How to improve the camera on Xiaomi: from settings to firmware

Xiaomi smartphones have long established themselves as devices with excellent value for money, but even flagship models sometimes disappoint with photos in difficult conditions.Dismal low-light shots, blurred details when zoomed in or unnatural color processing are familiar problems?In fact, camera quality on Xiaomi can be improved without buying a new phone using hidden settings, third-party apps and even firmware modifications.

In this article, we’ll explore practical methods, from basic settings to advanced tricks used by mobile photography enthusiasts, POCO It's important that some methods require super-user rights, but most methods are available to everyone.

Before you start settings, make sure that the problem is not in the hardware. If the camera is physically damaged (for example, after a fall), the software methods will not help - you will need repairs. Otherwise, follow our recommendations in order: from simple to complex.

1. Optimization of standard camera settings

Many users do not even suspect that the camera app MIUI There are hidden features that can make a difference in the outcome, and we'll start with basic parameters that can be adjusted in 5 minutes.

The first thing to look at is the shooting mode. The default camera often uses automatic mode (AI Or a photo that doesn't always define a scene correctly:

• 🌄 Landscape - for shooting nature (increases the saturation of green and blue)
• 👤 Portrait for people (blurring background, but requires good lighting)
• 🌙 Night – for shooting in the dark (hold your phone still) 2-3 seconds)
• 📸 Pro – manual settings (for experienced users)

In Pro mode, pay attention to:

• 🔘 ISO — lower (100-400), less noise, but good lighting is required
• ⏱️ Exposure – for night photography, increase to 1/10c or longer (use a tripod!)
• 🎯 Focus – manually adjust sharpness if autofocus misses"

💡

In Pro mode, click on the icon RAW (If any, to save the images in the raw format, they can be improved in Lightroom or Snapseed without loss of quality.

Don't forget the resolution and the aspect ratio (⚙️ → Photo resolution, select the maximum value. For example, for Xiaomi 13 Pro. 50MP or 8000×6000. However, remember: the higher the resolution, the greater the “weight” of the file and the longer the processing.

2. Update firmware and camera drivers

The manufacturer regularly releases updates that optimize the performance of the camera. MIUI 14 added an improved algorithm for processing night shots for models Redmi Note 12 and later:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update
2. If a new version is available, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi)
3. After the update, restart the phone.

Sometimes, the camera updates come out separately from the main firmware to get them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find the Camera and click Update (if the button is active)
3. Alternatively: Remove Camera Updates (⋮ → Remove updates, then update via Play Market

For enthusiasts, there is a method of installing custom GCam ports, modified versions of the Google Camera app optimized for specific Xiaomi models. HDR, more than a standard camera.

Important: GCam may not support all camera modules (e.g., telephoto or macro) and may occasionally make errors on new models.

3. Cleaning the lens and sensors

A common but often overlooked problem is dirt on the lens, where dust, fingerprints, or greasy spots scatter light, making the images appear cloudy.

• 🧴 Use a microfiber wipe (as for glasses) – it won’t scratch glass
• 💧 For persistent contaminants, moisten the napkin with distilled water or a special liquid for optics.
• ❌ Do not use alcohol, acetone or household detergents – they will damage the protective coating.
• 🔍 Check the flash and sensors (e.g., laser autofocus in the Mi 11 Ultra)

Pay special attention to the ultra-wide module – its lens is often flush with the body and gets dirty faster. On some models (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro), you can gently tuck the protective glass with a plastic card and clean the space under it.

⚠️ Warning: Don't blow on the lens or clean it in a dry way (like clothing) - it scratches the surface. If the glass is cracked, don't use liquids - they will penetrate the module.

4. Use of third-party applications for shooting

Xiaomi's standard camera app doesn't always take full advantage of the hardware's full potential. Alternative software offers more control over the shooting parameters.-5 provenance:

For video, we recommend Filmic Pro or Cinema. FV-5 — They let you film in LOG-profile (flat image for color correction) and adjust bitrate. 12S Ultra via these applications can be used to shoot videos in 10-bit 4:2:2, which is not available in a standard camera.

If you are shooting for social media, try Snapseed or VSCO They can do post-processing:

• 🎨 Adjust the white balance (remove the yellowness from the LED-lightning)
• 🔍 Increase sharpness without artifacts (Snapseed Detailing Tool)
• 🌈 Selective color correction (e.g., making the sky blue without affecting other colors)

5. Set system parameters for better performance

Xiaomi’s camera can brake or “hang” due to system limitations.

1. Turn off energy saving for the camera: Settings → Battery → Energy consumption of applications → Camera. → No restrictions.
2. Clear the Camera Cache: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the Cache
3. Enable Performance Mode (for gaming smartphones) POCO F or Black Shark: Settings → Special facilities → Performance mode

If your model supports you MIUI Optimization (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T), Enable this option in Settings → Additionally. → Optimization MIUI. This will speed up photo processing through more aggressive use of the processor.

For devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon (most Xiaomi) you can activate hidden mode Camera2 API, This will unlock additional features in third-party apps (such as manual focus in Open Camera) and can be verified through the Manual Camera Compatibility app from Play Market.

Disable energy saving for the Camera app

Clear cache and camera data (sets reset!)

Enable the performance mode (if any)

Check support Camera2 API

Update the camera drivers through MIUI Updater-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro and older) include Camera2 API You can use the engineering menu to crash your standard camera.

6. firmware modification (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can go further, change the firmware or its components, which is risky (there's a possibility of loss of warranty), but gives you maximum control over the camera.

Method 1: Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crdroid often include improved camera drivers, especially if they are based on Android 13.+. For example, in the Pixel Experience for POCO F3 It is a night mode similar to the Google Pixel.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days)
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Sweep through the selected firmware and GApps (if you need Google services)
4. Install a compatible version of GCam or ANX Camera

Method 2: Replace the camera library (libcamera)

Some enthusiasts are modifying the system libraries that handle the image processing, such as the Xiaomi Mi 10, which has patches that:

• 📈 Increase the bitrate of video to 100 Mbps (instead of the standard 40 Mbps)
• 🎞️ Unlock the footage in 4K 60fps module-wise
• 🔍 Improves detail at zoom (for telephoto lenses)

Where to look for patches:

• Forum 4PDA (partition)
• Telegram channels, like, @XiaomiMods or @GCamMods
• GitHub repositories of developers (for example, BSG for GCam)

💡

Modifying the firmware can void the warranty and lead to a "brick" of the device. Before any changes, study the user reviews of your model and make a full backup through the device. TWRP.

7. Hardware improvements: lenses and accessories

If software methods are exhausted, consider hardware add-ons. They won't replace a good lens, but they can extend the camera's capabilities.

Top-5 accessories for Xiaomi:

• 📸 Moment nozzles - macro, wide angle or telephoto (attached to a magnetic case)
• 🎥 Stabilizer DJI OM 5 – Eliminates video jitters (especially useful for Xiaomi) 12S Ultra with heavy module)
• 💡 External LED-panel (e.g. Lume Cube) – for shooting in the dark without noise
• 🔋 Power Bank with Passthrough – allows you to shoot videos 4K long without the phone being discharged
• 📱 Ring Lamp Case – Budget Solution for Selfies and Macro Shooting

For models with support for Xiaomi Surge C1 (For example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, you can buy an official Leica camera module (if it is removable), which improves color reproduction and adds branded filters Leica Authentic and Vibrant.

If you shoot videos frequently, look out for external microphones (like Rode VideoMic Me). Xiaomi's built-in microphones often record wind noise or autofocus interference.

8 Secrets of Shooting: Composition and Light

Even the most advanced camera can't save a picture if you break the basic rules of photography.

Rule of thirds

Enable the grid in the camera settings (⚙️ → Grids, and place the main object at the intersection of the lines, which will make the frame more dynamic, for example, when you take a portrait, the person's eyes should be on the upper horizontal line.

Lighting

• 🌞 Natural light is the best option. It's dramatic, but it requires manual exposure adjustment.
• 💡 Artificial light: avoid yellow incandescent lights. Use LED-color-temperature panels 5500K (daylight).
• 🌃 Night photography: Hold your phone still or use a tripod. Manual shutter speed 1/10c ISO 800-1600.

Focus and depth of field

In most Xiaomi (except for Leica models), the weak spot is the blurring of the background (boke).

• 👤 Photography from a distance 1-1.5 metre (not close!)
• 🌿 The background should be contrasting (for example, green leaves behind a person)
• 📏 Use a telephoto lens (if any) rather than a digital zoom

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi camera improvements