How to make a photo delay on a Xiaomi phone: timer, voice command and secret chips

Why you need a delay and how to use it correctly

Photo delay is not just a feature for selfies with friends; it helps to avoid camera jitters when shooting in low light, gives time to prepare a composition or allows you to take a shot with a trigger from an external device (for example, a smartwatch), on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, this option is not obvious, and its capabilities are beyond the standard 3-second timer.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate delay, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications with advanced functionality. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden mode of “Deferred shooting” in firmware based on Android 13+, which allows you to schedule a series of shots with intervals of up to 60 seconds.

Method 1: Standard timer in the Camera app

The most obvious method is to use an integrated timer, which is available on all Xiaomi devices, but its location depends on the version of the MIUI and the smartphone model. On new flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14), the camera interface is simplified, and on old ones (Redmi 9A) you may need an additional swipe.

To activate the delay:

1. Open the Camera app**.
2. Switch to Photo Mode (if you use a different mode, the timer may not be available).
3. Click on the timer icon (clock) ⏱️) top-panel.
4. Select the delay: 3 seconds, 10 seconds or Cancel.
5. Press the down button and the countdown will begin.

In some models (for example, POCO X5 Pro) after activation of the timer, an additional option is available Serial shooting, allowing you to take up to 5 frames in a row with a selected delay. GIF-animation.

💡

If the timer icon is missing, check the camera settings: Settings → Additional → Show the timer. On older versions of MIUI, this setting could have been disabled by default.

Method 2: Voice control of the camera (without manual pressing)

Few people know, but Xiaomi smartphones support voice commands for shooting — an alternative to a timer if you need to take a picture without touching the screen. AI (Chinese-made).

How to set up:

• 📱 Make sure that Google Assistant is enabled (Settings) → Annexes → Google Assistant → Voice input).
• 🎤 Open the camera and say, “OK Google, take a photo” or “Photograph in 5 seconds».
• 🔊 In Chinese firmware, use the command "(Xiao)" AI, take a picture).
• ⚙️ To adjust the delay accurately, add time: “Take a photo in 10 seconds».

Voice control is convenient for group photos or tripod shooting when the phone is at a distance, but note that the feature requires an Internet connection (to process commands) and may not work in noisy places.

Method 3: Delayed shooting (hidden MIUI function)

Starting with MIUI 14 (Android 13+), Xiaomi’s firmware has introduced an experimental feature called “Delayed Shooting,” which allows you to schedule a series of shots at intervals of up to 60 seconds, an option that is not documented and may not be available on some models, but can be activated via an engineering menu or third-party apps.

How to turn on:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open it and find the com.android.camera section.
3. Select the.DelayShotActivity activity (if it is on the list).
4. Set the interval between the pictures (from 1 to 60 seconds) and the number of frames (up to 20).
5. Press Start and the camera will start shooting on the timer.

This function is useful for:

• 🌅 Timelapse diaries (for example, shooting sunrise at intervals of 10 seconds).
• 👶 Photo shoots with children, when you need to make a series of shots without being distracted by the phone.
• 🎭 Filming processes (cooking dishes, constructor assembly, etc.).

Method 4: Third-party applications for extended delay

If built-in tools aren't enough, use third-party software that offers flexible settings: up to 1 minute latency, serial shooting, smartwatch integration, and even gesture shooting.

Top.-3 apps:

When choosing an application, pay attention to:

• 🔒 Permissions: Some programs request geolocation or contacts access – these are unnecessary permissions for a timer.
• 📸 Photo Quality: Third-party cameras can save photos in lower resolution than a standard app.
• 🔋 Battery consumption: the background work of the timer increases power consumption.

Problems and Solutions: Why the delay doesn’t work

Sometimes the timer in Xiaomi’s camera refuses to work, and let’s look at the typical causes and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The timer icon is missing from the interface.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) The timer is hidden in the optional menu. Swipe up the camera screen to open the advanced settings.

Problem 2: The timer is triggered, but the photo is not saved.

• Check the available space on the device (requires a minimum of 500 MB).
• Turn off Save to the Cloud in the camera settings.
• Restart the camera app through Settings → Apps → Camera → Stop.

Problem 3: Voice commands are not recognized.

• Make sure that Google Assistant is enabled and that you have access to the microphone.
• Check the voice input language (should match the system language).
• Turn off the power saving for Google Play Services.

💡

If the MIUI update has lost your timer, try resetting the camera settings: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the data. This will return the standard settings without losing photos.

Secret Chips: Delay with Smart Watches and Gestures

Xiaomi smartphones are integrated into the Mi Ecosystem ecosystem, which allows you to control the camera using smart watches (Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch) or gestures.

Managing with Mi Band:

1. Connect your watch to your phone via Mi Fitness.
2. Press the button on the Mi Band and it will be 3 seconds late.

Gesture:

• 👋 Enable the function in the camera settings: Settings → Gestures → Flying by hand.
• 🖐️ Wave your hand in front of the front camera and countdown will begin.

These are very useful for shooting in motion or when the phone is mounted on a tripod, but note that gesture control only works with the front camera and can be false in gusts of wind.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the delay of photos on Xiaomi