How to put Google Camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from version selection to fine-tuning

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with its 64MP quadruple camera is still a popular choice among budget smartphones, but the standard app MIUI Camera often disappoints users with dull colors, aggressive processing and lack of flexibility. Google Camera (GCam) from Pixel smartphones is able to unlock the potential of hardware: improve detail, dynamic range and night shooting. However, installing GCam on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is a pitfalls challenge: from choosing a compatible version to manually configuring. XML-config.

In this guide, we will take you through all the steps from smartphone preparation to final calibration of parameters for specific shooting scenarios. G90T, How to avoid common errors (e.g. green screen or non-functioning screen) HDR+), And where to download the current.apk and.xml-files. Particular attention will be paid to the unique problem of the Redmi Note 8 Pro - the conflict with the new system. MIUI 14+ and how to solve it through Magisk modules.

1.Why is the Google Camera better than Xiaomi's standard camera?

A comparison of the images taken on MIUI Camera and GCam shows the difference in processing approaches:

• 📸 Dynamic range (HDR+): GCam uses Google's algorithms to merge multiple frames, allowing details to be stored in lights and shadows at the same time. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this is especially noticeable when shooting against the sun or in backlighting.
• 🌙 Night Sight: Unlike Night Sight MIUI, where nighttime images are often noisy or blurry, GCam uses more aggressive noise reduction and color balance correction.
• 🎨 Natural color reproduction: Xiaomi’s standard camera tends to overstate saturation (especially red and green), while the GCam tends to more neutral tones that are easier to edit in post-processing.
• 🔍 Details: Thanks to the Super Res Zoom algorithm, even on digital zoom, GCam retains more textures than it does on a digital zoom MIUI Camera with its aggressive smoothing.

But it’s not all that rosy: the GCam on the Redmi Note 8 Pro can suffer from artifacts while shooting videos (due to the lack of support for the Camera2 API at the driver level) and problems with autofocus in some builds, which we will discuss in the section on settings.

2.Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before installing GCam

Before installing Google Camera, you need to follow a few critical steps to avoid errors like “Camera API2 not supported” or a green screen:

1. Update MIUI to the latest stable version. At 2026, the minimum recommended firmware is MIUI 14.0.3 (Android 12). Check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Turn on the Camera2 API. Xiaomi will disable full support for this interface by default. You can check the current status through the Manual Camera Compatibility app (available on the Play Market). If the status of "LEGACY" or "LIMITED" - you will need manual activation (instruction below).
3. Unlock the bootloader (if necessary). Some modified versions of GCam (such as those with RAW support) may require TWRP and root rights.
4. Clear the camera cache. Go to Settings → Apps → App management → Camera → Storage → Clear the cache.

To enable the Camera2 API without root:

1. Download and install the Camera2 API Probe.
2. If the status "FULL" Inactive, install the Magisk module. Camera2API Enabler (requires Magisk 26)+).

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If the photos are green after GCam is installed, try turning off the “Use camera2api” option in the module settings (if any).

3 Select the version of Google Camera for the Redmi Note 8 Pro

Not all GCam builds work equally well on the Helio G90T.

• 🔹 MediaTek support: Many versions of GCam are optimized for Qualcomm Snapdragon and will give the error "Camera error: 0xA00F4244" On the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
• 🔹 Compatibility with Android 12/13: Android builds 10 They may not start or work with bugs.
• 🔹 Presence XML-Without the right config, GCam will use default settings not optimized for Samsung GM1 (The Redmi Note 8 Pro sensor).

Current for 2026 versions:

For beginners, we recommend starting with GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v2.1 — It's the most stable, it doesn't require complicated settings. BSG 8.1 custom-made XML better HDR.

4. Google Camera Step-by-step installation

The installation process depends on the selected version of GCam. Consider the universal method for Urnyx05 7.3.018:

Ride. APK-file from a verified source

Check if the Camera2 API (FULL status) is enabled

Cleared the cache of the standard camera

Disabled battery optimization for GCam (Settings → Apps → Google Camera → Battery → No restrictions)

Ride. XML-Configuration for your version (if required)

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Step 1. Install APK

1. Download. GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v2.1.apk linkwise.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications → Select a browser → Allow.
3. Install APK by following the instructions on the screen.

Step 2. Set-up XML-configure (if required)

1. Download XML for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (like this one).
2. Create a GCam/Configs7 folder at the root of your internal memory.
3. Place it. XML-file.
4. Launch GCam, tap the black area next to the down button twice (the config download menu will open). Select your XML.

Step 3: Basic GCam settings

• Go to Settings → FPS limit and select 30 FPS (for stability).
• Enable HDR+ enhanced in the HDR settings.
• Turn off Motion Photos (may cause lags).
• For night mode, set the timer for 3-7 seconds (depending on the lighting).

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If the GCam receives a “Couldn’t connect to the camera” error after installing it, restart the phone and check if the antivirus (e.g. MIUI Security) is blocking access.

5. Solving typical problems

Even with the right GCam installation, there can be bugs on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If after installing GCam, the phone starts to warm up strongly when shooting, limit the resolution of the video to 1080p and turn it off HDR+ Overheating can cause trottling and camera shutdown.

If neither solution worked, try another version of GCam, for example, Shamim's GCam 8.4 often works where Urnyx05 is not good.

6. Optimization of GCam for specific shooting scenarios

There is no universal GCam setting, depending on the lighting, the subject and even the ambient temperature.

• 🌅 Landscapes (daylighting): Include HDR+ Set Saturation to 1.8 (in settings) → LibPatcher.Use Timer 3s avoidance.
• 🌃 Activate Night Sight and set the timer to 5-7 Turn off Flash (flash spoils white balance) In manual settings (if any) set up ISO 800-1600 Shutter 1/10s.
• 👤 Portrait: Enable Portrait Mode and select 2x zoom (for best bokeh). Set Edge detection on High. For selfies, use a 12 MP front camera (in settings) → Front Camera Resolution).
• 📸 Macro: Switch to Macro Mode (if you have it in your version). HDR+ (It blurs out fine details. Use manual focus (stick on the subject and hold on to block focus).

For advanced users: in GCam from BSG activate RAW-mode (in settings) → Advanced → RAW This allows the user to edit photos in Lightroom or Darktable with maximum flexibility. RAW-file ~20-30 MBT each.

7. Google Camera Alternatives: When GCam is Not Suitable

If the GCam still doesn’t work well after all the manipulations, consider alternative apps optimized for the MediaTek Helio G90T:

• 📷 Footej Camera: Support Camera2 API and manual settings (exposure, ISO, White balance. Stable video performance in 4K@30fps. Built-in editor RAW.
• 🎥 Open Camera: Open source, no advertising, script support for automated processing, works without root, but requires Camera2 API FULL.
• 🖼️ ArcSoft Camera: Optimized for MediaTek. Good night mode (below GCam, but more stable). Pro Mode support with histogram.

If your goal is to maximize photo quality, not video, try GCam for photo + Footej for video, which will give you better results than trying to record 4K through GCam with artifacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Camera on Redmi Note 8 Pro