Have you ever seen a video of clouds racing across the sky like a high-speed train, and city streets plunged into nightlights in seconds? This is timelapse, a technique that transforms slow processes into dynamic rollers. Xiaomi smartphones have long supported this mode, but many users either do not know about its existence or do not know how to use it effectively.
In this article, we'll look at what timelapse is on Xiaomi, how it differs from regular video and hyperlapse, what smartphone models support this feature, and most importantly, how to shoot really impressive accelerated videos. You'll learn about the hidden settings, optimal parameters for different scenes and typical errors that spoil the quality of timelapse, and at the end you will find an FAQ with answers to the most common questions.
What is timelapse and how does it work for Xiaomi?
Timelapse is a technique that has a frame rate that is well below standard. If you're shooting a video at 24 to 60 frames per second (FPS), you can shoot a timelapse frame between 0.5 seconds to several minutes, and if you play it at normal speed, you get a speedy time effect.
On Xiaomi smartphones, timelapse is software-based: the camera automatically takes pictures at a given interval, and then glues them into video. Unlike professional cameras, where the user can flexibly adjust the exposure and focus for each frame, most of the parameters are controlled by algorithms. However, this does not prevent the shooting of high-quality videos - with the right approach.
- 🎥 Example of use: shooting sunrise, building a house, traffic or plant growth.
- ⏱️ 1 hour of real time can fit in 10–30 seconds of video.
- 📱 Xiaomi feature: in most models, timelapse is available directly in the standard camera app, without the need to install third-party programs.
It's important to understand that timelapse is not the same as hyperlapse (when the camera moves while shooting) or accelerated video (when a regular video is just played faster), in timelapse, each frame is fixed in time, which avoids blurring and gives a clear image even during long shooting.
What Xiaomi smartphones support timelapse mode
The function of timelapse appeared in Xiaomi smartphones back in 2016, but its implementation is very different depending on the model and version of MIUI. Below is a table with support for mode in popular devices:
| Smartphone model | Timelapse support | Max, permission. | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra | ✅ Yes. MIUI 14+) | 4K (3840×2160) | Night mode, stabilization, manual interval setting |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+/11 Pro+ | ✅ Yes. | 1080p | Auto exposure, time limit (up to 30 minutes) |
| POCO F5/X5 Pro | ✅ Yes. | 1080p | HDR support, but without manual settings |
| Xiaomi 12T/12 Lite | ✅ Yes (with an update) | 4K | Stabilization, but limited range selection |
| Redmi 10A/9A | ❌ No / ⚠️ Only through third-party applications | — | Basic camera without advanced modes |
Note: On budget models (such as the Redmi 9C or POCO M3), timelapse mode may not be available in the standard camera app, but it can be activated via Google Camera (GCam) with Xiaomi support.
If your model is not in the table, check for mode as follows:
- Open the Camera app.
- Scroll through the shooting modes to the left (usually the timelapse is next to the Video or Panorama).
- If there is no mode, upgrade your MIUI to the latest version or install GCam (instruction below).
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Before buying a timelapse smartphone, check not only for mode, but also for manual exposure settings, which is critical for shooting in difficult conditions (such as sunset or night sky).
How to turn on and configure timelapse on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
The mode activation algorithm is almost the same for all supported models. Consider the process with the example of Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14:
- Open the Camera app and swipe left to Timelapse mode (watch icon) ⏱️).
- Press the gear icon (⚙️) in the upper right corner to open the settings.
- Select the shooting interval: 🌅 1 frame/2 Sec – for fast processes (movement of transport). 🌇 1 frame/5 SEC – a universal option (clouds, people). 🌌 1 frame/30 Sec - for long processes (construction, plant growth).
Set the permit.
1080p
4K
Activate stabilization.
Once you start shooting, you'll see a timer and the number of frames you've taken. To stop recording, press the shutter button again. The finished video will be saved to the gallery in the DCIM/TimeLapse folder.
Make sure your smartphone is charged or connected to power|
Secure your phone on a tripod or stable surface |
Check the vacant space (1 hour timelapse in 4K = ~10-15 GB) |
Turn off autosleep mode in screen settings-->
Hidden feature: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) you can activate the night mode in timelapse.
- Turn on Timelapse mode.
- Touch the moon icon (🌙) top-down.
- Choose Night Timelapse – this will allow you to shoot in low light conditions without noise.
Optimal settings for different shooting scenes
The quality of timelapse depends not only on technique, but also on the right parameters.
| The scene. | Interval (frame/sec) | Permission | Additional advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌅 Sunrise/sunset | 1/5–1/10 | 4K | Use night mode, fix the exposure manually |
| 🚗 Traffic traffic | 1/2–1/3 | 1080p | Shooting from a high point (balcony, bridge) |
| 🌱 plantation | 1/30–1/60 | 1080p | Use an external battery for multi-day shooting |
| 🏗️ Construction | 1/60–1/300 | 1080p | Hold the camera in one position for the entire period. |
Critical: If you take timelapse during the day, turn off the autoexposure (AE), otherwise the brightness will jump when the lighting changes.
- In timelapse mode, tap the screen and hold your finger on the subject.
- There will be an icon of the castle (🔒) — This means that the exposure is fixed.
Another common problem is that the screen flickers when you're shooting for a long time, and this happens because you automatically shut down the display, to avoid:
- Go to Settings → Display → Sleep mode.
- Choose Never (or Maximum Time)
- Turn on the Developer Mode and activate the option Do not turn off the screen.
Important: if you're shooting timelapse in 4K, make sure there's enough space in the gallery. One hour of video can take up to 20GB!
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The most common mistake for beginners is to shoot without fixing exposure, which leads to the video blinking when the lighting changes. Always block AE before recording!
How to improve timelapse after shooting: editing and editing
Even a perfectly shot timelapse can be made even better with post-processing.
- Stabilization: Use Adobe Premiere Rush or CapCut to remove microshaking.
- Color correction: In Lightroom Mobile, increase contrast and saturation for a more dynamic look.
- Acceleration/Slowdown: If the video is too long, speed it up 1.5-2 times.
- Add music: Choose a track without words (e.g. in Epidemic Sound) at a pace that matches the rhythm of the video.
For advanced users:
- 🎬 Hand-held: export staff to JPG and collect video in Final Cut Pro with custom transitions.
- 🔍 Detailing: Increase sharpness in Topaz Video AI frame-timelapse.
- 🌈 HDR-Effect: combine multiple exposures in Photoshop for a brighter sky.
If you shot in 4K, but the video turned out to be too heavy, convert it to 1080p at a bitrate of 20-30 Mbps through HandBrake, which will reduce the file size by 3-4 times without noticeable loss of quality.
Alternative ways to shoot timelapse on Xiaomi
If your model doesn’t have a built-in timelapse mode, don’t despair – there are at least 3 working ways:
- Google Camera (GCam): Download the GCam version that supports your model (e.g. BSG or Wichaya). In the settings, turn on Time Lapse (usually in the More section). Set the spacing and resolution (available up to 4K even on budget models).
- Third-party annexes: 📱 Lapse It – Simple interface, support 4K, manual. 🎥 Hyperlapse Mobile – Automatic Stabilization, Instagram Integration. 🌄 Frameographer – for professionals (support) RAW, display-graph).
Manual shooting + editing:
- Install Tasker or Automate to automatically create photos at a given interval.
- Collect video from the frames in FFmpeg team: ffmpeg -framerate 30 -i img%04d.jpg -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p output.mp4
On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and newer, the limit is increased to 2 hours.