Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a budget smartphone with a decent camera, but the standard MIUI Camera application often disappoints users with dim shots and weak HDR processing. The solution is the installation of Google Camera (GCam), which reveals the hidden potential of the module thanks to improved processing algorithm, laptop profiles and advanced settings. However, the installation process on Redmi 9 has nuances, from choosing a compatible version to manually configuring the hardware of the smartphone.
In this guide, you will find the latest versions of the Redmi 9 GCam (including all-camera versions), step-by-step installation instructions, before and after results comparisons, and solutions to typical problems ranging from green in the photo to startup errors. We will also discuss how to keep a standard camera working. MIUI Avoid conflicts between applications.
Why Google Camera is Better than the Standard Camera on Redmi 9
The standard MIUI Camera app on Redmi 9 uses aggressive image processing: inflated sharpness, unnatural colors and weak dynamic range. Google Camera solves these problems by:
- 📸 Advanced. HDR+ — retains detail in shadows and lights, even in contrasting scenes (e.g. against the sun).
- 🌈 Natural color rendering – there is no soapy effect, typical for Xiaomi.
- 🔍 Night Sight (Night Sight) - Exceeds MIUI Night Mode for Detailing and Noise Reduction.
- 📏 Exact exposure – no over-lit areas as in standard images.
In independent tests (such as those from DXOMark or GSMArena), smartphones with GCam perform 15-20% better in detail and color reproduction. On Redmi 9, the difference is especially noticeable when shooting indoors or in low light.
⚠️ Note: On Redmi 9 (the lancelot model), some versions of the GCam may not support a macro lens or a wide-angle module.
Google Camera Compatible Version for Redmi 9
Not all GCam builds run on the Redmi 9 because of the MediaTek Helio G80 processor and camera configuration, and we tested the following versions:
| GCam version | Author of the modification | Support for cameras | Features | Download link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCam 8.1 | BSG | Basic, wide-angle, macro | Stable, best HDR+, but no Night Sight for frontal | Download |
| GCam 7.4 | Urnyx05 | Basic, wide-angle | Config Files support, but artifacts on macros are possible | Download |
| GCam 7.3 | Shamim | Main, frontal | Minimalist interface, but no wide-angle camera | Download |
Important: GCam 8.4 and later are incompatible with Redmi 9 due to a change in the camera API in Android 12+. For stable work, choose Android 10/11-based builds.
Before installing, check the MIUI version on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have MIUI 12.5+, you will need to adjust the permissions further (see the Problem Solving section).
Step-by-step instructions for installing Google Camera
Installing GCam on Redmi 9 does not require root rights, but you must allow installation from unknown sources:
- Download. APK-file of the selected version of GCam (see table above). BSG 8.1 for maximum compatibility.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Installation settings and enable the “Installation from Unknown Sources” option for your browser or file manager.
- Install the downloaded.apk file. If you see an error "Application not installed", try another version of GCam.
- Once installed, open Google Camera and provide all the permissions you have requested (camera, microphone, storage).
Download APK from a verified source |
Enable installation from unknown sources |
Verification of MIUI (12.5+ requires additional settings)|
Backup photo (in case of resetting)
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⚠️ Note: If the GCam system is installed and the error is "Camera". API2 Not supported, so your version is yours. MIUI It blocks access to the camera. Camera2API through the engineering menu (see the next section).
How to turn on Camera2API on Redmi 9
By default, Xiaomi disables Camera2API on budget models, which interferes with the GCam.
- Install the Manual Camera Compatibility app from Google Play.
- Open the app and check the status of Camera2API. If it says LEGACY or LIMITED, move on to the next step.
- Download and install EngineerMode MTK (for MediaTek processors).
- From the engineering menu, go to Hardware Testing → Camera and select Enable Camera2API.
- Reboot your smartphone and check the status in Manual Camera Compatibility – it should be FULL.
If GCam still doesn’t start after these steps, try an alternative method using ADB:
adb shell setprop persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1This command will force HAL3 (required for GCam) to be activated.
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If the engineering menu doesn't open, try entering the code ##36446337## in the Phone app.
Configuration for better photo quality
To make Google Camera work on Redmi 9 with maximum efficiency, you need to download a config file (xml) for your model. Configs optimize HDR settings, noise reduction and white balance.
Download the finished configs for Redmi 9:
- 📁 Configuration for BSG 8.1 (best) HDR+ Night Sight)
- 📁 Configuration for Urnyx05 7.4 (improved detailing)
How to install the config:
- Create a GCam/Configs folder in your smartphone’s internal memory.
- Copy the downloaded.xml file into this folder.
- Open Google Camera, tap the black area next to the down button twice (config menu will appear).
- Select your file and click "Restore".
After the use of the config, it is recommended:
- 🔧 Turn on HDR+ Enhanced in GCam settings (improving detail in shadows).
- 📱 Turn off Use. camera2api" in additional settings (if there are artifacts).
- 🌓 For night shooting, use Night Sight with a shutter speed of 3-5 seconds.
What to do if the config is not used?
Photos from MIUI Camera vs Google Camera
To assess the difference, we conducted test shots on Redmi 9 in the same conditions:
| Parameter | MIUI Camera | Google Camera (BSG 8.1) |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic range (HDR) | Overlit areas, loss of detail in the shadows | Balanced exposure, details in lights and shadows |
| Color rendering | Excessive saturation, unnatural shades | Natural colors that are close to reality |
| Night mode. | Strong noise, blurry | Clean photos, preservation of details |
| Portrait mode | Inaccurate blur at the edges | More accurate separation of background and object |
Examples of difference (clickable):
- 🌅 Photography in daylight
- 🌃 Night photography
- 👤 Portrait mode
⚠️ Note: The Redmi 9 can have a green tint on the edges when using a wide-angle camera, which is a hardware feature of the module, and can only be fixed in post-processing (e.g., Lightroom with white balance correction).
Solving Typical GCam Problems on Redmi 9
Even after installation is correct, users are faced with errors, and here are the most common solutions:
- 🚫 "Camera API2 not supported" → Turn it on. Camera2API (See the section above or use the patch Camera2API Enabler.
- 🟢 The green tint in the photo → Turn it off. HDR+ for wide-angle camera or use a config with correction AWB.
- 🔄 The application closes when changing cameras → Install the GCam version without macro lens support (e.g, Urnyx05 7.4).
- 📸 Front camera's not working. → Check the permissions for GCam in Settings → Annexes → Google Camera → Permits.
If GCam is running a "Device not supported" error, your version of MIUI is blocking access to the camera.
- Reverse to an older version of MIUI (e.g. 12.0.8).
- Use the Magisk module Camera2API Enabler (requires root).
- Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) and run GCam through it.
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If none of the solutions worked, try Shamim’s version of GCam – it’s more likely to run on custom firmware and newer versions of MIUI.