How to improve the camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: from settings to firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8

48 MP

This article is about practical methods from adjusting settings to installing custom firmware that actually works, and we won’t advise “just buy a new phone” or use useless apps like Magic Camera Booster. Instead, concrete steps explaining why they affect the outcome, and all recommendations are tested on the Redmi Note 8 with a new model. MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-12.

Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. If you are a beginner, start with the software settings (sections 1–3), and move to the “advanced” methods (sections 4–6) only after you back up the data.

1. Optimization of the standard camera application

The first thing to do is to set up the built-in camera app as much as possible. MIUI. Many users do not even suspect that it hides useful functions that are disabled by default.

Open the Camera app, tap the gear icon (⚙️) In the upper right corner and check the following parameters:

• 📸 Photo resolution: set 48 MP (instead of 12 MP by default) This will increase the detail, but the files will weigh ~15–20 MB.
• 🌓 HDR: Turn on the car-HDR or HDR Always on the Redmi Note. 8 algorithm HDR It works better than most of the public sector.
• 🔍 AI-Camera: turn it off! Artificial intelligence often overdid saturation and spoils natural colors.
• 📏 Grid: activate the Rule of Thirds - this will help to correctly build the composition of the frames.

⚠️ Attention: 48 MP is the night mode and some effects are turned off. Use this resolution only in good lighting.

You should also experiment with the manual mode (Pro):

• 📱 Install. ISO 100-400 for daytime images (less noise).
• ⏱️ Manually adjust the shutter speed only on a tripod (for example, 1/10waterfall).
• 🎯 Focus tap on the screen – autofocus Redmi Note 8 sometimes “misses".

2. Update firmware and camera drivers

Last version MIUI Camera for Redmi Note 8 (v6.3.11.24) It contains improved noise processing and white balance algorithms, but automatic updates via Settings → It's not always installed on the phone, so you can get the actual version:

1. Check the current version of the camera app: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Camera. → Version.

2. If the version is older than 6.3.11.20, download APK From the official forum of Xiaomi:

XDA Developers

3. Install the file manually, allowing installation from unknown sources.

It is also useful to update drivers. ISP (Image Signal Processor via Settings → The phone. → System Update: Some regional firmware (e.g. India) have better camera performance, so you can switch to them via Settings. → Additionally. → Region (resetting required).

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From third-party sources, you may get an error, "App is not responding." Before you do that, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.

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If after updating the camera began to "wash" images, reset its settings: press the application icon → "Information" → "Warehouse" → "Clear the data".

3.Using GCam (Google Camera) for Redmi Note 8

Google Camera (GCam) with Night Sight algorithms HDR+ It can surpass the standard camera. MIUI Redmi Note 8 is a good version from the developers. Urnyx05 and BSG.

Download. APK from Celso Azevedo (select the version for Snapdragon 665:

• 🔧 In the GCam settings, activate HDR+ Enhanced (improving dynamic range).
• 🌙 Use Night Sight for night photography – it works better than night shooting. MIUI Night Mode.
• 📊 In the Advanced section → Lib Patcher select Sablon 6.1 (optimize processing for Samsung) GM1).

Comparison of the standard camera and GCam on the Redmi Note 8:

• 📈 Daytime shots: GCam gives more natural colors and less noise in the shadows.
• 🌃 Night Sight: The Night Sight keeps the details where they are. MIUI "flash.
• 🔍 Zoom: GCam uses more aggressive magnification without loss of quality (up to 2)×).

⚠️ Note: Some versions of GCam may not run on MIUI 14 due to the limitations of Android 12. In this case, try rolling back on MIUI 13 or use modified firmware.

Install APK from Urnyx05|Activate HDR+ Enhanced|Select Lib Patcher Sabre 6.1|Shut down. AI customized|Check out Night Sight in a dark room-->

4. Manual editing of configuration files (for advanced)

If you're ready to experiment, you can manually edit the camera configuration files that are responsible for settings for noise reduction, white balance and exposure.

1. Unlocked bootloader (official instructions Xiaomi).
2. Root rights (via Magisk).
3. File Manager with access to system folders (e.g. Root Explorer)

The main files for editing:

• 📁 /vendor/build.prop — settings persist.camera.eis.enable=1 (stabilization) and persist.camera.hal3.enable=1 (compatibility with GCam).
• 📄 /vendor/etc/camera/camera_config.xml — exposure settings and ISO.

An example of building.prop editing to improve night photography:

# Add to the end of the file:


persist.camera.night.mode=1




persist.camera.hdr.enable=1




persist.camera.shutterlag.enable=0

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to camera blink (permanent startup errors!

5. Hardware improvements: lenses and accessories

Software optimization won't solve the physical limitations of the camera module, like small aperture. f/1.79 on the main camera of the Redmi Note 8 It doesn't let you get enough light into the dark:

• 🔍 External lenses: Xenvo Pro Lens attachments are attached to the standard module and extend the capabilities. For example, a macro lens allows you to shoot from a distance of 1-2 cm without losing focus.
• 💡 Outbreak.-softbox: Soft scattering light from Neewer LED Removes sharp shadows during portrait photography.
• 📱 Tripod with Bluetooth-remote: Even budget UBeesize eliminates the “stirring” at long exposure.

The Redmi Note 8 is especially useful with magnetic nozzles (such as those from Apexel), as they do not require additional mounts or block the flash.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap plastic nozzles (price) < 500 ₽) They often distort the edges of the frame and create vignetting. Before buying, read reviews with real photo comparisons.

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Hardware accessories won’t replace good optics, but they can compensate for the Redmi Note 8’s weaknesses: lack of optical zoom and poor low-light performance.

6. Alternative firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS offers:

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section 4).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Sweep through the firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience 12 for ginkgo – codename Redmi Note 8).

Comparison of the camera on standard and custom firmware:

• 📊 Dynamic range: Pixel Experience handles lights better MIUI.
• 🌈 Color Rendering: More Natural Skin Tones (MIUI often "reddens" faces).
• ⚡ Performance: Less lag when shooting in 4K@30fps.

⚠️ Attention: Custom firmware may not work on the 8MP Ultra Wide module due to lack of drivers. 4PDA.

7 Post-processing: editing applications

Even the perfect shot can be improved in post-processing. For the Redmi Note 8, we recommend:

• 🎨 Snapseed: Google’s free tool with support RAW and selective correction.
• 📈 Lightroom Mobile: Presets for quick color correction (e.g. Portra 400 for natural tones).
• 🔍 Topaz Gigapixel AI (PC: Increases the resolution of images from 12 MP to 48 MP without loss of quality.

When editing photos with Redmi Note 8, pay attention to:

• 📉 Noise Reduction: In Snapseed, use the Selective Tool → Noise Reduction (values 20–30%).
• 🎭 Contrast: Increase Shadows to +15 to work through shadows.
• 🔄 Color Profile: In Lightroom, choose Adobe Color profile over Vivid (the latter overdoses saturation).

Example of workflow for night photography:

1. Import. RAW lightroom.
2. Set up Temperature: 4000K, Tint: +5.
3. Raise the Exposure: +0.5, Shadows: +40.
4. Apply the mask to the sky and reduce the highlights: -30.

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To save the edited photo without loss of quality, export in format.PNG with settings: quality 100%, resolution 100%, without compression.

FAQ: Frequent questions about improving the Redmi Note camera 8