The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 64MP main camera, is capable of taking great pictures, but the standard MIUI Camera app often disappoints users with reprocessing, noise in the dark and limited settings.The solution is to install Google Camera (GCam), a modified version of Google's camera that unlocks the true potential of the Samsung GW1 sensor in your smartphone.
In this guide, we will detail how to install GCam on the Redmi Note 8 Pro correctly, avoiding the typical mistakes: from choosing a compatible version and downloading configs to fine-tuning for perfect photos in HDR+, night mode and portrait shooting.
Why is the GCam better than the standard camera on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Xiaomi’s MIUI Camera app is optimized for shooting speed and versatility, but often sacrifices detail and natural colors. Google Camera uses advanced processing algorithms:
- 📸 HDR+ Enhanced – retains details in lights and shadows that are not present in MIUI even when it's on HDR.
- 🌙 Night Sight is better than Super Night Mode MIUI, especially on moving objects.
- 👤 Portrait mode – more accurate background blur and natural skin treatment (without the “plastic” effect).
- 🎛️ Manual settings: control over noise reduction, contrast, saturation - which is not in the standard application.
Here's a comparison of the same frame (clickable to zoom in):
| Parameter | MIUI Camera (standard) | Google Camera (GCam) |
|---|---|---|
| Detailing in the shadows | Buzzed, noise | Readable, without artifacts |
| Color rendering | Oversaturated colors | Natural shades |
| Night mode. | Driving blur | Clearness even 1/4c. |
| Portrait (bokeh) | Rough edge blur | Smooth transition |
Important: GCam does not support 4K video shooting on the Redmi Note 8 Pro due to Mediatek CPU limitations. max: 1080p@30fps. If you are critical of high-resolution video, stay on the standard camera.
Which version of GCam to choose for the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Not all Google Camera builds run on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The problem with the Mediatek Helio G90T processor is that many versions simply don't run or give the "Camera API2 not supported" error. We tested dozens of builds and selected the 3 most stable variants:
- 🔹 GCam 7.3 by Urnyx05 — Better balance of stability and function: Supports Night Sight, Astrophotography and manual settings.
- 🔹 GCam 8.1 by BSKRAIN — newer version with improved HDR+, But it can slow down on some firmware.
- 🔹 GCam 6.1 by Arnova8G2 — The lightest and most stable, but without some modern features (for example, Cinematic Pan).
Download the latest versions from official themes on the XDA Developers forum (look for themes for Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mediatek Helio G90T).Do not download GCam from dubious sites - you risk catching a virus!
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Before installing, check the Android version on your smartphone in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some GCam builds require Android 10+.
Preparation of the smartphone before installing GCam
To make Google Camera work smoothly, you need to follow a few steps, and if you skip them, you run the risk of running into errors like “Camera keeps stopping” or a black screen when you start up.
Enable the developer mode (7 taps by build number in "About phone")
Activate the Camera2 API option in the developer settings
Disable battery optimization for GCam application
Remove the cache of the standard camera (Settings → Applications → Camera → Storage)
Download and unpack archives with configs (XML-files for your version of GCam-->
The most important thing is to enable the Camera2 API, and without that, GCam won't be able to use advanced features like HDR+ or Night Sight.
- Go to Settings. → About the phone and tap 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI", activate the developer mode.
- Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → for developers.
- Find the Camera2 API option and set the value to Full (or Full in English).
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) option Camera2 API This requires manual editing of the build.prop file, but it's a topic for a separate article.
GCam installation on Redmi Note 8 Pro
Now, to the installation itself, follow the instructions carefully, the order is important.
- Download. APK-file of the selected version of GCam (see section above) and save it to your phone memory.
- Allow installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings (cogs) → Install unknown applications. Select the browser or file manager you will install APK through and enable permission.
Install APK.
Files by Google
Mi File Manager
After installation, do not start GCam immediately!
file-file
/Internal Storage/GCam/Configs7/(for GCam 7.x) or /Internal Storage/GCam/Configs/ (for other versions)
Launch the GCam
If the camera shows a black screen after starting or if it shows an error, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 📱 Remove the GCam cache in Settings → Annexes → Google Camera → Warehouse.
- 🔧 Try another config (XML-file).
What if GCam crashes while shooting?
Setting up GCam for the best photos on the Redmi Note 8 Pro
Install GCam, half the battle, and to get the best quality of your shots, you need to set the settings right. Here's the best settings for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (which are relevant for most builds):
| Parameter | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| HDR+ Control | Ultra HDR (or HDR+ Enhanced) | Maximum detail in shadows and lights. |
| Night Sight Strength | High (or 7-8 out of 10) | Balance between brightness and noise in the night mode. |
| Lib Patcher | Saber (or AWB Fix) | It corrects white balance (on Redmi Note 8 Pro often "colds" colors). |
| Noise Model | High (or Pixel 3 XL) | Reduces noise at high ISO. |
| Base Model | Pixel 4 (or Pixel 3a) | Optimal processing profile for the Samsung GW1 sensor. |
For portrait mode, we recommend:
- 👥 Enable "Face Retouching" at the level 30-40% (More is a doll").
- 🔄 Turn off Auto Zoom – Redmi Note 8 Pro is better to shoot portraits from the main camera (64 MP), and not from the wide-angle.
- 🎨 Use "Natural" or "Soft" in blur settings (bokeh).
Night Sight tip: Set your timer for 3-4 seconds (in GCam settings) to reduce noise, but require a steady hand or tripod. If the picture is too dark, increase the value of Night Sight Brightness to +0.3.
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The XML config file is a preset set of settings for your smartphone model. Without it, the GCam will work, but the photo quality will be worse than it could be.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even with the right GCam installation, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can be problematic, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
- 🚫 Error: Camera keeps stopping Cause: Conflict with the MIUI Camera or absence Camera2 API. Solution: Turn off the standard camera: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Turn it off. Clear the GCam cache. Reset the phone.
- 📵 Black screen when starting Cause: Incompatible version of GCam or no config.Solution: Install another build (e.g. GCam 6.1) and download XML-configuration.
- 🔋 GCam is very hot phone Reason: Too high processing settings (for example, HDR+ Solution: Reduce "HDR+ Control" before "HDR+ Auto" and shut down "ZSL" customized.
- 📸 Photos are green or purple, and the reason is: Incorrect Lib Patcher or AWB (Solution: In GCam settings, select Lib Patcher → AWB Fix or Saber.