Xiaomi Redmi 8 – budget smartphone with a good main camera at 12 MP (Sony) IMX363), standard MIUI Camera is often a disappointment in the handling HDR, Pixel's Google Camera (GCam) is capable of unlocking the potential of iron by 30-50%, adding real Night Sight, improved portrait mode and natural colors without overlighting. APK, Configuration for Snapdragon 439 processor and circumvention of restrictions MIUI.
This guide contains installation methods relevant for 2026, comparison of GCam versions (from the BSG, Urnyx05, Shamim, step-by-step instructions for beginners and solving typical problems (for example, "hardware abstraction does not respond" or green artifacts in the photo). MIUI Camera parallel to GCam and what settings give the maximum quality gain.
Why Google Camera is Better than the Standard Camera on Redmi 8
Native appendix MIUI The Camera on Redmi 8 uses aggressive processing: overstates saturation, smooths textures and does not cope well with dynamic range. GCam solves these problems thanks to the help of the camera:
- 📸 Night Sight – night shots without noise and with the preservation of details (unlike the “Night mode” in the film) MIUI, frequent-blurred).
- 🎨 Natural color rendering: there is no artificial “instagram” hue, like Xiaomi.
- 👤 Portrait mode with precise mask – GCam better separates the object from the background even on complex scenes (hair, small details).
- 🔍 HDR+ with several exposures - no shadows or light areas are lost (in the MIUI skylight).
GCam's disadvantages on Redmi 8 too: 4K@30fps It can slow down, and the video in 1080p Sometimes it's artifact-related, but for a photo (especially in poor light), it's a huge difference:
| Parameter | MIUI Camera | Google Camera (BSG 8.1) |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic range (HDR) | Middle, skylights. | Tall, details in shadows and light areas |
| Night mode. | Noisy, blurry | Clean, with natural flowers |
| Portrait (bokeh) | Improper mask on the edges | Clear separation of object from background |
| Color rendering | Oversaturation | Natural tones |
| Speed of shooting | Fast. | Slower (due to processing) HDR+) |
⚠️ Note: Not all GCam features work perfectly on Redmi 8, for example, Astrophotography requires manual shutter speed adjustments and often crashes. It is also not recommended to use GCam as the main camera for video - it is better to switch between applications depending on the task.
Which version of Google Camera to choose for Redmi 8?
Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) has a limited list of GCam modifications due to the Snapdragon 439 processor and Android version (maximum Android 10 on the latest firmware).
- 🔹 BSG The GCam 8.1 is the most stable version with Night Sight and Portait Mode support.
- 🔹 Urnyx05 GCam 7.3 – better color processing, but can slow down when shooting in the film 4K.
- 🔹 Shamim GCam 7.4 – Optimized for weak processors, but without some features (e.g. Motion Photos).
Download APK-Files are only required from verified sources:
- 🔗 Celso Azevedo (site with archived versions).
- 🔗 Telegram channel GCam Mods (current builds).
Important: For Redmi 8 Only GCam versions with support are suitable Camera2API. You can check its activation through the Manual Camera Compatibility app (should be displayed "FULL" or "LEVEL_3").
Preparation of the smartphone before installing GCam
Be sure to follow these steps before installing, otherwise GCam may not start or work with errors:
Turn on Camera2API (via Engineering Mode or Magisk Module)
Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access)
Clean the cache of a standard camera (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Clear the cache)
Disable battery optimization for GCam (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All applications → GCam → No restrictions)
Download APK and configuration for your version of GCam-->
The most important point is activation. Camera2API. On Redmi 8, it's disabled by default. There are two ways to turn it on:
- Through Engineering Mode (no root): Open the Phone app and enter ##36446337##. Go to Hardware Testing → Camera → Camera API Version, choose. Camera2API Full (LEVEL_3) and reboot the phone.
- Magisk (if there is root): Install the module Camera2API Enabler from Magisk repository. Reboot the device.
⚠️ Note: If after activation Camera2API Standard camera stopped working, reset the settings of the camera app in Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Reset settings. It doesn't affect GCam.
Also, be sure to download the config (.xml file) for your version of GCam. Without it, the camera will not work correctly: there may be green artifacts, incorrect exposure or absence of the camera. HDR. Configurations for Redmi 8 can be found:
- 🔗 In the themes on 4PDA (Xiaomi Redmi 8 section).
- 🔗 In Telegram chat GCam Configs.
Step-by-step instructions for installing Google Camera
Now, let's get to the installation. Follow the instructions in strict order to avoid errors:
- Download. APK-GCam file (e.g, BSG GCam 8.1).
- Install. APK: Open the file through any file manager. Click Install and confirm permissions.
- Copy the config: Download the.xml file, put it in the folder GCam/Configs8 (Create it manually if it's not available. The file name must match the GCam version (e.g., file name, BSG_8.1_Redmi8.xml).
- Launch GCam and download the config: Open the Google Camera app. Twice tap on the black area next to the downhill button (the config menu will open). Select your.xml file and click Restore.
- Configure permissions: Allow access to Camera, Microphone and Files. Disable battery optimization for GCam (see checklist above).
After the first run, check the performance:
- 📷 Take a test shot in mode HDR+.
- 🌃 Try Night Sight in a dark room.
- 👤 Test the Portrait Mode.
💡
If GCam crashes while shooting, try disabling Motion Photos in the app settings or lower the resolution to 1080p
Optimal GCam settings for Redmi 8
Even with the config, the GCam requires manual adjustment to the Redmi 8. Here are the recommended options for maximum quality:
The main settings (Settings section):
- 📱 Resolution: 12 MP (Don't raise it to 16. MP — It's a software magnification).
- 🎯 Focus: Turn it on AF Track (autofocus with tracking).
- 🌈 HDR+ Control: Select HDR+ Enhanced (better for static scenes) or HDR+ auto (for dynamic vehicles).
- 🌙 Night Sight: Turn on Astrophotography (but note that it doesn't work well on Redmi 8).
Additional tweaks (Advanced section):
- 🔄 Buffer fix: Turn on (reduces lags when shooting).
- 📏 Grid: Choose 3x3 compositional.
- 🔋 Battery saving: Disable (may worsen quality) HDR).
- 🎛 Developer settings → Camera.slowmotion.fps: Set 120 (for slow motion).
For the night shot:
- 🌒 Use Night Sight instead of manual mode – it automatically picks up shutter speed.
- 🖐 Hold your phone as still as possible or use a tripod.
- ⚡ In low light, turn off Flash – it spoils white balance.
| Regime. | Recommended settings | What's improving |
|---|---|---|
| HDR+ | HDR+ Enhanced, Timer: 3 sec. | Dynamic range, detailing |
| Night Sight | Excerpt: Auto, Flash: Off | Noise suppression, natural colors |
| Portrait | Face retouching: Medium, Blur: High | Clear mask, realistic bokeh |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, Stabilization: On | Stabilization, fewer artifacts |
⚠️ Note: If GCam has green or purple spots in the photo, it means that the config is incompatible with your firmware. Try another.xml file or disable it. HDR+ customized.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even with the correct GCam installation, Redmi 8 can fail, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:
1. The error "Hardware abstraction of the camera does not respond"
Cause: Conflict with MIUI Camera or inactive Camera2API.
Decision:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 🔧 Check activation. Camera2API (see section “Preparation").
- 🚫 Turn off the standard camera: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Shut down.
2. GCam flies off while shooting video
Reason: Lack of RAM or codec incompatibility.
Decision:
- 🎥 Reduce video resolution to 1080p.
- 🔄 Enable Buffer fix in GCam settings.
- 🗑 Clear the app cache.
3. The green artifacts in the photo
Reason: Wrong config or conflict with firmware.
Decision:
- 🔧 Try another.xml configuration (for example, Redmi Note 8 is often suitable for the device).
- 📱 Turn it off. HDR+ customized.
- 🔄 Install a different version of GCam (for example, Urnyx05 7.3. BSG 8.1).
4. Autofocus is not working.
Cause: Failure in settings or physical damage to the module.
Decision:
- 🔍 Turn it on. AF Track in GCam settings.
- 🔧 Reset the camera settings to factory.
- 🛠 If the problem persists, check the camera in a standard app. If it's not focused, it may need repair.
What if GCam doesn’t save a photo?
How to use GCam and MIUI Camera parallel parallel
Many users want to keep a standard camera for a video or scanner. QR-It's possible, but it needs to be set up properly:
- Don't turn it off. MIUI Camera completely - just stop auto-starting: Go to Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Autostart. Turn off all autostart permissions.
- Set up GCam fast start: Add the GCam shortcut to the home screen. Use the Double-click power button gesture (in settings) MIUI appropriate it to GCam).
- Turn off notifications from MIUI Camera: Go to Settings → Notifications → Turn off all alerts.
Tip: If you need a standard camera for scanning QR-codes, use a separate application such as QR & Barcode Scanner from Google Play.This will completely disable MIUI Camera without loss of functionality.
You can also assign different launch modes:
- 📷 GCam - for photo (HDR, portrait, night mode).
- 🎥 MIUI Camera - for video (more stable) 4K and EIS).
- 🔍 Other software for scanning documents (for example, CamScanner).
💡
GCam and MIUI Cameras can conflict when you use them in the background at the same time. Always close one app before running another.