How to take pictures of stars on the phone Xiaomi Redmi 9: a guide with examples

Starry sky is fascinating, but it's not easy to capture it on a smartphone, especially if you're looking at a budget model like the Xiaomi Redmi 9, which doesn't have a dedicated astrophotography mode, but even with its modest 13-megapixel camera, you can get some impressive shots of the Milky Way, constellations or bright planets, and the key is knowing the finer points, choosing the right time and location, and using the little tricks that we'll talk about in this guide.

Unlike the flagship smartphones with night modes and large arrays, the Redmi 9 requires more careful preparation, and everything from battery power (long exposure quickly eats it) to choosing an app that can bypass the limitations of a standard camera, we tested several methods and selected those that actually work on this model, and if you think that without a tripod or an external lens, nothing will work, we rush to dispel this myth.

Preparing the phone: what to do before shooting

The first step is to make sure your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is ready for multi-minute shooting. Starry sky is photographed at long shutter speeds (from 10 to 30 seconds), which puts a lot of strain on the processor and battery. If the battery is even half dead, the phone can shut down in the middle of the shot.

Also check the free space on the device: RAW-files (better to shoot them for later processing) take 20-30 MB each, and also turn off all notifications and put the phone in Do Not Disturb mode - a sudden flash of the screen from the message will spoil the frame.

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 80% (perfect 100%) Use Power Bank if you plan to shoot for more than an hour.
• 📱 Free space: minimum 1-2 GB on internal memory or microSD card.
• 📵 Flight mode: turn it on to avoid interference from the mobile network.
• 🧹 Cleaning the lens: wipe the camera with a napkin for optics (dust and fingerprints spoil clarity).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 9 has a shell installed MIUI version below 12.5, update it through Settings → The phone. → System Update: Older versions have bugs with manual camera settings.

App selection: Standard camera vs GCam vs Camera FV-5

Xiaomi's standard camera app on Redmi 9 doesn't support manual shutter speed and ISO settings, which are critical parameters for astrophotography, so you'll have to install third-party software, and we tested three options:

We choose Camera FV-5 for power users and GCam for beginners, the first one gives full control, the second one gives better automatic processing, and download APK only from proven sources (for example, Celso Azevedo for GCam).

Critical detail: not all GCam ports run on the Xiaomi Redmi 9. Look for versions from BSG or Sharna developers - they are optimized for the Helio G80 processor.

Camera settings for shooting stars

Even with the right app, you need to set the parameters correctly.

• ⏱ Shutter speed: 15 to 30 seconds. Less stars will be barely visible, more stars will start to lubricate due to the rotation of the Earth.
• 📷 ISO: 1600-3200. ISO 6400 will make too much noise, but if the sky is very dark, you can risk it.
• 🔍 Focus: manual mode, set to infinity (mountain icon or symbol) ∞). Autofocus doesn't work at night.
• 📏 Format: RAW (If you are planning to take photos, or JPEG top-quality.
• ⚖️ White balance: 3,500–4000K (This will give the sky a natural blue hue).

In Camera FV-5, these settings are in the Manual Controls section. In GCam, activate Night Sight mode, then in the additional settings (Settings → Advanced) enable Astrophotography mode (if available in your port).

Set shutter speed 20 to 30 seconds |

Expose ISO 1600-3200|

Turn focus to manual mode (∞)|

Turn off image stabilization |

Activate the delay timer (2-3 seconds)-->

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9, when shooting with a shutter speed of more than 10 seconds, the phone heats up very hot.°C, the camera will automatically shut down. Take breaks between frames or use a cooling case.

Techniques of shooting: how to avoid blurring and noise

Even with perfect camera settings, the results can be frustrating if you don't follow the rules of shooting. The main problem with Redmi 9 is digital noise, which manifests as colored dots against a dark background.

• 🌡 Cool your phone: Put it in a cool place for 10 minutes before shooting (but not in the fridge.
• 📱 Stabilization: Use a tripod or improvised support (such as a stack of books folded up) and holding your phone is the worst option.
• 🌌 Shooting in RAW: These files contain more data for later processing in Lightroom or Snapseed.
• 🔄 Serial shooting: take 5-10 frames with the same settings, then combine them in the StarStaX program (reduce noise).

Another secret: if you're shooting the Milky Way, point it south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere), and the galaxy's core is best seen from March to October, and use apps like Star Walk 2 or SkyView to find the exact location.

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To reduce camera jitter when you press the down button, use volume button headphones as a remote shutter or activate the delay timer in the camera settings (2-3 seconds).

Photo processing: how to make stars brighter

Raw footage from Redmi 9 often looks dull, but that's corrected by processing.

1. Increase exposure: In Lightroom or Snapseed, increase the Exposure setting by +1.0–+1.5 EV.
2. Noise reduction: Lightroom uses Luminance (40–60) and Color Noise Reduction (20–30) sliders.
3. Contrast and clarity: Increase Contrast by +20–+30 and Clarity by +10–+15 to make the stars clearer.
4. Color correction: Shift Temperature towards blue (about 3800K) for a natural night hue.

To combine multiple frames (if you've shot a series), use StarStaX (a free PC program) or StarMax (a mobile app), these tools fold photos, amplifying the signal from the stars and reducing noise.

Before: faint dots on a noisy background, the Milky Way is barely noticeable.




After: clear stars, visible galaxy structure, minimal noise.

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Processing is 50 percent of the success of astrophotography on a smartphone, and without it, even the technically correct shots will look faded.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many newcomers make the same mistakes that make shooting stars disappoint, and here are the most common ones:

• 🌆 Shooting in the city: light pollution clogs up the light of the stars. Drive 30 to 50 km from the settlements.
• 🌕 Full Moon: bright Moon lightens the sky, making stars less visible Best time is a new moon or a narrow sickle.
• 📸 Using digital zoom: it only increases noise. If you want to zoom in, it's better to cut the frame when processing.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turning off background processes can interrupt long shutter speeds.Use high performance mode.

Another common mistake is shooting through glass or film on a screen, and even thin protective glass can create glare from lights or the moon, and remove the case and all the accessories from the camera before you start.

Alternative methods: how to improve the result without processing

If you don’t want to mess around with Lightroom or StarStaX, there are ways to get decent footage right on your phone:

• 🎞 NightCap Camera: has a built-in Stars Mode that automatically adjusts settings for shooting the sky.
• 🔭 Telescope Shooting: If you have binoculars or a telescope, hold your phone camera to your eyepiece (you need an adapter or makeshift holder).

To capture star tracks, use the Star Trail Camera app, which automatically combines a series of frames into one photo with the circles of the stars. The minimum shutter speed for this effect is 1 hour (but on Redmi 9 it is better to limit 10-15 minutes to avoid overheating).

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Even without processing, you can get good shots if you choose the right app and the right equipment. Experiment with different modes!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions