How to Use Google Camera (GCam) on Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO for Better Photos
How to Use Google Camera (GCam) on Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO for Better Photos
Google Camera (GCam) is an unofficial port of Google's Pixel camera app. Its HDR+ algorithm often produces better-looking photos than Xiaomi's stock camera app, especially for night shots and portraits.
What Is GCam and Why Use It?
- GCam uses Google's computational photography (HDR+, Night Sight, Astrophotography) developed for Pixel phones.
- The Night Sight mode on GCam often outperforms Xiaomi's own Night Mode on certain models.
- Not official — installed as an APK from the community.
Step 1 – Enable Installation from Unknown Sources
- Settings → Privacy → Special app access → Install unknown apps.
- Select your browser → toggle Allow from this source.
Step 2 – Find the Right GCam Port
Not all GCam versions work on all Xiaomi models. Check:
- celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/ — the largest GCam repository.
- Filter by your phone model or chipset (Snapdragon 8 Elite, Dimensity 9300, etc.).
- Recommended ports for Xiaomi: BSG, UltraCVM, or Xtreme versions.
Step 3 – Install GCam
- Download the recommended
.apkfile. - Open the APK → tap Install.
- You may need to enable Camera2 API — most Xiaomi phones have it enabled by default.
Verify Camera2 API
- Download Camera2 API probe from Google Play.
- Open → check "Full" under hardware support level.
- If "Legacy" is shown, GCam will have limited features.
Recommended GCam Settings for Xiaomi
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| HDR+ | Enhanced |
| Night Sight | Auto |
| Rear camera RAW resolution | Maximum |
| Video stabilization | EIS (if available) |
| Astrophotography | Enabled (requires dark sky) |
GCam vs Stock Camera Comparison
| Feature | Stock Xiaomi Camera | GCam |
|---|---|---|
| Night Mode | Good | Often better (Night Sight) |
| HDR | Good (Leica on flagships) | Excellent HDR+ |
| Video quality | Better (more stable) | Limited (no OIS access) |
| Portrait bokeh | Good | Moderate |
| Astrophotography | Available on flagships | Excellent on all models |
Important Notes
- GCam may not access all Xiaomi-specific lenses (ultra-wide, telephoto) — depends on the port.
- Video quality is often inferior to stock camera on Xiaomi because GCam can't fully utilize the OIS hardware.
- GCam is not officially supported — install at your own risk and keep the stock camera as a backup.
Pro Tips
- Run both stock and GCam in the same scenario and compare results — sometimes the stock Xiaomi camera + Leica tuning beats GCam on flagship models.
- For Astrophotography specifically, GCam's implementation is still hard to beat on most Xiaomi models.
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