How to edit photos on Xiaomi: from basic edits to advanced photoshop

Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be just “cheap Chinese phones” – today they are full-fledged tools for shooting and processing photos. POCO X5 equipped with cameras with a resolution of 50+ MP, and the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series compete with professional cameras, but what few people know is that 80 percent of a photo's success depends not on the shot, but on post-processing. And you don't have to transfer the pictures to your computer, you can do everything right on your phone.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to edit photos on Xiaomi: from built-in tools MIUI You can go to third-party apps like Photoshop Express, and you can learn how to remove skin defects, change the background, add effects, even create collages, without loss of quality, without watermarks, and you can also tell us what camera settings will help you shoot so that you can control less.

If you think that for “photoshop” on the phone you need expensive apps or a powerful PC – you are wrong. RAW-So the key is to know which tools to use and how not to spoil the source, and let's start with the simplest and gradually get to the professional techniques.

1. Built-in gallery MIUI: editing

Many Xiaomi users don’t even realize that the standard Gallery app (Google Photos or Mi Gallery, depending on the firmware) hides a full-fledged photo editor. It’s not as powerful as Lightroom, but for basic edits it’s ideal.

• 🔹 Does not take up additional space – the editor is sewn into the system.
• 🔹 It works without the Internet and without advertising.
• 🔹 Save the source to a separate Edited folder (if you do not disable this option).

To open the editor, close the photo in the gallery and click the "Edit" button (pencil icon). MIUI 14+ interface divided into 4 tabs:

1. Correction - brightness, contrast, saturation, shadows.
2. Filters are preliminary styles (including imitation of film).
3. The effects are blur, vignette, light rays.
4. Tools - framing, turning, removing objects.

The most useful feature here is “Object Removal” (available on Xiaomi flagships). 13/14 and some of the Redmi models with MIUI 14). It works like Google Magic Eraser: you highlight an unnecessary item (garbage, person, car), and the AI paints it with the background. Importantly, the tool does not cope with complex textures (for example, grass or hair), but it is perfect for removing small details.

⚠️ Note: If you are editing a photo in format HEIC (used by default on the new Xiaomi, save a copy in JPEG Some effects may not apply or distort the colors.

For quick processing, we recommend using hot keys:

• 🔘 Double touching on the adjustment scale (for example, brightness) resets it by 0.
• 🔘 Press your finger on the filter to see the original for comparison.
• 🔘 In the framing mode (Pruning) you can rotate the photo, pulling a corner beyond the frame.

2.Google Photos: AI tools for automatic editing

If the built-in gallery MIUI It seems too primitive, try Google Photos. This app is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones (except the Chinese versions) and offers unique AI-powered features:

• 🎨 Automatic Improvement – analyzes the picture and applies optimal settings in 1 click.
• 👁️ Portrets Corrector – blurs the background, brightens the face, removes red eyes.
• 🌈 Dynamic color - restores burnt-out areas (for example, the sky in a solar photo).

To take advantage of these tools:

1. Open the photo in Google Photos.
2. Click "Edit» → «Tools».
3. Select the option you want (for example, “Portrait” for selfie editing).

One of the key benefits of Google Photos is its Style feature, which allows you to use professional presets (like Pop for bright colors or Vintage for retro effects) and adjust their intensity, and it also has manual color correction with histogram, which is rare for mobile editors.

⚠️ Attention: Google Photos’ AI features require an internet connection when first used (machine learning models load.

The disadvantage of the application - limited opportunities for RAW-If you're shooting in a format.DNG (Available on Xiaomi 12 Pro, 13 Ultra, etc., it is better to use Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed.

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To save the edited photo in maximum quality, click on the three dots in the upper right corner before exporting and select Save a copy» → «Original size».

3. Snapseed: Google’s Professional Editor

Snapseed is a free version of Photoshop for mobile devices developed by Google. The application supports layers, masks, curves and even local correction (correcting individual sections of photos), Despite the complexity, the interface is intuitive, and the results are not inferior to desktop editors.

Here. TOP-5 Snapseed features that will be useful to owners of Xiaomi:

One of the most useful tools is Healing, unlike the built-in gallery. MIUI, Here you can spot overcollate defects (pimples, dust on the lens) or remove large elements (for example, a pole in the background:

1. Open the photo in Snapseed.
2. Select the “Healing” tool.
3. Increase the scale and carefully paint over the unnecessary object.
4. Press the tick to apply.

⚠️ Note: When working with layers in Snapseed, remember to save intermediate results.The application does not have the "Cancel" function for a few steps back (only the last action).

Make a backup copy of the original|Open the photo in maximum resolution|Use the “Imaging Customization” tool before editing in detail|Save the intermediate versions in the "Favorites»-->

4. Lightroom Mobile: RAW-processing and preset

If you are shooting in Xiaomi format RAW (.DNG), Adobe Lightroom Mobile is your main tool. Unlike Snapseed, it's here:

• 📊 Full control of the RAW — adjusting white balance, restoring shadows, noise reduction.
• 🎭 Presets – ready-made styles for one click (you can download for free or buy).
• ☁️ Synchronization with desktop – edits on the phone automatically appear on the PC.

To get started:

1. Install Lightroom from Google Play (free version with restrictions).
2. Import photos (RAW or JPEG).
3. Go to the "Edit" mode.

For quick processing, we recommend using presets, which can be found online (for example, on presetlove.com) or create your own.

1. Open the photo in Lightroom.
2. Click on the Preseta icon (squares at the bottom of the screen).
3. Select a category (for example, “Portrait” or “Landscape”).
4. Touch the preset for application.

On Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) Lightroom handles RAW-files are 30% faster than on devices with Snapdragon 7 Series.This is due to the hardware acceleration of the Adreno 740 graphics.

⚠️ Note: The free version of Lightroom Mobile does not save edits in the original resolution.To export photos without loss of quality, you will need a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud (from 549). ₽/month).

5.PicsArt and Photoshop Express: for creative effects

If you need non-standard effects (double exposure, neon inscriptions, animation), pay attention to:

• 🎨 PicsArt - Social Network + editor with thousands of stickers and filters.

Here's what these apps do:

The main advantage of PicsArt is the community. PSD-templates (for example, for Instagram covers) or participate in challenges. Minus is a watermark on free stickers and some effects.

Photoshop Express is more suitable for accurate processing:

• 🔍 The Perspective Correction Tool – straightens curved lines.
• 🎯 «Point correction – lightens the shadows on the face without lights.
• 🖼️ «Replace backgrounds – works better than PicsArt, but requires careful trimming.

Both apps are free but have premium features.PicsArt has a subscription cost of 499 ₽/In Photoshop Express, 299 ₽/month** or 1,990 ₽/year).

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For creative tasks (collages, animation, non-standard filters) is better suited to PicsArt. For professional retouching and work with layers - Photoshop Express.

6.Xiaomi's Secret Camera Settings for Less Post-processing

The best edit is not to need editing, so that Xiaomi photos are initially high-quality, set the camera to these recommendations:

1. Put the footage in. RAW (if maintained):

• 🔘 Choose «RAW» or «RAW + JPEG».

RAW It gives more data for post-processing, but it takes more 3-5 Time more space (one photo — ~25-50 MB).

2. Turn off the automatic. HDR:

• 📱 Go to "Camera Settings» → «HDR».
• 🔘 Select "Off" or "Manual". HDR».

Automatic. HDR Xiaomi often redefines the sky or makes colors unnatural. HDR Add it to the lightroom when it is processed.

3. Adjust the white balance manually:

• 📱 In Pro mode (professional) touch the icon «WB» (white-colour).
• 🔘 Select the value from 3000K (warm lights 7000K (cold).

This will help avoid the yellowish or blue hue that often appears when auto settings.

4. Use the grid and levels:

• 📱 Enable "Grid" in the camera settings (section "Help while shooting»).
• 🔘 Activate Level (Horizontal Line) for even frames.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with a wide-angle camera (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) It's the default on distortion autocorrect. It can crop the edges of the photo. To turn it off, go to the camera settings. → Insert distortion correction → Off.

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If you often shoot in poor lighting, turn on Night mode (the moon in the camera menu) and set shutter speed manually on the camera. 1-2 Use a tripod or put your phone on a hard surface to avoid grease.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo editing on Xiaomi