How to take timelapse on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide from preparation to installation

Timelapse is a technique that transforms slow processes into dynamic videos. Sunset in 10 seconds, building a house in a minute, blooming flower in a few frames — all of this is possible with your Xiaomi. But how to achieve professional results when only a smartphone is at hand? In this article, we will analyze all the steps from selecting settings to editing the finished video, taking into account the features of Redmi cameras, POCO and Xiaomi flagship models 13/14.

Many people mistakenly think that timelapse requires expensive technology, and in fact even budget Xiaomis (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) can do just as well as DSLRs when approached correctly, and the key is to understand three key parameters: frame spacing, exposure, and stabilization, and we'll show you how to set them up to avoid common mistakes: shaking videos, over-lit shots, or changing scenes too quickly.

You will also learn what hidden features are in the standard Camera app from Xiaomi, how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI and what third-party applications will help if native tools are not enough. At the end of the article, an exclusive table with optimal settings for different scenes (sunset, traffic, plant growth).

1.Which Xiaomi phones support timelapse?

Almost all Xiaomi smartphones released after 2018 can capture timelapse in the standard Camera app, but the quality and flexibility of the settings depends on the model and version of MIUI.

• 📱 Budget models (Redmi) 9/10/11, POCO M4/M5): Basic timelapse mode with a fixed interval (usually 1 frame 2–5 No manual exposure settings.
• 📱 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5): Extended interval settings (up to) 30 Seconds between frames), Pro-mode support for manual focusing.
• 📱 Flagships (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mix 4/Fold): Full control of parameters, including RAW-shooting, stabilizing OIS/EIS and filming 4K.

To check if there is a timelapse mode on your Xiaomi, open the Camera app, swipe left across the screen or tap on MORE (three dots). If there is no option, upgrade MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Important! Some models (like the Redmi A1 or POCO C40) may not have timelapse mode due to a weak processor, and a third-party app will help in this case, as we will discuss in section 5.

2.Preparation of the phone: 5 steps before shooting

Even if you shoot on the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, without preparation, the result will be disappointing.

Charge your phone at least 80% (shooting consumes a battery 2-3 times faster than usual)

Clear memory (timelapse takes 100-500 MB for 1 minute of finished video)

Disable notifications and energy saving mode

Install your phone on a tripod or reliable surface

Check the lighting (avoid sunscreens)-->

Battery charge is critical. For example, an hour of shooting timelapse at intervals of 1 second will discharge the Redmi Note 12 by 30-40%. If you plan to shoot long (sunset, construction), connect the power bank or use a charge with Quick Charge.

Memory: Timelapse is saved as a sequence of photos (3-5 MB each) or a video file. 10-minute video will require 1-2 GB of free space. Check the available space in Settings → Memory.

⚠️ Attention, if the phone overheats during the shooting, MIUI It will automatically stop the recording. To avoid this, shoot in a cool place and do not cover the device.

3. Camera settings: step-by-step instruction

Now, the most important thing is to adjust the settings, and that's what you get, you know, is whether you get a smooth video or a jiggy "strobe" picture.

Open the Camera app, select Timelapse mode (or Time-Lapse on global firmware).

1. Interval between staff: 🌅 Fast processes (movement, people): 0.5-1 seconds. 🌄 Medium processes (sunset, clouds): 2-5 seconds. 🌱 Slow processes (plant growth, construction): 10–30 seconds.

Permission

Full HD (1080p)

4K

Stabilization

EIS

OIS

POCO X5 Pro

Super Steady

Exposition

Pro-mode

ISO 100–400

1/50–1/200

ISO up to 800

1/10–1/30

Beginner's advice: If you're not sure about manual settings, use Autoregim, but pre-lock focus and exposure. To do this, tap on the screen, hold your finger on the subject until the AE/AF Lock appears.

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If you are shooting a sunset, set the white balance on Cloud or Shadow - this will give the frames warm shades.

4. Shooting: How to Avoid Mistakes

You press the record button and you think it's done? That's only half the success. There are a few critical moments in Xiaomi's timelapse that will ruin the video if you miss them:

• 🔋 Battery: If the phone runs to 15%, MIUI Use the plane mode to reduce energy consumption.
• 📱 Overheating: in the summer in the sun, Xiaomi can turn off at temperatures above 45°C. Remove in the shade or use a cooling case.
• 🎯 Frame shift: even a light touch of the screen will shift focus. Turn off touch buttons in the settings or use Screen lock.
• 🌑 Change the lighting: if you're shooting a sunset, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure. Lock it in Pro mode.

The problem with autofocus is one of the most common: if the subject is moving (like cars on the road), the camera will constantly refocus, making the video twitchy.

1. Go to Pro mode.
2. Slip on the object, hold your finger until AF Lock appears.
3. Return to Timelapse mode, the focus will remain blocked.

⚠️ Attention! Xiaomi models with a wide-angle camera (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro) can have a fish-eye effect on the edges of the frame. To remove it, reduce zoom to ×1.0 manually.

5 Third-party apps: When native timelapse doesn't fit

If the standard MIUI Timelapse mode doesn’t suit you (for example, there is no manual interval setting or shooting is interrupted), try these apps:

• 📹 Lapse It (free, there is a Pro version): supports intervals from 0.1 seconds, manual exposure, export to the market 4K. Minus - watermark in the free version.
• 📹 Frameographer (paid, ~300 ₽): Professional tool with exposure schedule, support RAW Ideal for Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
• 📹 Hyperlapse from Instagram (free): a simplified version for quick shooting and processing. Automatically stabilizes video.

To install Lapse It or Frameographer:

1. Download APK from the official website or Google Play.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch the application, give access to the camera and storage.

Comparison with native appendix:

6.Timelapse processing: from raw footage to finished video

Timelapse is just raw material, and it takes processing to make a quality video. Here are 3 steps you need to take:

1. Slicing: If you shot in Photo Mode, use Lapse It or Adobe Premiere Rush to glue into the video. If you shot the video right away, skip this step.
2. Stabilization: In CapCut (a free TikTok app), select Stabilization tool and set a value of 50-70%. For professional stabilization, use Adobe After Effects with the Warp Stabilizer plugin.

Color correction

• In VN Editor or KineMaster, add a Warm for sunsets or Contrast for city scenes filter.
• Increase saturation by 10-15% and sharpness by 5-10% for clarity.

Advice for speeding up installation: if you shot on Xiaomi in 4K, before processing reduce the resolution to 1080p – this will accelerate rendering 2-3 times without noticeable loss of quality.

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The most common editing error is the wrong playback speed: Timelapse has to be 10 to 30 times faster than real time, for example, 1 hour shooting at intervals of 5 seconds = 20-second video.

7. Examples and inspiration: What to shoot on Xiaomi

You don't know where to start? Here are 5 timelapse ideas that are easy to implement even on a budget Redmi:

• 🌇 Sunset/dawn: Place your phone on a windowsill or balcony, 3-5 seconds apart. HDR flashy.
• 🚗 Traffic: Take off a bridge or tall building, 1 second interval. Turn on Super Steady for smoothness.
• 🌱 Plant growth: Put the pot on the windowsill, shoot 1 frame in 10 minutes for a week. Use Macro mode on Xiaomi 13 Lite.
• ☕ Cooking: 2 seconds in interval, such as boiling water, frying eggs or baking pizza.
• 🌌 Starry sky: long shutter speed (10-30 seconds) and high speed ISO (1600-3200) Suitable for Xiaomi 12S Ultra or POCO F4 GT.

For inspiration, check out other Xiaomi users’ work in the communities:

• r/timelapse on Reddit;
• #XiaomiTimelapse hashtag on Instagram
• Mi Community channel on Telegram.

Bonus: If you are shooting a starry sky, use the Star Walk 2 app to determine the trajectory of the stars and adjust the frame.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions