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Also known as the “Google Camera Mod,” the Google Camera Port is one of the highly expected third-party camera ports for devices not released by Google. It includes features such as HDR+ and Portrait Mode to most Android phones with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. Also, to install or use the Google Camera Port, the Andriod device must support Camera2 API. Fortunately, the latest Xiaomi devices which work with Snapdragon 710 and 845 processors work with the Camera2 API.
Some of the flagship smartphones released by Xiaomi in 2019 such as Poco F1, Mi 8 and Mi Mix 2S use the Snapdragon 845 chipset. Thus, its possible for the users of such smartphones to download the Google Camera 6.1 Port on these Xiaomi devices without any rooting or bootloader unlocking.
Facts about this Google Pixel 3 Camera Camera Port
The Google Camera port happens to be the brainchild of a Ukranian 4PDA forum member, BSG. The developer was able to port the Google Camera for the Xiaomi Mi 8. As the Poco F1 and the Mi Mix 2S use similar chipsets, they have the specs to support this port as well.
But before you install the Google Camera 6.1 port for the Xiaomi Poco Fi, Mi 8 and Mi Mix 2S, we want to show you some specs you should and should not expect with this technology
Here are the features to expect:
- Night Sight
- Super Res Zoom
- ZSL HDR+
- HDR+ Enhanced
- Portrait Mode on the front & back camera
- Video recording up to 4K 30FPS
- Photosphere, Panorama
- Slow motion 240 FPS (1080p)
- Playground
While Electronic-Image Stabilization (EIS) on Custom ROMs comes as the only feature that does not work.
Download Google Pixel 3 Camera Port for Xiaomi Poco F1/Mi Mix 2S
There are two variants of the Google Camera Port. One is the Google Camera V6.1.021 for devices which run on Android Pie (MIUI 10.1.3) while the second variant is the Google Camera V6.1021 for devices that run on Android Oreo. Seeing that the latter was backported to work on Oreo, it includes more bugs than the former.
You can check out the APK files sourced from an XDA thread. B-S-G provided the files during 4PDA forums.
MGC_6.1.021_F1_V1.4 (V6.1.021 for MIUI 10.2.2 ‘Android Pie’ or above) |Size: 119.1 MB
MGC_6.1.009_V1a (V6.1.009 for Android Oreo) | Size: 76.6 MB
How to Install Google Pixel 3 Camera Port on Xiaomi Poco F1, Mi 8, and Mi Mix 2S
As mentioned earlier, the three above named Xiaomi devices do not need rooting or bootloader unlocking because they have the Camera2 API. To install an APK file manually, you have to activate the “Install Unknown Apps” option. You can do this by going to Settings -Additional Settings-Privacy-Install Unknown Apps. Once you complete this setting, you can install Google Camera Port on Xiaomi Poco F1, Mi 8 and Mi Mix 2s with the following guide.
- Download the Google Camera Port APK file.
- If you have the file on your PC, send the APK to your Xiaomi phone storage.
- Launch the ‘File Explorer’ app on your phone.
- Scroll to the location where the APK file was saved or downloaded.
- Select the ‘MGC_6.1.009_MI8_POCO_V1a.apk ‘OR ‘MGC_6.1.021_F1_V1.4_san1ty.apk ‘ file depending upon the version you downloaded to your storage.
- Next, follow the instructions on the screen to download Google Camera port on Xiaomi Poco F1, Mi 8, and Mi Mix 2S.
- Finally, tap “Done.”
Then, go to the main screen and open the Google Camera port on your device. Now you can take better portrait shots or use the HDR+ to shoot a perfect landscape photo. For suggested settings check this XDA thread.
Please ensure you have read the following notes.
NOTES
Facing lag in View version 6.1.021? Users with:
Locked Bootl to Settings > B-S-G Settings > Fix > Enable Buffer Fix. Flash Magisk / TWRP fix files
If auto-focus does not restore after touch-focus, then exit the viewfinder and re-open it. You may launch the Google Camera settings or gallery.
And there you have it. You have downloaded the Google Camera 6.1 Port for Xiaomi Poco F1, Mi 8, and Mi Mix Mix 2s with ease. Please if you have any comments feel free to leave a comment in the box below and check the XDA thread shown above.
