How to set up Google Camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: Full Guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still a popular smartphone due to its balance of price and characteristics, but the camera is a regular MIUI Often disappoints users with dull colors and weak processing HDR. The solution is the Google Camera (GCam) installation, which unlocks the full potential of Sony’s sensor. IMX486 48 MP resolution, but it is easy to install APK-File is not enough: stable operation requires the correct configuration files, adjusting parameters and bypassing restrictions MIUI.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail: 1. How to choose a working version of GCam for Redmi Note 7 (including modifications for Redmi Note 7 Pro). 2. Step-by-step installation with the bypass of locks Xiaomi. 3. Optimal settings for shooting in different conditions (day, night, portrait mode). 4. Solving typical problems: green screen, departures, dead night mode. 5. Comparison of the results “before and after” with photo examples.

Important: The instructions are relevant for all versions MIUI (including MIUI 14), but some steps may vary depending on the firmware. If your Redmi Note 7 runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the process is simplified - skip the section on circumventing restrictions. MIUI.

1.Why Google Camera is Better than a Full-Time Camera MIUI?

The regular camera app on the Redmi Note 7 uses aggressive image processing: blurring out details, overloading saturation, and not coping well with dynamic range. Google Camera solves these problems by:

• 🔹 HDR+ — multi-frame shooting with combining exposures for natural shadows and highlights.
• 🔹 Night Sight is a night mode that really lightens the frames without noise (unlike the night mode). MIUI, Where night photos are often taken in green).
• 🔹 Portrait mode with an accurate mask and a natural bokeh (on the regular camera, the edges of objects are often "teared»).
• 🔹 RAW-shooting with full access to sensor data (in MIUI RAW frequently trimmed to 12 MP).

According to independent tests (for example, from DXOMark or GSMArena), the Redmi Note 7 with GCam overtakes even more expensive smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy in photo quality. A50 Huawei P30 Lite.The main advantage is that GCam uses processing algorithms from Google Pixel, optimized for Sony sensors. IMX, Which are in Redmi Note 7.

But there are pitfalls: ❌ Not all versions of the GCam are stable (can be green screen or departures). ❌ Video in the video 4K It can be slowed down due to a weak Snapdragon 660 processor. ❌ You need to manually configure the config to your model.

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Before installing GCam, back up your photos in Settings → Google → Backup. Some versions of the GCam can reset the settings of the regular camera.

2. Which version of Google Camera to choose for Redmi Note 7?

Redmi Note 7 is suitable for modified builds of GCam from developers BSG, Urnyx05 We recommend two proven versions:

For Redmi Note 7 Pro (with Sony sensor) IMX586) It is better to use versions from Shamim or Hasli, as they are optimized for a 48-MP sensor with square pixels. If you are not sure about your smartphone model, check the Settings. → The phone. → Model.

Selection criterion: Urnyx05 — If you want stability and nighttime routine. BSG — If you want to shoot in full 48 MP (but be prepared for possible bugs).

3. Google Camera Step-by-Step Installation on Redmi Note 7

Before installation, make sure that:

✔ On the smartphone, installation from unknown sources is allowed (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

✔ On. Camera2 API (check-in Camera2 API Probe).

✔ Backup of photos made.

Download APK-GCam file (see table above)

Allow installation from unknown sources

Verification Camera2 API through Camera2 API Probe

Make a backup of photos

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

Step 1. Install APK

Download the selected version of GCam from the link from the table and install it as a regular application. If the error "Application not installed", try:

• 📱 Remove previous versions of GCam.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🛠️ Use it. APK Mirror Installer for forced installation.

Step 2: Set up permits

After installation, open GCam and provide all the permissions you request: Camera, Microphone (for video), Warehouse (for saving photos).

If GCam crashes immediately, go to Settings → Annexes → Google Camera → Permits and enable them manually.

Step 3: Download the configuration file

Without the config, the GCam will not work properly (e.g., a green screen or a non-functioning one). HDR+). Download the right one. XML-file:

• 📁 For Urnyx05 v2.1: Download config.
• 📁 For BSG 8.1.101: Download config

To download the config:

1. Create a GCam folder at the root of internal memory.
2. Inside it, create a folder. Configs7 (for GCam 7.x) or Configs8 (for GCam 8.x).
3. Place the downloaded XML-file.
4. Open GCam, tap twice on the black field next to the down button (the config download menu will appear).
5. Select your file and restart the application.

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Without a configuration file, the GCam on the Redmi Note 7 will give you a green screen or incorrect colors. XML-file!

4. Optimal settings Google Camera for Redmi Note 7

Once you download the config, you have to manually adjust the settings to your shooting conditions. ⚙️ Settings → Additional settings.

Basic recommendations:

• 📸 Resolution: Choose for everyday photography 12 MP (binning) 4-into-1 It makes less noise. 48 MM only in good lighting conditions.
• 🌓 HDR+: Turn it on. HDR+ Enhanced for better detail in shadows.
• 🌙 Night Sight: Manually set shutter speed 3-7 seconds (longer - only with a tripod).
• 👤 Portrait: Use 2x zoom for natural bokeh (on the main module, bokeh often "moves off»).

Recommended parameters for different scenes:

Additional tweaks:

• 🔧 B Settings → LibPatched Enables Sabre for Better Processing RAW.
• 🔧 Turn off the car.-HDR and use only manually. HDR+ (Automatic mode is often wrong).
• 🔧 For video, set the bitrate of 50 Mbps in the settings (by default it costs 17 Mbps).

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If you shoot 48 MP photos are too noisy, try to reduce the noise. ISO manually to 200-400. That'll reduce detail, but it'll take away the grain.

5. Solving Typical GCam Problems on Redmi Note 7

Even with the right config, GCam can be unstable, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

⚠️ Warning: If after installing GCam, the phone starts to warm or discharge quickly, check the background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery use: Some versions of the GCam conflict with MIUI Optimization.

Problem 1: Green screen when shooting

Reason: Incompatibility of the config with the GCam version or firmware.

• 🔹 Remove the current config and try another one (such as this one).
• 🔹 In the GCam settings, turn off HDR+ Check if the green screen is missing.
• 🔹 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).

Problem 2: GCam crashes when it opens

Reasons: lack of rights, conflict with MIUI, damaged APK.

• 🔹 Reinstall GCam with cache cleaning (Settings) → Annexes → Google Camera → Clear the cache).
• 🔹 Turn it off. MIUI Optimization through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 🔹 Try a different version of GCam (for example, instead of using the GCam version). 8.x set up 7.3).

Problem 3: Night Sight is not working

Reason: offline Camera2 API or.

• 🔹 Check the level. Camera2 API through Camera2 API Probe (should be) FULL or LEVEL_3).
• 🔹 In GCam settings, enable Auxiliary Cameras (Inlay Additional).
• 🔹 If nothing helps, patch the firmware through Magisk (instruction below).

Problem 4: Photos are kept in low quality

Reason: Regime is on HEIF or compression in settings.

• 🔹 In GCam, go to Settings → Save the photo and select JPEG (100% quality).
• 🔹 Turn off Adaptive Quality in MIUI (Camera settings → Additionally).

6. Comparison of photo: MIUI Camera vs Google Camera

To see the difference, take a look at the real-life examples of shooting on the Redmi Note 7:

Daylight (HDR):

📸 MIUI Camera: The sky is overlit, shadows are clogged, colors unnaturally saturated.

📸 Google Camera: Balance between sky and earth, details in shadows, natural colors.

Night shooting:

🌙 MIUI Camera: Strong noise, green, blurred details.

🌙 Google Camera (Night Sight): Clear contours, correct color reproduction, minimal noise.

Portrait mode:

👤 MIUI Camera: The edges of the object are "teared," bokeh is too aggressive.

👤 Google Camera: Precise mask, smooth transition between background and object.

Examples of photos (clickable):

• 🖼️ Comparison by day
• 🖼️ Comparison at night

Based on user tests with XDA Developers, GCam on Redmi Note 7 gives an increase in detail by 30-40% and reduces noise by 2-3 times compared to the regular camera MIUI.

7. Additional tips for advanced users

If you want to make the most of GCam, try these advanced settings:

1. The shooting in RAW + lightroom

GCam allows you to save photos in format DNG (RAW). To turn on:

1. Go to Settings. → Photo preservation.
2. Turn it on. RAW + JPEG.
3. Process. RAW Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed for better results.

2. Set up LibPatched for improved HDR

Settings menu → LibPatched experiment with parameters:

• 🔹 HDR+ settings: High quality for maximum detail.
• 🔹 Sabre: Include for better shadow processing.
• 🔹 Noise model: Choose Pixel 3 for natural noise maker.

3. Use of auxiliary modules (telephoto, wide-angle)

The GCam can activate additional Redmi Note 7 cameras:

• 🔹 Enable Auxiliary Cameras in the settings.
• 🔹 For telephoto shooting (2x zoom) use the main module with crop - better than digital zoom.
• 🔹 Wide-angle module (5 MP) in GCam works poorly - better shoot on the main camera and crop.

4. Battery optimization

The GCam uses more power than a regular camera, to save power.

• 🔋 Turn off Location Tags in GCam settings.
• 🔋 Reduce video resolution to 1080p@30fps (4K processor-load).
• 🔋 Close the GCam after use (it may hang in the background).

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For shooting in 48 MP use only in bright light - at dusk it is better to switch to 12 MP with binning to reduce noise.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Camera on Redmi Note 7