How to turn on the camera on the smartphone Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

The camera on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is one of the key elements that often raises questions from users. Whether you have purchased a new model or experienced a sudden malfunction on an old device, the process of activating the camera can vary depending on the version of the MIUI, the phone model and even regional settings. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to turn the camera on, from basic to hidden functions, and also consider the typical errors that interfere with the correct operation of the module.

It’s important to understand that the problem may be not only hardware, but software limitations, such as some Xiaomi models, where the camera is disabled by default for third-party applications due to MIUI security policy, or the user accidentally blocked access to the camera for all applications through privacy settings, and we’ll help you understand all the nuances so that you can use the camera at full capacity, whether it’s shooting 4K video, AI effects selfies or scanning documents.

Basic way to turn on the camera through the application

The most obvious method is to run the standard Camera app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, but even here, users face difficulties: the icon can be hidden in a folder or removed from the home screen.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the Camera icon (usually a colored ring camera) and if it's not, search (the magnifier at the top of the screen) and type "Camera."
3. Click on the icon. If the app doesn't open, check if there are parental controls or time limits.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), the camera app supports trigger gestures:

• 🔄 Double pressing the power button – quickly opens the camera even on a locked screen (configured in Settings) → Lock screen → Quick camera launch).
• 📱 Swipe on the camera icon on the lock screen - works on devices with MIUI 12 and newer.
• 🎯 Voice command “OK Google, open the camera” (requires Google Assistant enabled).

If the camera is running and the message "Camera is not responding" or "Camera is not accessing" appears, the problem may be related to:

• 🚫 Blocked permissions for the application.
• 🔄 Conflict with other apps (e.g. Snapchat or TikTok may block access).
• 📱 Hardware failure (damage to the plume or camera module).

Setup of permissions for the camera in MIUI

MIUI is known for its strict privacy settings, which sometimes interfere with the camera, and if the app doesn't start or gives you an error, check the permissions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Camera app (or a third-party app like Instagram) and select it.
3. Press permissions and make sure it is enabled: 📸 Camera — “Allowed». 📁 Storage - to save photos / videos. 📍 Location (optional) - for geotags. 🎤 Microphone – to record video with sound.

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, additional permission confirmation may be required through the Permissions Manager:

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special access.
• 📱 Select Access to the Camera and make sure that the right apps are authorized to use it.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) require manually confirming camera access for each app after upgrading to Android 13 – even if previously authorized.This is due to Google’s security policy and is not a MIUI error.

Enable the camera through the engineering menu (for power users)

If the camera doesn’t work even after checking the permissions, the problem may lie in the hardware module that is disabled, in which case the Engineering Mode will help, but you should use it with caution – incorrect settings can lead to a system failure.

Instructions for entering the engineering menu:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. Select Phone Information (or Hardware Testing on some models).
3. Find the Camera partition and click on it. If the partition is missing, then your model does not support camera diagnostics through this menu.
4. Check the status of the camera: if it says Disabled, try to turn it on through Enable Camera (if there is no such option, exit only through resetting).

⚠️ Attention! On new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) The engineering menu can be blocked, and in this case, the camera will need to be connected to a PC through the computer. ADB or contacting a service center.

Solving camera problems after MIUI update

MIUI updates often bring not only new features, but also bugs. If the camera stopped working after the update, try the following steps:

If the problem persists, try rolling back the update (if available) or wait for the next patch. Xiaomi forums often publish temporary solutions - for example, for Redmi Note 11 after upgrading to MIUI 14.0.3, it helped to delete the com.android.camera.xml file via Root Explorer (requires superuser rights).

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Before resetting your camera settings, export custom presets (if any) through camera settings → Additional → Export settings. This will save your favorite filters and shooting modes.

Checking the hardware serviceability of the camera

If the software methods didn't work, maybe the problem is the physical malfunction of the module.

• 🔍 External inspection: check if there are cracks in the camera glass or traces of moisture (on Xiaomi with protection) IP53 Moisture can penetrate through the speakers).
• 📱 Testing with Safe Mode: Press the power button → Hold on to "Switch off» → Select Safe Mode. If you're in Safe Mode, it's third-party software.
• 🔧 Train check: If the phone fell, the camera plume could have moved away.
• 📡 Testing through another app: Install Open Camera or Google Camera – if the camera doesn’t work there, the hardware problem is not working.

⚠️ On models with retractable camera (Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, Mi) 9T) This machine can jam due to dust or damage. Never try to push the camera manually, it will cause the engine to break.

Features of the camera on popular Xiaomi models

Different Xiaomi series of smartphones have unique camera nuances. Consider the most common models:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra: Supports Leica optics and requires Leica Authentic to be enabled in the camera settings for full operation.

On devices with an infrared camera (Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra, Mi 11 Ultra) to turn it on, you need:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Additional (or Pro) mode.
3. Select an Infrared Camera (only available in good lighting).

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On Xiaomi smartphones with several modules (wide-angle, telephoto, macro), switching between them is swiped on the screen or clicking on the icons 0.6x, 1x, 2x, etc.

What to do if the camera is not working?

If none of these methods worked, radical measures remain:

1. Resetting camera settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Storage. Click "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data». ⚠️ This will delete all user settings, but will not affect saved photos.
2. Reset to factory settings: Data backup is mandatory! Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Contact the service center: If the camera does not work after reset - this is a warranty case. On the official website of Xiaomi, check the list of service centers at the link: https://www.mi.com/global/service/location/.

For devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights, you can try reflashing the camera module through TWRP, but this is risky and voids the warranty. XDA Developers forums have instructions for specific models, but without experience, it is better not to experiment.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the camera on Xiaomi