If you own a Xiaomi smartphone and you notice the mysterious name Bokeh on the app list, you may have wondered what kind of software it is and why it is needed? In fact, it is not just random software, but a powerful tool for creating professional photos directly from the screen of your phone. The bokeh effect (from Japanese blur) has long become the standard in mobile photography, and Xiaomi implemented it in a separate application for maximum convenience.
In this article, we will take a look at how Bokeh works on Xiaomi smartphones, which models support this feature, and how it can take blurry-framed photos that are as close as SLR cameras, learn about hidden settings, nuances of use, and even how to circumvent restrictions if your model does not support bokeh out of the box, and compare the built-in app with popular alternatives from Google Play so you can choose the best tool for your needs.
What is Bokeh and Why You Need It in Xiaomi
The term bokeh comes from photography, and it refers to the aesthetic quality of the blurred part of the image, which in the context of smartphones means that the main object in the photo remains clear, and the background smoothly "floats out", creating a depth effect, a technique that is widely used in portraiture, macro photography and even in food photography, which helps to emphasize the main thing.
In Xiaomi smartphones, the Bokeh app performs two key functions:
- 📸 Blurring Mode – allows you to take a photo with a bokeh in real time using a dual (or triple) camera to calculate the depth of the scene.
- ✨ Editing existing photos – adds background blur to already taken pictures, even if they were taken without this effect.
- 🎨 Setting the intensity of blurring - manually adjust the degree of "vagueness" of the background, adjusting to a specific scene.
It’s important to understand that Bokeh is not just a filter, but a full-fledged technology feature that analyzes the depth of an image. At Xiaomi, it works on the basis of machine learning algorithms that separate the foreground from the background with high accuracy. However, the quality of the result depends on the hardware capabilities of your smartphone: models with multiple cameras (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro).+) They do better than budget devices with a sleep module.
What Xiaomi models support the Bokeh app?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones have a Bokeh app pre-installed, and its availability depends on two factors: the hardware platform (the number of cameras and their characteristics) and the version. MIUI (Below we have compiled a current list of models where this feature is available out of the box":
| Smartphone series | Models with Bokeh support | Type of camera | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 | 13, 13 Pro, 13 Ultra, 13 Lite | Triple/quadruple chamber (50)+ MP) | Support 3D-bokeh and manual diaphragm adjustment |
| Redmi Note 12 | Note 12 Pro+, Note 12 Pro, Note 12 5G | Triple camera (200 MP in Pro)+) | Boque only works on the main camera. |
| POCO F5 | F5, F5 Pro | Triple camera (64 MP) | Requires an upgrade to MIUI 14 |
| Xiaomi 12 | 12, 12 Pro, 12X | Triple camera (50 MP) | V 12X Bokeh is available only in portrait mode |
If your model is not listed, it does not mean that you can not use the bokeh effect. In many cases, it can be activated through the standard Camera application, selecting Portrait or Professional mode. MIUI App Store (if compatible with your device).
⚠️ Note: On budget models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M5) Bokeh may not be available due to the limitations of the iron, in which case you will need to use third-party applications such as Focos or AfterFocus to blur the background.
How to use the Bokeh app on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
The interface of the Bokeh app is intuitive, but it has a few hidden features that not everyone knows about.
- Find the Bokeh icon in the app menu (usually a stylized camera with a blurred background). If it isn't, check the Tools folder or search the system.
- Select the mode On the main screen: - Shooting - to create a new photo from the bokeh; - Gallery - to edit existing pictures.
- Set up parameters In shooting mode, touch the gear icon (⚙️), to open additional options: - Blurring level (from 1 to 10); - Shape of the light spot (round, hexagonal, etc.); - Color correction (warm / cold tones).
- Shoot or save Click on the shutter button or select a photo from the gallery, then apply the effect and save the result.
For the best results, follow these tips:
- 📏 The distance to the object is optimally 1-2 meters. Too close or far away, and the algorithm may misdetect depth.
- 🌞 Lighting - natural light gives a clearer separation of plan and background, in the dark bokeh can get dirty".
- 🎯 Focus -- tap the screen to manually select the focal point, which is especially important for macro photography.
Remove the cover (it can close the cameras)
Clean the lens of fingerprints
Select an object with clear contours
Shut down. HDR (It can interfere with the bokeh algorithm)
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Hidden Bokeh features you didn’t know about
Many users are limited to basic settings, but the Bokeh app has a few “chips” that will take your photos to the next level:
- 3D-In models with ToF sensor (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro) mode is available 3D Bokeh, which takes into account not only depth, but also the volume of objects, is especially useful for shooting small details (such as jewelry or insects).
- Dynamic Bloke: You can set the settings to enable Dynamic Bokeh, which automatically adjusts the intensity of the blur depending on the movement of the object, and this saves children or animals when you're shooting.
- Exports to RAW In professional mode (Pro Mode) you can save the original file in the format RAW, and then rework the bokeh in Lightroom or Photoshop without losing quality.
- The effects menu includes a Bokeh Shape option that allows you to change the shape of the light reflections (for example, make them as hearts or stars), which adds creativity to portrait images.
An important nuance: in models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the bokeh algorithm works 30% faster thanks to hardware acceleration of neural networks, which means that real-time shooting will be smoother, and photo processing will be almost instantaneous.
How to Enable the Hidden Mode "Night Bokeh"
Bokeh issues in Xiaomi and how to fix them
Despite the advanced algorithms, Bokeh sometimes fails, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Boque does not apply to photo | Incompatible model or outdated firmware | Update MIUI to the latest version or use third-party apps |
| Blurring is too aggressive | Incorrect intensity settings | Reduce the level of washing manually (optimally 3-5 units) |
| Artifacts at the boundaries of objects | Weak processor or lack of light | Shoot in good lighting or use High Accuracy mode |
| App flies out | Conflict with other chamber modules | Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → Bokeh |
If none of these methods worked, try resetting the camera settings to factory:
- Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
- Select Reset application settings.
- Find the Bokeh list and confirm the reset.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for European Region: Bokeh may be disabled by default due to restrictions GDPR. To activate it, switch to the version. MIUI China or use the patch through Magisk (root rights required).
Comparing Bokeh with Alternative Apps
While Xiaomi’s built-in Bokeh app is doing its job, many users prefer third-party solutions for greater flexibility, and we tested several popular alternatives and compared them on key parameters:
| Annex | Quality of blur | Additional functions | Cons | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bokeh (Xiaomi) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (flagman) | 3D-Bokeh, dynamic blur, integration with MIUI | Limited functionality on budget models | Free of charge. |
| Focos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (third-hand) | Manual mask correction, diaphragm simulation, export to RAW | Paid subscription for premium features | Free + Purchases |
| AfterFocus | ⭐⭐⭐ (mean) | Simple interface, video support | Lots of advertising, slow processing | Free of charge. |
| Fabby | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (fine) | AI-improvement of faces, templates for social networks | Registration is required | Free of charge. |
If you want the best quality, we recommend combining the built-in Bokeh app with Focos:
- Take a photo in Bokeh with minimal blur.
- Import it to Focos and customize the mask by hand.
- Apply color correction and export in high resolution.
💡
If you’re shooting on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, try the Leica Authentic Bokeh mode – it mimics the optics of the legendary Leica lenses with a characteristic soft blur.
How to make bokeh on Xiaomi without a special application
If your smartphone doesn't support Bokeh, it's not a reason to give up the blur effect. Here are 3 working ways to achieve a similar result:
- Portrait mode in the standard camera Open the Camera app, select Portrait mode and take a picture. Most Xiaomi models automatically use background blur in this mode. For best results, use the front camera (if it is dual).
- Google Photos and Blurring Upload a photo to Google Photos, open it for editing, and select the Blurring tool. Google's algorithms do a good job of separating the background, but require an internet connection.
- Download Snapseed (a free Google app), open a photo and use the Selective Correction tool. Manually wash the background with a brush, adjusting the intensity.
For advanced users, there is another way to use GCam (a modified Google camera), and many GCam ports for Xiaomi support Portrait Mode with improved bokeh, but this will require:
- 🔍 Find a compatible version of GCam for your model (for example, in the forum) 4PDA).
- 📱 Allow installation from unknown sources.
- ⚙️ Configure the config file for your camera (instructions are usually bundled with the port).
⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial versions of the GCam can cause the camera to run unstable or the processor to overheat.Before using, back up your data and check reviews about a particular build.