Format RAW — It's a raw file with raw data from the camera matrix, which gives photographers full control over color, exposure and detail. On Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, Poco, Mi and Civi series), shooting in a camera. RAW It's not available on all models, but if your device supports this mode, you can significantly improve the quality of your images. JPEG, where the camera automatically applies noise reduction, sharpening and color correction, RAW saves the original sensor data without compression, allowing you to manually adjust the white balance, restore overlights and work out shadows.
But the filming in RAW Xiaomi has nuances ranging from model constraints to file processing features. In this article, we'll look at how to check for support. RAW On your smartphone, turn on the mode in the standard Camera app or via GCam, and give tips on how to handle such photos in Lightroom, Snapseed or Darktable. If you want to squeeze the most out of your Xiaomi camera, read more.
What Xiaomi models support shooting in RAW?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones can be shot in the RAW — It depends on the hardware platform and the firmware version:
- 📱 Flagship models: Xiaomi 12/13/14 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra, Mix Fold 2/3 — support RAW «out of the box in the standard Camera app».
- 📱 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Poco F5 Pro, Xiaomi Civi 3 – often require GCam or manual activation in settings.
- 📱 Budget models: Redmi 10/11, Poco M5 — usually not supported RAW at iron level (absent) API Camera2).
- 📱 Older devices: Mi 9, Redmi K20 Pro - can be filmed in RAW Only through modified firmware or GCam.
To know if your Xiaomi is supported RAW, check:
- Open the Camera app → Go to additional or professional mode.
- If there's an option RAW or DNG — your device is compatible.
- If you don’t have an option, try installing GCam (we’ll talk about it below).
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite) RAW Only available when shooting in Pro mode with manual settings. Automotive saves photos only in Pro mode. JPEG.
How to turn it on RAW In a standard Xiaomi camera
If your smartphone supports you RAW, You can activate the mode in a few steps. The instructions are suitable for most flagships and some mid-range devices:
- Open the Camera app.
- Switch to Professional (or Pro) mode.
- Click on the gear icon (⚙️) or settings in the upper right corner.
- Find the option Format or Photo Quality.
- Choose. RAW, DNG or RAW+JPEG (If you need to keep both formats).
On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14) the path may be different:
Camera settings → Additional settings → File format → RAW (DNG)After activation, all photos in Pro mode will be saved in.dng format. RAW They occupy 3-5 times more space than JPEG (about 20-50 MB in the picture).
Make sure there is enough memory on your phone (RAW «Weighs 20-50MB per photo)
Battery charge of at least 30% (shooting in the RAW expending more energy)
Turn it off. HDR (He may be in conflict with RAW on some models)
Use the class memory card UHS-I (fast-record)
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Shooting in RAW via GCam: Instructions for supported models
If the standard Xiaomi camera is not available RAW, You can use a modified Google Camera (GCam) app, which works on many devices, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Poco, and the Google Camera. X4 Pro and even some budget models:
- 🔧 The correct version of GCam is required: Every processor (Snapdragon, Mediatek, Dimensity) needs its own build. For example, for Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, GCam 8.4 from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will suit. BSG Shamim.
- 📲 Settings XML: So RAW It works correctly, you need to download the configuration file (.xml) for your model.
- ⚙️ Manual activation: In GCam RAW switched on → File format → RAW+JPEG.
Step-by-step:
- Download the right version of GCam for your Xiaomi (for example, from the forum) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
- Install. APK (Allow installation from unknown sources in security settings).
- Download. XML-Config for your model (see "GCam config for [your model]»).
- In GCam, tap twice on the black field next to the down button. → select the downloaded XML.
- Go to the settings (Settings) → Photo format → choose RAW+JPEG.
- Now, when you shoot, you're going to save two files:.jpg and.dng.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with Snapdragon processor) 732G) RAW In GCam, it can be unstable, with artifacts or green in the photos, so try a different GCam build or roll back to a standard camera.
Yeah, all the time.
I tried it, but I went back to the standard camera.
No, I haven't.
I don't know what it is.-->
Camera settings for shooting in RAW: what's important
RAW It captures raw data from the matrix, so it's harder to fix the errors in the shooting later:
| Parameter | Recommendations for RAW | Why is it important? |
|---|---|---|
| White balance | Install it manually (for example, 5500K daylight) | RAW Keeps the temperature of light “as is” – automation can give incorrect values. |
| Exposition | Watch your histogram, avoid overlights | V RAW You can restore shadows, but overlights (lighted areas) - no. |
| ISO | Keep at a minimum (100-400), raise only when necessary | RAW heighten ISO, It is easier to remove during processing than in JPEG. |
| Focus | Use manual focusing or tap on the screen | Autofocus may "miss" and in RAW Fixing the blur is impossible. |
A few more tips:
- 📸 Wet-weather shooting: RAW It better conveys rain or fog textures, but watch your phone’s waterproofing.
- 🌃 Night shooting: Use a tripod - long exposures in RAW stability.
- 🔍 Macrograph: RAW retains more details of smaller objects, but make sure the focus is accurate.
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If you are taking pictures of the landscapes in RAW, turn on the option Grid (rule of thirds) in the camera settings - this will help to correctly compositionally build the frames, which you will then process.
How to handle RAW-Photos from Xiaomi
Xiaomi.dng files require post-processing — you can't just upload them to social media or send them to friends. RAW:
- 🖥️ Adobe Lightroom (Mobile/Desktop): Best choice for beginners, supports presets, color correction and noise cancellation.
- 📱 Snapseed (Google): A free mobile app with basic tools for RAW.
- 🖥️ Darktable: A powerful open source alternative to Lightroom for PC (Linux/Windows/macOS).
- 📱 RAW Power (iOS): Optimized for iPhone, but works with DNG Xiaomi.
Basic processing algorithm:
- Import.dng into the program.
- Adjust white balance (use a pipette for neutral gray tones).
- Adjust exposure and contrast by keeping track of the histogram.
- Remove the noise (in Lightroom: Detail) → Noise Reduction).
- Export to JPEG with a quality of 90-100%.
Example of settings in Lightroom Mobile:
1. Open RAW- file → tap "Edit."
The Light tab:
Exposure: +0.5 (if the frame is dark)
- Shadows: +30 (to show details)
- Light: -20 (if there is a light)
3. Color tab:
Temperature: 5000–5500K (for natural tones)
- Saturation: +10-15
4. The Details tab:
- Sharpness: 30-40
Noise reduction: 20–30 (for ISO > 800)
5. Save as JPEG.⚠️ Attention: During processing RAW With Xiaomi, avoid over- sharpening – this amplifies artifacts, especially on budget models with Samsung matrices ISOCELL or OmniVision.
Than. RAW Xiaomi is different from the “real” mirrors?
Problems with shooting in RAW Xiaomi and how to solve them
Even if your Xiaomi supports you RAW, You may encounter typical problems. Here are the most common and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| RAW-files are not saved | Lack of disk space or error in settings | Clear the memory, check the save path in the camera settings |
| Photos are made in green or purple | Incompatible version of GCam or XML-configuration | Try a different GCam build or chip away at a standard camera |
| RAW «laying | A weak processor or slow memory card | Use the class map UHS-I, close the background applications |
| Processing RAW stripes appear | File damage or read error | Check the file on another device or resave it to DNG |
If after all the manipulations RAW still not working:
- 🔄 Update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes support) RAW add in updates).
- 🛠️ Install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) if you’re ready for the risks.
- 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi with the model and version MIUI — This is probably a bug that will be fixed in the next update.
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If your Xiaomi is not supported RAW Not in a standard camera or through GCam, but you need maximum control over your photos. JPEG with minimal processing (unplug) HDR and AI-Improvements and use formats such as TIFF post-processing.
RAW vs JPEG Xiaomi: When to choose the format
RAW It gives you more editing, but it's not always justified:
- 📸 Take it down. RAW, If: Planning a major processing (e.g., for print or portfolio), shooting in difficult environments (contrast light, night scenes), you need flexibility in correcting white balance.
- 📱 Stay on. JPEG, If: Photos for social networks (Instagram, VK) — JPEG Takes up less space. You shoot dynamic scenes (sports, children, animals) — RAW You have little space on your phone or a weak processor.
Compromise option - regime RAW+JPEG, If it's available, the camera saves both files:.dng for processing and.jpg for quick viewing.
Example: If you are shooting the sunset on Xiaomi 13 Pro, RAW It will help to work out shadows and restore details in the sky that are in the sky. JPEG They'd be stuffed with compression, and if you're taking pictures of documents for scanning, JPEG will be sufficient —RAW It's just a waste of time.