How to upgrade the camera Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: all ways + mistake-making

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is still one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but its camera — especially after years of use — can slow down, give out artifacts in photos or even refuse to start. The reasons are diverse, from outdated software to hardware failures. In this article, we will discuss how to update the camera on the Redmi Note 9 Pro — from official firmware to manual methods, and what to do if the update did not work.

It's important to understand that by "camera update" users often mean different things. For some, it's installing the latest version of the Camera app through Google Play, for others, it's firmware through the camera module through Google Play. MIUI, And for enthusiasts, a replacement. HAL-Drivers or even GCam flashing (Google Camera) will be considered all options, including nuances for the global market (MIUI Global) and Chinese (MIUI China) firmware versions.

Warning: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader and may result in a loss of warranty.If your Redmi Note 9 Pro is still warranty, try the official methods first.

1. Check the current version of the camera software

Before you update, you need to know which version of the camera software you have installed, which will help you avoid unnecessary actions (for example, if you already have the latest version).

To get a version:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ Settings → About the program (or Camera Information).
3. Remember or take a picture of the line with the version (e.g. 4.8.014.210513.1536).

Also check the version MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Redmi Note 9 Pro Updated Versions for 2026:

• 🌍 Global (Global): MIUI 14.0.4 (Android 12)
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (China): MIUI 14.0.3 (Android 12)
• ⚠️ EEA (Europe: May be falling behind 1-2 build-up

If your version is older than the table below, the update is required:

⚠️ Please note: if you have a version MIUI 12.5 or lower – Update the firmware itself first through Settings → Update the system. Update only the camera on the outdated MIUI may cause failures in other modules (e.g., a wide-angle camera or a macro lens).

2. Official update through MIUI

The safest way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in tools, which are suitable for 90% of users and do not require unlocking the bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (updates weigh 50–200MB).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available MIUI — set it up.
4. After restarting, check the camera version in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Camera.

If the system update did not help:

• 🔄 Restart your phone (sometimes the camera is updated after the reboot).
• 📲 Remove the camera cache: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Reset the camera settings to factory: in the camera menu, select ⚙️ → Restore the default settings.

If the system update says "no updates", but you are sure that your version is outdated:

1. Download the latest firmware for your region from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Power, select Recovery → Install update.zip.

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If after the update the camera became worse to work (for example, lost night mode), try to roll back to the previous version. MIUI Fastboot. The instructions are on the forum. 4PDA.

3. Update via Google Play (for global versions)

Redmi Note 9 Pro with global firmware (MIUI Global) Camera can be updated separately via Google Play, and this is true for devices with an unlocked bootloader or those using custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).

How to check and update:

1. Open the camera page on Google Play.
2. If you have an update button, press it.
3. If there is no button, but the Play version is older than yours, remove the current camera through the ADB: adb uninstall com.miui.camera Then install from Play.

⚠️ Important: On Chinese firmware (MIUI China) the camera is not updated through Play, it uses the built-in system application. Trying to install the version from Play will lead to an error "The application is not installed".

If the camera is running the camera and the camera is “Camera stopped” error:

• 🛠️ Clear the camera data in Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 If it doesn’t help, roll back to the previous version of the camera. APK APKMirror).

4. Install GCam (Google Camera) instead of the standard camera

Many Redmi Note 9 Pro users prefer Google Camera (GCam) because of better handling HDR, However, this smartphone requires the correct version of the GCam with support for Snapdragon. 720G corrected XML-config.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the proven version of GCam for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (recommended archive Celso Azevedo: 📸 BSG GCam (v8.1) — stable, with support for all modules. 🌙 Shamim GCam (v7.4) — night-time.

Settings → Security

XML-configuration

Redmi Note 9 Pro

here

1. Create a folder. GCam/Configs8 storage.
2. Put it there. XML-file.
3. In GCam, tap the black space next to the down button twice.

GCam Settings for Redmi Note 9 Pro that should be included:

• 🔘 Turn it on. HDR+ Enhanced (better for daytime photos).
• 🌃 For night photography, use Night Sight with a shutter speed of 3-7 seconds.
• 📏 In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap) turn on "Camera2 API" (if it's off).

Comparison of the standard camera and GCam on the Redmi Note 9 Pro:

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi Note firmware 9 Pro GCam may not save the photo to the gallery. Solution: in GCam settings, select the folder to save manually (for example, DCIM/GCam). Also check the storage access permits.

5. Manually Update Camera Module via Fastboot

If official methods don’t work and the camera still gets glitchy (e.g. autofocus or zoom doesn’t work), you can manually update the camera module via Fastboot, a method that is suitable for power users and requires an unlocked bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instructions here).

Step-by-step:

Make backup data (photos, videos, contacts)

Charge your phone at least 60%

Download the right firmware for your region (Global/China/IN)

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

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1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in the folder on the PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices should show a serial number of the device.
4. Sweep through the camera module (the file is usually called the camera module). persist.img or vendor.img): fastboot flash persist persist.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

If the camera is not working after the firmware:

• 🔄 Try flashing the full firmware package (all.img files).
• 🛠️ Reset via Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe All Data).
• 📡 Check if it's gone. IMEI (Enter the dialer *#06# if IMEI No, no, no. Restore through QCN-file.

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Fastboot is an extreme method, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you better go to the service center, and if you don't get the firmware right, you can get the phone to "brick."

6. Solving problems after the update

Even after a successful upgrade, the camera on the Redmi Note 9 Pro may not work properly.

Problem 1: The camera gives an error "Can't connect to the camera."

• 🛠️ Clear the cache and camera data in the settings.
• 🔧 Check if camera access is disabled for other apps (such as WhatsApp or Instagram).
• 📱 Install. Camera2 Probe and check if it is supported Camera2 API.

Problem 2: After the update, the night mode or 48 MP was lost.

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📋 Check the camera settings: it is possible that the mode reset to 12 MP (switch to Settings) → Permission).
• 🔧 If you are using GCam, update it. XML-configuration.

Problem 3: The camera is very hot and slow.

• 🔋 Check battery power (at levels below 15%, the camera may limit performance).
• 🧹 Clean your phone from garbage with the help of SD Maid or CCleaner.
• 🛠️ Turn off background activity for the camera in Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Battery → Background activity.

Problem 4: The autofocus or macro camera is not working.

• 🔍 Check if the lens is covered with a protective film or dirt.
• 🛠️ Wash the camera with an alcohol napkin (without pressing!).
• 🔧 If the problem persists, the flexible plume may have been damaged (requires repair).

7.Alternative cameras: which apps are worth trying

If the standard camera and GCam don’t suit you, there are alternatives with unique features:

For video shooting, we recommend:

• 🎥 Filmic Pro - professional color correction and bitrate up to 100 Mbit / s.
• 📹 Cinema FV-5 — manually adjusting the shutter speed and ISO.

Important: On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, some alternative cameras may not support wide-angle and macro lenses. Check compatibility on forums before installing (e.g., check for wide-angle and macro lenses, 4PDA).

FAQ: Frequent questions about camera upgrades