Xiaomi camera cloning: how it works, why you need and how to turn on

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi takes dual exposure shots or creates unique art objects in the shooting mode? It's not a bug or a fluke, it's the work of the camera cloning feature that came into MIUI firmware relatively recently. It allows you to "duplicate" objects in photos, create unusual visual effects or even simulate the presence of multiple copies of one person in the frame. But how does it work at the technical level, and why do some users confuse cloning with dual camera or portrait mode?

In this article, we will explore what cloning in the Xiaomi camera is really like, from the principles of operation to step-by-step activation instructions. You will learn which models support the function (spoiler: not all!), how to use it for creative shots, and why sometimes the result is not as expected. And we will reveal one little-known fact: cloning at Xiaomi uses not only software processing, but also the hardware of the camera module, which distinguishes it from its counterparts in smartphones of other brands.

What is camera cloning: just about the complex

Camera Cloning (Cloning or Clone Mode) is a feature that allows you to create multiple copies of the same object in a photo, taken from different angles or at different times. Unlike a regular collage where you manually combine several pictures, everything happens automatically: the smartphone analyzes the movement of objects and glues them into a single frame.

The technology is based on three key components:

• 📸 Multi-frame shooting: The camera takes a series of images with a minimum interval (usually 0.5-1 seconds).
• 🤖 AI processing: algorithms MIUI Isolate moving objects and separate them from the static background.
• 🎨 Layer overlay: The final image is formed by combining selected objects from different frames.

It is important to understand that cloning is not the same as a dual camera: Dual camera (like in Xiaomi 13 Ultra) uses two physical lenses to improve the quality of shots (depth of field, zoom), whereas cloning is a purely software effect that works even on smartphones with one main camera.

⚠️ Cloning function is available only in the official chamber MIUI. Third-party apps (such as Google Camera or Open Camera) do not support it, even if installed on compatible Xiaomi models.

What Xiaomi models support camera cloning

Although it was introduced in MIUI 12, it is not available on all devices, and here are the key compatibility criteria:

If your model is not in the table, it doesn't mean that the feature is not exactly working. For example, some users of the Xiaomi 11T Pro report that cloning appeared after upgrading to MIUI 14.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Go to the section More (or Additional).
3. Scroll through the list of modes – if there is a Clone or Clone option, the feature is available.

How to enable and use cloning: step-by-step instructions

Activating the cloning mode is easier than it seems, and here is a universal guide for all supported models:

1. Preparation: Make sure that the camera settings include the AI camera option (path: camera settings → AI → turn on the AI camera).
2. Mode Selection: Open the Camera app, swipe left to the Still section and select Clone (or Clone in global firmware).
3. Shooting: 📌 Put your smartphone on a stable surface or use a tripod. 🧍 Ask an object (such as a person) to move around the frame with pauses in 1-2 seconds. 🎬 Press the shooting button – the camera will make a series of 3-5 frames.

Processing

If the result is blurred or with artifacts, try:

• 🔦 Increase lighting (cloning doesn’t work well in the dark).
• 📏 Reduce the distance between copies of the object.
• 🔄 Repeat shooting at a lower speed.

Take off on a tripod or stable surface |

Use good lighting |

Move smoothly, without sharp jerks |

Do not cover the background with moving objects-->

⚠️ Note: Optical stabilization is disabled in cloning mode (OIS). If your model supports it, it can lead to micro-shaking of frames, so the solution is to use an external tripod or support.

Creative Ideas: How to Use Cloning in Photography

Cloning is not just a fun function, it's a powerful tool for creativity, and here are some of the non-obvious ways it can be used:

• 🎭 "Multi-characterage: Set yourself in multiple roles (e.g. playing chess with yourself or sitting at a table with clones").
• 🏃 Dynamic scenes: Capture the process of movement (running, dancing, jumping) in one frame.
• 🛍️ Promotional photos: Show one product from different sides without editing (such as shoes or accessories).
• 🎨 Abstract Art: Combine clones with blur or color filters for surreal effects.

Professional photographers use cloning in Xiaomi even to take pictures of objects. For example, you can create the effect of "flying" sheets of paper or "multi-armed" person holding several objects at once. The rule is that the simpler the background, the more realistic the clone looks. On loaded textures (grass, sand, patterned wallpaper), the algorithm can make mistakes when highlighting objects.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite the advanced algorithms, Xiaomi cloning sometimes fails, and here are the typical errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method of cloning through third-party applications (such as Adobe Photoshop Express or PicsArt), which are not integrated with the Xiaomi camera, but allow you to achieve a similar effect manually.

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Before shooting, turn on the option to Save Originals in the camera settings (path: Settings → Additional → Save Originals) so you can compare the original frames to the final result and understand where the algorithm made a mistake.

Cloning vs. Other Xiaomi Camera Modes: Which is Better?

Many users confuse cloning with other MIUI Camera features, such as dual exposure, portrait mode, or long exposure.

• 🔄 Cloning: Makes multiple copies of one object in one frame.
• 👥 Double exposure: superimpose two different images on top of each other (e.g. portrait) + landscape).
• 🎭 Portrait mode: blurs the background, but does not duplicate objects.
• ⏱️ Long shutter speed: captures the movement of light (such as car tracks at night), but does not create clones.

When should cloning be used?

• ✅ For creative pictures with "multiplication" of one object.
• ✅ When to show the process (e.g., cooking steps).
• ✅ To create memes or humorous photos.

When not to use:

• ❌ For taking group photos (the algorithm does not handle several moving objects well).
• ❌ In low light conditions (noise and artifacts will appear).
• ❌ If you need a realistic picture without post-processing.

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Xiaomi cloning is not a substitute for professional editing, but a tool for quickly creating creative images. For serious projects, it is better to use specialized programs (for example, Photoshop) or shoot on mirrorless and then process.

The future of cloning: what to expect in the new models Xiaomi

In 2026, Xiaomi is actively developing the functions of the camera based on AI. According to leaks and patents, in future models (for example, Xiaomi 15 or Mix Fold 4), cloning can get the following improvements:

• 🎥 Video cloning: the ability to create clones not only in photos, but also in videos (similar to Google's "Magic Editor" feature").
• 🤖 Automatic object allocation: AI will more accurately separate people from the background, even on complex textures.
• 🖼️ 3D-Cloning: Support for the creation of large-scale clones AR-applications.
• 🔄 Live Clones Mode: Animation of clones right in the gallery (for example, a person waves his hand in several copies at the same time).

It is also expected to be available on more budget models (such as the Redmi Note 13 or POCO X6), as it no longer requires flagship processors, and may also include cloud-based clone processing in MIUI 15, which will improve quality on weak devices.

If you want to stay up to date, follow Xiaomi’s announcements on official channels or in communities (like @miui on Telegram). Usually, new camera features are first tested in Chinese firmware and then appear in global versions in 2-3 months.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cloning