Creating professional bokeh shots has become accessible to every smartphone owner, and devices from Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco are no exception. Many users are looking for a way to blur the background in the photo to highlight the main subject and give the image artistic depth. Modern artificial intelligence algorithms built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, allow you to achieve stunning results even without the presence of expensive optics or additional equipment.
The standard Camera app has a lot of tools to post-process and adjust real-time shooting settings. Portrait mode is not just a filter, but a complex segmentation system that separates the foreground from the back. Understanding how this function works will help you avoid common mistakes such as “cut” hair edges or unnatural garment blurs.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available blur-effect techniques, from basic settings to advanced depth-of-field techniques. You will learn how to adjust the blur after shooting and what alternative applications can come in handy if standard functionality does not meet your requirements. The bokeh effect on Xiaomi is achieved by low-depth field software simulation, which depends on the contrast between the object and the background.
Using Portrait Mode to Create Bokeh
The main tool for blurring the background is a specialized mode, which is called Portrait. To activate it, open the camera app and select the appropriate item from the bottom menu. On some models, especially in the budget segment of Redmi, this mode can be called Portrait or have an icon with a human silhouette. After switching, the screen will split into zones where the system will automatically determine the boundaries of the object.
At the top of the screen or in the side menu (depending on the firmware version), you'll find a slider or numerical scale indicating the degree of blur. Usually the range range range ranges from f/0.95 to f/16, simulating a change in the aperture of the lens. The smaller the numerical value (e.g., f/1.4), the more blurred the background becomes, creating a professional optics effect. At f/16, the background remains virtually clear, which is useful for group shots.
It is important to position the camera correctly relative to the object. The optimal distance is from 0.6 to 2 meters. If you get too close, the camera may not focus, as the message warns, "Step back further." If you move too far, the algorithm will lose the ability to accurately determine the boundaries and the depth of field will become uniform.
⚠️ Attention: When shooting moving objects (children, animals) in Portrait mode, there may be a shutter delay. Try to keep the camera still at the time of pressing to avoid lubricating the contours.
Customization of depth and focus parameters
Modern Xiaomi smartphones allow you to adjust the focus point and the intensity of the effect even before the shutter is released. Tap the screen in the area where the main object is located to force the focus on it. A yellow frame will appear, confirming that the system has fixed priority in this area.
The top corner of the screen often has a Magic or AI icon, which allows the network to automatically select the optimal blur settings depending on the scene, but for full control, you'd better use a manual aperture setting mode. When you adjust the slider, keep an eye on the object's boundaries: if the blur hits your face or clothing, reduce the intensity.
Some models equipped with a telephoto lens or a macro lens offer additional features, such as using 2x or 5x zoom in combination with portrait mode gives a more natural perspective and better background blur due to the optical properties of the lenses, not just software algorithms.
💡
Use natural light or point your subject toward the window, and contrast lighting helps the camera define boundaries more accurately and create better blur.
Change in the effect of blur after shooting
One of the key features of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the ability to edit portrait settings after the photo has been taken, which is made possible by the camera storing depth data in a separate layer. To access these settings, open the Gallery and select the image you want.
Click on the Edit button (usually an icon with sliders or a magic wand). If the photo was taken in Portrait mode, you will see a special tool called Effect or Diaphragm. By moving the slider, you can enhance background blur or, conversely, make it clearer. The changes apply instantly and do not degrade the quality of the original file.
The editor also has a focus point change feature, so you can shift focus from the foreground to the back, or you can select the mid-range, which is especially useful if the camera is wrong and focused on the background instead of the face, and after you make the edits, remember to click Save to capture the new version of the image.
⚠️ Attention: Editing depth parameters is only available for photos taken in Portrait mode. Normal photos taken in Photo or Video mode do not contain depth data and cannot be processed by this tool.
☑️ Checking before taking a portrait
Alternative methods and third-party applications
If standard camera functionality is not enough or your smartphone model does not support Portrait mode at the software level, you can use third-party solutions. There are many applications available on the Google Play store that specialize in simulating depth of field. Popular options are Google Photos, Blur Background and AfterFocus.
Google Photos has a built-in Portrait tool that can be applied to regular snapshots. Google algorithms often work more accurately than standard ones, better defining complex boundaries such as hair or transparent objects. The processing process takes a few seconds and requires an Internet connection to download cloud models.
To get more creative, you can use applications that manually highlight areas, where the user paints over an object that should remain clear, and the rest of the image blurs, which is time-consuming, but gives you full control over the result, allowing you to create artistic effects that are not available automatically.
Why don’t older models have portrait mode?
Table of comparison of shooting modes
Understanding the differences between modes will help you choose the right tool for a particular situation. Below is a comparison of the basic features of Xiaomi camera when working with focus and background.
| Parameter | Portrait mode | Photo mode | Mode Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blurring background | Automatic and regulated | Optical only (depending on the aperture) | In the mode of the Cinema Effect (on the flagships) |
| Editing the focus | Maybe after the shoot. | Impossible. | Impossible. |
| Working with hair | High accuracy (AI) | Natural. | Depends on the model. |
| Zoom availability | Limited (usually to 2x) | Full range | Full range |
As you can see from the table, Portrait Mode is the most flexible tool for depth of field management. However, for landscape photography or fast-changing scenes, it is better to use the standard Photo Mode, where blurring occurs naturally due to optics, without the intervention of algorithms.
💡
Portrait mode is the only way to get an editable background blur effect on most Xiaomi smartphones.
Solutions and quality improvement
Often users encounter artifacts when the background blurs with the object or the edges look uneven, this can be due to low contrast of the scene or too motley clothes, in such cases, try to change the angle or ask the object to move away from the monochromatic wall.
Another problem can be low-light noise: Night Portrait uses long shutter speed and serial photography to compensate for this effect. Make sure the camera settings activate the "Night Mode" or "AI Camera" option, which automatically switches algorithms depending on the lighting conditions.
If the blur quality is not satisfactory, check for updates to the Camera app in system settings or through the GetApps store. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that improve the operation of segmentation algorithms and the stability of the ISP (signal processing processor).
⚠️ Warning: Don't use digital zoom in Portrait Mode unless your smartphone has a telephoto lens. Digital zoom simply cuts the matrix, reducing detail and impairing blurring algorithms.