The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 64MP main camera, is capable of taking great pictures, but many users want to squeeze the most out of the device. Google Camera (GCam) is a modified application from Google that improves HDR processing, night mode and photo detail. However, it is not officially supported on Xiaomi devices.
In this article, you will learn where to safely download GCam for Redmi Note 8 Pro, which versions are stable, how to install and configure the app correctly, and what risks exist when using unofficial modifications. We analyzed dozens of sources and selected only proven options so that you do not encounter viruses or broken builds.
Why is Google Camera better than the standard camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
The standard MIUI camera app on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is optimized for fast shooting, but often loses as processing. Here are the key benefits of Google Camera:
- 📸 Best. HDR+ — more natural colors and contrast in difficult lighting conditions (e.g. against the sun).
- 🌙 Night Sight – bright and detailed photos in low light, without noise.
- 🔍 Improved detail – fewer artifacts as you zoom in, clearer edges of objects.
- 🎯 Accurate focusing is faster and more reliable than a standard camera MIUI.
- 📱 Support for all modules – works with main, wide-angle, macro and front cameras.
However, there are downsides: some GCam builds may not correctly save photos to the gallery, rarely freeze when shooting videos, and 64 MP mode is often unavailable, and GCam does not support RAW shooting on the Redmi Note 8 Pro due to the limitations of the Mediatek processor.
Official and Verified Sources for Downloading GCam
Since Google doesn't release the official Camera for Xiaomi, all builds are created by forum enthusiasts, and we've only selected reliable sources where the risk of catching a virus is minimal:
| Source | Reference | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celso Azevedo (catalogue site) | celsoazevedo.com | ✅ Largest version database✅ Detailed descriptions of assemblies✅ Regular updates | ❌ You need to choose a compatible version yourself.❌ Lots of obsolete assemblies |
| 4PDA (GCam theme) | 4PDA | ✅ Reviews of real users✅ Build specifically for Xiaomi✅ Community support | ❌ Registration required❌ Not all links are relevant |
| Telegram channels (e.g. @GCamMods) | @GCamMods | ✅ Quick updates✅ Chat support✅ Minimum risk of viruses | ❌ You need to keep an eye on relevance.❌ Not all files have a description. |
⚠️ Warning: Never download GCam from unknown sites like gcam-apk[.]com or modapk[.]io — they often spread malware (MD5) forum-wise.
For Redmi Note 8 Pro, builds from developers are best suited:
- Urnyx05 is a stable version with support for all cameras.
- BSG – Optimized for Mediatek, good HDR.
- Shamim is a minimalist interface, few bugs.
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Before downloading, check the Android version on your device: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. GCam builds for Android 9-12 will suit the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Which version of Google Camera to choose for Redmi Note 8 Pro?
The Redmi Note 8 Pro does not run all GCam builds due to the features of the Mediatek Helio G90T processor. We have tested several versions and recommend:
- 📌 GCam 8.1 (Urnyx05 v2.5) — Best balance of stability and function. Supports: Night Sight Portrait Mode on all cameras 4K (without stabilization)
- 📌 GCam 7.3 (BSG v1.7) — It's simpler, but it's reliable. It's perfect for beginners.
- 📌 GCam 8.4 (Shamim v5) — experimental, with improved HDR, but there's bugs.
These versions can be downloaded from the links above (Celso Azevedo or 4PDA) and avoid versions marked as "for Snapdragon only" - they won't work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
How to check the compatibility of the GCam build?
Step-by-step instructions for installing Google Camera
Installing GCam on the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not require root rights, but you need to follow a few steps:
Download APK-file from a verified source|Allow installation from unknown sources|Turn off the standard camera MIUI (optionally)|Reboot your phone before the first start-->
- Allow installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings (cogs) → Install unknown applications. Select the browser through which the file was downloaded and enable permission.
- Install. APK-File: Open the downloaded file (for example, GCam_8.1.101_Urnyx05_v2.5.apk) If you see an "Application not installed" error, try another version of GCam.
- Configure permissions: Once installed, open Settings → Apps → Google Camera and provide all the permissions you requested (camera, microphone, storage).
- Launch and configure: GCam may request access to the camera for the first time, allow. Then go to the app settings (swipe down) and activate: HDR+ Enhanced (for the best photos) Night Sight (night mode) Auxiliary cameras (for wide-angle and macro cameras)
⚠️ Note: If the GCam system is installed and the error is "Camera". API2 Not supported, so your version is incompatible with the Helio processor. G90T. Try the build from BSG Shamim.
Google Camera Settings for Redmi Note 8 Pro
To get the best shot quality, use these settings (available in the GCam menu after swiping down):
| Parameter | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| HDR+ control | HDR+ Enhanced | Improves dynamic range, but can slow down shooting. |
| Night Sight | On. | It is automatically activated during the dark. |
| Auxiliary cameras | On. | Allows the use of wide-angle and macro cameras. |
| Photo resolution | 12.2 MP (4:3) | Higher resolution (e.g. 16 MP) can degrade quality. |
| Video stabilization | Off | The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s GCam stabilisation performance is worse than the standard camera. |
For portrait mode, select Portrait mode → Front/Back and adjust the Blur level to 5-7 for natural effects. If the photos are too dark, increase Exposure compensation to +0.3 or +0.7.
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For video shooting in GCam on Redmi Note 8 Pro, it is better to use the standard MIUI application - it supports stabilization and recording in 4K/60fps without artifacts.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even with the correct installation of the GCam on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, errors can occur.
- 🚫 "Camera API2 Not supported" - your version of GCam is incompatible with the processor. BSG or Urnyx05.
- 📷 Photos are not saved to the gallery – check the storage permission or use the file manager to manually transfer from the folder DCIM/GoogleCamera.
- 🔄 The app crashes when shooting – clear the GCam cache in Android settings or reinstall the app.
- 🎥 Video is recorded with artifacts - lower the resolution to 1080p Or use a standard camera. MIUI.
- 🔋 Quick battery discharge - turn off HDR+ Enhanced in GCam settings, unless maximum dynamic range is required.
If GCam doesn’t start at all, try:
- Remove all previous versions of the app.
- Download APK again (maybe the file has not been downloaded completely).
- Reboot the phone.
- Install a different build (for example, try BSG instead of Urnyx05).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, Global Stable older than 12.5) GCam may not see the wide-angle camera. MIUI before the latest version or use custom firmware type xiaomi.eu.
Google Camera for Redmi Note 8 Pro
If GCam is not suitable or is not working well, consider these photo quality apps:
- 📸 Open Camera - open source with manual settings (exposure, ISO, white balance. Supports RAW, but requires adjustment.
- 🎞️ Footage – specializes in video, offers manual focusing and bitrates up to 100 Mbps.
- 🖼️ Adobe Lightroom – does not replace the camera, but allows you to improve the photo after shooting (HDR, color-correction).
- 🔍 ProCam X – a paid application with support for 64 MP and manual modes.
Comparison of GCam and alternatives:
| Annex | HDR | Night mode. | 64 MPs | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Camera | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ (build-dependent) |
| Open Camera | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Standard MIUI camera | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
If you want stability, stay with a standard MIUI camera, but use Adobe Lightroom for post-processing. If you want maximum HDR and nighttime image quality, set up GCam as we instruct.