Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones are equipped with advanced AF systems that usually work flawlessly. However, in certain creative or technical situations, the standard algorithm can get in the way of constantly trying to “catch” an object that you do not want to focus. Users often look for a way to remove the focus on the camera of the phone shaomi to gain full control over the image or fix a certain plane.
The problem of a scouring lens is especially relevant when shooting video or macro shooting, when the camera loses its target in the dark or in the presence of obstacles in the frame. In this article, we will discuss in detail the usual methods of transitioning to manual focus mode (MF), the use of third-party applications and the specific settings of the MIUI interface that will help you achieve the desired result.
It should be noted that it is impossible to completely turn off the focus, leaving the lens in a chaotic state, since the lenses must be fixed. By "remove the focus", we will understand either switching to manual mode to fix the distance, or using blurring effects that simulate defocusing for artistic purposes.
Why Xiaomi’s camera is constantly changing focus
Before you get into settings, it’s important to understand the mechanics of your device’s optical system. Xiaomi cameras use phase or laser autofocus technologies that scan a scene in real time. If a moving object appears in a frame or light changes, the autofocus algorithm responds instantly, which can be annoying when shooting static scenes.
A common cause of instability is software failure or sensor contamination, and the system tries to focus on dust or scratches on the protective glass, ignoring the main object, in which case software techniques may not help and physical cleaning of the module will be required.
⚠️ Attention: If the camera focuses endlessly ("breathes") even on a static object in good light, this may indicate a physical failure of the autofocus module or a plume break.
Also, you should consider the peculiarities of working in Macro mode, where at close distances the depth of field is minimal, and the slightest shaking of the hands causes the system to refocus, which is a normal physical phenomenon, not a software defect.
Use of the Pro (Manual) mode in a standard camera
The most reliable way to remove the interference of automation is to switch to the Pro (Manual) mode, in which you get full control over the exposure and focus parameters. The standard application of the Camera on the shells of MIUI and HyperOS provides enough tools for this.
To navigate, you need to open the camera app, flip through the modes in the "More" menu, and select the Pro. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a settings bar. Find an icon that says "More" AF (Auto Focus. You click on it and you switch mode to MF (Manual Focus).
Once you've turned on the manual mode, you'll have a slider on the screen, and as you move it, you physically move the lenses inside the module, so you can capture the focus at any distance, from macro to infinity, and the camera will no longer try to guess the object.
☑️ Setting up the manual focus
For fine-tuning, use the screen at maximum resolution.
Setting up focus when shooting video
Video shooting on Xiaomi smartphones has its own peculiarities. In standard video mode, the manual focus crawler is often hidden to avoid disturbing newcomers. However, starting with certain versions of MIUI, it became possible to block exposure and focus.
To capture the focus while recording, tap the screen at the point that should be clear. Once the yellow focus square appears, hold your finger on the screen for a couple of seconds until the AE/AF LOCK appears. This will block the settings, and the camera will no longer respond to movements in the frame.
If you need more fine-tuning, such as to create a Rack Focus effect, a standard application may not be enough, in which case it is recommended to use professional applications, which will be discussed below.
The Secret to a Stable Video
Some models, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Xiaomi 14 Ultra, have advanced video pro capabilities, and full-fledged “focus picking” is available there, which makes manual tipping much easier.
Application of third-party applications for the camera
Staffing is sometimes limited, especially on the budget models of Redmi or Poco. For full control of the optics, specialized applications such as Open Camera, ProCam X or Footej Camera 2 are best suited.
Open Camera (which is free and available from Play Market) has settings (cogs) → Photo settings → Focus. You can choose Manual focus or Infinite focus, which is ideal if you want to shoot, for example, a starry sky or a remote landscape without autofocus intervention.
The advantage of third-party software is that you can save profiles, and you can set the focus, ISO, and shutter speed for a particular scene in advance and switch between them quickly.
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When using third-party cameras, turn on the option “Save settings” (Save settings) so that when you restart the application, you do not have to switch again to manual focus mode.
It is worth considering that not all third-party applications have access to all camera modules (wide-angle, TV) on all Xiaomi models due to the closed drivers.
Comparison of focus modes on different shells
The camera configuration interface may vary depending on the operating system version, and below is a table that helps you navigate the layout of controls across the MIUI and HyperOS versions.
| Shell version | Location of the Pro button | Type of manual focus | Blocking AF in video |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Menu "More» → Profi. | MF slider | Double touch/Containment |
| MIUI 14 | Menu "More» → Profi. | MF + Picking slider | AE/AF Lock (Containment) |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Separate tab by the Pros | Extended MF with zoom | AE/AF Lock + Master Cinema |
| Global ROM | The "More" menu. | Basic MF | Often limited. |
As you can see from the table, newer versions of the OS provide more advanced tools. If you have an older version of MIUI, the update may add missing focus management features.
Owners of Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM) often have more advanced features in the standard camera, such as Master Cinema mode, which actually turns the smartphone into a professional movie camera with full control of focus.
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The presence of the “Focus Picking” function (lighting sharp borders in red) is the main indicator that the smartphone supports professional manual tipping.
Artistic defocus and bokeh effect
Sometimes, when you say "how to remove focus," you want to blur your image, either in whole or in part, without breaking the camera, using Portrait mode or filters.
In Portrait mode, the smartphone programmatically blurs the background, leaving the object in focus. However, if you want to blur the object, you either need to focus on the background (clicking on the background) or use Long Exposure mode in Pro mode.
To create an out-of-focus effect, you can:
- 📸 Use Profi mode and twist focus to the minimum distance, shooting a remote object.
- 🎨 Apply blur filters in the gallery after shooting.
- 🌫️ Use special effects in video mode if they are available on your model.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to seal part of the lens or use magnetic pads without special adapters (OIS), which is very sensitive to magnetic fields.
There is also a “Double Exposure” mode or special filters in “More” mode that allow you to simulate defocusing to create abstract shots.