setting camera permissions and microphone
The most common reason for a video call not working on Xiaomi Redmi is a lack of access rights. The shell MIUI is known for its strict privacy policy, which requires explicit permission from the user for every application action. Without these rights WhatsApp physically will not be able to activate the camera and sound recording modules.
Go to the Settings section of your smartphone, then find the item Applications and select All applications. In the list that appears, find WhatsApp and tap on it. You will see a menu of information about the application, where you need to select a section Application permissions. Here you will see a list of all phone components that the messenger can access.
Make sure the switches are opposite the items Camera and Microphone set to the active position. If you see the “Ask” option, it is better to change it to “Allow” to avoid unnecessary requests during an important conversation. Also, do not forget to check access to Contactsso that the application can correctly display the names of the interlocutors during a call.
- 📷 Camera: required to transmit your images to the interlocutor.
- 🎤 Microphone: required for voice transmission in video communication mode.
- 📒 Contacts: allows you to synchronize the list of numbers for speed dialing.
- 📂 Storage: required for saving received photos and videos from chats.
After changing the settings, it is recommended to completely reboot the device. This is necessary so that system services Android correctly apply new security policies and reset old cached restrictions for WhatsApp.
☑️ Checking access rights
Optimization of work in the background
Energy saving systems in smartphones Xiaomi they work quite aggressively. They can force close applications that the algorithms determine are consuming too many resources or are not currently in use. This is fatal for the messenger, since a video call requires a constant connection to the server even in moments of silence.
To prevent the process from being completed by WhatsApp the system, you need to add it to the exception list. Return to the application information menu, as described in the previous section, and find the item Battery saver. By default, the value “Limit Activity” may be there. Change it to No restrictions.
This setting will allow the application to run freely in the background, maintaining a connection for incoming video calls even when the smartphone screen is turned off or you are using other apps. Without this step, you risk missing a call or seeing a message that the subscriber is unavailable, although your Internet is working properly.
⚠️ Attention: Setting the “No restrictions” mode may slightly increase battery consumption during the day, but this is a necessary sacrifice for stable operation of the messenger 24/7.
It is also worth checking the autorun settings. In the same application information menu, find the switch Auto-start and activate it. This ensures that WhatsApp starts immediately after turning on the phone, without waiting for your manual intervention.
The “No Limits” mode in the battery settings is a critical setting for uninterrupted reception of video calls on Xiaomi.
Settings quality of video and sound
The quality of video communication in WhatsApp directly depends on the bandwidth of your Internet channel and the settings inside the application itself. On devices Redmi with high screen resolution (Full HD+ and higher), it is important to understand how the messenger adapts the stream to your network.
Inside the settings WhatsApp (section Data and storage) you can control the quality of the media. Although there is no separate slider adjustment for real-time video call quality, the app automatically adjusts the bitrate. However, you can influence this by limiting the use of mobile data for other tasks during a call.
If you are in an area with a weak signal, the video stream may become grainy or freeze. In such cases, the system automatically switches to the audio track, maintaining the connection. To improve the situation, try switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi, if possible, or move closer to the window.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on call |
|---|---|---|
| Type networks | Wi-Fi 5 GHz | Maximum stability and HD quality |
| mobile data | 4G / LTE | Good quality, jumps are possible when moving |
| Saving traffic | Disabled | Allows you to stream video in better quality |
| Background data | Allowed | Necessary to maintain the connection |
Remember that A video call consumes significantly more traffic than a voice call. One minute of conversation can “eat up” from 3 to 5 MB of data, depending on the quality of the picture. Keep track of your tariff plan to avoid unexpected charges.
Secrets for improving communication
If your video call keeps dropping out, try disabling VPN services. They often add a delay (ping), which is critical for real-time video transmission.
Solving problems with black screen and sound
The situation when a video call connects, but you see a black screen instead of the interlocutor or do not hear the sound, is one of the most annoying. On Xiaomi Redmi this is often due to a conflict in the proximity sensor or audio output settings.
If the screen goes blank during a call and does not respond to touches, the proximity sensor may be covered by a protective glass or case. Wipe the top of the screen before making a call. Also check to see if Do Not Disturb mode is turned on, which may mute audio notifications for an incoming call.
To diagnose a sound problem, open any other video app (such as YouTube) and check if the speaker is working. If there is sound everywhere except WhatsApp, try changing the mode from “Headphones” to “Speaker” in your smartphone’s sound settings manually during a call by clicking on the corresponding icon on the call screen.
- 🔇 Check the physical sound switch button on the smartphone body.
- 🎧 Make sure that The Bluetooth headset is not connected accidentally, redirecting the sound.
- 🧹 Clean the speaker mesh from dust, which can muffle the sound of the interlocutor.
Sometimes resetting the network settings helps. Go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will not delete your personal data, but it will update network configurations, which may eliminate a software glitch in the transmission of data packets.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting network settings, be sure to write down the passwords for your Wi-Fi networks, as you will have to enter them again after the procedure.
Using the “Portrait Mode” function in calls
Modern models Xiaomi Redmi support advanced image processing functions that are also available in WhatsApp. One such feature is blurring the background during a video call, which allows you to focus the other person's attention on you, hiding the clutter in the room.
To activate this feature, start a video call and tap the settings or effects icon (often looks like a magic wand or three dots) right on the video call screen. Select option Background blur. This function uses the resources of the neural processor of your smartphone, so on older models of the series Redmi It may work with a delay.
Using effects requires additional computing power. If you notice that the smartphone starts to get very hot or the video starts to slow down after turning on blur, it is better to disable this option. Device performance in this case, visual effects are more important.
In addition, in some firmware versions, the function of changing the camera without interrupting the call is available. Just tap on the camera switching icon to show your interlocutor what you see. Make sure that the rear camera also has access to the application in the permissions settings, otherwise you will see a black screen when you switch.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why is the video call on WhatsApp not working even though the Internet is working?
Most often the problem lies in the ports being blocked by the ISP or settings firewall on the router. Also check if Flight or Data Saver mode is enabled in the WhatsApp app itself. On Xiaomi, be sure to double-check the permissions for the microphone and camera.
Is it possible to make video calls on a Xiaomi tablet without a SIM card?
Yes, it is possible. For video calls to work on WhatsApp, you only need an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi). A SIM card is only needed for the initial account registration, which can be done on the phone, and then use the same account on the tablet in multi-device mode.
Why can’t the other person see me, but I can see him?
This is a classic symptom of lack of camera access rights for the WhatsApp application on your device. Go to your phone settings, find the application and force access to the camera. Also check if the front camera lens is covered by your finger or a case.
Does the MIUI dark theme affect the quality of the video call?
No, the visual theme of the system does not affect the technical parameters of video stream transmission. However, using a dark theme can help save battery power on AMOLED screens, which indirectly extends the call time.
How to reduce data consumption during video calls?
In WhatsApp settings, go to the “Data and Storage” section and make sure there are no restrictions that force the application to constantly reconnect. The best way to save money is to use Wi-Fi. If you are roaming, turn off video transmission in the settings, leaving only audio if this option is available in your version, or simply do not accept video calls.