How to set up the camera on Xiaomi: from basic parameters to hidden chips MIUI

Xiaomi smartphones have long earned a reputation for being great price-performance devices, and their cameras are no exception, but even the most advanced modules from Sony or Samsung won’t show their full potential without the right setup. Many users have been shooting in default mode for years, without even knowing that their Redmi Note 12 Pro is a real-life shooter.+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra is capable of much more.

In this article, we will not only discuss basic parameters such as white balance and resolution, but also hidden functions. MIUI Camera, which even the official instructions are silent about, you will learn how to adjust the camera to specific scenes (portraits, night shots, videos), which modes really work, and which ones are a marketing ploy. Special attention will be paid to the professional mode and fine tuning of parameters manually, which is especially important for models with support RAW and DNG.

It's important to understand that there's no universal setting, which is perfect for shooting a sunset on Xiaomi. 12S Ultra with Leica optics, can completely spoil the frames on the budget Redmi 10C. Therefore, we will analyze the settings taking into account the hardware capabilities of different lines - from POCO before the flagship Xiaomi MIX.

1. Basic camera settings: where to start?

Before you get into professional modes, you should optimize the standard settings. Go to the Camera app and tap the gear icon (⚙️) Swipe left/right (depending on version) MIUI) Here are the key points that you should check first:

• 📸 Photo resolution: Most tasks will be 12 MP (4:3), but if you plan to print or crop, choose the maximum. On flagships like Xiaomi 13 Pro, it is 50.+ MP using pixel binning.
• 🎥 Video resolution: 4K@30fps — Gold Standard for Most Scenarios. 8K Available only on top-end models, but requires a lot of space and a powerful processor.
• 🔄 Save settings: Enable the option to Save Camera Settings so you don’t reset everything every time you start.
• 🌙 Activate automatic switching to Night Mode in low light – this will save many shots.

Notice the Watermark, which is better off, because it not only spoils the composition, but it can also display your location through the watermark. GPS-If you want a watermark for social media, set it up manually, just a model phone without geodata.

⚠️ Note: On budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Including maximum resolution can lead to "soapiness" of the images due to a weak processor. HDR.

Remember Burst Mode, which is activated by holding down the button for a long time on Xiaomi, which is essential for dynamic scenes like kids or sports events, and you can select the number of frames per second (usually 10 to 30 fps) in your settings.

2. Professional mode: manual adjustment under full control

Pro (or Manual) mode is Xiaomi’s top camera trump card for those who want to make the most of the hardware, and you can manually adjust:

• 🔘 Excerpt (from) 1/4000down 32c): Short shutter speeds freeze motion, long exposures create blurring effects (for example, for shooting stars or light tracks).
• 📐 ISO (Light sensitivity: Optimal range is 100-800. Exceeding 1600 adds noise, but can save the frame in the dark.
• 🎯 Focus: Manually set the focal length (from 1.5 cm for macro to macro) ∞). Useful for shooting through glass or grid.
• 🔶 White balance: Automatics often fails in artificial lighting. For incandescent bulbs, choose 2500K–3000K, daylight — 5500K–6500K.

Especially useful Pro-mode for shooting in format RAW (available on flagships. Files.DNG They take up a lot of space (up to 50MB per frame), but allow you to flexibly adjust exposure and colors in Lightroom or Snapseed without losing quality. RAW, Go to the camera settings → Photo format → RAW+JPEG.

Critical feature: On Xiaomi smartphones with multiple cameras (wide-angle, telephoto, macro), the Pro mode by default uses only the main module. To switch, tap the icon 0.6x/1x/2x This is especially important for macro photography, because the main camera can't focus any closer. 10 see, whereas a specialized macro module works with 2 centimeter.

Shut down. HDR (obstruct)

Set a minimum ISO

Check the white balance on the gray card

Focus on the main object

Take a test shot to evaluate the histogram-->

3. Optimization HDR Night mode: when automation is not trusted

HDR (High Dynamic Range on Xiaomi works well, but not perfectly, and it combines multiple frames with different exposures to work out both shadows and light areas:

• 🌅 Sunsets/dawns: HDR It can burn the sky trying to show the earth, and it's better to shoot without it. HDR and bring shadows to the editor.
• 👤 Portraits vs. light: Automation often over-lights faces. Use Portrait Mode with manual exposure correction (swipe up/down screen).
• 💡 Artificial lighting: When shooting under lamps HDR It might add unwanted color artifacts. Try turning it off and taking it off in the back. RAW.

Xiaomi’s Night Mode is one of the best in the industry, but it’s also a nuanced feature: on new flagships (like Xiaomi 13 Ultra), it works in real time, showing the results before shooting. On budget models (Redmi Note 11) you’ll have to wait 2-5 seconds for processing.

1. Use a tripod or support - even micromotion will spoil the frame with long exposure.
2. Manually reduce ISO 800-1600 to reduce noise.
3. For moving objects (such as fireworks), choose Night Mode. → Movement.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40) night mode automatically activates the ultra-wide lens if the main module is not able to cope with the lighting, this leads to distortion of the edges of the frame. To avoid this, manually switch to the main camera (icon) 1x).

To shoot the starry sky or light tracks, use the Pro-mode combination + Night mode:

Exposure: 10 to 30c


ISO: 1600–3200




Focus: ∞ (manual)




White balance: 4000K




Format: RAW

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If the night mode gives too "plastic" colors, try to shoot the same frame in Pro-mode with a shutter speed of 1-2 c and ISO 800, and then combine both shots in Photoshop via the overlay mode "Lightening".

4. Hidden functions MIUI Camera: What is not in the instructions

Xiaomi's proprietary software hides a few useful features that aren't obvious at first glance.

• 🔍 Document Mode: Hidden in the menu "More" (⋮). Turns the camera into a scanner: automatically aligns perspective, removes shadows and saves the image. PDF. Ideal for checks, contracts or pages of books.
• 🎭 Double exposure: In Portrait mode, hold your finger on the screen, and you will see the option of overlaying two frames (for example, a human silhouette against a landscape background.
• 📏 Linea AR: Included in Tools, allows you to measure distances and angles in real time through the camera (inaccuracy). ±2 cm) Useful for repair or interior design.
• 🔄 Cloning of objects: In Photo mode, click on the icon of the "magic wand" (🪄). Take the subject, then move the phone – the algorithm will copy the object to a new location (for example, duplicates the person in the frame).

Another little-known possibility is customizing color styles. 12S Ultra, 13 Pro profiles available:

• Leica Authentic are natural colors with an emphasis on textures.
• Leica Vibrant – saturated colors, suitable for landscapes.
• Monochrome is a black and white mode with high contrast.

To activate styles, go to the camera settings → On budget models, the same function is performed by color filters (in the menu "More").

For lovers of long exposures (light tracks, water blur) in MIUI 14+ Long Exposure is added. It's hidden in the "More" menu" → "The algorithm automatically combines multiple frames, simulating shutter speeds of up to 10 seconds without the need for manual adjustments.

5. Video customization: 4K, stabilization and sound

Video shooting on Xiaomi often suffers from two problems: overheating and noise. To minimize them, follow these recommendations:

• 🔥 Permission and FPS: 4K@30fps — Optimal balance of quality and heating. 1080p@60fps — for dynamic scenes (sports, games). 720p@960fps — slow motion (available on flagships).
• 🎤 Sound: Turn off noise suppression when you're recording music or speech -- it cuts high frequencies. Use an external microphone through the sound. USB-C (for example, BOYA BY-M1).
• 🖥️ Stabilization: Ultra Steady - only turn on when running or shooting from the hand (strongly framing the frame). Pro Video - disables digital stabilization for post-processing.

For professional video shooting, activate the Movie Mode available on Xiaomi 12S Ultra and newer. He suggests:

• Logarithmic profile of Log for color correction.
• Manual focus setting (with tracking autofocus).
• Support 10-bit Colours (1 billion shades).

⚠️ Note: When shooting a video in 4K@60fps Xiaomi with Snapdragon processor 7xx (For example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) phone overheats 10–15 To avoid an emergency shutdown, lower the resolution to 2.7K or use a cooling case.

For streaming (YouTube, TikTok) optimal settings:

Resolution: 1080p@30fps


Bitrate: 12–15 Mbps




Stabilization: Standard (not Ultra Steady)




Format: MP4 (H.264)




Microphone: External (if possible)

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For video recording in format 4K Make sure to use a class memory card. UHS-I/U3 (Most Xiaomi's built-in memory can't handle the data flow, leading to "dropped" frames.

6. Optimization for social networks: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

Every social network has its own content requirements, and camera settings should be in line with that.

For Instagram Reels and TikTok, the first 3 seconds of the video are important.

1. Use the slow motion mode (120fps) dramatic.
2. Add the transition effect (swipe up in video mode) → "Effects").
3. Shoot from the lower angle - this visually lengthens the object.

For YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, enable automatic cropping in the camera settings (Settings) → Video → Cut for social media. The algorithm itself adjusts the frame to a vertical format, keeping key objects in the center.

Key Lifehack: When shooting for TikTok or Reels, use Double Video Mode (available on Xiaomi) 12T It captures the frame from the main and front cameras simultaneously, making it easier to create reactions or duets.

7 Post-processing: How to save a failed frame

Even with perfect camera settings, sometimes you get bad shots. Here's how to fix them with standard tools. MIUI and third-party applications:

• 🌈 Color correction: The Xiaomi Gallery has a built-in editor with curves and selective correction. RAW-Use Lightroom Mobile (free version supports files) DNG).
• 🔍 Retouch: In Portrait Mode, you can change the background blur level (Boke) after shooting. The Snapseed app allows you to remove objects from frames (Healing tool).
• 📏 Editing: Follow the rule of thirds (the grid is included in the camera settings). For Instagram, use a 1:1 or 4:5 ratio.

If the picture is blurry, try:

1. Use the sharpening mode in Google Photos (Tools) → Sharpness).
2. Apply the filter HD Remini app (but don't abuse - artifacts appear).
3. Re-shoot the frame with manual focusing (in Pro-mode, set the focus on the object and block it).

⚠️ Attention: When editing RAW-Never save changes over the original.Always export the edited version to the original. JPEG, to be able to return to the source.

For video, the best post-processing tools:

• CapCut – Free Editor with Support 4K and TikTok effects.
• KineMaster – for multi-track installation (subscription from 500)₽/moss).
• InShot is a simple interface for quick installation of storis.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced Xiaomi users make mistakes when setting up the camera.

• 📱 Dirty lenses: Wipe your lens with microfiber (not clothes!) stains on your lens spoil up to 30% of the details.
• ☀️ Shooting against the sun: Use your hand or object to create a shadow over the lens to avoid glare.
• 🤳 Using Digital Zoom: Anything Above 2x, — This is a software zoom (except for the telephoto lens models.
• 🔋 Low-charge shooting: At a battery level below 15%, the camera automatically reduces performance, leading to lags.
• 📁 Storage on a low-class card: For 4K-Video card needs a map UHS-I U3 (recording speed of 30 MB/s).

Another common problem is overheating during long-term shooting, to avoid an emergency shutdown:

• Remove the cover (especially silicone).
• Use modes 1080p instead 4K hot.
• Close the background apps (especially games and navigators).

On models with a retractable front camera (Xiaomi Mi) 9T, Redmi K20) avoid:

• Sharp movements during the self-network - the mechanism can catch.
• Shooting in dusty or wet conditions.
• Using magnetic covers – they interfere with the closing sensor.

If the camera starts to "glutch" (not focusing, gives a green hue), try:

1. Reboot the phone.


2. Clear the camera cache: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the cache.




3. Reset the camera settings to factory settings (in the camera settings menu).




4. Update the software through Settings → Update the system.

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After the update MIUI You're not shooting as well, you're going to go back to the previous version with Recovery mode].

FAQ: Answers to popular questions