How to take pictures of stars on the Xiaomi Redmi phone: a detailed guide with settings and life hacks

Taking a picture of the sky on a smartphone is a task that seems impossible without a SLR camera and an expensive lens. However, owners of Xiaomi Redmi (especially models with good cameras like the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or Redmi K60) You can get spectacular images of the Milky Way, constellations and even meteors if you know a few key tricks, and the key is to get the right setup, and the best settings, and the limitations of mobile photography.

In this article, we'll take you through everything from timing and location to manual camera settings and post-processing, which Redmi models do better at astrophotography, which apps will help automate the process, and how to get around common beginner mistakes. even budget Redmis (e.g. Redmi) 10C) They can shoot stars if you use Pro mode with a shutter speed of 8-10 seconds and ISO 1600–3200.

But before you pick up your phone, remember, smartphone astrophotography is 20 percent technique and 80 percent patience. You'll have to experiment with settings, wait for perfect weather conditions, and maybe take dozens of shots to get one that's good, but it's worth the effort: photos that many people will mistake for professional camera shots!

What Xiaomi Redmi models are suitable for shooting stars

Not all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are equally good for astrophotography. The main criteria for choosing are the size of the matrix, the aperture of the lens and the presence of a manual Pro mode.

• 🌟 Redmi Note 12 Pro+/Pro: 200-MP camera with pixel binning (4-into-1), light-axle f/1.65 and support for exposure to 30 Perfect choice for beginners.
• 🌌 Redmi K60 Ultra: 50-Sony sensor IMX800 pixelated 1.28 micrometry f/1.9. Keeps the noise high. ISO.
• 💫 Redmi 13C 5G: Budget model with 108-MP camera and night mode Night Mode 2.0.
• ⚠️ Redmi 10A/9A: weak 13-MP and 8-The camera is small, and you can only shoot stars under perfect conditions.

If your model is not on this list, check its characteristics on the Mi.com website.Please note: the size of the matrix pixels (the larger the better light absorption), maximum shutter speed in manual mode, the presence of optical stabilization (OIS) — It will help to avoid lubrication at long exposures.

⚠️ Note: Models without Pro mode (e.g. Redmi Go or old Redmi) 7/8) They can't physically shoot stars because they don't have manual settings, so you just have to use external applications like Camera. FV-5 or NightCap.

Preparation for shooting: time, place and weather

Even the most advanced camera Xiaomi Redmi will not save you if you choose the wrong conditions.

• 🌑 New Moon or narrow crescent of the moon – bright moon “lights up” the sky.
• 🕒 From 23:00 to 4:00 – this is the time when the Milky Way is best seen (in the northern hemisphere).
• 📅 Summer and autumn – during these seasons, the galaxy rises higher above the horizon.

To check the visibility of the Milky Way, use the applications: Star Walk 2 (shows the position of constellations in real time), PhotoPills (astrophotography planner with the help of the satellite). AR-Stellarium (free planetarium for PC and phone).

It is critical to choose a place without light pollution. Check the light map on the Light Pollution Map:

• 🟢 Green and blue zones are ideal (villages, mountains, reserves).
• 🟡 Yellow zones are acceptable, but stars will be less bright.
• 🔴 Red Zones – Shooting is almost impossible (cities, industrial areas).

⚠️ Attention: Even in the green zone, avoid shooting near lights, cars or campfires. Local light sources create glare on the lens that will spoil the shot. If you can't leave the city, try shooting stars above the pond - reflection reduces the light.

Xiaomi Redmi camera settings for shooting stars

Now, to the most important thing, which is to set up the camera, we're only using the manual Pro mode (or Manual in some firmware) and here's the best settings to start with:

Step-by-step instructions for setting up:

1. Open the Camera app → Go to Pro (or More) mode. → Pro).
2. Touch the badge. MF (hand focus) and move the slider to the right (∞).
3. Set shutter speeds of 15 seconds (to begin).
4. Put it out. ISO 3200.
5. Turn it off. HDR and AI-Improvements – they will only ruin the frame.
6. Click on the screen to block the exposure and take a picture.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Redmi with Snapdragon processor 4xx (Like Redmi. 9A) If the camera shuts down after 3-4 shots, reduce the shutter speed to 8 seconds or pause between frames.

Battery charge > 50%|Cleared memory (minimum 1 GB free)|Autofocus disabled.|Exposure 10 to 30 seconds|ISO 1600–6400|Format RAW (if available)-->

Apps for astrophotos on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi’s standard Camera app is suitable for early experiments, but for serious shooting, it’s better to use specialized programs that offer more control over settings and often have built-in tools to reduce noise.

Top.-5 star-shot:

• 📱 Camera FV-5 — Full manual control, support RAW, Timer for serial shooting. > 10 seconds.
• 🌌 NightCap Camera is a Stars Mode with automatic addition. Perfect for beginners.
• 🔭 AstroCamera – Optimized for astrophotography, there is a shutter speed calculator according to the rule of 500 (about it below).
• 📸 ProCam X – supports long shutter speeds and shooting in RAW most of the Redmi.
• 🌠 Star Trail Camera – specializes in shooting traces of stars (long exposures).

For post-processing, we recommend: Lightroom Mobile (color and noise correction), Snapseed (local editing), StarStaX (combination of frames for creating star tracks).

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If your Xiaomi Redmi is not supported RAW, Take it down at maximum resolution. JPG And turn off the compression in the camera settings. That saves more editing detail.

Shooting techniques: from single frames to timelapses

There are several approaches to shooting stars on a smartphone, each of which gives a unique result, and choose according to your goals and conditions.

1. Single shots (Single Shot)

The easiest way is to take one long exposure shot, which is suitable for the Milky Way or the bright constellations.

• Use the rule. 500 for maximum exposure without lubrication: 500 / (focal length × For Redmi with the main camera ~26 mm 1.5: 500 / (26 × 1.5) ≈ 12 sack.
• Take it down. RAW And work in Lightroom, boosting Exposure and Clarity.
• If the stars are green or purple, lower the ISO 1600 and increase the shutter speed.

2. Addition (Stacking)

Method for noise reduction: take a series of images (10 to 50 pieces) with the same settings, and then glue them together in Sequator (Windows) or StarStaX (mobile version).

• Take a shutter speed of 8-10 seconds and ISO 3200 (to avoid overheating of the matrix).
• Use a remote or timer to avoid touching the phone between frames.
• In the stacking program, select Lighten (for stars) or Average (for noise reduction).

3. Starry sky timelapse

To create a video of the sky rotation (for example, the movement of the Milky Way) you will need:

• A snail or a fixer (required!).
• Lapse It or Hyperlapse app for shooting.
• Interval between frames: 15-30 seconds (depending on the desired length of the video).
• A minimum of 100 frames for a 5-second roller.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced photographers have trouble shooting stars on their smartphones, and here are some of the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

1. Lubricated stars (tracks instead of dots)

The reason: too long shutter speed or unstable phone.

Decision:

• Reduce the shutter speed to 8-10 seconds.
• Use a tripod or lock your phone on a flat surface (such as folded clothes).
• If you are shooting from your hands, elbows against the ground or wall.

2. Green or purple shade of sky

The reason: wrong white balance or illumination from artificial sources.

Decision:

• Put the white balance on 3,500–4000K.
• Take it off. RAW and adjust the color in Lightroom (lower Tint).
• Use a light filter (such as a piece of red cloth in front of a flashlight).

3. The image is too noisy

Reason: High. ISO matrix.

Decision:

• Lower down. ISO 1600-2500 and increase the shutter speed.
• Take a series of frames and glue them together in Sequator.
• Refrigerate your phone before shooting (do not keep it in your pocket near your body).

4. The sky is gray, the stars are barely visible.

Reason: lighting or insufficient exposure.

Decision:

• Check the light pollution map and change the location.
• Increase shutter speed to 20-30 seconds (if the camera allows).
• Take it off. RAW and "pull out" shadows in the editor.

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The most common mistake of beginners is to try to remove the stars from their hands. Even at 2 seconds, the tremors of the hands will make the shot slurred. Always use a tripod or improvised support!

Post-processing: how to pull the stars out of the darkness

Raw images of the stars often look dull and noisy. Post-processing is 50 percent of the success! Use these techniques to transform your photos.

The basic settings in Lightroom Mobile:

• 📊 Exposition: +1.0–+2.0 (careful not to overlight).
• 🌓 Contrast: +20–30 (to highlight stars).
• 🔍 Clarity: +15–25 (enhances the details of the Milky Way).
• 🎨 Temperature: 3,500–4500K (greenish).
• 🔊 Noise suppression: +50–70 (but don’t overdo it to avoid losing stars).

Advanced techniques:

• Masking: In Lightroom, create a mask for the sky and set up the exposure for the ground separately (if it hits the frame).
• Curves: Raise the average tones to "pull out" the Milky Way.
• Noise Removal: Use Topaz Denoise AI (There is a mobile version to save details.

If you filmed in RAW, Try this express recipe for Snapseed:

1. Open the photo. → Tools → Curves.
2. Raise the top of the curve (light areas) to +0.5.
3. Add a point in the middle and raise it to +0.3.
4. Go to the Details. → Structure and increase to +50.
5. In Colour → Put the temperature on. 4000K.

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To create the effect of "star tracks" (circles from the rotation of the Earth), glue 50-100 frames with a shutter speed of 10-15 seconds in the StarStaX program, selecting Lighten mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions