How to activate a hidden camera on Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi smartphones often feature additional camera modules that the manufacturer does not advertise or disable by default. There are many rumors among users about “hidden” front-facing cameras in models with cutouts under the display or mechanical sliders — for example, in the Mi Mix 3 or Redmi K50 Ultra. But how to separate myths from reality and can these modules really be unlocked?

In this article, we’ll look at all the known methods for activating hidden cameras on Xiaomi devices, including official features (such as Ultra Wide Angle in some models), engineering menus and alternative firmware. You’ll learn which models support such capabilities, what risks are unofficial methods, and how to check if your smartphone has an inactive camera module.

Which Xiaomi models have hidden cameras?

The manufacturer rarely mentions additional camera modules in the specs, but enthusiasts and developers of informal firmware often find them in the hardware stuffing of devices.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 – mechanical slider hides two front cameras (24 MP) + 2 MP), but in some regions one of them is disabled software.
• 📱 Redmi K50 Ultra – a second front camera is hidden under the display (located next to the main one, but not used in standard software).
• 📱 Xiaomi 12S Ultra – Some firmware versions have a ToF camera turned off (even if it’s physically present).
• 📱 POCO F4 GT — The engineering menu shows the presence of an additional sensor that is not involved in the camera’s regular application.

To check if your device has hidden modules, you can use applications like AIDA64 or CPU-Z (Camera section). If the list shows modules that are not in the specification, you can try to activate them. However, not all of them work: sometimes the manufacturer installs "stubs" to unify the platform.

Official ways to enable hidden cameras

In some cases, Xiaomi itself provides access to additional cameras through software updates or hidden settings. For example, in the Mi Mix 3, the second front camera (2 MP for background blur) is activated via Portrait mode in the standard application. And in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, after upgrading to MIUI 14, an option for the selfie camera appeared, although it was not originally mentioned in the specs.

How to check the official methods:

1. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Open the Camera app and go to Additional → Camera Settings.
3. Check for items like Additional Camera, Ultrasonic Sensor or ToF.
4. In models with a slider (such as the Mi Mix 3), try opening it manually – sometimes this will unlock the hidden module.

If there are no official methods, there are alternative methods, but they require caution. For example, in Xiaomi 12S Ultra users activated the ToF camera through the engineering menu, but this led to failures in the main module in 15% of devices (according to the XDA Developers forum).

Activation via Engineering Menu (MTK/Qualcomm)

The engineering menu is a hidden settings section that allows you to test the hardware components of a smartphone. For Xiaomi devices on Qualcomm or MediaTek processors, the path is different, but the general principle is the same: enter special code in the Phone application.

Instructions for Qualcomm (e.g. Redmi K50 Ultra, POCO F4 GT):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##4636## (test menu opens).
3. Go to Hardware Testing → Camera.
4. Select an inactive module (such as Camera 2 or ToF).
5. Press Test – if the camera is working, a preview will appear.

For MediaTek (such as some Redmi Note models):

##36446337##  →  Hardware Testing → Camera

Warning: Testing through an engineering menu can lead to:

• ⚠️ Overheating of the chamber (if the module is not calibrated).
• ⚠️ Data loss in the Camera app (resetting settings).
• ⚠️ Blocking IMEI (rarely, but perhaps incorrectly exiting the menu).

💡

Before entering the engineering menu, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup. This will help restore the camera settings if they reset.

Use of the ADB-unlock

If the engineering menu does not give access to the hidden camera, you can try it. ADB-Android Debug Bridge, which requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer and enable debugging. USB. Important: Wrong commands can disrupt the system!

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, via Minimal ADB and Fastboot).
4. Open the command line and type: Adb devices (should display your device).
5. Follow the command for the list of cameras: adb shell dumpsys media.camera In the conclusion, find the lines with camera.id - these are the identifiers of all modules.
6. Activate the hidden camera (example for camera.id)=2): adb shell am start -a android.media.action.IMAGE_CAPTURE --ei android.intent.extras.CAMERA_FACING 1 --ei android.intent.extra.USE_FRONT_CAMERA 1 --ez android.intent.extra.CAMERA_ID 2

If the command works, the camera app with the selected module will open, but not all cameras support this method — some require additional calibration via GCam or modified firmware.

💡

ADB-commands are the most flexible way, but require technical skills. If you are not sure about the actions, use ready-made scripts from proven sources (for example, XDA Developers).

Modified firmware and GCam

If official and semi-official methods fail, there is a custom firmware option (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or ported versions of Google Camera (GCam), which often reveal the hidden potential of the hardware, but have significant disadvantages:

• 🔓 Loss of warranty (unlocking the bootloader resets the Anti-Rollback counter).
• 🔓 Risk of “brick” (incorrect firmware can make the phone inoperable).
• 🔓 Encryption problems (some camera modules require additional patches to work).

How to install GCam to activate the hidden camera:

1. Download the version of GCam that supports your model (for example, a modification from BSG is suitable for the Redmi K50 Ultra).
2. Install. APK-File (Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings) → Annexes → Special access).
3. Open GCam, go to Settings and select an optional module in the Camera ID section.
4. If the camera is not working, try replacing the configuration file (config.xml) for your model.

Example of working configurations for popular models:

⚠️ Note: Installation of GCam on devices with MIUI 14+ This can cause conflicts with the branded camera app. Before installing, disable the automatic Mi Camera update in Google Play, or the settings will reset.

Risks and how to avoid them

Attempts to activate hidden cameras carry several critical risks that few warn of:

How to minimize the risks:

• 🛡️ Before experimenting, create a full backup through TWRP or Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable may block some engineering commands. If nothing happens after you enter the code, try switching to the new one. MIUI China EEA (European).

Alternative methods: applications and scripts

If you don't want to mess with ADB or firmware, you can try specialized applications. They don't always work, but sometimes they help activate hidden functions without making deep changes to the system.

Top.-3 camera-testing:

• 📌 Camera2 API Probe – shows all available camera modules and their parameters (for example, supported resolutions).

Example of using the Camera2 API Probe:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give permissions.
3. In the Hardware Level section, check if additional cameras (like Camera 2 or Camera 3) are displayed.
4. If you find a module, try opening it through GCam or Open Camera.

You can use scripts on Tasker or MacroDroid to automate the process, for example, the following script tries to run a hidden camera through Intent:

Intent:


Action: android.media.action.IMAGE_CAPTURE




Extra: android.intent.extras.CAMERA_FACING: 1




Extra: android.intent.extra.USE_FRONT_CAMERA: true




Extra: android.intent.extra.CAMERA_ID: 2

The script must be run with ADB rights or through Shizuku (an Android without root management app), and success depends on the model and version of MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's hidden cameras