Taking timelapse on Xiaomi smartphones is an easy way to turn real-time watches into breathtaking videos of seconds in length. Whether it’s sunrise over a city, building a house or flowering a plant, the accelerated shooting technique helps to show the dynamics of processes that are invisible to the naked eye. However, not everyone knows that modern Redmi, Poco and Mi models support this feature both at the level of the standard Camera application and through third-party utilities with advanced settings.
In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for shooting timelapses on different versions of MIUI, comparison of built-in and third-party solutions, as well as practical tips for choosing intervals, stabilizing frames and post-processing. Particular attention is paid to the nuances of working with flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, 14 Pro) and budget models (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5), where the camera capabilities may differ. If you have previously tried to shoot timelapse, but received “twitch” video or export errors, here you will learn how to avoid this.
Before you go to the settings, make sure your Xiaomi smartphone meets the minimum requirements:
- 📱 Version. MIUI: 12 and above (on older firmware, the function may be missing or not work smoothly).
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% (long-term shooting consumes more energy than regular video).
- 📷 Camera: main module with a resolution of 12 MP (for high-quality results).
- 💾 Free space: 1 minute timelapse in 4K It can take up to 300-500 MB.
1.Timelapse through the standard Camera app
Most Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12-14 have a built-in timelapse feature in the Camera app, hidden in the More menu and available on Redmi Note 10 and later, as well as on all Mi/Poco flagships of recent years.
- Open the Camera app and swipe left across the screen (or tap three dots). ⋯ → More).
- Select Timelapse mode (on some models it may be called HyperLapse or Accelerated Shooting).
- Press the badge. ⚙️ (Settings) to select the interval between frames: 🐢 1 frame/2 Sec – for slow processes (sunset, cloud movement). 🏃 1 frame/5 SEC - universal mode (transport, people). ⚡ 1 frame/10 Sec - for long events (construction, plant growth).
Lock your smartphone on a tripod or stable surface and press the recording button.
The screen will display a timer and the number of frames taken. On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), timelapse is available in 4K resolution, while budget smartphones are limited to Full HD. The finished video is automatically saved to the gallery in the DCIM → Camera → TimeLapse folder.
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If your model doesn’t have timelapse mode, try updating the Camera app via Google Play or installing alternative software from the next section.
2. Alternative applications for timelapse
The standard Xiaomi feature is suitable for basic tasks, but if you need advanced settings – for example, manual exposure, shooting in the video. RAW or intervals of less than 1 second — you have to use third-party applications. Below are proven options with support for smartphones on the Internet. MIUI:
| Annex | Key functions | Cons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lapse It | Manual ISO settings, shutter speeds, white balance; export to 4K; stabilization | Paid version to unlock all functions | All Xiaomi models on Android 8+ |
| Hyperlapse Mobile | Automatic stabilization; shooting with the screen off (battery savings) | No manual camera settings | Models with Snapdragon/Kirin processor |
| FramaLapse | 0.1 sec intervals; shooting in the background; RAW support (on selected models) | A complex interface for beginners | Xiaomi with Android 10+ and 48+ MP camera |
To install any of these applications:
- Download APK from the official website or Google Play.
- Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Appendices → Special Rights.
- Launch the app and give access to the camera, microphone (optional) and storage.
To speed up the post-processing process on the smartphone, Xiaomi is recommended to use the performance mode:
However, for professional results tripod is mandatory.