How to turn on the camera Xiaomi in 5 seconds: all ways + error solving

Are you trying to take a selfie, but the camera on Xiaomi won’t start? Or want to quickly open the Camera app without digging into the menu?In this article, 5 proven ways to turn the camera on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, including hotkeys, gestures and hidden MIUI features. We’ll also take a look at why the camera might not work and how to fix it without resetting.

Whether you have a flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra with Leica optics or a budget Redmi Note 12, the camera activation principles are the same for all models based on MIUI 12-14. And if you encounter an error “failed to connect to the camera”, at the end of the article there is a section with solutions.

1. Fastest way: double pressing the power button

This is Xiaomi’s signature gesture that works on 90% of models (except some older Android 9 and lower devices) to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special Features → Gestures and Movements → Quick Camera Start.
2. Turn on the switch next to “Double press the power button”.
3. Now, even on a locked screen, double-press the on/off button – the camera will open instantly (even if the phone is asleep).

⚠️ Important: on some models (e.g, POCO F5) This gesture conflicts with the Double Tap Awakening function. If the camera doesn't open, turn off the wake-up in Settings. → Screen. → Awakening with a double tap.

This method works even if:

• 🔋 The phone is discharged to 5% (the camera will open but can close quickly due to energy savings).
• 🔒 A pattern lock or fingerprint is installed (no unlock required).
• 🎮 Do Not Disturb mode is enabled (gesture works bypassing restrictions).

2. Hot keys: start the camera from the screen off

If double-pressing the power button doesn’t work (or you’re uncomfortable), use the key combination.This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with physical buttons:

1. Press the Power button + Volume down button for 1-2 seconds.
2. Release – the camera will open in photo mode (if you hold for longer than 3 seconds, a screenshot or reboot will work).

🔹 Exceptions: on Xiaomi 13T and POCO X5 Pro, this combination defaults to take a screenshot:

1. Open Settings → Buttons and gestures → Button combinations.
2. Select “Power + Volume Down” → “Camera Launch”.

Make sure your phone is not in Game mode (turns off gestures)

The buttons are not stuck (try pressing them separately)

No water or dirt on the screen (can block sensors)

Update. MIUI last-minute-->

3. Camera widget on the main screen: one tap before shooting

If you need to open the camera instantly without memorizing gestures, add a widget to the home screen:

1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → “Widgets”.
2. Find the Camera widget (usually under Xiaomi or Tools).
3. Drag it onto the screen. Now the camera opens with a single touch.

📌 Tip: If the widget takes up a lot of space, use the widget 4×1 (It's a little camera icon. MIUI 14 There is also a widget “Fast Camera”, which opens the application in full screen mode without animation.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) may not have a camera widget.

4. Voice launch: "OK Google, open the camera"

If you have Google Assistant enabled, you can open the camera with your voice, even from the screen off (on supported models).

1. Activate the voice assistant: Say “OK, Google” or press and hold the Home button.
2. Tell the command to “Open the camera,” “Pick a photo,” or “Run the Camera app.”

🔹 Limitations:

• 🗣️ It only works if you have access to the microphone for Google.
• 🔒 In some models (POCO M5, Redmi 10A) Voice Launch is Blocked for Security.
• 🌐 Requires an Internet connection (to process commands).

1. Open the Google app.

2. Go to Settings → Voice Search → Voice Assistant.

3. Enable the “Unlock Phone” option (if you need to start the camera from a locked screen).-->

5.Tag on the notification panel: access to one swipe

The most reliable way is to add a camera shortcut to the notification bar, and it works even if:

• 🔄 The phone rebooted and the gestures reset.
• 🔧 All hot keys are off.
• 📱 Installed custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

Instructions:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Press on. ⚙️ («Edit or hold an empty space in the panel.
3. Find the Camera icon and drag it to the active area.
4. Now swipe down + tap on the icon - and the camera is open.

6.Camera not turning on? 5 ways to fix the error

If you see messages like “Camera is busy” or “Camera is busy” when you try to open the camera, try these methods:

🔧 Method 1: Restart the camera application

Close the camera through the latest app menu (swipe up) and clear its cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera.
2. Click on “Clear Cache” and “Stop”.
3. Reboot the phone.

🔧 Method 2: Checking Permits

Sometimes the camera doesn't work due to a permission reset (for example, after the MIUI update).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera → Permissions.
2. Make sure it's on: 📸 Camera. 📁 Storage (to save photos) 🎤 Microphone (for video recording)

🔧 Method 3: Resetting camera settings

If the camera opens but doesn’t work properly (for example, the zoom doesn’t work or the photos are blurry), reset the settings:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ («Settings») → «Reset the settings».

💡

If the camera is still not working after all the manipulations, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, the camera plume disconnected).In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center or check the phone for physical damage (falls, moisture).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the camera on Xiaomi