How to turn on the camera on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from basic settings to hidden features

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with a decent camera, but sometimes users face problems with its activation. The reasons can vary from the banal absence of an icon on the desktop to system failures after the MIUI update. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to turn on the camera – from standard to little-known, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It is important to understand that Redmi 9 (model number M2004J19C) is equipped with four modules of the main camera (13 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP + 2 MP) and front 8 MP. However, even with a good hardware, software settings sometimes block access to the shooting. If you just bought a phone or updated the firmware, start by checking the obvious points - perhaps the problem is solved in 30 seconds.

1. Standard method: Launch through the application icon

The easiest method is to use the default Camera app, which is that if the icon has disappeared from the desktop, it doesn't mean that the app has been removed. Here's how to find it:

• 📱 Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter “Camera” – the system will show all related results.
• 📌 If the icon is found, pinch it and drag it to the desktop for convenience.
• 🔄 If the app is missing, check the Google Services or Tools folder – sometimes it’s hidden there.

If the icon is still in place but the camera doesn't open, try rebooting your phone: press the power button and select "Reboot." This helps in 60% of cases where the problem is caused by a temporary MIUI failure.

2. Verification of permissions for the Camera application

Modern versions of Android (starting with the 10th) require explicit permissions to access the camera, and if you accidentally disable them or reset the settings, the app will not work.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the camera in the list and tap it.
3. Select the "Permissions" item.
4. Make sure the switches opposite the Camera and Microphone (if you want to record video) are active.

If permissions are enabled but the camera still doesn’t work, try resetting the app’s settings:

• 🔧 In the same "Camera" menu, click "Storage».
• 🧹 Select “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” (Warning: This will delete the saved shooting settings!).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

3. Activate the camera through gestures and fast commands

Redmi 9 supports several ways to quickly start the camera without looking for an icon:

If double pressing the power button doesn’t work, check if it conflicts with other gestures (like running a flashlight or voice assistant). Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures, and turn off conflicting options.

4. Diagnostics of hardware problems

If the software methods don't work, there's a possibility of a physical malfunction of the camera.

• 🔦 External damage: inspect the camera modules for cracks, scratches or contaminants.Even fine dust under the glass can block autofocus.
• 🔌 Connecting the plume: If the phone fell or disassembled, the camera plume could move away.
• 💧 Moisture: If the Redmi 9 was in contact with water, corrosion could damage the module's contacts (even if the phone turned on after drying).
• 📱 Testing through the Engineering Menu: Enter ##4636## → «Testing of equipment» → «Camera. If there is no image, hardware problem.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself to check the plume - Redmi 9 uses duct tape to fix modules, and careless actions can damage flexible contacts.

5. Restoring the camera through resetting settings

If the camera stopped working after updating MIUI or installing third-party applications, resetting to factory settings will help.

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud (like Google Photos).
3. Write down logins/passwords from accounts (they will be deleted!).

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once the camera is reset, it should be activated, and if the problem persists, it confirms the hardware defect.

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Before reset, check if Find My Device is activated. → Google → After the reset, you may need to enter the data of the Google account that was associated with the phone.

6. Alternative Camera Applications

If the standard Camera app refuses to work, try third-party solutions, which often bypass the system limitations of MIUI:

• 📸 Google Camera (GCam): Ported version of the Pixel camera with improved processing HDR. Redmi 9 is suitable for modification from BSG or Urnyx05 (search the forum 4PDA).
• 🎥 Open Camera: Open source with support for manual settings (exposure, ISO, White balance. Available on Google Play.
• 🔍 Camera MX: Offers additional filters and video stabilization.
• 📱 ProCam X: for professional shooting in the format RAW (payable).

Before installing third-party cameras:

1. Turn off the standard Camera app in settings (Settings → Apps → Camera → Disable).
2. Provide all the permissions requested to the new application.
3. Check your test shots – some features (like night mode) may not be supported.

⚠️ Warning: Installing modified versions of the GCam could overheat the Redmi 9 processor (due to a weak Helio chipset) G80). Watch the temperature of your phone during a long time.

7. Update firmware and fix MIUI errors

Camera errors are often associated with bugs of specific MIUI versions. Redmi 9 has received several problematic updates, such as:

• MIUI 12.0.8 – The camera got stuck when switching to a selfie.
• MIUI 12.5.3 - Access to the wide-angle module is lost.
• MIUI 13.0.2: Failed to connect to camera error at launch

To update the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on "Check Updates."
3. If a new version is available, download and install it (requires at least 50% of the battery).

If automatic updates don’t help, try manual firmware through Recovery:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (model M2004J19C) from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select “Install update.zip” and confirm the installation.

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If the camera still doesn't work after the upgrade, a rollback to the previous MIUI version can help. Use the Mi Flash Tool for clean firmware installation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi camera 9