How to enable night shooting on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a complete guide with settings

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones among amateur photographers thanks to its 64-megapixel main camera and advanced software. Night shooting on this device can do wonders - transform dark scenes into detailed shots with minimal noise. However, many users do not even suspect that the night mode on the Redmi Note 8 Pro works differently than on flagships and requires a special approach.

In this article, we will not only show you how to turn on night photography, but also reveal hidden settings that Xiaomi does not advertise. MIUI, And what tricks do professional mobile photographers use to get perfect night shots, and we'll also compare the results of night mode to the results of night mode. HDR manual settings – this will help you choose the best option for your scene.

What is Night Shooting and How Does It Work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?

Night Mode is a software algorithm that combines multiple shots from different exposures into one final image. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this mode uses:

• 📸 Multi-frame processing – the smartphone takes a series of pictures (3 to 15) and folds them, reducing noise and improving detail.
• 🔍 Scene analysis – AI detects light, moving objects and automatically selects the shooting parameters.
• ⚡ Increased exposure – exposure can reach 4-6 seconds (in manual mode - up to 32 seconds).
• 🎯 Stabilization – Even without a tripod, algorithms compensate for hand tremors.

It’s important to understand that night shooting on the Redmi Note 8 Pro works differently than on Xiaomi flagships (such as the Mi 11 or 12 Pro). There is no separate hardware module for night shooting, so it depends on software optimization. In some cases, the result may be inferior to manual settings, we will talk about this in the mode comparison section.

⚠️ Warning: Night mode on the Redmi Note 8 Pro automatically turns off if there are moving objects (such as people or cars) in the frame. HDR, avoiding blurry.

Step-by-step: how to turn on night shooting

There are two ways to activate night mode on the Redmi Note 8 Pro: through the main camera and through Pro mode (manual settings).

Method 1: Automatic night mode in the standard interface

This method is the easiest and most suitable for most users:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to the main camera (if you used front or macro).
3. Make sure that the icon is displayed in the top panel. 🌙 Moon (night mode). If it's not available, go to the camera settings (⚙️ → Night mode. → Turn on automatically).
4. Point the camera at the dark stage. If the lighting is insufficient, the moon icon will light up in yellow, tap it to activate the mode.
5. Keep your smartphone still for a while. 2-5 Seconds (timer will appear on the screen).

If the Night Mode icon doesn’t appear even in the dark, check:

• 🔦 Light level – the mode is activated only when ≤ 50 lux (approximately as in dusk or in dim street lighting).
• 📱 Version MIUI — in old firmware (below) MIUI 12) the night mode may have been unstable.
• 🚫 Power saving settings – if Battery mode is enabled, the camera may limit performance.

Make sure the camera lenses are clean|Turn off energy saving|Check the vacant space (you need to). ≥ 500MB)|Use a tripod or a stop for stabilization-->

Method 2: Manually enable via Pro mode

For advanced users who want full control of the settings:

1. Open the Camera and switch to Pro (or Manual) mode.
2. In the bottom panel, find the icon. 🌙 Night and tap it.
3. Set up the settings manually: ISO: 800–3200 (The higher the frame, the lighter the frame, but the more noise: 1/4" – 32" (You can set the maximum for static objects. White balance: 3500–4500K hot-light.

Press the down button and hold the smartphone still.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, night shooting allows you to set shutter speeds of up to 32 seconds, a record among mid-range smartphones from 2019-2020. However, with such settings, even the slightest shaking of the hand will spoil the shot, so a tripod is mandatory.

Why the nighttime regime may not work

Sometimes users find that nighttime footage doesn't turn on or gives bad results, and here are the main reasons and solutions:

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the camera settings to factory:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Camera and select the Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Secret settings to improve night photos

Few people know, but the Redmi Note 8 Pro has hidden options that can significantly improve the quality of night shots.

1. Optimization through the Engineering Menu

This method requires caution, but allows you to fine-tune the camera:

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
2. Go to Equipment Testing → Camera.
3. Find the Night Mode Strength option and set the value 3 (maximum).
4. Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

Warning: Incorrect changes to the engineering menu can cause camera crashes.If artifacts appear after the changes, reset the settings via Settings → System system → Resetting settings.

2.Using GCam (Google Camera)

Many enthusiasts install a modified version of the Google Camera (GCam), which often performs better nighttime shooting than the standard camera.

• 📌 GCam 7.3 (stable but no night mode for ultra-wide camera).
• 📌 GCam 8.1 (with Night Sight support for all modules, but bugs are possible).

Update versions can be downloaded on forums XDA Developers or 4PDA. After installation:

1. Open GCam and go to Settings → Additionally.
2. Activate Night Sight and set Shutter speed to Auto.
3. In the Lib Patcher section, select Saber (optimized for the Redmi Note 8 Pro).

⚠️ Warning: GCam can overheat the processor during long night shooting. Watch the temperature of the device - if the smartphone gets hot, take a break for 5-10 minutes.

3.Setting white balance for street lighting

Automatic white balance (ABB) in night mode is often wrong, especially under sodium lights (they give an orange hue).

1. In Pro mode, turn off ABB.
2. Set the temperature manually: 💡 White. LED-lanterns: 4,000–4500K. 🟠 Sodium lamps: 2,500–3000K. 🌕 Moonlight: 6500–7500K.

Tint (Tint)

-5

💡

For natural colors of night photos on Redmi Note 8 Pro always turn off automatic white balance in Pro mode. Sodium lights (orange) require a temperature of 2500–3000K, white LED — 4000–4500K.

Practical tips for perfect night photos

Even with the right settings, the result depends on the technique of shooting.

• 📏 Composition: Use the rule of thirds -- place key objects at the intersection of lines. In the dark, this is especially important, because there are fewer parts.
• 🔦 Additional light: Light up an object with a flashlight (but not in the frame!) or use reflected light (e.g., from a wall).
• 🖼️ Format RAW: In Pro mode, save the photo in RAW — This will give you more opportunities for post-processing.
• 🧊 Cooling: If you shoot for a long time, put your smartphone on a cold surface (such as a stone) – this will prevent overheating.

For post-processing of night photos, we recommend:

• 📱 Snapseed: Selective correction tool will help to brighten shadows without noise.
• 🖥️ Lightroom Mobile: Reduce Noise in Details and Add Clarity for Clarity.
• 🎨 VSCO: Filters HB1 or A6 They work well with nighttime staff.

💡

To reduce noise in night photos without losing detail, use the combination of: Noise Reduction in Lightroom) → 30% + Sharpening (Sharpening) → 50% with a mask on the edges.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when shooting at night.

1. Shooting against the light source -- lights or the moon in the frame will cause the lights to go through the lights, so you can change the angle or close the light source with your hand while you're shooting.
2. Using digital zoom -- at night, any zoom degrades the quality. Go closer to the subject or shoot it on the main camera, and then trim it.
3. Insufficient stabilization – even slight tremors when aging 1/2" Use a tripod or put your elbows on a stable surface.
4. Shooting in RAW without processing - raw files look dull right out of the camera. Always edit them in Lightroom or Snapseed.
5. Ignoring the weather - fog or rain scatters light and adds noise. HDR.

If you take pictures at night, remember:

• 👤 Distance to the object should be 1-1.5 m (otherwise the face will be blurred).
• 💡 Use external lighting (e.g. ring light) or screens of other smartphones as softboxes.
• 🔄 Make a series of 5-10 frames - at least one will be clear.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions