How to get MI Browser camera access on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the full guide

You are trying to use the webcam through MI Browser on its Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, but instead of the image, you see the error "No access to the camera" or an empty screen? MIUI. Xiaomi smartphones block the access of applications to the camera by default — a measure of protection against potential data leaks.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions with pictures how to turn on permission for MI Browser in the phone settings, and also solving typical problems: why the browser does not see the camera even after changing the settings, how to reset the permissions to the factory and what to do if menu items are missing. MIUI 12/13/14 For the Redmi Note 8 Pro – from the global to the Chinese version.

Note: if you use alternative browsers (Chrome, Firefox), the setup process will be similar, but the paths in the menu may vary slightly. MI Browser.

Why? MI Browser asks for access to camera?

Modern websites are actively using the smartphone camera to:

• 📸 Scan. QR-codes (payment, authorization, clicking on links)
• 👤 Video calls in the browser (WebRTC-technologies)
• 📄 Filming documents for download to the websites of public services or banks
• 🎭 AR-effects (for example, virtual fitting glasses)

However, MIUI It's the default to block that access for security reasons:

• 🛡️ Spyware protection – some sites can secretly activate the camera
• 🔒 Xiaomi’s privacy policy requiring explicit user consent
• 📱 Features of Android 10+, where permissions are divided into "during use" and "always"

If you see an access request, that's fine, but if the browser doesn't ask for permission at all, it's already been blocked or disabled in the system settings.

Preparation: Verification MIUI browser

Before setting up permissions, make sure that:

1. Your Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on current firmware. MIUI (below 12.5) may not support modern API You can check the version in the settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
2. MI Browser is updated to the latest version. → MI Browser → Update (if available).
3. The phone’s camera works in other applications (like the standard Camera app), and if it doesn’t, the problem is in the hardware, not the browser settings.

Critical information: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware below MIUI 12.0.3 Camera access via browser may not work smoothly due to camera driver limitations. Update firmware before setting up!

Step-by-step: how to allow access to the camera

Follow this algorithm to enable permission for MI Browser:

1. Open the "Settings" of the phone (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the list, find the Browser (or MI Browser) and tap it.
4. Select the permission clause (in some versions) MIUI It may be called Application Permissions).
5. Find the camera resolution and set the switch to the "Allow" position.
6. Return to the browser and update the page where the camera is required (for example, click on the camera). F5 or reload the tab).

If the Chamber does not include the permit:

• 🔍 Try to request access directly on the site (e.g., webcamtests.com) first. The browser can automatically add permission after your consent.
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not display all permissions without reboot.
• 📱 Make sure you don’t use guest mode or private browser mode – they block access to the camera additionally.

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If after enabling the permission, the camera still does not work, try to clear the browser cache: Settings → Annexes → browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache. This will reset the temporary data, which may conflict with the camera settings.

Problem Solving: The camera doesn’t work even after setting up

If you have completed all the steps, but MI Browser still can't see the camera, check out the following points:

Additional steps to troubleshoot:

1. Check the privacy settings MIUI: Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Access to the camera. MI Browser is on the list of allowed apps.
2. Reset browser permissions: In browser settings (Settings) → Annexes → browser → Permissions) click Reset permissions. After reset, re-request the camera on the site.
3. Check for viruses: Some malware blocks access to the camera.Scan the phone through Security → Scan.

Features for different versions of MIUI

The interface of the settings may vary depending on the firmware version.

MIUI 12.0–12.5

In these versions, the path to camera resolutions looks like this:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Browser → Permissions → Camera

Please note: there may be an additional “Allow only while using the application” switch – this too needs to be activated.

MIUI 13–14

New versions have added improved privacy settings:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Application Permissions → Camera.
2. Find it. MI Browser is in the list and enable permission.
3. Back to Settings → Special access → Access the camera and make sure the browser is on the list.

Chinese version MIUI (for devices with the China region)

In Chinese firmware, the menu can be in Chinese.

• 📱 (Settings) → (Application management) → (browser) → (Permits) → (Camera)

If you have a Redmi Note 8 Pro with global firmware, but it suddenly turns into Chinese, you may have installed an unofficial region.

Settings → Additional → Region → Select “Russia” or “Global”

Security: How to protect your camera from unauthorized access

By allowing access to the camera, you potentially open up the possibility for attackers to spy through it, to minimize the risks of:

• 🔐 Revoke permission after use: Go to Settings → Annexes → browser → Permits and turn off camera.
• 🛡️ Use official websites: Do not access the camera on questionable resources (for example, with the help of the camera). HTTP instead HTTPS).
• 📱 Set up access notifications: In Settings → Confidentiality → Notification panel turn on the option "Show Camera Use".

Signs that the camera is being used without your knowledge:

• 🔴 The camera indicator (green dot in the upper right corner of the screen) burns when you are not using it.
• 📸 The phone is heated for no apparent reason (the camera consumes a lot of energy).
• 🔋 The battery quickly goes down in standby mode.

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No legitimate application should request access to the camera without your initiative. If the browser asks permission on a site that should not use the camera (for example, a news portal), this is an excuse to refuse and leave the page.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with root rights or unlocked bootloader, attackers can bypass standard Android resolutions. If you are not sure about firmware security, use antivirus with spyware check (for example, Dr.Web or Kaspersky).

Alternative ways to use the camera in the browser

If MI Browser Refuses to Work with Camera, Consider Alternatives:

• 🌐 Google Chrome: Install from the Play Store and re-set permissions (path: Settings) → Annexes → Chrome → Chrome better supports WebRTC, the technology used for video calls.
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox: Has built-in privacy settings for the camera (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits → Camera).
• 📱 Specialized applications: For scanning QR-Use Xiaomi Scanner (preinstalled on Redmi Note 8 Pro) for video calls, Zoom or Google Meet (they request access to the camera separately).

Compare browsers for camera support on Redmi Note 8 Pro:

⚠️ Note: If you use incognito mode in any browser, access to the camera will be automatically blocked.This is a security measure - incognito sessions do not retain permissions between launches.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions