Xiaomi camera update: 5 proven ways to improve shooting

Cameras in Xiaomi smartphones regularly receive software updates that improve the quality of shooting, add new modes (such as Night Mode 2.0 or AI-scene recognition) and fix bugs. However, many users do not know that the camera module firmware can be upgraded separately from the general MIUI firmware - or even manually install modified versions for advanced features.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update the camera on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO: standard OTA-Updating through settings to advanced methods using Fastboot and custom firmware, and we will focus on models with Qualcomm (Snapdragon) and MediaTek processors, for which the update algorithms are fundamentally different. You will also learn how to check the current version of the camera firmware and what to do if after the update there are artifacts in the photo.

Important: Some methods require Bootloader Unlock and may result in a loss of warranty, and we will describe the risks in detail and give recommendations on creating a backup before any manipulation.

1. How to check the current version of the camera firmware

Before you upgrade your camera, you need to know the current version of the camera, which will help you determine if the new software is available for your model and if the latest version is already installed, and you can do this in two ways:

In most Xiaomi smartphones, the camera firmware version is hidden in the service menu. Open the Camera app, then:

1. Slip 5 times on the settings icon (cog) in the upper right corner.
2. In the menu that opens, find Version info or Software Version.
3. Write down a line of view GCam_7.4.104.351977700 or MiCam_V6.1.012.0 — That's the firmware version.

If this method does not work (on some models the menu is hidden), use it. ADB-team:

adb shell dumpsys media.camera | grep "mCameraId"

The answer will be a line with the driver version. To execute the command, you will need a configured ADB (instruction below).

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek (e.g., Redmi Note 11 or POCO M4 Pro) The camera firmware version may not display correctly due to the chipset's features, in which case, focus on the date of the last update. MIUI phone-setting.

2. Standard Update via MIUI (OTA)

The easiest and safest way to upgrade your camera is through the built-in MIUI update system, and the manufacturer regularly releases patches for the camera module, which are distributed along with common firmware updates.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Camera Package (if the item is missing, then there are no updates).
• 📥 If the update is available, download it (requires a stable Wi-Fi connection).
• 🔄 After download, click Set and restart the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ✅ Keeps the guarantee.
• ✅ Minimum risk of error.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Updates come with a delay (sometimes up to 2-3 months after release).
• ❌ Not all models get camera patches separate from common firmware.

💡

Standard. OTA-This update is suitable for 90% of users, and use it first if you don't need to experiment with custom firmware.

3 Manual update via Recovery Mode

If OTA-Update is not available, but you have found an official camera firmware package for your model (for example, on the forum). XDA Developers or Mi Community, it can be installed via Recovery, a method that is suitable for devices with a locked boot loader.

Instructions:

1. Download the camera firmware file in.zip format (for example, camera_fw_redmi_note12_6.7.024.0.zip). Important: The file should be designed for your model!
2. Move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not nested!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
4. Select Apply update → Choose from internal storage.
5. Find the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
6. Once completed, select Reboot system now.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Do not use firmware files from other models – this will lead to loss of camera performance.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is at least 50%.

Download the official firmware file|Check the phone model|Charge the battery. >50%|Create backup photos|Disable screen lock (PIN/graphical)-->

Update via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable for installing custom camera firmware (e.g. modified versions of GCam or patches from Xiaomi.eu) and requires an unlocked bootloader and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 7 days).
2. Download the Fastboot version of the camera firmware (file with the.tgz or.img extension).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when turned on).
4. Open the command line in the firmware folder and execute: fastboot flash camera [name file.img] fastboot reboot

Popular custom camera firmware for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Attention: Some custom firmware disables the encryption of data in the camera module, which can lead to leakage of photo metadata (geolocation, device model.

5. Update via ADB (without unlocking the bootloader)

If you do not want to unlock the bootloader, but you need to install the unofficial firmware of the camera, you can use it. ADB-This method works for most devices with MIUI 12 and newer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times according to version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access to debugging.
3. Download the camera firmware file in.apk format (such as GCam or ANX Camera).
4. Install with ADB: adb install [name file.apk]

Advantages:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ✅ Quick installation (5-10 minutes).

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all firmware supports installation through ADB (Xiaomi.eu’s MiCam requires a Fastboot).
• ❌ After updating MIUI may be dropped on a stock camera.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.camera

6.What to do if the camera does not work after the update

Sometimes, after updating the firmware of the camera, problems arise: a black screen, artifacts in the photo, an error "Can not connect to the camera" or an application freeze. Here's how to fix them:

Solutions:

• 🔄 Resetting camera settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📱 Reinstall firmware: Repeat the update process by downloading the file again (the first file may have been corrupted).
• 🔧 Reverse to Stock Version: Install the original camera firmware through Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Camera camera_stock.img
• 🛠️ Hardware problem check: If the camera doesn't work even after rollback, the plume or module may be damaged.

Common mistakes and their causes:

7. Comparison of Update Methods: Which to Choose

The choice of how to upgrade the camera depends on your goals and level of training.

Selection recommendations:

• 📱 For most users: Use the OTA Recovery is safe and does not require technical skills.
• 🔧 For enthusiasts: If you need advanced features (for example, RAW-shooting or manual settings, try ADB or Fastboot.
• ⚠️ For experiments: Castom firmware (e.g. GCam) gives better quality, but may conflict with MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi camera upgrade