AL mode in Xiaomi camera: a complete guide to artificial lighting

Have you ever noticed that photos on Xiaomi in low light are unexpectedly bright and detailed, as if someone illuminated the scene with an invisible lamp? The secret lies in the AL (Artificial Lighting) mode, which has become the trademark feature of the brand’s smartphones. This mode is often confused with HDR or night mode, but it works fundamentally differently — not just by adjusting the exposure, but actively simulating additional lighting at the software level.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what is a regime. AL You can see in Xiaomi's camera how it differs from other image enhancement technologies, and why it should (or should not) be used in different scenes, which models support this feature, how to manually activate it, and what hidden settings allow you to more accurately control the result. And also – we will reveal the myths about the “fake” of light and show real examples of photos with the help of the AL without.

What does AL in the camera of a smartphone: decoding and the principle of operation

AL stands for Artificial Lighting, which is a different algorithm than classic HDR, which combines multiple frames with different exposures, or night mode, which extends shutter speeds, AL works by a different algorithm:

• 🔦 Scene analysis: camera scans for light, highlighting dark and overlit areas.
• 🎨 Light modeling: The algorithm “draws” the missing light by mimicking natural light (e.g., as if the sun illuminates an object from the side).
• 📱 Post-processing: Contrast, color balance and noise are adjusted to make the result look natural.

The key difference between AL and its competitors is that it doesn't just light up shadows (as Google Night Sight does), it builds a three-dimensional model of lighting, given the direction and intensity of "virtual" light sources, for example, if you take a picture of a person at dusk, the mode can "light" his face as if there was a table lamp nearby.

The technology debuted in Xiaomi’s Mi 11 flagships (2021) and has since evolved. In newer models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra), the AL is paired with camera hardware capabilities such as large 1/1.12 sensors and optical stabilizers, minimizing noise at high ISOs.

AL vs HDR vs Night Mode: What's the Difference and What's Better

A common mistake users make is to confuse AL with other photo enhancement modes.

In practice, AL is more effective than HDR in scenes with uneven lighting (for example, when the person’s face is in the shade and the background is brightly lit), while night mode is better at dealing with complete darkness, but often loses detail due to prolonged exposure.

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If the Xiaomi camera has both AL and night mode available at the same time, try both and compare the results. Sometimes the combination (if supported) gives a better result than the individual.

What Xiaomi smartphones support AL mode

Artificial Lighting technology is not available on all Xiaomi devices, and here is the current list of AL-enabled models (as of 2026):

• 📱 Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Ultra - an improved version AL supportive 8K-video.
• 📱 Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro / 13 Ultra – the first generation AL hardware-accelerated.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12S / 12S Pro / 12S Ultra — AL It only works on the main camera.
• 📱 Redmi K60 Pro / K60 Ultra – a simplified version without fine-tuning.
• 📱 POCO F5 Pro — AL available but requires manual inclusion.

Note that even if your model is on the list, the mode can be hidden in the settings. For example, in the POCO F5 Pro, it must be activated through the camera settings → Additional → AL Mode.

In budget models (for example, Redmi Note 12) instead of a full-fledged AL, a simplified AI algorithm Scene Detection is used, which only adjusts the exposure, but does not simulate light.

How to Enable and Configure AL Mode in Xiaomi

Activation of Artificial Lighting depends on the smartphone model and the MIUI firmware version. Here is a universal instruction:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Photo Mode (not "Portrait" or "Video").
3. Tap the AL icon in the top panel (near HDR). If the icon is not: Go to Camera Settings → Additional. Find the Artificial Lighting (AL) option and turn it on.

If necessary, adjust the intensity of the effect (in some models, a slider is available).

In the smartphones Xiaomi 14 Ultra and 13 Ultra available advanced AL setting:

Settings → Camera → Laboratory → AL setting


Lighting intensity: 1–10




Temperature of light: Warm/Neutral/Cold




- Light direction: Top/Side/Rear

These parameters allow you to more accurately control the final result.

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In models without manual AL settings (such as the Redmi K60), the mode works automatically. To turn it off, just tap the AL icon in the camera interface.

When to use AL mode: the best scenarios

Artificial Lighting is not universal — it performs better in specific conditions. Here are 5 scenarios where AL is really useful:

• 🌇 Portraits at sunset: when the face of the model in the shade, and the sky is bright. AL It will lighten the facial features while retaining natural colors.
• 🏙️ City landscapes in the evening: illuminate the facades of buildings and street details without relighting lanterns.
• 🍽️ Food photography: add volume to the dish, simulating the light from a table lamp.
• 🎭 Theatre productions: will help capture actors on a dark stage without using flash.
• 🛍️ Products in windows: removes shadows from the glass and illuminates objects inside.

Here’s where AL is best not to use:

⚠️ Attention: In scenes with uniform lighting (for example, in the afternoon in an open space) AL It can create unnecessary light artifacts, making the photo unnatural, and it's useless in total darkness, where night mode or flash is more effective.

Example: if you're photographing a sunset on a beach, HDR will do better because it needs to keep the details in the bright sky. And if you're photographing a person in the background of this sunset, AL will light up the face without overshadowing the background.

Common AL Problems and How to Fix Them

Despite the advanced algorithms, Artificial Lighting sometimes fails, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

If problems persist, try resetting the camera settings:

Settings → Applications → Camera → Storage → Clear data

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all user settings (including manual settings) AL) We recommend that you pre-write the current values.

In rare cases, AL artifacts are associated with defects in the camera sensor. If the problem manifests itself even after a reset, contact Xiaomi's service center for a diagnosis.

Hidden chips of the AL mode: little-known opportunities

Few people know, but Artificial Lighting in Xiaomi has hidden features that are not advertised in the official instructions.

• 🔍 AL In the video: In Xiaomi models 13 Ultra and newer mode works when shooting video in 4K@30fps. To activate, hold your finger on the icon. AL 2 seconds.
• 📸 Combination with RAW: If you include AL At the same time, save the photo in RAW (In the camera settings, you will get two files: processed (c) AL) and "raw" for manual editing.
• 🎭 Studio light emulation: Xiaomi 14 Pro has a hidden Studio mode AL, So, you can use a softbox that simulates light. To turn it on, go to Settings. → Laboratory → Lighting modes → Studio.
• 🔄 Quick switch: Twice tap the screen in shooting mode to temporarily turn off AL For the current frame (useful for comparison).

Another interesting feature is AL in Document Mode, where if you take a picture of a text in low light, it not only lights up the page, but it also automatically adjusts the perspective, removing the curvature, and this works in models on MIUI 14 and later.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about AL