How to improve the camera on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite: from settings to firmware GCam

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite with its triple camera 48 MP, 8 MP (ultra-wide) and 2 MP (macro) is still a popular choice among photo enthusiasts. HDR, The problem is not the hardware, but the software optimization. In this article, 7 working methods to get the most out of the Mi 9 Lite camera without buying a new smartphone.

We’ll look at basic settings (which 90% of users ignore) and advanced tricks, from installing a Google Camera (GCam) with Night Sight mode to manually calibrating white balance through Engineer Mode.

1. Optimization of standard settings of the MIUI camera

Before you get into firmware and mods, make sure you use at least 70% of the stock camera's capabilities.Most users are unaware of the hidden options in the camera's Settings menu.

Open the Camera app, swipe up or tap the gear, and notice these parameters:

• 📸 Photo resolution: set up 48 MP, not MP 12 Yes, the files will weigh more, but the detail will grow in 2-3 once.
• 🌓 Night mode: turn on the car instead of off. MIUI automatically detects low light and applies multi-frame processing.
• 🎯 Focus: Switch to the Switch AF (car AF-S (single) for static objects – this will reduce the number of “mistakes".
• 🔄 HDR: Use the car-HDR, But turn it off manually when shooting moving objects (such as children or animals).

Hidden chip: in the menu Additional → Camera settings are an option to Save settings. Turn it on so you don't reset everything after you restart.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting at 48 MP, electronic stabilization is turned off. Use a tripod or put your hands on a hard surface, otherwise the photos will be blurred.

2. Install Google Camera (GCam) for Mi 9 Lite

Stockware MIUI Google Camera (GCam) reveals the full potential of Sony's sensor IMX586, Especially in night and portet mode, but not all versions of the GCam are stable — only modified builds are suitable for the Mi 9 Lite (codename pyxis.

Download one of the verified versions:

After installation APK-file:

1. Open GCam and give all permissions.
2. Go to Settings. → Camera model and select Pixel 4 XL.
3. Turn it on. HDR+ Improved and Night Sight in Manual Mode.
4. For a wide-angle module, activate the option of Auxiliary cameras (in some builds called Secondary cameras).

Install APK from a verified source |

Select a Pixel 4 model XL customized|

Activate HDR+ Night Sight.|

Calibrate the exposure manually (see next section)|

Check the operation of all three modules-->

⚠️ Note: Some versions of the GCam can cause the Snapdragon 710 to overheat during long shooting. CPU Monitor.

Manual calibration of exposure and white balance

Automation. MIUI It's often the exposure that's wrong, either it's under-lighting the shadows or it's burning the light areas. GCam, and even the effluent app, has tools for manual adjustment.

On Google Camera:

1. Tap any part of the screen to capture the focus.
2. Swipe up/down next to the focus slider adjust exposure (brightness).
3. Click on the icon. WB (white balance) and select preset (daylight, cloudy, etc.) or set the temperature manually (values from 2500K before 8000K).

In the stock annex:

• Switch to Pro (Professional) mode.
• Adjust. ISO (sensitivity) in the range of 100-800 for daylight, 800-3200 for dusk.
• Put the shutter speed no longer. 1/30tripodless.

For accurate white balance calibration, use Engineer Mode:

1. Dial in the dial ##36446337##.
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Camera.
3. Choose. WB Calibration and follow the instructions on the screen (you need a white sheet of paper).

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If after calibration the colors become unnatural, reset the camera settings to factory settings in Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the camera settings.

4. Software processing optimization (Sharpness Fix)

One of the main problems with the Mi 9 Lite is the excessive software noise cancellation, which blurs out parts, which can be fixed in two ways:

Method 1: Turning off noise reduction in GCam

In the Google Camera settings, find the options:

• Noise Reduction → put out.
• Sharpness → raise +1.2 (but not higher, otherwise artifacts will appear).
• Sabre Noise Reduction → Disable (this is Xiaomi’s algorithm that spoils details).

Method 2: Magisk mod to disable MIUI-processing

If you have a root set:

1. Download the module. MIUI Camera Sharpness Fix from Magisk repository.
2. Install it through Magisk Manager and restart the phone.
3. Check the difference in detail on test shots (especially noticeable on textures: brickwork, grass).

The effect of mods:

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Turning off noise cancellation increases visible noise but retains real details, and only use this method if you are ready for post-processing in Lightroom or Snapseed.

5. Hardware improvements: filters and lenses

Software methods give +30-40% to quality, but the physical edges of the lenses remain:

• 📱 Anti-reflective glass: Reduces glare from the sun by 40-50%, recommend Spigen NeoFlex or Nillkin H+ Pro.
• 🔍 Macro lens (clip-on): stock macro module 2 MP useless. external lens (for example, Xenvo Pro Lens) gives real magnification without loss of quality.
• 🌑 ND-filter: for shooting in bright sun with long exposure (for example, water blur). ND8.
• 💡 External LED-panel: even a small LED source (such as Lume Cube) removes noise in dark scenes.

Important: Cheap nozzles from China (price) < 500₽) Often degrade due to poor optics. Check reviews on AliExpress with real photo comparisons.

⚠️ Note: When using clip-on lenses, disable digital zoom in the camera settings. Otherwise, the software will try to "help" software, which will lead to double distortion.

6 Post-processing: Lightroom vs Snapseed for Mi 9 Lite

Even perfect. RAW-GCam image needs processing. Mi 9 Lite critically fix:

• Low contrast (especially in cloudy weather).
• Green on the wide-angle module.
• Noise in the shadows ISO > 1600.

Basic preset for Lightroom Mobile (apply to the RAW-file):

• Exposure: +0.30
• Contrast: +25
• Shadows: +40
• Black dot: −15
• Saturation: +10
• Sharpness: +30 (mask on the edges)
• Noise suppression: +15 (color noise only)

In Snapseed, use the tools in this order:

1. Toning → eliminate the color shift.
2. Details. → structuring +20, sharpness +15.
3. Selective correction → darken the sky.
4. HDR Scape → Apply with the setting "Natural".

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Save processed photos in format.DNG (in Lightroom) or maximum quality.JPG (100%) to avoid artifacts when re-editing.

7. Alternative firmware (for advanced)

If you are willing to take drastic measures, custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience gives you:

• More current versions Camera2 API (full support for GCam).
• Absence of background processes MIUI, which inhibit photo processing.
• Possibility to use ANX Camera or Footoj with manual sensor control.

Instructions for installing Pixel Experience:

Cons of custom firmware:

• Loss of official warranty.
• Possible bugs with module NFC proximity-sensor.
• There is no wide-angle camera support in some builds.

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Custom firmware is only valid if you're an experienced user. GCam is enough for most tasks. + manual.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Mi camera 9 Lite