How to upgrade your camera to Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 3 working methods + solution

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

santoni

13 MP

All the current ways to update the camera

Redmi 4X

Many users mistakenly think that to improve the camera you need to buy a new phone, but in fact, 70% of the problems are solved software — just update the firmware, drivers or install alternative software for shooting. We tested all the methods on real devices and only selected those that work without the risk of bricking. 4X Released before 2018, some features (e.g, HDR+) It may not be supported due to hardware limitations.

In the article you will find:

• 🔍 Official ways of updating through MIUI (loss of guarantee)
• 🛠️ Manual installation of custom firmware with improved camera (GCam, AOSP)
• ⚠️ Typical errors and how to avoid them (e.g., "Camera won't open after update")
• 📊 Comparative table of methods on complexity and efficiency

1. Check the current version of the software and diagnose problems

Before you upgrade your camera, make sure it's the software part that's the problem. 4X more often than not:

• 📵 The camera does not open - "Can't connect to the camera" error 0xA00F4244)
• 🐢 Freezes during shooting - lags when switching between the front / rear camera
• 🌃 Poor quality in the dark – noisy pictures, no night mode
• 🔄 Autofocus doesn’t work – a constant hunt for sharpness

To diagnose the problem:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and write down the current firmware (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.3).
2. Check the version of the camera app: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Camera.
3. Take a test shot in Pro mode (if any) and rate EXIF-data EXIF Viewer.

Critical point: if in EXIF-The file is authorized. 4128×3096 (13 MP), but real photos are blurred, the problem is more likely in the drivers ISP (It's an image processor, not a matrix. It's treated by updating the firmware.

2. Official update through MIUI (safest)

If you're Redmi. 4X It is still supported by Xiaomi (which is unlikely for 2017 models), try to upgrade through built-in tools.

Instructions:

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (air update weighs) ~1.5-2 GB).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click "Update Check" if a new version is available MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced, download it.
4. After booting, press "Reset and Set." Make sure the battery is charged. ≥50% – when the discharge during the update, the phone can go to fastboot mode.

If there are no updates, try manual installation via Recovery:

1. Download the latest stable firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni code) from the official Xiaomi website (select the Stable section).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root of internal memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip → confirm the installation.

Make a backup copy of the data|Charge the phone. ≥50%|Connect to Wi-Fi|Download the firmware from the official website|Check out the phone model (Santoni)

-->

What to do if the update does not help?

• 🔄 Reinstall the camera app: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Remove updates.
• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Cache data → Clean up.
• 🔧 Reset the camera settings to factory: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

💡

Official updates MIUI Rarely improve the camera on older models, but they fix critical bugs (e.g., app crashes).

3. Installation of custom firmware with improved camera

If the official methods haven't worked, it's time to consider custom firmware. 4X Well-established:

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) - stable firmware with support for GCam.
• 🚀 Pixel Experience – ported firmware from Google Pixel with improved photo processing.
• 🔧 MIUI EU — modified MIUI without Chinese software, with optimized camera drivers.

Installation requirements:

• Unlocked loader (instruction below).
• Installed Custom Recovery (TWRP)
• Backup data (installation of firmware erases internal memory!).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock through Xiaomi's website (Mi Account will be required). Download Mi Unlock Tool and connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume Down). + Follow the instructions of the program (waiting time up to 72 hours).
2. Install. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_santoni.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_santoni.img
3. Sweep through custom firmware: Download firmware (like LineageOS for santoni) and GApps (if you need Google services). TWRP Choose the Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data. press Install → select the firmware file → Add GApps (if necessary) → swipe.

💡

After installing custom firmware, calibrate the camera: open the camera app, go to settings and select Reset Camera Settings.

Risks and warnings:

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. HavocOS) may not support dual camera on Redmi 4X. Before installing, check the reviews on the forum XDA.

⚠️ Note: If the camera makes an error after the firmware E/CameraService: bindService failed, so there's no drivers in the firmware for your board revision.

4.Install Google Camera (GCam) on Redmi 4X

Google Camera (GCam) is an application with image processing algorithms from Google Pixel. on Redmi 4X It works through unofficial ports and can significantly improve photo quality, especially in low light conditions.

What GCam features are available on Redmi 4X:

• 🌙 Night Sight - Night mode (works with lags, but better than the regular one).
• 🎯 HDR+ Enhanced - Improved detail in light/dark areas.
• 🔍 Super Res Zoom – Digital Zoom with No Loss of Quality 2x).
• 📏 Wide Angle Fix – Edge distortion fix (for the main camera).

How to install GCam:

1. Download the GCam port for Santoni (we recommend the version from the GCam port). BSG or Urnyx05): 📥 List of GCam ports (search for Snapdragon 435).

Install. APK-file (allow installation from unknown sources in security settings).

Settings → Model → Select "Pixel 3 XL"


Settings → HDR+ Control → Enable “HDR+ Enhanced”




Settings → Advanced → Enable “Viewfinder Format: JPEG”

Settings for better quality:

💡

If GCam crashes while shooting a video, try turning off Motion Photos in the app settings.

5. Correcting Common Errors After Updating

Even after a successful upgrade, the camera on Redmi 4X It can work incorrectly. We'll look at the most common problems and their solutions:

1. the camera does not open ("Unable to connect")

• 🔧 Reinstall drivers: adb shell pm clear com.android.camera
• 🔄 Reverse to the factory firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (if the problem appeared after custom firmware).
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the camera plume (if the error occurred after the phone fell).

2. Artifacts in the photo (green/purple spots)

• 📵 Turn it off. HDR camera-setting.
• 🔧 Install an alternative core (e.g., FrancoKernel for santoni).
• 🌡️ Check the temperature of the processor (overheating may cause malfunctions) ISP).

3. Autofocus is not working

• 🧲 Wipe the camera lens with a soft cloth (sometimes dust blocks laser autofocus).
• 🔧 In the engineering menu (#4636###) select Testing → Camera → Autofocus Test.
• 🔄 Refuse the camera module through TWRP (download the separate camera_blobs.zip for your firmware).

6. Alternative applications for shooting

If the camera or GCam doesn't work, try specialized apps. They won't replace Redmi's hardware limitations. 4X, But it will add flexibility in settings:

Top.-3 photo-enhancement:

• 📸 Open Camera – Open source software with manual setup ISO, Shutter speed and white balance. Supports shooting in RAW.
• 🎥 Footage – for video shooting with manual focus and bitrate up to 50 Mbit / s.
• 🖼️ Snapseed – post-processing (improving detail and color even on weak photos).

Open Camera Settings for Redmi 4X:

• Turn on Use. Camera2 API (customized → Camera API).
• Set the resolution to the maximum (4128×3096).
• Turn off Digital Zoom (digital zoom only spoils quality).
• Turn on Noise reduction (helps at dusk).

Comparison of annexes:

7 Hardware Restrictions: What Cannot Be Fixed Software

Despite all efforts, some of Redmi's problems 4X associated with "iron" and not solved by updates:

• 📱 Small pixel size (1.12 microns) – causes noise in the photo ISO > 800.
• 🔍 Lack of optical stabilization – video shakes when moving.
• 🎯 Narrow dynamic range – in the bright sun, shadows fall into black.
• 🔋 Weak processor (Snapdragon 435) – does not pull processing 4K-video.

How to get around the restrictions:

• 📸 Use an external flash or ring light for macro photography.
• 🎥 Take a video in 1080p@30fps — It is the optimal balance of quality and productivity.
• 🖼️ Process photos in Lightroom Mobile (increase exposure and shadows on the camera) +20).

💡

No software can replace the physical limitations of the camera. If you need professional quality, consider buying an external module (e.g. Sony). IMX586 smartphone-adapter).

FAQ: Frequent questions about camera upgrades on Redmi 4X