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

The camera on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is often the main disappointment of users — even the flagship models of the Note or K series sometimes give pictures with noise, blurred details or incorrect color reproduction. But the problem is not always in the hardware: 80% of the quality of photos depends on the right settings, firmware and software. In this article, we will discuss specific ways to improve the camera — from basic tricks to deep modifications of the system, which even professional mobile photographers use.

Redmi (especially budget models like Redmi) 10A or Redmi 9C) They're physically limited to small arrays and simple lenses, but even those can be 2 to 3 times more expensive at the smartphone level if you know what tweak settings to use, what apps to install, and how to get around the software constraints. MIUI. We tested all methods on current firmware (including HyperOS) and selected only those that give a noticeable increase in quality without the risk of “bricking” the phone.

1. Optimization of standard settings of the MIUI camera

The first thing you have to do is reset the camera to the factory and set it up from scratch. MIUI often uses aggressive post-processing (especially in modes) AI and HDR), It's a little bit of a mess:

Camera settings → Restore default settings

After the configure is discharged, the following parameters:

• 🔍 Photo resolution: always choose the maximum (for example, 48 MP for Redmi Note 11 Pro or 108 MP for Redmi). K50). MIUI By default, it can stand at 12 MP with pixel binning - this worsens the detailing.
• 🌓 Exposure: reduce by -0.3 or -0.7 (Xiaomi has traditionally overstated exposure, which causes shadows to be lost and light areas to fade.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off the car-HDR and AI-Scene recognition – they artificially blur the picture, trying to guess the settings.
• 📏 Aspect ratio: Use 4:3 instead of 16:9, so the matrix uses the entire area without trimming.

For the video, key settings:

• 🎥 Stabilization: Turn on Ultra Steady (if you have it in the model), but remember that it cuts the edges of the frame.
• 🔊 Sound: In Video Settings, select High Audio Quality (available on Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ newer).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10C or Redmi 9A) video-shot 4K The processor can overheat. If the phone is heated above 45.°C, lower the resolution to 1080p 60fps.

2. firmware updates and modified GCam

Stock camera. MIUI It often loses out as a budget Google Pixel because of a weak processing algorithm.The solution is to install a modified version of Google Camera (GCam), optimized for Qualcomm or MediaTek processors.

Steps to install GCam:

1. Download the current version of GCam for your model from the Celso Azevedo forum (look for the topics by your Redmi code, for example, vili for the Redmi Note 11 Pro).
2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install. APK-file and open the application. Give all permissions when you first start.

Recommended GCam settings for Redmi:

Critical detail: GCam doesn’t support all camera modules (e.g. macro or ultra-wide angle on budget Redmis).

3. Manual control: applications for professional photography

If you want the best quality, use apps with manual control of parameters.

• 📸 ProCam X: Allows you to control shutter speed, ISO, Focus and white balance. Supports shooting in the RAW (post-processing).
• 🎞️ Filmic Pro: Best for Videos – Manually Customize Bitrate, Color Profiles (Log) and Focus.
• 🔧 Manual Camera: Free Alternative with Support RAW histogram.

Example of settings for shooting in RAW (It is suitable for the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+ newer):

• 📥 Format: RAW + JPEG (I want a backup file).
• ⚡ ISO: No more than 800 (Redmi noise is already at 1600).
• ⏱️ Excerpt: 1/200 daylight, 1/60 room.
• 🎯 Focus: Use Manual (autofocus) MIUI often wrong).

⚠️ Attention: Shooting in RAW borrower ~30-50MB per shot and requires post-processing in Lightroom or Snapseed. RAW-The files will look fainter. JPEG.

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Before filming in RAW Check the space available on your phone – 10 photos can take up to 500 MB. UHS-I (class 10) for speed of recording.

Hardware modifications: what can be improved physically

If software methods don't work well, consider hardware improvements that require precision, but can radically improve quality.

1. Replace the protective glass on the camera. On many Redmi (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) the glass above the lenses scratches in 2-3 months of use, which leads to glare and blur.

• 🛠️ Use a plastic spatula and hair dryer (heat the glass to 60)°C for glue removal).
• 🧴 Put on a new glue (B-7000 or LOCA) thin-layer.
• 🔍 Check the centering - a shift even by 0.5 mm will worsen the focus.

2. Cleaning lenses. Dust and greasy prints on the lenses are the main cause of cloudy images.

• 🧼 Soft lilac wipe (for example, for glasses).
• 💧 Special liquid for optics (do not use alcohol or wet wipes!).
• 🌀 Movement from center to edge (not in a circle!).

Improved stabilization: You can use external gadgets for video:

• 🎥 DJI Osmo Mobile – stabilizer for smartphones (from 5 000) ₽).
• 📱 Magnet fastening – allows you to fix the phone on metal surfaces (for example, on a timelapse machine).

5. Firmware and kernel: Deep Optimization

For advanced users, the most effective way to improve the camera is to install custom firmware or a modified kernel.

• 🔧 Set-up of parameters ISP (image-processor).
• 📈 Increase the bitrate of video (for example, up to 100 Mbps instead of the standard 30 Mbps).
• 🎛️ Manual calibration of color profile.

Recommended Firmware for Redmi:

Installation instructions (based on the Pixel Experience):

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the firmware from the official website and sew through recovery.
4. Once installed, scrolle Magisk for root rights (required for some camera modules).

⚠️ Note: On models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Unlocking the bootloader can lead to loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save a backup copy of the section NVRAM through MTK Client.

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Custom firmware gives you maximum control over the camera, but requires unlocking the bootloader. This voids the warranty and can lead to unstable phone performance. Start with minimal modifications (like GCam), and only if they are not enough, move on to firmware.

6 Post-processing: How to save even bad pictures

Even with perfect camera settings, some of the images need to be reworked.

Mobile applications:

• 📱 Snapseed is a free Google editor with support RAW Selective tool (point correction).
• 🎨 Lightroom Mobile – Professional Presets and Curves.
• 🔍 Topaz Photo AI — AI tool for sharpening and removing noise (paid, but there is a trial version).

Desktop programs (for serious processing):

• 🖥️ Adobe Lightroom Classic is the best choice for you RAW-file.
• 🎭 DxO PhotoLab – Automatically corrects optical distortion (including problems with Xiaomi lenses).

Basic post-processing steps for photos with Redmi:

1. 📊 Open up. RAW in Lightroom and use the Xiaomi Neutral preset (you can download on PresetLove).
2. 🔄 Increase the contrast by +20 and the brightness of shadows on +30 (this compensates for the shading from the algorithms) MIUI).
3. 🎨 In the section HSL Reduce the saturation of green and red by 10-15% (removes unnatural colors).
4. 🔍 Use a field mask with a radius of 1.0 and a force of 50%.

For video, use CapCut (free) or Adobe Premiere Rush:

• 🎬 Stabilize your video with Warp Stabilizer.
• 🎵 Add in. LUT-profile (e.g. Cinematic for natural flowers).
• 🔊 Clean the sound through the audio deneuser (CapCut has a built-in audio deneuser).

7. Accessories for improving shooting

Even budget accessories can significantly improve the quality of photos and videos on Redmi:

Lens:

• 🔍 Xenvo Pro Lens – a set of wide-angle and macro lens (from 2 000) ₽). Fixing on a magnetic adapter.
• 🌄 Moment Tele 58mm — Telephoto for portraits (compatible with Redmi Note 11 Pro)+).

Lighting:

• 💡 Lume Cube - compact LED-panel for shooting in the dark (from 3,500) ₽).
• ☀️ Reflector 5-in-1 — light reflector for portraits (from 500) ₽).

Stabilization:

• 🎥 DJI OM 5 - folding stabilizer with magnetic fastening (from 10 000) ₽).
• 📱 Ulanzi MT-08 — Mini-tripod with flexible legs (from 1,200) ₽).

Sound:

• 🎤 Boya BY-M1 — Lavaier microphone for video (from 1,500) ₽).
• 🔊 Rode VideoMicro - Directed microphone for shooting on the street.

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Accessories won't replace a good camera, but they will help unlock its potential, like an external microphone that will improve sound more than any software processing, and a stabilizer that will make video more professional even on Redmi. 9A.

FAQ: Frequent questions about camera improvements on Xiaomi Redmi