How to reset your camera settings on Xiaomi: 5 ways to return factory settings

The camera on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the key elements that determine the quality of photos and videos. However, after many experiments with manual settings, software updates or system failures, the shooting parameters can get confused: there are problems with focusing, incorrect color reproduction or sudden artifacts in the pictures. In such cases, resetting the camera settings becomes the most effective solution - it returns factory settings, fixing software problems without losing data on the device.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to reset your camera settings on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, from standard methods through the app menu to advanced tools like ADB. You’ll learn how to return the original settings without losing photos, when to resort to a full phone reset, and what to do if the camera continues to work incorrectly.

Why Xiaomi’s camera starts to “glutch” and when you need a reset

Before you reset, it is important to understand whether the problem is due to software settings or hardware malfunction. Here are 5 signs that the camera needs a reset:

• 📸 Blurred images in good lighting – focus “floats” or is not fixed on the object.
• 🎨 Incorrect color reproduction: green / blue in all photos, overlights or darkened areas.
• ⚙️ Application malfunctions: the camera spontaneously closes, does not save a photo or “hangs».
• 🔄 On-screen artifacts: stripes, dots or image distortions in view mode.
• 📱 Manual settings do not work: it is impossible to change ISO, lip-balance.

If any of these symptoms are present, a reset is likely to help, but there are hardware reasons that cannot be fixed by software:

• 💥 Damage to the camera module after falling or impacting.
• 🔌 Oxidation of plume contacts (frequent problem after moisture is ingested).
• 🔋 Failure of the image processing processor (ISP).

⚠️ Warning: If the problem persists after the reset and the message “Camera failed to connect” appears on the screen, this is a sign of hardware malfunction, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

Before you start resetting, check if the deterioration in the quality of the shooting is due to lens contamination or poor lighting. Wipe the lenses with soft cloth and take test shots under different conditions.

Method 1: Reset via MIUI Camera application settings

The easiest and safest method is to reset directly in the camera app, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14. The main advantage is that it does not require superuser rights and does not affect other system parameters.

Instructions:

1. Open the camera app (MIUI Camera).
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (usually located in the upper right corner).
3. Scroll down and select Restore default settings (or Reset settings).
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

Once the app is restarted, all settings (white balance, exposure, filters, video settings) will return to factory settings, which does not delete photos or affect other applications.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) Reset point may be hidden in the submenu Additional settings. If you do not find an option, update the camera app via Google Play.

If the camera continues to work unstable after reset, try clearing the app cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Camera and select the Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Cache (Do not delete data!).

Method 2: Reset via System Settings (without data loss)

If resetting through the camera application does not help, use the system tool MIUI. This method resets the settings of all cameras (main, front, wide-angle), but does not affect user data.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the About Phone (or About Device) section.
3. Select All settings (may be called Additional settings).
4. Find the Reset camera settings item and confirm the action.

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global) may not have this item, so use an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera → Storage → Resetting settings

After you do the operation, restart the device, which is necessary for the changes to take effect.

On models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), the system reset of the camera may not work due to firmware limitations, in which case move to method 3 or 4.

Method 3: Completely reset your phone to factory settings

If previous methods failed and the camera still malfunctions, the last resort is to completely reset the device, which deletes all data, including photos, apps and accounts, so only use it in case of critical problems.

How to perform the reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.

Once reset, the phone will reboot and return to the out-of-the-box state, and you will need to reconfigure the device, including connecting to the Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader unlocked after a full reset, you may need to re-unblock through the Mi Unlock Tool. Make sure you have a backup of the data to unlock!

If the camera problem was caused by damage to system files, a full reset will help in 90% of cases, but if the malfunction is hardware (for example, damaged camera module), this method will not work.

💡

Before you reset completely, check if the quality of the shooting is due to the battery saving mode on, and some firmware limits the camera's performance in this mode, leading to artifacts.

Method 4: Reset via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods have failed and a complete reset seems too radical, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to reset the camera settings without losing data.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear com.android.camera

1. If you use MIUI Camera, do:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.camera

1. Reset the device.

These commands will clear the cache and reset the camera app settings without affecting other data. If the problem persists after the reboot, try to do more:

adb shell pm grant com.miui.camera android.permission.CAMERA


adb shell pm grant com.miui.camera android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO

This will return all the necessary permissions to the app.

Method 5: Reinstall the MIUI Camera application

On devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (like LineageOS), the standard camera app may not work properly, in which case reinstalling the MIUI Camera via ADB or Mi App Store will help.

Steps for reinstallation:

1. Download the latest version of the MIUI Camera from the official Mi App Store website (select the version for your model!).
2. Remove the current camera app via ADB:

adb uninstall com.miui.camera

1. Install the downloaded.apk file:

adb install miui_camera_latest.apk

If you have a blocked bootloader, you can't delete the system application.

1. Download Google Camera (such as the BSG or Wichaya version) from the XDA Developers forum.
2. Install.apk manually, allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. In the Google Camera settings, select the config for your Xiaomi model.

Please note: Google Camera may not support all modules (e.g., macro or telephoto lenses) on some Xiaomi devices.

💡

Reinstallation of MIUI Camera helps if the problem is caused by damage to application files after updating or rooting. However, on devices with a locked bootloader, this method is limited.

What to do if the reset did not help: diagnosis of hardware problems

If neither of these methods has troubled the problem, it's probably the hardware that's the problem.

1. Checking the camera plume: 🔧 Carefully disassemble the phone (if you have experience) and inspect the plume connecting the camera to the motherboard. 🔍 Signs of malfunction: oxidation, tears or traces of corrosion.
2. Camera module test: 📱 Install the Camera Test app (like Camera Test) and check each lens separately. 🔍 If one of the modules (e.g., wide-angle) does not display the image, it is damaged.
3. Verification ISP (image-processor): 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and check logs through ADB Logcat:

adb logcat | grep -i camera

If errors such as E/CameraService: openLegacy: connect to camera service failed appear in the logs, this indicates problems with the camera drivers or the processor.

Cost of repair in the service center:

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was in high humidity (for example, after being hit by water), do not turn it on or plug it into charging! Immediately deliver the device to a service center - attempts at self-repair can lead to a short circuit.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi camera reset