How to Install Google Camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: A Complete Guide to Files and Settings

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones thanks to its 48-megapixel module Sony IMX586. However, the standard camera app MIUI Camera often disappoints users with excessive processing of images, weak detail in dark scenes and the lack of advanced modes like Night Sight or Astrophotography.

In this article you will find not just installation instructions, but unique configuration files for Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender), optimized for firmware. MIUI 12-14 and custom builds, and we'll figure out how to get around common bugs like a green screen or a broken one. HDR+), So if you've tried GCam before and you've had problems, you'll find solutions here.

Why Google Camera is Better MIUI Camera on Redmi Note 7?

Stock appendix MIUI Xiaomi’s Camera is optimized for the mass user: it automatically applies aggressive noise cancellation, overstates saturation and often “blurries” parts in low light. Google Camera works differently:

• 📸 Night Sight – shooting in complete darkness with the preservation of details (unlike the “Night mode” in the film) MIUI, squirrel).
• 🌌 Astrophotography - mode for photographing the starry sky (nothing in the sky) MIUI).
• 🎯 HDR+ Enhanced – more natural working of shadows and lights without plastic effect.
• 🔍 Super Res Zoom – digital zoom with less quality loss compared to the top MIUI.

The disadvantages of the GCam on the Redmi Note 7, too, there are: for example, video in the video 4K It can be recorded with artifacts, and portrait mode sometimes gets the edges blurred wrong, but when you set them up properly, these drawbacks are minimized:

It is important to understand that Google Camera is not an official application for the Redmi Note 7 - these are modified (portrait) versions adapted by enthusiasts.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of GCam may conflict with miui_camera.xml — If the app crashes after installation, you'll have to reset the camera settings to Settings. → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Preparing a smartphone for the installation of Google Camera

Before installing a GCam, you must follow several mandatory steps, and skipping any of them can lead to errors such as "Camera does not open" or "Camera cannot connect to the camera."

1. Verification of model and version MIUI

Redmi Note 7 was released in several versions:

• 📱 Redmi Note 7 (lavender) – 48 MP (Sony) IMX586) + 5 MP (depth).
• 📱 Redmi Note 7 Pro (violeta) – 48 MP (Samsung) GM1).

This instruction is only suitable for the Lavender model (with a chip). IMX586). For verification:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
2. Click 7 times on the kernel bar to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and find the code name of the device.

If it says violeta, you need a different version of GCam (more on this below). MIUI:

• 🔄 MIUI 12-14 – Most ports will be suitable.
• 🔄 LineageOS (Pixel Experience) – requires special configurations.

2. Permission of installation from unknown sources

Android is blocking the installation by default APK-files outside of Google Play:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Browser (or Files).
2. Activate the option to Install unknown applications.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 13/14 With updated security policies, you may need to disable the Checkup MIUI In the security settings. For this: Open the settings. → Password and security → Autorun and add Files to the list of permitted applications.

3. Cleaning the stock chamber cache

Conflicts between MIUI Camera and Google Camera are often caused by cached data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Camera → Storage.
2. Click Clear cache and Clear data.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

The device code name (lavender) has been verified

Installation from unknown sources is allowed

Stock camera cache cleared

Scud APK-GCam file (see next section)-->

Which version of Google Camera to choose for Redmi Note 7?

On forums and websites like XDA Developers or 4PDA You can find dozens of GCam ports for the Redmi Note 7, but most of them are either outdated or not optimized for the new GCam port. IMX586. We tested over 15 versions and selected the 3 most stable versions:

For most users, we recommend a version of Urnyx05 — It's the most balanced. If you're critically interested in taking a video in the video. 4K without artifacts, it is better to stay on the stock camera or use it GCam_8.1.101 switched-off HDR+ video.

After downloading. APK-Don't install it right away. You need to first:

1. Move the file to the Download folder on your phone.
2. Make sure that the file name does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces (e.g, GCam_7.3.018.apk — Google Camera for Redmi Note 7.apk — no).
3. Turn off battery optimization for the camera (see next section).

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.camera

Then restart the phone.-->

Google Camera in the Redmi Note 7

Now, we're going to go directly to the installation, and follow the instructions very carefully, and this will help you avoid the typical mistakes.

Step 1: Installation APK-file

1. Open any file manager (such as Files or Solid Explorer).
2. Find the downloaded one. APK-file and tap it.
3. In the window that appears, click Install.
4. If the system asks for permission, give it.

If the installation is blocked, check:

• 🔓 Whether installation from unknown sources is permitted (see previous section).
• 📁 Whether damaged APK-File (try to download again).
• 🛡️ Does the antivirus installation block (stop it temporarily).

Step 2: Configure permissions

After installation:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Google Camera → Permits.
2. Enable all permissions: 📸 Camera. 📁 Warehouse 📍 Location (optional, for geotags) 🔊 Microphone (for video)

Step 3: Optimizing the work in the background

MIUI aggressively shuts down applications in the background, which can cause GCam to crash:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Find Google Camera in the list and select No Limits.
3. Turn off Auto-Optimization for this application.

Step 4: First Start and Basic Setup

On the first launch of the GCam:

1. Allow all requests (camera, storage, etc.).
2. If a warning of incompatibility appears, ignore it (click). OK).
3. Go to GCam settings (swipe down or tap on the gear) and activate: 🔘 HDR+ Enhanced (in the Lib Patcher section). 🔘 Night Sight (if available). 🔘 Auxiliary cameras (for use of wide-angle module).

⚠️ Note: If the screen is black or green after starting, then the GCam version you choose is not compatible with your firmware. Try a different build (see table above) or install the module. Camera2API Magisk (root rights required).

Configuration files (XML) For the Redmi Note 7

To unlock the full potential of Google Camera on the Redmi Note 7, it’s not enough to install it. APK — You need to download the configuration file. XML, optimized IMX586. These files are set up:

• 📊 White balance and color reproduction.
• 🔍 Noise reduction and sharpness parameters.
• ⚡ Optimization HDR+ different lighting conditions.
• 🌙 Settings Night Sight and Astrophotography.

We've prepared 2 verified XML-The Redmi Note 7 (lavender) file tested on the MIUI 12-14 and custom firmware:

How to install XML-configuration:

1. Download the file and move it to the folder: /GCam/Configs7/ (for GCam 7.x) or /GCam/Configs/ (for GCam 8.x). If there is no folder, create it manually.
2. Open Google Camera and tap the black area next to the down button twice.
3. In the menu that appears, select the downloaded XML-file.
4. Reboot the app.

After the use of the config, it is recommended:

• 🔧 Check the Lib Patcher settings (must match the config).
• 📸 Take test pictures in different conditions (day, indoors, at night).
• 🔄 If necessary, adjust the parameters manually (for example, noise reduction level).

💡

Configuration files XML — Without them, GCam will work, but it won't show its true potential, especially in poor lighting conditions.

Solving the typical Google Camera issues on the Redmi Note 7

Even with the right installation and configs, Redmi Note 7 users can encounter bugs, and here is a list of the most common problems and solutions.

1. Green screen or artifacts when shooting

Reason: Camera driver conflict or incompatible version of GCam

Decisions:

• 🔄 Install a different version of GCam (for example, Parrot043 instead Urnyx05).
• 🛠️ Install the module. Camera2API via Magisk.
• 📱 Turn off the stock camera through ADB (higher).

2. GCam flies off while shooting video

Reason: Lack of RAM or conflict with codecs.

Decisions:

• 🎥 In the GCam settings, turn off HDR+ video.
• 🔋 Close all background applications before shooting.
• 📉 Lower the video resolution to 1080p (instead 4K).

3. Flash or autofocus is not working

Reason: Incorrect settings in XML-configuration MIUI.

Decisions:

• 🔦 In GCam settings, enable Use Flash for Torch.
• 🔍 Reset the camera settings in MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 📲 Reinstall GCam with cache cleaning.

4. The photos are too dark or noisy

Reason: Non-optimal settings HDR+ noise-canceling.

Decisions:

• 🌓 In GCam settings, increase Exposure Compensation to +0.3. +0.7.
• 🔘 Activate Night Sight even in low light (not just at night).
• 📊 Try another one. XML-configuration (e.g, Lavender_Sharp_HDR.xml).

💡

If the GCam is constantly overheating the phone, limit it. FPS In the video settings (select 30 instead of 60) and disable Motion Photos.

Photos from MIUI Camera vs Google Camera

To illustrate the difference, we did a test shoot on the Redmi Note 7 in different conditions (ISO, excerpt) for an honest comparison.

1. Daylight (HDR-scene)

MIUI Camera:

• ✅ Bright colors, but overly saturated.
• ❌ Overlights in the sky, loss of detail in the shadows.

Google Camera (HDR+ Enhanced):

• ✅ Natural tones, worked-out clouds.
• ✅ Details are preserved in the shadows (for example, foliage on trees).

2. Low light (night mode)

MIUI Camera (Night mode):

• ✅ Fast processing (3-5 seconds).
• ❌ Heavy noise, blurry details.

Google Camera (Night Sight):

• ✅ Shooting for up to 10 seconds, but the result is much cleaner.
• ✅ Textures (e.g. brickwork) are preserved).

3. Portrait mode (bokeh)

MIUI Camera:

• ✅ Fast facial recognition.
• ❌ Inaccurate blurring of the edges (for example, hair).

Google Camera:

• ✅ More accurate background separation.
• ✅ Natural Bokeh (without plastic effect).

Examples of photos (clickable):

• 🌞 MIUI (day vs GCam (day)
• 🌙 MIUI (night) vs GCam (night)

💡

Google Camera is losing out MIUI Camera is only in processing speed. In everything else (detail, colors, night photography), it is much superior to the stock app.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Camera on Redmi Note 7