How to Remove Google Camera from Simple to Complex on Xiaomi

Installing Google Camera (or GCam) on Xiaomi smartphones is a popular way to improve photo quality through Google’s processing algorithms, but not everyone is happy with the result: Some people have bugs (flights, artifacts in pictures), some people don’t like the interface, and some just want to return the standard camera. MIUI The problem is that it's not as easy to remove GCam as a regular application, especially if it's installed through a computer. ADB or became a system.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove Google Camera on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including models on the base MIUI 12/13/14 You will learn how to properly uninstall the application without consequences for the system, what to do if the camera stopped working after removal, and how to return the standard Mi Camera application with all the functions saved. We’ll also look at hidden GCam packages that often stay in the system even after visible deletion and interfere with native camera performance.

Why Google Camera is Hard to Remove from Xiaomi

Unlike the usual apps from Google Play, Google Camera on Xiaomi is often installed in non-standard ways:

• 📦 Through APK-Manual file – in this case, the application behaves as usual, but may conflict with system resolutions.
• 🔧 Through ADB (pm install command – such application receives extended rights and can become “systemic".
• 🤖 Through modified firmware (such as LineageOS or custom builds) MIUI) — GCam can be integrated at the firmware level.
• 🔄 Through Magisk or other modules for rooted devices – in this case, deletion requires rollback of changes to the system.

In addition, some versions of GCam (e.g., modifications from the BSG, Arnova8G2 or Wichaya) create additional service files in folders /data/data/ or /system/priv-app/, And that's what happens when you uninstall the application, even after you uninstall the application:

• 📸 Standard camera. MIUI It may not start or work with errors.
• 🔄 When the system is updated, GCam appears again.
• 📁 In memory remain "junk" files that take up space.

⚠️ Note: If you have installed GCam via Magisk or custom recovery (TWRP), simple-excision APK-The file won't return the original state of the system. You'll need to roll back modules or flash it over.

Method 1: Standard removal through settings (for unsecured) APK)

If you have installed Google Camera manually APK-file (without file) ADB and root, try to remove it as a regular app:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Search for Google Camera (could be called com.google.android.GoogleCamera or similar).
3. Click Remove (or Deinstall)
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If the Remove button is inactive or absent, the application has been installed as a system (see Method 2).

After removal, check the standard camera. MIUI. If it doesn't start, try it:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📥 Install the latest version of the Mi Camera from MIUI bootloader or APKMirror.
• 🧹 Clear the cache and data of the Camera application in the settings.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after removing the GCam, it may be impossible to access a wide-angle module or macro lens, because the GCam sometimes "borrows" drivers from a standard camera.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (for system applications)

If Google Camera is installed through ADB Or you've become system, you can only delete it with the command line:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps to remove:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux).
2. Check the device connection command: Adb devices should appear serial number of your Xiaomi.
3. Find out the exact GCam package by the command: adb shell pm list packages | Search for lines like com.google.android.GoogleCamera or com.google.android.apps.camera.
4. Remove the application by command (replace package.name with the found package): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name Flag -k store cache and data, --user 0 indicates the current user.

If the command doesn’t work, try forced removal:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 package.name

For complete deletion (including data) use:

adb uninstall package.name

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If, after removal, ADB standard-camera MIUI It does not work, try resetting it: adb shell pm clear com.android.camera

Method 3: Delete the Residual GCam Files Manually

Even after uninstalling the Google Camera, files that interfere with the standard camera may still be in the system, and they must be manually deleted.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Use a file manager (such as Total Commander or MiXplorer) with access to root folders (root or root). ADB).
3. Delete the following folders and files (if any): /data/data/com.google.android.GoogleCamera/ — cache and GCam settings. /sdcard/DCIM/GoogleCamera/ — saved photos and videos. /system/priv-app/GoogleCamera/ — System files (only for rooted devices!). /data/app/com.google.android.GoogleCamera-*/ — remains APK.

To delete system files without root, use ADB:

adb shell rm -rf /data/data/com.google.android.GoogleCamera/


adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/DCIM/GoogleCamera/

If you are not sure about the folder names, check their availability first:

adb shell ls /data/data/ | grep camera

Method 4: Restore a Standard Camera MIUI after removal of GCam

Once Google Camera is removed, the standard Mi Camera app may not work properly or even start at all, because GCam sometimes overwrites the camera's system libraries to restore the work:

1. Download the original APK-Mi Camera file for your Xiaomi model from sites like: APKMirror (search for phone model) Xiaomi Firmware Updater (see Stable or Weekly section).

ADB

adb install mi_camera.apk

adb shell pm clear com.android.camera

HyperOS

Fastboot

Method 5

On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) After removing the GCam, access to additional camera modules (telephoto, macro) is lost.

Method 5: Complete Flashing (if nothing helps)

If you delete Google Camera with a standard camera MIUI It doesn't work, and the previous methods didn't work, so you just have to reflash the phone, and it's a radical but reliable way to get the system back to its original state.

Flash-flashing options:

• 🔄 Fastboot: Full Firmware of the Official Version MIUI HyperOS is suitable for most Xiaomi models.
• 📦 Through Recovery: Installation ZIP-firmware-stamp TWRP Or stock recovery. Less reliable, but easier.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool: The Official Tool from Xiaomi for Firmware in Mode EDL (requires an authorized account).

Step-by-step instructions for firmware through Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when your phone is off).
4. Run the command line in the firmware folder and run: fastboot flash all Or for new models: fastboot update rom.zip
5. Wait for the finish (10-15 minutes) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot erases all data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Pre-backup through Mi Cloud or Google Account.

After the firmware:

• 📱 Standard camera. MIUI will be operating in the initial state.
• 🔄 All settings will be dropped to the factory.
• 🚫 Google Camera and its traces will be completely removed.

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to guarantee that you will remove all traces of GCam if it has been integrated into the system at the firmware level (for example, through Magisk or custom recovery).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete Google Camera on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems.

A few more tips:

• 🔍 Before removing GCam, check if it is being used as the default camera in other apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram).
• 📡 If the Internet or mobile connection is lost after deleting, reset the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings).
• 🔄 On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) may require a rollback until MIUI for complete removal of GCam.

Alternatives to Google Camera for Xiaomi

If you have removed Google Camera, but the camera is standard MIUI You are not satisfied, consider alternatives:

• 📸 Mi Camera (modified): Some developers release patched versions of the standard camera with improved processing (e.g. Mi Camera by Kieron).
• 🎞️ Open Camera: Open source with manual settings (supports) RAW, You can download manual focus on the official website.
• 🔍 Footage: Professional shooting app with Pro Mode and Log profile support.
• 🤖 GCam without root rights: Some versions (e.g. GCam by) BSG) They work without root, but require the right configuration.

Before you set up an alternative, check:

• ✅ Compatible with your Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 may not support GCam for Xiaomi 13).
• ✅ Bugs (some alternatives don’t work with wide-angle modules).
• ✅ Forum feedback (4PDA, XDA Developers).

If you want to return the Google Camera, install it through the APK without ADB — It will be easier to remove it in the future.

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Before installing an alternative camera, back up the current one through ADB: adb backup -f camera.ab com.android.camera. This will help you quickly restore it if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google Camera on Xiaomi