Xiaomi’s Night Mode: How to Enable and Use for Perfect Photos in the Dark

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, whether the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12, have advanced cameras that can take high-quality pictures even in low light. But to unlock the full potential of shooting in the dark, it’s not enough to just point the lens at an object. Night Mode (or Night Mode) is a software algorithm that, through long shutter speed and multi-frame processing, converts dark, noisy frames into bright and detailed photos. However, many users either do not know about its existence or do not know how to use it correctly.

In this article you will find not only step-by-step instructions for turning on the night mode on different Xiaomi models, but also practical tips for setting parameters, comparing with manual mode, as well as analyzing typical errors that cause images to become blurred or over-lit. We will pay special attention to models with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, where the camera interface has undergone changes.

If you’ve ever tried to photograph a nightscape or a fun company in dim light and got a soapy picture with a bunch of noises instead, this is the guide for you. Xiaomi’s night mode is more efficient than many competitors in the same price segment, but only when used correctly. 12S Ultra with Sony sensor IMX707 The difference between a standard and a night mode photo can be as high as 4. EV (Exposure steps are like going from a nearly black frame to a well-designed picture.

Before you jump into settings, make sure your smartphone has the latest version of the Camera app installed. MIUI (Up to 12.5) night mode may be absent or not working properly, and you can update the camera through Google Play (if you have global firmware) or through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Where is the night mode in the camera Xiaomi: search by model

The location of the night mode button depends on the version MIUI And the latest firmware (MIUI 14/HyperOS) The interface is unified, but on older devices (for example, Redmi Note). 8 Pro or Mi 9) The menu may look different. Below are the actual paths for different lines.

For most modern models (Xiaomi) 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5):

Open the Camera app.
Switch to Photo Mode (if you are in Video or Portrait Mode).
In the top toolbar, find the icon “Moon» (🌙) or the lettering of the Night/Night.
Touch the icon – the mode is activated, and a countdown timer will appear on the screen (usually from 1 to 5 seconds).

For older models (Redmi Note 10, Mi 11 Lite, POCO X3):

📱 Open the camera and swipe left across the screen to open the list of modes.
🔍 Find Night or Night Mode (may be hidden under the Night Mode).
🎯 Click on it - the camera will switch to manual night mode (you can manually adjust shutter speed here).

Exceptions:

On Xiaomi Civi 3 and Xiaomi 13T night mode is integrated into the main mode Photo and activated automatically in low light (icon) AI yellow).
Nana POCO M5 redmi A2 Night mode may not be available due to hardware limitations (weak processor or lack of support for Multi-frame Noise Reduction).

📊 What is your Xiaomi model?

Xiaomi 13/14 series

Redmi Note 12/13

POCO F5/X5

Redmi 10/11 series

Another model

How to turn on the night mode on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions with a photo

Let’s take a look at the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14.Other models may have slightly different steps, but the overall logic holds.

Step 1: Launching the camera and selecting mode

Open the Camera app (the icon on the home screen or menu).
Make sure you are in Photo Mode (usually it is selected by default).

Step 2: Activate night mode

In the upper panel, find the icon "Moon» (🌙). If it is not, swipe the panel to the left to reveal additional options.
Touch the icon. The camera screen will darken, and a slider or timer (e.g. 3c) will appear at the bottom.

Step 3: Set up the parameters (optional)

🕒 Shutter speed: Move the slider to the right to increase exposure time (usually 5-10 seconds maximum). The longer the shutter speed, the brighter the frame, but the higher the risk of "lubrication».
📊 ISO: In manual mode (Pro) can be reduced ISO 100-400 to reduce noise.
🔄 Multi-frame processing: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra is available for Ultra Night – it takes a series of pictures and combines them for better results.

Step 4.

Point the camera at the object and hold the smartphone as still as possible (ideally – use a tripod).
Press the downhill button. The time will start (e.g., 3...2...1).
When completed, the image will be saved in the gallery marked Night in the metadata.

Make sure the subject is still in motion

Clean the lens of fingerprints

Turn off digital zoom (use optical only)

Include a grid for the correct composition

Check the free space on the phone (night mode creates temporary files)

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Example of results:

In the photo below is a comparison of the same frame on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with night mode switched off and on (exposure 3 seconds, ISO 800):

| Parameter | No nighttime. | Night mode. |

|-------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|

| Brightness | Dark, loss of detail | Well-designed. |

| Noise. | Strong noise in the shadows | Minimum noise |

| Color rendering | Shift to blue | Natural colors |

| Sharpness | Blurrence around the edges | Clear outlines |

| Shooting time. | Instantly. | 3-5 seconds |

⚠️ Note: If the camera is overheated or turned off during nighttime shooting, check it out:

Whether the lens is closed with a cover or a finger.
Is Performance enabled in the battery settings (it may limit the camera performance).
Is digital zoom used (it degrades quality in the dark)?

Night mode vs. HDR: What is best for shooting in the dark?

Many users confuse the night mode and HDR (High Dynamic Range, but they're different technologies with different tasks. Let's figure out when to use something.

HDR It works by combining multiple images with different exposures (light and dark) to preserve detail in light and shadow, and it's useful in contrasting scenes, like when shooting against the sun or in a room with bright windows. HDR He does not save the world, but only gives it a light.

Night mode is specifically optimized for low-light shooting.

🕰️ Increases exposure time (suspension) allowing the sensor to collect more light.
🔄 Uses multi-frame processing to reduce noise.
🎨 Apply color enhancement algorithms to avoid gray or greenish hue.

When to choose:

|------------------------------|--------------|--------------|---------------|

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) when night mode is activated HDR If you need both (for example, to shoot a nightscape with lights), try the manual mode (Pro) and manually adjust the exposure and HDR.

💡

If the smartphone does not keep focus in night mode, touch the screen at the right point and hold your finger until the end of the shooting – this will block focus and exposure.

Manual Night Mode (Pro Mode): for advanced users

If you don’t like the automatic night mode, you can try manual settings in Pro mode. This is especially true for shooting the starry sky, glowing signs or moving objects (for example, long shutter speed cars).

How to turn on manual night mode:

Open the camera and select Pro (or Manual) mode.
Set up the parameters: 📏 Excerpt (S): From 1/4down 30c (for stars not less than 10s). 📈 ISO: 100–800 (The lower the noise, the less). 🔍 Focus: Manual (infinity for landscapes). 🔄 White balance: 3500–4500To the warm lights of the lights.

tripod

Press the descent and wait for the end of the shooting.

Example of settings for different scenes:

|------------------------|----------|------|------------|---------------|

| City lights | 2-5s | 400 | Automobile | 4000K |

| Starry sky | 15-30s. | 800 | Infinity | 3500K |

| Portrait by candlelight | 1/2–1s | 200 | Hand-held | 3000K |

| Glowing signs | 1/4–1s | 100 | Automobile | 5000K |

⚠️ Warning: When shooting with a shutter speed of more than 5 seconds, the smartphone may overheat. If the camera is overheated, take a break for 2-3 minutes.

How to remove light tracks from cars

1. Set your smartphone on a tripod next to the road. 2. In Pro mode, set the shutter speed 10-15 seconds, ISO 100.3. Use a remote or timer to avoid shaking when pressed. 4. Shoot in format RAW post-processing.

Typical mistakes in night shooting and how to avoid them

Even with night mode on, photos can be blurry, noisy or overlit, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

1. Hand trembling → blurred

📱 Solution: Use a tripod or elbow a stable surface. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have stabilization. OIS, But it won't save you more than 1 second.
🎯 Lifehack: Turn on a timer for 3 or 10 seconds in the camera settings – this will help to avoid shaking when you press the descent.

2. Overlight from lanterns or screens

💡 Solution: Tap the screen in the darkest part of the frame so that the camera adjusts the exposure. Or reduce the shutter speed in manual mode.
🔍 Automatics tries to “pull out” shadows, but at the same time illuminates bright areas.

3. Heavy noise in dark areas

📊 Solution: Reduce ISO Manual mode (optimum 100-400) If noise remains, try apps like Google Camera (GCam) with improved noise reduction algorithms.
⚠️ Exception: On the Redmi Note 11 and younger, noise may be a hardware feature (the weak Snapdragon 680 processor can't handle handling).

4.The camera doesn't focus in the dark

🔦 Solution: Light up the object with a flashlight (even for a short time, it's enough to focus). Switch to manual focus in Pro mode. Turn off macro mode if it's on (Flower icon).

5. Night mode is not included

⚙️ Solution: Check if the mode is turned off in the camera settings (Settings) → Regimes → Update the Camera app via Google Play. On some models (e.g., Camera, POCO M4 Pro) night mode only works in illumination below 10 lux - try to cover the light source.

💡

Night mode on Xiaomi works best in light from 0.1 to 10 lux (twilight, street lighting). In total darkness (for example, in a cave), even it will not help - you need an external light source.

Additional features: how to improve night photos on Xiaomi

In addition to the standard night mode, Xiaomi smartphones have hidden features and third-party tools that will help to make pictures even better.

1. Ultra Night Mode (on selected models)

🌌 Available on Xiaomi 12S Ultra, Xiaomi 13 Pro and some flagships POCO.
🔍 It differs from the usual night mode in that it makes a series of 10-20 frames and combines them taking into account the movement of objects.
📱 How to turn on: In Night mode, find the Ultra switch in the top corner.

2. Shooting in RAW + processing

📸 In Pro mode, enable save in format RAW (setting → fileformat).
🖥️ Process the image in Lightroom or Snapseed: Increase exposure and shadows. Reduce noise (but don't overdo it - it will reduce detail); Adjust white balance (in the dark, automation often makes mistakes).

3. Third-party cameras: GCam and others

📱 Google Camera (GCam) is often better at night shooting than the standard app. BSG Wichaya.
🔗 You can download it on forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA (Find a version for your model).
⚠️ Important: Not all GCam features run on MediaTek processors (e.g., on the Redmi Note 12 with Helio) G99).

4. Shooting video in night mode

🎥 Xiaomi 13 Pro and newer available night mode for video (resolution limited) 1080p).
🔍 Turns on in Video mode → moon-icon (🌙).
⚠️ Limitations: The maximum duration of the video is 5 minutes. Stabilization works worse than in photo mode. POCO Mid-level nighttime video may not be available.

5. Use of external light sources

💡 Even weak light (such as from a smartphone flashlight) can significantly improve your shot.
🎨 For creative shots, try: Sidelight for volumetricity; Color filters (e.g. red light for dramatic effect); Smoke or fog to scatter light (popular in street photography).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the night mode on Xiaomi

❓ Why the night mode doesn’t work on my Xiaomi?

There could be several reasons: 📱 Previous PostPrevious Camera App – Update It via Google Play. 🔧 Mode is disabled in settings: go to Camera Settings → Check if the night is active and if the night is active. 💡 Too bright lighting – night mode is activated automatically only in low light (usually below 10 lux). 🚫 Hardware restrictions: on budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1) If nothing helps, try resetting the camera settings to factory settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset application settings).

❓ Can I use night mode to photograph the stars?

Technically yes, but with reservations: 🌌 Most Xiaomi smartphones (except flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have a maximum shutter speed of 5-10 seconds in automatic nighttime. 📸 For astrophoto, it is better to use manual mode (Pro) with a shutter speed of 15-30 seconds, ISO 800–1600 and focus on infinity. 🔭 A tripod and remote (or timer) are recommended to avoid jitters. Example settings for Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Mode: Pro Shutter speed: 20c ISO: 1600 Focus: Manual (infinity) Format: RAW White balance: 4,000K

❓ Why are nighttime photos green or purple?

This is a typical problem when shooting with long exposure, especially under LED lights or screens: 🔦 Artificial lighting: LEDs and fluorescent lamps have an uneven spectrum, which knocks the white balance. 🎨 Decision 1: Manually set the white balance on 3500–4500K in Pro mode. 📱 Decision 2: Turn off automatic color correction in the camera settings (if there is such a setting). 🖥️ Decision 3: Take it off. RAW and correct the color in Lightroom (tool) HSL/If the problem persists, try taking a picture of the object under different lighting (e.g. incandescent lamp light).

❓ How to make night portraits with a blurred background (boke)?summary> For portraits in the dark with bokeh effect (blurred background) follow these tips: 👤 Use Portrait Mode, Not Night Mode on New Models (Xiaomi) 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) There is an option Night portrait. 💡 Illuminate your face with an external source (such as a ring lamp or a flashlight with a diffuser). 📏 Step away from the object to 1–1.5 Meter – this will help the camera to properly separate the object and background. 🔍 In manual mode (Pro) set the aperture f/1.9 or more widely (if supported). ⚠️ In total darkness, portrait mode may not work – the camera needs contrasting boundaries to separate the object from the background.

❓ Can I turn on night mode on the front camera?

Yes, but with limitations: 🤳 Most models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) have night mode available for the front camera, but it works worse due to the smaller sensor size. 🔍 The Night icon only appears in very low light. 💡 For better results: Use an external light source (like another smartphone screen); keep your phone 30 to 50 cm away from your face; turn off beauty mode; it adds noise to post-processing; and on budget models (like Redmi). 10A) Night mode on the frontal may not be available.