How to make a camera on a Xiaomi phone better: from settings to iron

Why is Xiaomi’s camera shooting worse than it could?

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular on the market due to the price/quality ratio, but even flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro).+) The manufacturer deliberately limits some parameters through software to unify the experience for all users, from beginners to professionals. As a result, you get balanced, but not always perfect shots.

The second key factor is image processing algorithms. MIUI They aggressively use noise reduction, sharpening and color correction, which leads to loss of detail in the shadows, unnatural skin tones or plastic effect on portraits, and fortunately, most of these problems are solved without buying a new phone. It is enough to know what settings are hidden in the engineering menu, which applications bypass the restrictions. MIUI, How to use the camera’s hardware capabilities correctly.

In this article, we’ll break down 10 proven ways to improve your camera on Xiaomi, from basic settings to advanced modifications – taking into account specific models and versions. MIUI. All methods tested on devices from 2020 to 2026 (including: POCO F5, Redmi K60 Xiaomi 14).

1. Optimization of standard settings of the MIUI camera

Before you resort to third-party applications or system modifications, check the hidden settings of the standard Camera application. Many users do not even suspect that Xiaomi has:

• 🔍 "Pro" mode with manual shutter speed setting, ISO White balance (available on all models with the MIUI 12 and newer).
• 🎯 Ultra-Sharpness function (hidden in Settings) → Additionally), which increases detail through multi-frame processing.
• 🌓 Night mode in the daytime – manually switches on and improves dynamic range (useful for shooting against the sun).
• 📏 4:3 aspect ratio instead of 16:9 – gives more megapixels in the picture (important for printing).

How to enable hidden options:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Then, put the slack on the right side.
3. Scroll down to Additional and activate: Save raw files (RAW) — for post-processing in Lightroom. HDR — If your model supports Dolby Vision HDR. Disable the watermark – so as not to spoil the frame with the Xiaomi logo.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14 and later, some options (e.g. Ultra sharpness) may be blocked for regions outside China, in which case a change in the system region (see section 4) will help).

Turn off the watermark|Insert retention RAW|Activate Pro mode|Set the aspect ratio 4:3|Check for updates to the Camera app"-->

2.Using GCam (Google Camera) for better processing

Google Camera (GCam) is a modified app from Google Pixel that bypasses the restrictions. MIUI And it uses more advanced image processing algorithms:

• 📸 More natural colors (without "yellowness" Xiaomi).
• 🌃 Best Night Mode (especially on budget models like Redmi 10).
• 👤 Accurate focus on portraits (without blurring hair or ears).
• 🔍 Improved. HDR+ sun-film.

How to install GCam on Xiaomi:

1. Download the appropriate version of GCam for your model from Celso Azevedo (look for the theme with your phone’s name).
2. Install. APK-File (Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings) → Annexes → Special access).
3. Open GCam and import the config (settings) for your model (downloaded there, on the forum).
4. In the GCam settings, turn on: HDR+ Advanced (for dynamic range) Night Sight (for night shooting) Awb (Auto White Balance) → Choose a Pixel AWB.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) GCam may not start due to lockdown MIUI. In this case, unlocking the bootloader is required (see Section 6).

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Before installing GCam, back up the standard Camera application via Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Backup. This will help restore the original settings if the GCam is unstable.

3. Setting up the engineering menu for hidden parameters

Every Xiaomi smartphone has an engineering menu (#4636## or #36446337##) where you can change camera settings that are not available in the standard interface.

• 📱 Turn off noise cancellation (increases detail, but adds grains in dark areas).
• 🔄 Change the focus algorithm (useful for macro photography).
• 🎛️ Adjust white balance manually (remove the “cold” or “warm” shade).

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337##
2. Choose Hardware Testing → Camera.
3. In the Camera Tuning section, find the settings: Noise Reduction – set Off (for the first time). RAW-Sharpness - reduce to 50% (to avoid artifacts). Contrast - increase to 70% for more juicy shots.

Save the settings and restart the phone.

In the models with MIUI 14+ The engineering menu can be blocked. In this case, use the app. MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon).

4. Change the system region to unlock functions

Xiaomi limits some camera features depending on the region of sale, such as:

• 🇨🇳 Additional Leica filters are available in China (on Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and 8K video.
• 🇮🇳 India activates Cinematic mode for video.
• 🇪🇺 In Europe, the night mode for the front camera is turned off (because of the GDPR).

To unlock these functions:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
2. Choose India or China (for maximum features).
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Open the camera and check for new modes.

⚠️ Warning: Change of region can result in: Warranty loss (if the phone is officially imported into your region); some local services (e.g. Google Pay in China) disappear; automatic reset after the update MIUI.

5. Update of firmware and modified cores

If your Xiaomi is running on an outdated version MIUI, The camera can use unoptimized algorithms. MIUI 13 for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ There was a bug with overexposed pictures in HDR — He has only been corrected in MIUI 14.0.4+.

How to update the firmware to improve the camera:

1. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Download the latest stable firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
3. Install the update through Settings → Updating the system → Threefold → Select a firmware file.

For advanced users, custom cores (such as FrancoKernel or Kiran Kernel) optimize the processor and camera.

• Unlocked bootloader.
• Root-right (via Magisk).
• Installations through TWRP.

6. Hardware improvements: lenses and lighting

Even the most advanced software won't replace the physical limitations of the camera. - Xiaomi's budget models (like Redmi) 10A) They have small sensors and plastic lenses that can't compete with flagships, but there are ways to improve the hardware:

• 🔍 External lenses (macro, wide-angle, telephoto) from Xenvo or Moment.
• 💡 Ring lamp for portrait photography (elimines shadows on the face).
• 📱 Stabilizer (e.g, DJI Osmo Mobile for smooth video.
• 🔋 External battery - shooting in 4K/8K discharges the battery.

Recommendations for the selection of accessories:

• For Xiaomi with the main camera 48-108 MP suitable lens Moment Tele 58mm (2x zoom).
• Use Neewer 18 for night photography" LED-color-temperature-controlled ring.
• For the video on POCO F5 or Redmi K60 Take a stabilizer with support for 3-axis stabilization.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap lenses (costs up to 500) ₽) Often degrade due to poor quality glass. check the reviews of a particular model before buying.

7 Post-processing: from Lightroom to neural networks

Even the perfect shot can be done better with post-processing.

• 📷 Adobe Lightroom Mobile – correction of exposure, color balance, noise reduction.
• 🤖 Topaz Gigapixel AI — Increased resolution without loss of quality.
• 🎨 Snapseed – spot retouching and adding effects.
• 🌟 Remini – Improve details on old or blurred photos.

Example of processing in Lightroom for photos with Xiaomi:

1. Import photos in format RAW (if filmed in this mode).
2. In the Light section: Increase the exposure to +0.5. Reduce Black to Black. -15 (Raise the shadows to the contrast. +30 (to work out the details).

Colour

• Set the temperature at 5000–5500K (natural-tones).
• Increase the saturation by +10 (no more, otherwise the colors will be unnatural).
• Apply the sharpness mask with a radius of 1.0 and a force of 30.

For video, use CapCut or Adobe Premiere Rush:

• Stabilize your shot with Warp Stabilizer.
• Raise the bitrate to 50 Mbps for export.
• Add in. LUT-filters (e.g. Kodak 2383 for cinematic view).

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Post-processing can save even a bad shot, but it doesn't replace the right settings. Always aim to make the shot as high as possible "in camera."

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi camera improvements

RAW

Lightroom

iPhone Style

For the video, use Filmora with LUT-filter iPhone 13 Pro.