How to set up a camera on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide for beginners and advanced users

Why Redmi 9 Cameras Are Bad and How to Fix It

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is equipped with a module with four cameras (13 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide angle, 5 MP macro and 2 MP depth sensor), but even this variety does not guarantee high-quality shots out of the box. Many users are faced with blurry frames in low light, overlit skies or fuzzy macro shots. The reason lies not in the “weak hardware”, but incorrect camera settings and the inability to adapt them to specific shooting conditions.

In this article, you will find not just instructions for turning on HDR or changing resolution, but a systematic approach to configuring the Redmi 9 camera – from basic parameters to hidden MIUI features that are not written in official manuals. We will analyze how to set up the camera for portraits, night shooting, video and even manual mode, and also tell you what applications will help to squeeze the most out of the hardware of the smartphone.

Important: All screenshots and instructions are relevant for MIUI 12.5–14 (inclusive). If you have an older firmware version, some menu items may not be available – update the system in Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI.

Basic camera settings: where to start

Before diving into manual modes, make sure the basic camera settings are set up correctly. Go to the Camera app, swipe up (or tap the gear in the upper right corner) and check the following points:

• 📸 Photo resolution: select 13 MP (4:3) for maximum quality. 16:9 format crops the frame at the edges.
• 🎥 Video resolution: optimally full HD (1920×1080) upon 30 staffing. 4K on the Redmi 9 It is available but it is very hot processor.
• 🔄 Photo/video saving: Turn on the option to Save to a memory card if you use a microSD to avoid clogging internal memory.
• 🌙 Night mode: activate the car - the camera itself will offer to turn it on in low light.

⚠️ Note: If the camera settings do not include Night Mode, update the Camera app via Google Play. MIUI This function is hidden in the section Additional.

Also, look at the grid (the rule of thirds lines) — you can include it in Settings → Shooting Assistance → Grid, which will help you build your frames correctly, especially in portraiture.

Shooting modes: which to choose and how to set up

Xiaomi Redmi 9 offers 7 basic shooting modes, but most users are limited to Photos and Videos. Meanwhile, the right mode can dramatically improve the result.

⚠️ Note: Macro mode on Redmi 9 only works with the main camera, not with a separate macro lens (despite its availability.

Hidden Life Hack: In Video mode, you can turn on Stabilization (the hand icon at the top of the menu) to reduce the jitter of the frame, but slightly trim the edges of the video. Also experiment with Color filters (available in real time when shooting).

Set your phone on a tripod or a stop.|Turn off the flash.|Select the exposure time 3-5 seconds|Click on the screen to focus|Don’t move your phone until the end of the shoot.-->

Manual settings (Pro Mode): Full control of the camera

The Pro (or Manual) mode in the Redmi 9 camera allows you to manually adjust shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus and exposure, which is especially useful in difficult lighting conditions or for creative photography, to activate it:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Scroll down the modes to the left to the option (or More).
3. Pick a Pro.

Let’s take a look at how to set up each parameter:

• ⏱️ Shutter speed: adjusts the time the camera shutter is open. 1/1000–1/500, night-time — 1/10–2 sec (need a tripod!).
• 📊 ISO: You can put 100 to 200 in sunshine, 800 to 1600 in dusk, and you can make a lot of noise.
• 🎨 White balance: choose depending on the light source: Auto - for most cases; Daylight - outside; Incandescent lamp - in a room with warm light; Luminescent - in offices or shops.
• 🔍 Focus: manually move the slider for accurate tipping, useful for macro photography or when autofocus "can't see" the object.

Critical nuance: in Pro mode, the processing of photos by Xiaomi algorithms is turned off, so the pictures may look paler than in automatic mode. This is normal - this is how you get raw material for further processing in Lightroom or Snapseed.

💡

To quickly reset all settings in Pro mode to factory, click on the reset icon (round arrow) in the upper right corner of the screen.

Setup the camera for perfect portraits

The portrait mode on Redmi 9 can create a blurred background (bokeh), but often does it too aggressively or, conversely, not clearly.

1. Distance to the subject: Keep the phone 1-1.5 meters away from your face. Too close — the background will blur too much, too far — the effect will disappear.
2. Lighting: Avoid contrasting light (such as the sun behind the object) and it is better to shoot in cloudy weather or in the shade.
3. Mode settings: Bokeh effect: select F2.0 (most natural). Face lighting: activate Natural or Studio (for soft shadows). Face recognition: turn on the camera to more accurately separate the object from the background.

Post-employment

Xiaomi Gallery

Blurring background

50–70%

⚠️ Warning: If the face of the subject is blurred in portrait mode, check if the depth sensor is covering anything (the small camera on the right.

For group portraits, use an ultra-wide-angle camera (the 0.6x icon in the interface), but note that the edges of the frame can be distorted. To reduce the effect of the fish eye, do not get too close to objects.

Night photography: how to take clear photos in the dark

The night mode on Redmi 9 works well, but requires the right approach. The main mistake users make is trying to shoot "hands off" at long exposure.

1. Stabilization: Use a tripod or put your phone on a hard surface, and even a slight shaking of your hand will ruin your picture.
2. Night mode settings: Exposure time: 3-5 seconds (darker, longer). ISO: Auto or 800-1600. Flash: Disabled (it only spoils night shots).

Focusing

Post-employment

Contrast

Clarity

gallery

10–15%

Hidden trick: if you shoot city lights (like neon signs), reduce the shutter speed to 1-2 seconds to avoid overlighting. For the starry sky, you will need a shutter speed of 10-30 seconds and special applications like NightCap Camera.

⚠️ Warning: When shooting at night with a shutter speed of more than 3 seconds, Redmi 9 can overheat. If the phone gets hot, take a break for 5-10 minutes.

💡

Night mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9 works best at ambient temperatures from +5 ° C to +30 ° C. In cold or heat, the quality of images can deteriorate due to the characteristics of the matrix.

Video Shooting: How to Avoid Trembling and Improve Sound

Redmi 9 videos often suffer from jittery frames and bad sound, and you can fix this even without buying additional hardware:

• 🎬 Stabilization: Enable Stabilization in the video settings (hand icon). Use mode 1080p@30fps — It gives a smoother picture than 60fps. Hold the phone with both hands, elbows pressed against your torso.
• 🔊 Sound: Turn off Noise Reduction in the microphone settings (it often cuts useful frequencies). Bring the microphone (the bottom of the phone) closer to the sound source. Use the external microphone through the microphone. USB-C adapter (e.g. Boya) BY-M1).
• ☀️ Lighting: Shoot against the sun (the object between you and the light source). Avoid contrasting shadows on your face - use a reflector (you can even use a white sheet of paper).

To edit video directly on your phone, install CapCut or KineMaster, which supports stabilization and color correction, which will help hide the shortcomings of the source material.

The unique feature of Redmi 9 is that when you shoot video in Ultra-Wide Angle (0.6x) mode, you automatically turn on the edge distortion correction, but this increases the crop of the frame, so shoot in 4K for maximum viewing angle and crop later.

Third-party camera apps: when standard settings aren't enough

Even with the right settings, Xiaomi’s standard Camera app has limitations. For advanced features, install one of these apps:

To install GCam on Redmi 9 Download the version from the developer BSG (for example, GCam_7.3.018_BSG_mod) and set up the config:

Model: Xiaomi Redmi 9 (lancelot)


Config: BSG_MGC_7.3.018_V10.xml




Settings:




- Enable HDR+ Enhanced




- Shut down Sabre.




Install Saturation: 1.8, Sharpness: 0.3

⚠️ Note: Some versions of GCam may not save photos on Redmi 9. Before shooting, check the save path in the app settings and select Internal Storage/DCIM/Camera.

Frequently asked questions