How to set up a camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: a complete guide for perfect shots

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is equipped with a quadro camera with a main module at 48 MP, but even this "iron" does not guarantee quality pictures without the right settings. Many users complain of blurry, noise in the dark or unnatural colors - and the problem most often lies not in the device, but in the wrong settings.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for setting up the Redmi Note 9 camera for different shooting conditions, from portraits to night photography. MIUI, And we'll teach you how to use professional mode to maximize control over the image, and we'll also look at the common mistakes that even the top-end camera produces soapy images.

Basic camera settings: where to start

Before you dive into the subtleties, make sure you have the latest version of the Camera app installed.

  1. Open Google Play;
  2. Enter in the search "MIUI Camera";
  3. If you have an update button, press it.

Now, to the basics, go to the Camera app and tap the gear of the settings (or swipe right to left to call the side menu).

  • πŸ“Έ Photo resolution: select 48 MP for maximum quality (but files will weigh) ~10-15 MB) or 12 MP for balance between detail and volume;
  • πŸŽ₯ Video resolution: optimally full HD (1080p) at 60 fps for smoothness or 4K at 30 fps for detailing;
  • πŸ”„ Save settings: Turn on this option so that the camera remembers your preferences between sessions;
  • πŸŒ™ Night mode: activate the car – the system will offer it in low light.

If you're shooting for social media (Instagram, TikTok), choose permission. 1080p β€” platforms are automatically compressed 4K, It's for printing photos (e.g. format) 10Γ—15 cm, enough and 12 MP - the difference will not be visible.

πŸ“Š How often do you use your smartphone camera?
Every day.
Several times a week
Only on holidays.
I'm practically not filming.

Professional mode: manual adjustment under any conditions

Professional mode (Pro) in the camera Redmi Note 9 allows you to manually control shutter speed, ISO, White balance and focus, and this is especially useful in challenging environments, like when shooting against the sun or in a room with artificial light.

To go into Pro mode:

  1. Open the Camera app;
  2. Scroll through the shooting modes to the left to the item Professional (or Pro);
  3. At the bottom of the screen will appear sliders for settings.

Decoding of key parameters:

ParameterRecommended valuesWhen to use
Excerpt (S)1/1000 – 1/250 (daylight), 1/30 – 1/4 (dusk)Short – for freezing movement, long – for shooting in the dark (but you need a tripod!)
ISO100–400 (day), 800–1600 (indoors), 3200+ (nightly)Low. ISO β€” less noise, high - brighter frame, but with "grain"
White balance (WB)Car (for beginners), Daylight (5200K) or Cloudy (6000K)Corrects color distortions in artificial lighting
Focus (AF)Auto or Manual (slip on the object)Manual focus is needed for macro photography or portraits with a blurred background

Secret technique: to shoot waterfalls or glowing tracks of cars (light painting) set shutter speed of 2-4 seconds, ISO 100 and hold your smartphone on a tripod. The Redmi Note 9 has a shutter speed limit of 32 seconds, but that's enough for most creative tasks.

Battery charge > 30%|Clean the lens of fingerprints|Use a tripod to hold up > 1/10 sack|Try different meanings ISO test-frame-->

Setting up portrait mode: how to achieve a blurred background (boke)

The portrait mode in Redmi Note 9 uses software blurring (bokeh effect), but the result often looks unnatural.

  1. Open Portrait Mode in the camera app;
  2. Make sure the object is 1-2 meters away from the camera.
  3. Put it on the screen to focus on your face.
  4. Click on the icon. βš™οΈ and select background blur - try values from 3 to 7 (no more is always better!);
  5. Turn on the option of Face Lighting if shooting in the shadows.

Common mistakes in portrait mode:

  • 🚫 Too close to the subject – the camera can’t properly separate the background;
  • 🚫 Complex background (branches, lattice) - the algorithm "cuts" the details;
  • 🚫 Insufficient lighting - bokeh turns out to be 'dirty".

If you don't like the result, try shooting in Pro mode with an open aperture (set the focus on the object, and the background will blur naturally due to optics). 9 diaphragm (f/1.8), But at a close distance to the object, the effect will be.

πŸ’‘

For better bokeh, shoot an object against a monochromatic wall or sky. The blur algorithm works worse on texture-loaded backgrounds (for example, a forest or a crowd of people).

Night photography: how to make bright pictures without noise

The night mode in Redmi Note 9 uses multi-frame addition technology, where the camera takes several pictures in a row and combines them into one.

  1. Fix your smartphone on a tripod or stable surface (even a slight tremor of the hand will spoil the result);
  2. Enable night mode (icon) πŸŒ™ top-down);
  3. Click on the screen to manually focus on the main object.
  4. Wait for the processing to finish (the screen will have a timer of 3-5 seconds).

If the night mode fails (for example, in complete darkness), go to Pro mode and use the following settings:

  • πŸ“· Excerpt: 1/2–2 Sec (the darker the longer);
  • 🌑️ ISO: 1600-3200 (but not higher – there will be a lot of noise);
  • 🎯 Focus: Manual (autofocus at night is often wrong).

When shooting nightscapes (such as the sky), use a descent delay timer (3 or 10 seconds) to avoid shaking when you press a button.

What to do if the night photos are green or purple?
This is a defect in white balance in artificial lighting. WB filament lamp (2700K) or fluorescent lamp (4000K).

Video shooting: optimal settings for YouTube and TikTok

Redmi Note 9 video recording permissions available 4K, But not always the maximum is the best result:

The challengePermissionFPSStabilization
YouTube (reviews, vlogs)1080p60 fpsOn.
TikTok/Reels1080p30 fpsOn.
Professional installation4K30 fpsOff (use an external stabilizer)
Slow-motion720p960 fpsOff.

For smooth video, turn on stabilization (icon) πŸŒͺ️ But remember, it cuts the edges of the frame on the video. ~5-10%, so don’t get too close to the object.

If you're shooting for social media, use the Short Video Mode (available in the Shoot Mode menu) which automatically cuts the videos into the format. 9:16 (Vertical video) and optimizes it for TikTok/Instagram.

πŸ’‘

To record voice in video, use an external microphone (for example, a lavalier microphone) - the built-in Redmi Note 9 microphone picks up the noise of the wind and hand.

Hidden camera features: what the Redmi Note 9 can do, but not everyone knows

The Redmi Note 9 has some non-obvious features that can greatly enhance your shots:

  • πŸ” Macro mode: switch to 2 MP (macro) camera in the lens selection menu. The optimal distance to the object is 2-5 cm;
  • πŸŒ„ HDR: Turn it on in the settings for shooting against the sun or in contrast scenes (for example, a sunset at sea). HDR For moving objects, β€œghost” artifacts are possible;
  • 🎭 Beauty effects: Portrait or Video mode can adjust skin smoothing, eye enlargement, and even facial shape. But don't overdo it -- default settings often look unnatural;
  • πŸ“± Document mode: ideal for scanning text or taking checks;
  • 🎡 Recording music video: in the mode of Short video you can add a background track right while shooting.

Another thing that's really useful is voice control, and in the camera settings, turn on the voice commands option, and you can say "Photo capture" or "Photo record" without touching the screen, which is convenient for selfies or self-capture.

How to turn on the grid for the right composition?
Go to Camera Settings β†’ Grid and choose the Golden Ratio or Rule of Thirds, which will help you to place the subjects in the classic canons of photography.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after you set up the Redmi Note 9 camera correctly, you can still have problems.

⚠️ Attention! If the camera gives an error "Can't connect to the camera", restart the smartphone. If the problem persists, clear the Camera app cache in the settings (Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Camera. β†’ Clear the cache).

Problem 1: Blurred photos in good lighting

  • Check if the lens is dirty (wipe with a soft cloth);
  • Turn off digital zoom, it degrades quality.
  • Turn on the mode. HDR for better detail.

Problem 2: Video 'jumps' while walking

  • Enable stabilization in the video settings;
  • Use two-handed smartphone grip for greater stability;
  • Remove the cover – sometimes it interferes with the correct fixation in the hand.

Problem 3: Night photos with a green tint

  • Manually set the white balance to 3000–4000K;
  • Turn off the night mode and shoot in Pro-mode with ISO 1600;
  • Check if the lens is not shining a foreign light source (for example, a flashlight).

Problem 4: The camera focuses for a long time

  • Switch to manual focus in Pro mode;
  • Wipe the lens and laser autofocus sensor (a small window next to the main camera)
  • Update the camera firmware through Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I install GCam on the Redmi Note 9 for the best photos?
Yes, but with reservations.Google Camera (GCam) can improve processing HDR Not all versions of GCam work well on the Redmi Note 9 (you need to look for modified builds for the Snapdragon 662); some features (for example, Night Sight) may not start; Video shooting in GCam often works worse than in the standard application. We recommend you try out the standard camera with our settings first – 80% of the time the difference with the GCam will not be.
Why are photos in Telegram/Vkontakte losing quality?
Social media and instant messengers automatically compress uploaded images. To minimize losses: Send photos in format HEIF (if supported – it weighs less at the same quality; Use cloud services (Google Photos, Yandex Drive) to transfer the originals; In camera settings, select 12 MP resolution instead of 48 MP – the difference on the smartphone screen is not visible, and the file weight is less.
How to take a selfie with a blurred background on the front camera?
The front camera of the Redmi Note 9 (13 MP) does not support hardware background blur, but you can use the software effect: Open Portrait mode and switch to the front camera; Step away from the camera by 50-70 cm; Click on the icon βš™οΈ and select background blur (set 5-6); make sure the background is monochromatic (wall, sky) if the result is unsatisfactory, shoot in normal mode and use post-processing applications (e.g. Snapseed or Lightroom).
What camera settings are reset after the MIUI update?
With major system updates (MIUI 12 β†’ MIUI 13) may reset: Photo/video resolution; Pro mode settings (ISO, Shutter speed; Night mode turned on/off; Voice commands. To avoid losing settings, take screenshots or write them down in notes.
Can I shoot in RAW on the Redmi Note 9?
Yes, but only in Pro mode. βš™οΈ in the upper right corner; Enable the option Save in RAW; Take a picture - next to JPEG file.DNG. RAW-file-weight ~20–30 MB and require post-processing (e.g. Lightroom), but give full control over color and exposure.