Taking panoramic photos on Xiaomi smartphones is a great way to capture wide landscapes, architectural ensembles or large groups of friends in one shot. In this article, we'll look at not only the basic settings of the standard Camera app, but also the advanced techniques for Redmi models, POCO and flagship series Xiaomi 13/14.
You'll learn how to choose the right starting point, what settings affect the quality of the final image, and why it's sometimes better to use third-party apps like Google Camera or Open Camera. And we'll also reveal the secrets of post-processing to panoramas in Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed so that your shots look professional even without a SLR camera.
Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for panorama shooting
Before you start shooting, make sure your Xiaomi is ready to create high-quality panoramas.
- 📱 Update the Camera app to the latest version via Google Play or MIUI App Store. New versions fix docking bugs.
- 🔋 The battery should be at least 30 percent charged, and the panorama takes a lot of energy because of the gyroscope and the processor.
- 🗑️ Clear the Camera Cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Clear the cache.
- 📁 Check the space. High-resolution panoramas take 10 to 50 MB each.
Pay special attention to the release dates of your model, for example, Xiaomi smartphones 2020-2021 (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or Mi). 10T) Often suffer from artifacts when shooting panoramas in low light conditions due to a weak algorithm HDR. In this case, manual exposure adjustment or use of GCam will help.
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the standard panorama mode may not work.
How to turn on panorama mode in the standard Xiaomi camera
The algorithm for launching panorama mode depends on the version MIUI And the smartphone model. Let's look at the universal way for most devices:
- Open the Camera app.
- Scroll through the shooting modes left to the point Still (or additionally on new versions).
- Select Panorama (on some models – Wide or Panorama).
- Follow the on-screen hints: slowly turn your smartphone in the indicated direction.
On smartphones with MIUI 14 and newer (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro: the interface is simplified: panorama mode can be located in the main menu next to Portrait and Night. If the icon is not available, update the firmware or check the region of the device (in some countries the function is hidden).
| Xiaomi model | The path to panorama mode | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Camera. → More. → Panorama | Supports vertical and horizontal panoramas, but without manual exposure settings. |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | Camera. → Additionally. → Wide | Smooth docking of frames thanks to improved gyroscope. |
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Camera. → Professionally. → Panorama | Supported regime RAW manually ISO/extraction. |
| Xiaomi Civi 2/3 | Camera. → More. → 360° Panorama | Unique mode for shooting spherical panoramas (requires a stable surface). |
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Panorama mode may not be available due to hardware limitations, in which case use third-party apps.
Make sure your hand is stable or use a tripod
Choose a lighted place without sharp shadows
Clean the lens of fingerprints
Turn off digital zoom (if enabled)-->
Shooting Techniques: How to Avoid Mistakes
Even with the right settings, the panorama can get spoiled by the wrong technique.
- 🎯 Start from left to right (for horizontal panoramas) or bottom to top (for vertical ones.
- 🐢 Move slowly. Optimum speed is 3-5 seconds by 90.° Too fast a movement will lead to blurring.
- 📏 Keep the same level. Use the camera's horizon or grid (Camera settings) → Grid. → On.).
- 🚫 Avoid moving objects (cars, people, animals) that will create ghost artifacts at the joints.
Optical Stabilization (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro can be removed from your hands, but it is better to use a mini-staff or support. If there is no stabilization (for example, Redmi Note 8), be sure to lock your elbows or lean against the wall.
Pay attention to the lighting:
In bright sun, avoid shooting against the light - there will be strong glare at the joints.
- In cloudy weather, increase the exposure manually (+0.5–1.0 EV), So the panorama doesn't get too dark.
At dusk, use Night mode in combination with panorama (available on Xiaomi flagships 2022-2026).
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If the panorama is interrupted in the middle, try restarting the camera or reducing the resolution in the settings. 8A) helps to disable function AI-camera.
Shoot panoramas in Google Camera (GCam) on Xiaomi
The Google Camera (or GCam) app often delivers better results on Xiaomi smartphones, especially on models with support. Camera2 API. Here's how to set it up:
- Download the compatible version of GCam for your model (for example, for the POCO X3 Pro's fine. BSG GCam, and for Xiaomi 12T — Shamim GCam).
- Install. APK-file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
- Open GCam and go to Settings → Additionally. → Turn on Camera2 API.
- Select Panorama mode (usually in the More section).
The advantages of GCam for panoramas:
- Smooth transitions between frames thanks to an improved docking algorithm.
- Support HDR+ Even on the Redmi budget models.
- Ability to save the panoramas in DNG (RAW) further processing.
Disadvantages:
- On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11) GCam can hang when shooting panoramas due to conflict with the GCam. MIUI.
There is no support for vertical panoramas in some assemblies.
| Parameter | Xiaomi's Standard Camera | Google Camera (GCam) |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of docking | Medium (artifacts on complex textures) | High (Google algorithm) |
| Support for HDR | Only on the flagships. | Yes (even on budget models) |
| Permission | Do 6000×2000 pixel | Do 10000×3000 pixel |
| Stability | Rare failures | Possible hanging on weak chipsets |
How to check for support Camera2 API Xiaomi?
Panoramas: from Snapseed to Lightroom
Even a perfectly shot panorama often requires refinement, and here are the tools and techniques to improve the result:
- 🎨 Snapseed (free): - Use the Perspective tool to correct curvatures. - Selective correction will help brighten the dark areas at the joints. - Filter HDR Scape will add volume to landscapes.
- 📷 Adobe Lightroom Mobile (Free): - In the Geometry section, enable Fix Perspective → Increase clarity by 20-30 units to work out the details. - Use the Gradient filter to align the sky and earth exposure.
- 🖼️ PTGui (PC, paid): - Professional software for gluing panoramas from individual frames (useful if the standard Xiaomi camera failed).
Typical problems and their solutions:
Blurred joints: In Lightroom, use the Local Correction tool to increase sharpness in problem areas.
- Distorted Proportions: Apply Transformation in Snapseed → horizon.
Different color of the sky: in Lightroom adjust the white balance over the darkest part of the sky.
⚠️ Warning: When processing panoramas in Lightroom, avoid a strong increase in Contrast - this will increase the visibility of the joints. Instead, use Curved Tones for smooth correction.
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For a natural result, save panoramas in format JPEG It's 90 to 95 percent quality. PNG It is suitable only for further professional processing.
Advanced techniques: 360° panoramas and HDR-panorama
If you are not interested in standard panoramas, try more complex techniques:
1. Shooting 360.° panoramas (spherical)
To create spherical panoramas (like Google Street View) on Xiaomi you will need:
- Smartphone with a gyroscope (all Xiaomi models of 2019 and newer).
- Google Street View or Cardboard Camera.
- A stud or flat surface for fixing the phone.
Algorithm:
- Install the smartphone vertically on the tripod.
- Run the Photosphere mode in Google Street View.
- Follow the tips by turning the phone around your axis.
- The glue will be automatically slushed. You can upload the result to Google Maps.
2. HDR-hand-panorama
If your Xiaomi is not supported HDR In panorama mode (e.g. Redmi 9), shoot a series of frames with different exposures and glue them to PTGui or Hugin (PC:
- Turn on Pro mode in the standard camera.
- Set the exposure at an average level.
- Take 3-5 frames with a step EV ±1.0.
- Import them into the gluing software with the option enabled HDR Fusion.
For models with 108 MP camera (Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) You can shoot panoramas in high resolution, and then reduce them to the desired size in Lightroom - so the details will be preserved when pruning.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users have problems shooting panoramas, and these are the most common mistakes and solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Panorama interrupts in the middle | Lack of RAM or overheating of the processor | Close the background applications, lower the resolution of the shooting |
| The staffing joints are very noticeable | Too fast movement or poor lighting | Take it off slowly, use a tripod, turn it on HDR |
| Distortion of proportions (people look stretched) | Wrong camera angle | Hold your phone strictly horizontally, use a grid. |
| The panorama is dark or overlit | Autoexposure can not cope with contrasting scenes | Record the exposure manually before shooting |
| Camera app flies out | Conflict with custom firmware or Magisk module | Disable all modifications or use GCam |
If none of the solutions help, try alternative applications:
Open Camera (free, open source)
Panorama 360 Camera (paid, but with advanced settings)
Microsoft Pix (Automatic gluing and quality improvement)
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On Xiaomi smartphones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13), panoramas are captured faster thanks to hardware acceleration.°C - This can cause camera errors.