Introduction: why you need voice photography on a smartphone
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer a host of handy features that many users don’t even know about, including voice-activated camera control, which allows you to take pictures without pressing the screen, and is not just a “chip” to brag about, but a really useful tool in a number of situations.
Imagine if you want to take a group photo, but you can only see everyone when you have your hands on your phone as far away as possible, or if you're playing sports and want to capture a moment without interrupting your screen manipulation, or if you're just busy with your hands and you need to catch the shot here and now, then the voice command "Take a photo" or "Smile" becomes a lifesaver, but how does that work on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, a model that is still one of the most popular in the Xiaomi lineup?
In this article, we’ll explore not only the standard way to activate a function, but also alternative methods (including third-party apps), and why voice commands sometimes fail—and how to fix it.
Compatibility Check: Does your Redmi Note 9 Pro support voice control?
Before you get into settings, make sure your model does support this feature. Redmi Note 9 Pro (codename joyeuse) is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor and runs on the basis of MIUI, Xiaomi's proprietary shell. Voice control camera built into the standard camera application, but its work depends on:
- 📱 Versions MIUI: function is stable at work MIUI 12 and newer. MIUI 11 may be limited by.
- 🌐 Firmware Region: Global (Global) and European (EEA) The default version of the feature is available. In Chinese (China) you may need to manually activate the function.
- 🔊 System languages: voice commands work only in supported languages (Russian, English, Chinese, etc.).
To find out the MIUI version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have a version older than MIUI 12.0.1, we recommend you update through Settings → System Update.
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not have voice control due to the lack of proprietary Xiaomi libraries.
Step-by-step: how to turn on voice control in a standard camera
If your smartphone meets the requirements, you can activate the function in a few steps. Open the standard Camera app (the icon labeled Camera) and follow the instructions:
- Launch the camera and swipe up the screen to open the toolbar.
- Put it on the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
- Scroll down to General Settings and find Voice Control (or Voice Control in English).
- Activate the switch next to the voice recording.
- Return to the camera interface – now the microphone icon should appear at the bottom of the screen (🎤).
Now you can use voice commands. Standard phrases for the Redmi Note 9 Pro:
- 📸 «Take a photo* – immediately take a picture.
- 😊 «Smile: The camera waits for everyone to smile and automatically takes pictures.
- 🎥 «Start recording"** - starts shooting video (only in video mode).
- ⏱️ «Timer 3 seconds** - counting down before shooting.
☑️ Verification of voice control
If the microphone icon doesn't show up, try restarting the Camera app or restarting the phone. Sometimes resetting the camera settings: Settings → Apps → App Management → Camera → Storage → Clear the data helps.
Alternative methods: third-party applications for voice photography
What if the standard function doesn't work or you need more advanced features? Third-party apps come to the rescue, and we tested a few options and selected the most reliable ones.
| Annex | Functions | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Assistant | Voice commands via OK Google | Integration with other Google services, support for the Russian language | Internet is required, sometimes slower than a standard camera |
| Voice Camera | Customized commands, timer, serial shooting | Offline, flexible settings work | Advertising in the free version |
| Say Cheese | Auto-stop by smile or gesture | Simple interface, no advertising | Limited functionality |
For the use of Google Assistant:
- Make sure the assistant is activated: Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice → Voice Assistant.
- Open the camera and say, “OK, Google, take a photo.”
- The assistant will confirm the team and take a picture.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, allow them to access the camera and microphone in Settings → Annexes → Permissions, otherwise voice commands won't work.
💡
If Xiaomi’s standard camera doesn’t recognize commands, try to pronounce them more clearly and closer to the microphone (it’s located at the bottom of the phone).
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even after you set it up properly, voice control can fail, and here are the errors and ways to fix them:
- 🔇 The microphone is unresponsive: check if it is physically silenced (such as by dust in the hole) or programmatically (the volume slider at the bottom.
- 🗣️ Commands are not recognized: try to switch the system language to English, which sometimes helps. Also check if voice input is disabled in Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Voice input.
- 📵 The feature disappears after the update: reset the camera settings (as described above) or reinstall the update MIUI through settings → Updating the system → Three points. → Update package.
- 🔋 It only works when connected to charging: it may be related to energy saving. Turn off battery optimization for the camera: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Camera. → No restrictions.
If none of these methods worked, try rolling back MIUI to the previous version (via Fastboot) or contact Xiaomi’s service center – the problem may be the hardware part of the microphone.
How to reset the camera settings to factory?
Comparison with other Xiaomi models: what has changed in the new smartphones
The Redmi Note 9 Pro was released in 2020, and since then Xiaomi has significantly improved voice control in its devices.
| Model | Voice commands | Additional chips |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 9 Pro (2020) | "Take a photo", "Smile", "Timer" | It only works in a standard camera. |
| Redmi Note 11 Pro (2022) | + "Take a selfie", "Enable HDR" | Integration with Xiaomi AI Assistant |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro (2023) | + "Night Shooting Mode", "Zoom 2x" | Recognition of commands at a distance of up to 5 meters |
As you can see, the new models have expanded, but the basic principles remain the same. If you are planning an upgrade, look at the Xiaomi 12T Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ – there voice control is more stable and supports more commands.
But the Redmi Note 9 Pro is still a great choice for those who don’t chase newfangled chips, and the main thing is to adjust the available features correctly.
💡
On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, voice control only works in the standard Camera app. Third-party cameras (such as GCam) do not support this feature.
Security and privacy: voice control risks
Any feature associated with the microphone raises security questions. Voice-controlled camera on Xiaomi is no exception.
- 🔒 Local processing: commands are processed directly on the device, without sending data to the cloud (unlike Google Assistant).
- 📡 Permissions: The camera app only requests access to the microphone and camera – without access to contacts or location.
- 🚫 Protection against accidental alarms: the system ignores commands spoken outside the camera interface (for example, during a call).
However, if you are paranoid about privacy, you can:
- Disable voice control after use.
- Use third-party open source applications (such as Open Camera with a voice control plugin).
- Periodically check which applications have access to the microphone: Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Microphone.
⚠️ Note: If you notice that the camera or microphone is activated without your command (for example, in the background), immediately check the phone for viruses using Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.