How to turn on timelapse on Xiaomi: a guide to setting up

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are equipped with powerful cameras that can compete with professional entry-level hardware. One of the most impressive features available to users is Time-lapse, or timelapse. This technology allows you to turn long video recordings of events into short, dynamic videos where time seems to accelerate, the clouds move at incredible speeds, and traffic turns into light streams.

Many owners of Redmi and Poco devices have difficulty finding this mode, because the MIUI or HyperOS shell interface can hide the desired options in the submenu. Also, it is not enough to get a quality result just to press the recording button. You need to adjust the exposure, select a tripod and determine the shooting intervals. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of creating interval videos.

You'll learn not only how to find the right mode in a standard application, but also how to understand the physical workings of the function. We'll look at resolution settings, frame rates, and the impact of stabilization on the final result. Proper hardware preparation is key to success, because even the slightest jitter of a phone can ruin hours of recording.

Search and activate the timelapse mode in the Camera application⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may call it Interval Shooting or hide in the additional More menu, and the first step to start shooting is to run the standard Camera app. On the home screen, swipe left or right (depending on the shell version), you need to scroll through the list of available modes. Look for an item called Time-lapse or its Russian counterpart. If the main menu does not have one, find the More button and select the desired mode there. When you switch to timelapse mode, you'll see a timer and a recording button on the screen. Unlike a regular video, you don't have to hold your finger on the button. You just need to press one button to start and one to stop. The system automatically compresses time, making the process as simple as possible for the user. But the basic settings need attention, and there are often sliders or icons at the top of the screen to change the settings, and you can choose the resolution of the video stream, for example, 1080p or 4K. Also available is a frame rate setting, the standard value is 30 fps, but for a smoother picture you can set 60 fps if the hardware of the smartphone allows. 📱 Open the Camera app and find Time-lapse mode. 🎬 Press the write button once to start the process. ⏹️ Press the button again to complete the shooting and save the file. ⚙️ Check the resolution settings in the top corner of the screen before kick-off.The interface may vary slightly on different models, such as the Xiaomi 13 or the budget Redmi Note.In some cases, the settings are hidden under the gear icon or three stripes in the corner. It is important to study the menu of your model, as the logic of grouping functions often changes with the update of the system. 📊 What is your Xiaomi smartphone?Redmi NoteXiaomi (Mi)Poco F/M series C/M The Other Series

Technical aspects of interval surveying

The principle of timelapse is to create a series of photos with a certain time interval, which are then glued together into a video sequence. If a regular video records 30 frames per second continuously, then timelapse can take one frame every few seconds, which allows you to compress real-time hours into seconds of video.

The key is spacing. In a standard Xiaomi app, this is often automatically selected depending on the speed of objects. However, for creative tasks, it is important to understand the relationship: the longer the interval between frames, the faster the object will move in the final video. For shooting a sunset, the interval can be several seconds, and for fast-moving transport, fractions of a second.

Another important technical point is focus and exposure, and you have to block these parameters before you start recording, and if you leave the autofocus on, the camera can start to search for an object during a long shot, which will ruin the video, and you have to press and hold your finger on the screen at the focus point before the AE/AF LOCK label appears.

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Use RAW or maximum JPEG quality if you plan to color correct your video on your computer.

The resolution of the final file also plays a role: shooting in 4K will give a more detailed picture, but will require significantly more free storage space and battery power. For social networks, 1080p is often enough, which will allow you to shoot a longer video without the risk of overflowing memory.

Equipment required for high-quality photography

The main enemy of timelapse is the camera's jitters. Because each frame is taken with pause, any shift in the smartphone between frames will be noticeable as a sharp jerk on the video. So using a tripod is a prerequisite for obtaining a professional result. It is almost impossible to keep the hand still for 20-30 minutes.

Besides the tripod, the power supply is critical. The camera mode with a constantly running screen and processor consumes battery power quickly. If you plan to capture dawn or cloud movements for an hour, an external power bank is essential. Connect it before you start the process so you don't interrupt the shooting.

Also pay attention to the lighting and position of the sun. When shooting outside, make sure that the sun does not shine directly into the lens, if you do not want to get a flashlight (flare). Using a blend or a visor can improve the contrast of the frame. Indoors, avoid flickering light sources, such as old fluorescent lamps, which can create a strobe effect.

• 🔋 External battery to ensure long-term operation.
• 📸 Reliable tripod or flexible stand (e.g. GorillaPod).
• ☀️ Blend or visor for protection from direct sunlight.
• 🧹 Wipe to wipe the lens before start.

Remember to wipe the lens before recording. On standard Xiaomi cameras, the lenses often collect fingerprints, which in bright light turn into rainbow glare, spoiling the entire frame. A simple microfiber will save your videos from losing contrast.

Configure exposure and focus parameters

Automated exposure can be a cruel joke when shooting timelapse, especially in changing light conditions, such as at sunset. The camera will try to constantly adjust the brightness, which will lead to a “flicker” effect on the finished video. To avoid this, experienced users switch to manual mode or fix settings.

In Time-lapse mode, Xiaomi often has manual ISO and shutter speeds available. For daytime shooting, set a minimum ISO (usually 50 or 100) to avoid digital noise. Shutter speed is better set short to freeze objects if they are fast, or long to blur motion (motion blur), if you want artistic effect.

⚠️ Note: When shooting under artificial light exposure exposure must be multiples of the network frequency (1/50 or 1/60), Otherwise, there will be dark stripes in the video.

White balance is also better fixed manually. Automatic balance can change color temperature from frame to frame, causing the sky to change from blue to purple and back again. Choose preset "Daylight" or "Cloud" depending on conditions, or set the value in Kelvins manually.

For complex scenarios where light changes dramatically (like day-to-night transitions), the standard app may not work, and in such cases professionals use third-party apps or shoot a series of RAW photos to then timelapse on a computer using Holy Grail techniques.

Comparison of video shooting modes on Xiaomi

Users often confuse timelapse with slow motion or video, and understanding the differences will help you choose the right tool for a particular creative task. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the modes.

As you can see from the table, timelapse is ideal for demonstrating long-term processes. Conventional video saves real time, while Slow Motion, on the contrary, stretches moments. On Xiaomi smartphones, all these modes are available in one application, making them a versatile tool.

It’s worth noting that the Super Night Time-lapse mode available on flagship models allows you to create quality videos even in very low light conditions. AI AI algorithms combine multiple frames to reduce noise, which is impossible to do in normal video mode.

Editing and processing of finished video

Once the video is recorded, it often gets better. The built-in editor at Xiaomi Gallery offers basic features: cropping, applying filters and adding music. However, for more serious work, it is better to use specialized applications such as VN, CapCut or InShot.

When editing timelapse, it is important to choose the right music, the rhythm of the track should coincide with the visual rhythm of the video, fast music falls well on the dynamic scenes of the city, and calm music falls well on the natural scenery, and you can also add a zoom effect (Ken Burns) at the beginning or end of the video for dynamics.

If you've been shooting in high resolution, when exporting for social networks (Instagram, TikTok) it's worth reducing the bitrate or resolution to 1080p so that the algorithms of social media compression do not degrade the picture quality even more.

• 🎵 Choose music in the rhythm of the visual series.
• ✂️ Cut the beginning and end where you can see the installation of the tripod.
• 🎨 Apply color correction to align tones.
• 💾 Save the original file before compressing for social media.

Don't be afraid to experiment with angles and composition. Timelapse allows you to see things in a new light. The horizon must be perfectly flat, otherwise the video will cause discomfort when viewing. Use the grid in the camera settings to align.

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The quality of the tripod and the stability of the phone's position are more important than the resolution of the camera matrix. It's impossible to watch trembling video in 4K.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)