Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 feature powerful cameras that allow professional shots, but often lack the right angle or stability. Monopods, or in the common people of selfie sticks, have become an indispensable accessory for bloggers and travelers looking to capture the best moments without the help of outsiders. However, many owners of devices based on the MIUI shell face difficulties in initial synchronization of equipment, since the process does not always happen automatically.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of connecting wired and wireless monopods to your gadget. You will learn about hidden camera settings that can block buttons, and how to make even the simplest Chinese devices with your phone work. The right setup will allow you to control the shutter at a distance of up to 10 meters, creating group photos or shooting videos in vlog format.
Before we get to specifics, it's important to understand that there are two main types of devices, and the method of pairing them is radically different: wired monopods do not require charging and work through a 3.5 mm or USB-C connector, whereas wireless ones need pairing over Bluetooth. Errors at the initial stage often lead users to believe the accessory is defective, although the problem lies in software compatibility or a forgotten switch on the handle.
Definition of monopoda type and preparation of equipment
The first step is always to visually inspect your accessory, and if you have a removable Bluetooth remote that you can detach from the main structure, you have a wireless device that transmits a signal over a radio channel and requires authorization in your phone settings, and they usually have their own battery that you need to charge before you use it.
If the handle is moving away from the wire with the connector, the situation is different. Here the signal is transmitted through an audio channel or a digital port. For the Redmi 9, which has retained the classic 3.5 mm minijack, the connection is usually easier, but requires checking the compatibility of the mount. Some cheap models use non-standard circuits that a standard Android camera may not recognize without third-party software.
⚠️ Warning: Before connecting a wired monopoda, make sure that the phone connector and plug are completely dust-free and pile-free.Even microscopic contamination can disrupt contact and make the shutter button idle.
It's also worth checking for switches on the handle body. Many models have a physical slider labeled Android/iOS. Make sure it's set to the correct position that suits your operating system. Ignoring this simple action is the most common cause of accessory failure.
Connecting a wired monopoda through an audio connector
If you use a classic model with a 3.5 mm connector, the process is physically reduced to simply inserting a plug into the socket of the smartphone. However, in order for the Xiaomi Redmi 9 to correctly take the command, you need to configure the software part. Xiaomi’s built-in Camera app by default can not respond to signals from an external controller, considering them noise or ignoring them.
To activate the function, you need to open the settings of the camera app itself. Find the section responsible for additional settings or button management. In some versions of MIUI, this option is hidden and called "Volume button" or "Dashboard." You need to select an action mode in which you press will initiate shooting, rather than, for example, zooming.
- 📸 Open the Camera app and go to the settings menu (three bars in the corner).
- 🔍 Find button settings or volume button functions.
- ⚙️ Set shutter or shutter instead of zoom or no action".
- 🧪 Take a test shot by pressing the button on the monopoda handle.
If a standard camera persists in not seeing a device, the problem may be resistance incompatibility, which can be followed by third-party applications such as Open Camera or Camera360, which have a separate section for external devices where you can manually select the type of gadget you can plug into a list, often solving the problem of a “deaf” monopoda.
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If the monopoda button takes a photo when pressed but does not focus the camera when half pressed (if there is such a feature), try using the Pro mode in the camera, where focus control often works differently.
Configuring Bluetooth monopods and remotes
Wireless devices require more careful preparation. First, you need to turn on the monopod itself, usually by holding the power button on the handle for a long time (3-5 seconds), the indicator should start flashing blue or red, signaling the pairing mode. If the indicator does not burn, the device is likely to be discharged.
Then we go to the Redmi 9 interface. Put down the notification curtain and activate the Bluetooth module. Click on the gear icon or log in to the full list of available devices. The name of your monopoda should appear on the "Available Devices" list, which can look like YZS-Selfie, Xiaomi Selfie Stick, or just a bunch of letters and numbers.
| Model monopod | Type of connection | Compatibility with MIUI | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Selfie Stick | Bluetooth 4.0 | Complete. | Aluminum body, 360° rotation |
| YZS-5-1 (Generic) | Bluetooth 3.0/4.0 | Requires customization | Cheap plastic, often confuses volume buttons |
| Honor Selfie Stick | Bluetooth + Wire | Tall. | It works in two modes. |
| Baseus Aimless | Bluetooth | Medium | Calibration in the app. |
After clicking on the device name in the list, the phone will request confirmation of pairing.The code is usually not required, but if the system asks, type 0000 or 1234.Successful connection will be confirmed by an audible signal and the disappearance of the flashing indicator on the handle.The monopod is now ready to work, but additional calibration may be required in the camera application.
☑️ Checking Bluetooth connection
Solving Volume and Shutter button problems
A common situation is that the monopod is connected, but instead of the photo it changes volume or switches tracks. This is because many devices emulate media commands, not cameras. In Android and MIUI, this is solved by reassigning keys. You need to make the phone perceive the signal "Volume Up" as the command "Take Photo".
You can use built-in system capabilities or third-party utilities to do this. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons (the path may vary depending on the firmware version). If this option is not available, download a mapper application, such as Button Mapper, where you can create a profile for the Camera application, where the press of the volume button will be programmatically replaced by the action of the shutter.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party button reassignment apps, make sure you give them the necessary permissions in the "Special Features" menu. Without this system permission, the program will not be able to intercept key signals.
It’s also worth checking the settings of the camera app itself. Some versions of the MIUI Camera have a hidden selfie stick mode, sometimes by pressing the power button three times (if Quick Commands are enabled) or using voice control in conjunction with a monopod to activate it.
Use of third-party applications for advanced functions
The camera's regular functionality is good, but it often lacks the capabilities to work with a monopod to a serious extent. Apps like Open Camera provide full control over shooting parameters and have excellent support for external devices. Once installed, go to Settings → Button Management and select Volume (camera).
Another powerful tool is the Camera FV-5, which makes your Redmi 9 a professional tool, and allows you to adjust shutter speed, ISO and white balance manually, which is critical when shooting with a monopoda in difficult lighting conditions when the smartphone's automation is wrong.
Secret codes for testing the camera
Remember that third-party applications may require more CPU resources. If you notice a delay between pressing a button and lowering the shutter (lag), try closing background apps or lowering the resolution of video in the settings. This will improve real-time image processing performance.
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Third-party apps often have more flexible compatibility settings with cheap Chinese monopods than the standard Xiaomi camera.
Features of working with video and timelapses
The selfie stick opens up new horizons for not only photos, but also video. Xiaomi Redmi 9 is able to write video at 1080p at 30 fps, which is enough for YouTube or Instagram. When shooting video, the monopoda button usually performs the "Start / Stop" recording function. It is important to fix the phone reliably so that the shaking of the hands does not pass to the matrix.
To create spectacular timelapses (accelerated video), monopods are indispensable: Set your phone on a monopoda tripod, select Timelapse mode in the camera, and lock the design. At the touch of a button, you can start a process that can last for hours. Here, battery level is critical, as the screen will burn (or often turn on) for a long time.
- 🎥 Use Stabilization mode in video settings to smooth out jerks.
- 🔋 Turn off the screen energy saving so that the phone doesn’t fall asleep during a long recording.
- 🌬️ When shooting in the wind, use windshield or hide the monopod to reduce microshaking.
Remember, when you record video for a long time, the processor of your smartphone gets very hot. Remove the case from your phone for better heat sink. If the phone overheats, the recording can be interrupted automatically, and you lose the footage.
Maintenance of equipment and extension of service life
To keep your monopod and smartphone lasting, you need to follow simple rules of operation. After each walk, especially by the sea or in rainy weather, wipe a metal telescopic tube with a dry cloth. Salt water and moisture are the main enemies of metal, they cause corrosion and jamming mechanisms.
Bluetooth remotes also require attention. If you don't plan on using a monopod in the next couple of weeks, you'd better take out the battery or discharge the built-in battery to 50-60%. The deep discharge of lithium batteries in cheap remotes often leads to their complete death, after which it is almost impossible to restore them.
⚠️ Warning: Never force a jammed telescopic tube to move or fold, which can cause metal deformation and damage to the phone's mounts. Use metal hinge lubricant if the mechanism is rusted.
Check the density of the phone in the clamp regularly.The rubber pads wear out over time and may start to slide.If you notice the phone holding up insecurely, replace the pads or use an extra layer of fabric to avoid the expensive Redmi 9 falling on the asphalt.