How to turn on a wide-angle camera on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: the secrets of activation and configuration

Xiaomi Redmi 9T is equipped with a quadrocamera with a wide-angle module at 8 MP, but many owners face a problem: this objectiv simply does not appear in the standard camera application. The reason lies in the software limitations of MIUI, which by default hide some of the functions to “simplify the interface.” In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to enable a wide-angle camera, from official settings to hidden engineering commands.

It is important to understand that Redmi 9T (codename lime) has hardware support for a wide-angle lens, but its activation depends on the firmware version and regional settings. For example, in global versions of MIUI, the function can be blocked, whereas in Chinese (CN) or European (EEA) it is available by default. We have tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 12.5-14 and are ready to share proven solutions.

Checking hardware support for wide-angle camera

Before you try to turn on a wide-angle module, make sure that your Redmi 9T is actually equipped with one. Some modifications (for example, for certain regions) may have a simplified camera.

• 🔍 Smartphone Model: Go to Settings → The phone. → Model, should be indicated M2010J19SG (global version) or M2010J19SC (Chinese).
• 📸 Camera specifications: In the same section, find the Camera item - 48 MP should be specified there. + 8 MP (wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth).
• 🛠️ Diagnostics through the engineering menu: Enter the code in the phone application ##4636##, Select Phone Information and check the Camera bar API Level - the value should be LEVEL_3 higher.

If the specs are only 48 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP, your device, unfortunately, is not equipped with a wide-angle module. In this case, the further actions do not make sense. Also note the serial number of the device: the first 4 characters after the letter S (for example, S210...) indicate the month and year of production – if your smartphone is released before November 2020, hardware differences are possible.

Official method: setup through the camera app

In some versions of MIUI, the wide-angle camera is hidden, but it can be activated through a standard application.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Photo Mode (not Video or Portrait).
3. Touch the icons 0.6x (or WIDE) If you don't have one, you can tap the icon. ⚙️ (settings) and select Camera Resolutions.
4. Turn on the wide angle camera switch (if any).

If there is no 0.6x icon, try resetting the camera settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera.
2. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot your smartphone and check for wide-angle mode.

Update. MIUI last-minute|Clear the Camera app cache|Check for the icon. 0.6x interfaced|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Attention! On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.0.8), the wide-angle camera can only appear in Professional (PRO) mode. Try switching to this mode and looking for the FOV option in manual settings.

Hidden settings: engineering menu and codes

If standard methods don't work, you can try activating the wide-angle module through the engineering menu, which requires caution, as improper actions can disrupt the camera.

Enter the following code in the phone application:

##36446337##

The CIT (Camera Image Tuning) menu will open.

1. Select the Back Camera (rear camera).
2. Find the Wide Camera or Ultra Wide and set the Enable value.
3. Save the settings and restart the phone.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative:

##6484##

In the MTK Engineer Mode menu that opens, go to Hardware Testing → Camera and check the status of the wide-angle module. If it shows up as Disabled, try turning it on manually.

Warning: ⚠️ Changes to the engineering menu can cause the camera to malfunction. If the main camera stops working after manipulation, reset the settings via Settings → System system → Resetting settings (select Resetting app settings).

Using ADB to unlock a wide-angle camera

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

Steps for activation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers, and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global multi_camera_policy 1

Then restart the device.

If the wide-angle camera never came up, try an alternative command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.camera/.CameraLauncher -a android.media.action.IMAGE_CAPTURE --ez use_front_camera false --ei camera_id 2

Here. camera_id 2 This is usually a wide-angle module (specify). ID via adb shell dumpsy media.camera).

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help restore your phone in the event of a crash.

Installation of custom firmware for full unlocking

The most reliable way to access all the camera features is to install custom firmware, such as Xiaomi.EU or LineageOS, which removes regional restrictions of MIUI and opens access to hidden modules.

Instructions for installation of Xiaomi.EU:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires an account binding Mi).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for the lime model.
3. Download the latest version of Xiaomi.EU for Redmi 9T from the official website.
4. Go to TWRP, make a wipe (Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data) and install the firmware.

Once installed, the wide-angle camera will be available in the standard Camera app without any further manipulation.

• ⚠️ The warranty on the device will be cancelled.
• 🔄 Updates will have to be installed manually.
• 🛡️ Security: Castom firmware may contain vulnerabilities if downloaded from unofficial sources.

💡

Custom firmware not only unlocks the wide-angle camera, but also improves performance, removes ads in MIUI and adds features that are absent in standard versions.

Solving problems with a wide-angle camera

If the wide-angle camera is turned on but is not working properly (for example, the image is blurry or green), try the following solutions:

If the problem persists, check the integrity of the camera using a test application, such as Google Play's Camera Test, which will show whether the wide-angle module is recognized at the hardware level, and if a physical malfunction (such as a disconnected plume) will require repair.

Attention! ⚠️ Some repair shops offer to "swipe the camera" for an additional fee. 90% of the time, this is a fraud - a wide-angle module is either already working (but hidden software) or is not physically available.

Alternative applications for working with a wide-angle camera

If the standard Camera app stubbornly doesn't want to show a wide-angle module, you can use third-party programs that can work with all the physical cameras of the device.

• 📱 Google Camera: Ported version of Google’s camera with support for all Redmi modules 9T. Download the version from BSG or Wichaya from the forum 4PDA.
• 🎥 Open Camera: Open source with manual configuration of each module. → The camera can be selected by hand Ultra-wide angle.
• 🔍 Camera2 API Probe: A utility to check support Camera2 API. Shows all available cameras and their parameters.

To install GCam on Redmi 9T:

1. Download. APK-file (e.g, GCam_7.3.018_BSG_mod.apk).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Open the app, go to Settings → Additional → Auxiliary camera and select Ultra wide lens.

Note that GCam may not support all of the wide-angle camera features (e.g. night mode), but will give you access to basic photography. For stable performance, disable HDR+ in GCam settings if the image is obtained with artifacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9T wide-angle camera