How to Install Google Camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: A Complete Guide with Workers APK

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with an excellent 48 MP camera, but a regular app MIUI Camera often disappoints users with dull colors and weak processing. HDR. The solution is there: Google Camera (GCam) with its Night Sight algorithms, Portrait Mode and improved detail can transform photos of your Redmi Note 8 to the level of flagships.

In this guide, you will find the current versions of GCam for Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo), proven installation methods, optimal settings. XML-We will also discuss which features are 100% functional (Night Sight, Portrait) and which may require customization (video) 4K, Slow Motion: This is a good guide for all versions. MIUI, including HyperOS.

Why is Google Camera better than the Redmi Note 8 camera?

Compare photos taken on the Redmi Note 8 through the standard app MIUI Camera and Google Camera show the difference in processing:

• 🌄 HDR+: GCam retains detail in lights and shadows, while MIUI Often "clogging" shadows or overlighting the sky.
• 🌙 Night Sight: Night shots are brighter and clearer without digital noise MIUI Nighttime mode often gives blurred footage).
• 👤 Portrait Mode: More accurate background blur and natural skin colors (MIUI Sometimes it eats hair or the contours of objects).
• 🎥 Video: Stabilization in GCam runs smoother, but with limited — 4K@30fps It may not be supported (depending on version) APK).

The disadvantages of the GCam on the Redmi Note 8:

• ⚠️ No support. 960 FPS Slow Motion (only works) 120/240 FPS).
• ⚠️ Video in the video 4K It may or may not be saved (decided by choosing the correct version). APK).
• ⚠️ Incorrect operation of a wide-angle module (12 MP) in some assemblies.

Important: GCam is not a replacement for the camera, but is installed as a separate application, and you can switch between them depending on the task.

Requirements before installing Google Camera

To avoid errors in installation, check:

Camera2 API — Key Parameter: If your Redmi Note 8 shows LEGACY or LIMITED, GCam won't run at full capacity.Solution:

⚠️ Note: Some firmware Xiaomi artificially restricts Camera2 API. If you LIMITED, Try flashing a custom core (e.g., Pixel Experience) or using the method with a custom core. ADB (described below).

Also make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery charge > 30% (installation) APK And the first setup consumes a lot of energy).
• 📱 Installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access).
• 🗑️ It's like the optimizers are off. MIUI Optimization (they can block GCam background work).

Shut down. MIUI Optimization|Check it out. Camera2 API|Download APK For the Redmi Note 8|Allow installation from unknown sources|Charge the phone to 30%+-->

Where to download the working version of Google Camera for Redmi Note 8

Google doesn’t officially release GCam for Xiaomi devices, but enthusiasts are modifying it APK For Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) fit builds from:

• 🔹 BSG (Best Saber Gcam – Stable version with Night Sight and Portrait support.
• 🔹 Urnyx05 — Optimized for Snapdragon 665 processors (like Redmi Note 8).
• 🔹 Shamim – includes advanced settings for manual settings HDR.

Current links to download (2026):

⚠️ Warning: Download APK Only from verified sources (Celso Azevedo or GCam Port Telegram channel) files from dubious sites may contain viruses or ads.

After downloading:

1. Move it. APK Download folder on your phone.
2. Open the file through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
3. Click Set and confirm permissions.

1. Delete the previous version of GCam.

2. Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services.

3. Use another APK (for example, instead BSG try Urnyx05).-->

How to set up Google Camera for maximum quality

After installation of GCam, you need to download XML-Config - file with optimal settings for Redmi Note 8. Without it, photos can be over-lit or with a green tint.

Where to find it. XML For the Redmi Note 8:

• 📁 Google Drive with Configs (Redmi Note 8 folder).
• 💬 Telegram chat GCam Configs (search for Ginkgo model).

How to apply XML:

1. Download the file (for example, Redmi_Note_8_BSG_v1.8.xml).
2. Put it in a folder. GCam/Configs (Create it manually if you don’t).
3. Open the GCam, tap twice on the black field next to the down button.
4. Select your XML- file and click Restore.

Recommended manual settings (if not) XML):

• 📸 HDR+ Control: Install HDR+ Enhanced for better detail.
• 🌓 Night Sight: Turn on Astrophotography to capture the starry sky.
• 👥 Portrait: Select Front camera for blur selfie.
• ⚙️ Advanced: Disable Sabre (can call artifacts on Snapdragon 665).

To check the efficiency, take test pictures:

• 🌅 Landscape on HDR+ — Details should be visible in clouds and grass.
• 🌃 Night shots - compare with MIUI Camera (GCam should make less noise).
• 👤 Portrait – Check how the background around the hair blurs.

Addressing common problems

Even with the right version. APK and XML-Redmi Note 8 can cause errors. Here's how to fix them:

1. Camera error API2 not supported" or "green screen

Reason: Camera2 API run-in LIMITED shutdown.

Decision:

• Install. Camera2 API Probe and check the status.
• If LIMITED, perform in ADB: adb shell setprop persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1 Then restart the phone.
• For LEGACY You will need to install a custom core firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).

2. GCam does not save photos/videos

Reason: Lack of rights to record or conflict with MIUI Optimization.

Decision:

• Open the Settings. → Annexes → GCam → Permits and turn on Warehouse.
• Turn it off. MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap).
• Try saving the file to another folder (for example, DCIM/GCam).

3.The video is lagging or not recorded in 4K

Reason: Hardware limitations of Snapdragon 665 or incompatible version APK.

Decision:

• Use the GCam version of the Urnyx05 — It is better optimized for video.
• Reduce the permit to 1080p@30fps or 1080p@60fps.
• Turn off Video Stabilization in GCam settings.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI video 4K It can be saved without sound through GCam, because of the limitations of Qualcomm's drivers. There's no solution but to use a regular camera for video. 4K.

4. wide-angle module (12 MP) does not work

Reason: In most GCam builds, the wide-angle camera is disabled by default.

Decision:

• Set the version. APK from BSG — It supports switching between modules.
• In GCam settings, find the Auxiliary Camera option and turn it on.
• If the image is distorted, try another one. XML-configuration (e.g, Redmi_Note_8_Wide_Angle.xml).

💡

If none of these methods worked, check the firmware version. ROM (For example, LineageOS) GCam works better than stock MIUI.

How to Upgrade Google Camera to Redmi Note 8

New versions of GCam come out regularly, adding support for new features (like Cinematic Mode or improved Night Sight) to update:

1. Download the new version APK from Celso Azevedo (see section with links above).
2. Remove the old version of GCam (Settings) → Annexes → GCam → Delete).
3. Install a new one. APK (No permissions need to be confirmed – they will remain).
4. Move yours. XML-file-fill GCam/Configs (If the folder is gone, create it again).

⚠️ Warning: When you update, the GCam settings are reset so you don't reset everything:

• Save yours. XML-Configure a computer or cloud.
• Take screenshots of the screens with settings (Settings section in GCam).

If the new version is worse than the old version (for example, artifacts appeared or quality deteriorated). HDR), Go back to the previous one. APK. Links to archive versions are available on Celso Azevedo (Old versions section).

Google Camera Alternatives for Redmi Note 8

If GCam is not suitable (for example, due to video problems) 4K or Camera2 API), Consider alternative chamber applications:

These apps won’t replace GCam in quality HDR Night Sight, but it can be a temporary alternative:

• 🔧 Your Redmi Note. 8 supportive Camera2 API Level_3.
• 🎥 You need a stable video. 4K (in GCam, it can lay).
• 📸 You prefer manual settings (GCam automates almost everything).

For maximum quality, we recommend returning GCam after solving the problems (see section above).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Camera on Redmi Note 8