Ported Google Camera app (gcam) is surely a hype among Android users. It offers advanced features powered with Google’s own technology not available on any other camera apps by default.
Gcam itself is basically a default camera app available on all Google’s devices including Pixel, Pixel 2/2 XL, Pixel 3/3XL, Pixel 3A, and all future Pixel variants.
The success of BSG and friends (Arnova8G2, Cstark, and so on) in porting the app for other devices makes all other Android users happy. We can now enjoy the awesomeness of Gcam on Android phones other than Google Pixel, including our lovely Redmi Note 5.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 codename Whyred (also known as Redmi Note 5 Pro in India) is one Xiaomi’s best selling smartphone last year. It boasts company’s profit significantly.
The device sports Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) chipset under the hood. The existence of Octa-core 1.8 GHz Kryo 260 CPUs and Adreno 509 makes it the most valuable phone of the year.
Redmi Note 5 initially comes running MIUI 10 Android 7.1 Nougat. Recently, the device receives Android 9.0 update within MIUI 10 v10.3.1.0 Global Stable ROM.
Previously, we have shared the trick to enable Camera2 API on Redmi Note 5. There are three methods available. All of those work flawlessly on Redmi Note 5 running MIUI 10 based on Android 7.1 Nougat and 8.1 Oreo.
The recent Pie update makes the trick useless.
The proven steps below allows you to enable Camera2 API level 3 successfully on Redmi Note 5 Pro/Ai/China/Global. We tested it and proved it to work flawlessly.
This trick requires no root access. We will also flash no custom recovery and hence we can still enjoy MIUI OTA update mechanism.
Nevertheless, while we can confirm that this method is safe, we still recommend you to create backups. It is a good habit to create backups of all important data and files.
No body forces you to do the trick. We hold no responsibility of any damages that may happen to your phone. Please proceed with caution.
REQUIREMENTS
You will need:
- Windows computer either a PC or a Laptop. Windows 8/8.1/10 64-bit is recommended.
- ADB and Fastboot Driver and Platform Tools (download both zip files).
- Orangefox or Redwolf Recovery image – we suggest you to go with Redwolf.
- Anti-rollback Protection (ARB) bypasser.
- Camera2 API HAL3 Enabler (zip).
- Any compatible USB Data cable
How to Enable Camera2 API on Redmi Note 5 MIUI 10 Pie?
Step 1. Disable Windows Drivers Signature Enforcement on your computer. We have the detailed tutorial here.
Step 2. Extract Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Driver zip file (miui-ADB-Driver-Installer-v1.4.3.zip) and install it on your computer. This should finish in seconds. Make sure you install it on C:\adb\. This step is necessary to install ADB Fastboot system-wide.
Step 3. Extract the miui-platform-tools_r28.0.1-win.zip on your computer. You’ll get a folder called “platform-tools“. This step is important to make sure you use the latest version of ADB-Fastboot.
Step 4. Unlock the bootloader of your phone. Read the full guide on how to unlock MIUI bootloader officially here. Please be aware that the process requires you to reset your phone. All your data will be lost.
Step 5. Extract Orangefox zip file (OrangeFox-R9.0-2-whyred-MIUI-Pie.zip) to get the flash-able recovery image file (recovery.img). If you choose to use Redwolf TWRP, download the flash-able image file (RedWolfTWRP-3.2.3-027-unofficial.img) and rename it to “recovery.img” (without quotes).
Step 6. Copy that recovery.img file into the “platform-tools” folder (Step 3).
Step 7. Also, extract the ARB-Bypasser-Fastboot-Unlocker.zip file. You’ll get a dummy.img file. Copy that dummy.img file to the “platform-tools” folder as well.
Alternatively, you can also extract the dummy.img file directly to the platform-tools folder.
Here’s what inside our platform-tools folder.
Step 8. Now enable USB debugging on your phone. You might have it enabled during bootloader unlocking process. However, it is a good practice to double-check it.
Enabling Developer Options, go to:
Settings >> About phone >> tap the MIUI version 7x >> You are developer!
Enable USB Debugging, go to:
Settings >> Additional Settings >> Developer Options >> USB Debugging >> toggle it on.
A notification will pop up on your screen. Tap “OK“.
Step 9. Now connect your Redmi Note 5 to your computer using its USB.
Step 10. Choose “File Transfer” mode when asked (do not choose charging mode).
Step 11. In Windows Explorer, go to the “platform-tools” folder. Hold down the Shift button on keyboard, right-click anywhere within that folder, and choose “Open command prompt window/PowerShell window from here“.
Step 12. Now type following lines of command. Hit Enter every each line to issue it.
adb devices
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot devices
The first line asks your computer to recognize your device. The second line instructs your phone to boot into bootloader mode a.k.a fastboot mode. You’ll see the Mi Bunny logo displayed.
Step 13. Now type following command and hit Enter on your keyboard:
fastboot flash antirbpass dummy.img
This flashes the dummy.img onto your phone. This shall finish in seconds.
Step 14. Next, type the command below (and hit Enter) to boot your phone into recovery mode:
fastboot boot recovery.img
Step 15. Your phone shall reboot into recovery mode which in this case is either Orange Fox or Red Wolf TWRP.
Step 16. The first time entering TWRP recovery, you’ll need to do the “Swipe to allow system modification” action. Do it.
P.s: Since both Orange Fox and Red Wolf recoveries are based on TWRP, I simply call it as TWRP in the next steps.
Step 17. Now copy the Camera2 API HAL3 Enabler (HAL3_ENABLE_MIUI_PIE.zip) to your phone.
You can do this in two ways. First, copy and paste it through Windows Explorer just like copying any file from computer to a USB flash drive.
Second, you can also use following command:
adb push HAL3_ENABLE_MIUI_PIE.zip /tmp/
All the command lines you typed shall look like this:
Step 18. On your phone, choose “Install” from the main menu of TWRP.
Step 19. Now locate the HAL3_ENABLE_MIUI_PIE.zip file you have it copied earlier. Tap on its filename to select it.
Step 20. Next, do the “Swipe to Install” (in Orangefox) or “Swipe to confirm flash” action. This will install the zip file to your phone.
Step 21. Finally, go back to main menu, choose “Reboot” then choose “System“. In Red Wolf TWRP you can simply choose “Reboot System“.
Your phone will now reboot back to MIUI system. You may notice no difference with your phone.
How to find out if the Camera2 API has been activated? Simply open up Play Store, search for “Camera2 Probe”, and install it.
Launch the app to conduct Camera2 API test. You should notice something similar to these ones:
How to Install Gcam on Redmi Note 5 MIUI 10 Android 9.0 Pie?
There is no significant differences in the method for installing Gcam on Android 8.1 Oreo or 9.0 Pie. Simply grab the .apk file and install it as usual.
The trick is choosing the right APK. There are so many versions of ported Gcam app. Some may work flawlessly, some may work partially with minor bugs, and other may not work at all.
Visit our dedicated page of Google Cam for Redmi Note 5 Whyred here. All of them have been tested.
Currently, there are basically two versions of Gcam (with so many variants). First, Gcam version 5.1.x. This is an older version that’s built for Android 8.1 Oreo. Second, Gcam version 6.x which is for Android 9.0 Pie.
We recommend you to download and to install the latest version since it has all the latest features.
Credit: This article is inspired by one of Mi Fans with ID 1610317960.
waktu instal zip muncul tulisan DM Verity is not enable?apakah anda dapat membantu mengatasi masalah ini? terima kasih
that should not appear. Did you use Red Wolf Recovery?
when i put the command “adb devices” .my devices doesnt show.. my devices redmi note 5 ai cn rom,bootloader unlocked
try one of these:
– change USB cable
– make sure USB debugging is enabled
– use USB 2.0 instead of 3.0
– change different USB port
– reinstall USB ADB-Fastboot driver
My redmi note 5 ai can version have the same problem. Didn’t show when I input fastboot device but if my phone is ON and I input code adb devices it will show my phone. I’m really confused sir
Did you use the Platform Tools?
It happens to me too.. I used orange recovery (extract the recovery.img from zip) and it works… Unfortunately the camera2 API enabler don’t work for me…
use Red Wolf instead.
checked all bt didnt work yet.. 🙁
Bootloader unlocked? Used Redwolf recovery (the same build/version)?
yes bootloader unlocked ..and i have used redwolf recovery and also orange recovery
That’s unusual. You may try again following exactly what explained in steps above.
i tried redwolf but after reboot, camera2api doesnt enable. already unlocked my bootloader
For some f*ck*n reason my Camera2Api disabled after updating to Android 9.
Did everything as you described, used Orangefox though, as RedWolf and TWRP both keep telling me, that my files are decrypted, which is nonsense.
Still, my Camera2Api Checker Apps keep telling my I got only Legacy support, Gcam still not opening…
Use red Wolf instead, download from the given link, choose Redwolf Unofficial build. It shall work, trust me 😉
I followed all the steps and it did not worked. What to do?
May be you missed something within the tutorial. Please tell me which step(s) that you didn’t fully understand 🙂
yes bootloader unlocked ..and i have used redwolf recovery and also orange recovery
Hello,
I recently updated to android pie. My bootloader was already unlocked, I followed all the steps (with Red Wolf TWRP) and everything worked just fine, except when I conducted Camera2 API test it says that only manual focus is enabled. Is that normal?
you can see it here: https://ibb.co/BCxZkHk
UPDATE: Nevermind, I had a previous gcam apk installed that was not working, that’s the Camera2 API test was showing only manual focus enabled. I uninstalled that old gcam apk and the Camera2 API test worked ok (as your screenshots).
I can confirm the method with Red Wolf TWRP worked and gcam is working just fine.
Thanks! 🙂
In build.prop there is already a line stating
persist.vendor.camera.HAL3.enabled=0
Just change the value from 0 to 1 and you are done. Most importantly, now in pie update gcam is working perfectly for front camera in hdr enhanced mode.
Yes, it is working great! Is there any way to enable 4k video recording?
I need to root my phone for that, right?
No, you don’t need to. You may comprehend the article again 😉
I have Redmi Note 5 Global Version, MIUI 10.3.1, Android 9 Pie and i did everything step by step like it says on this page and even did this with build.prop and i still cant enable camera 2 api. IIS there any other way to enable it for this version of MIUI and android 9?
Thanks
Is your device rooted? Or there is a way to edit build.prop without root?
No, my phone is not rooted. Follow the above guide.
Since we are flashing HAL3_ENABLE_MIUI_PIE.zip which adds a line to build.prop file, does it break OTA updates?
No it won’t break OTA since you don’t flash a custom recovery.
Hi, i have a problem, after i install Redwolf and then the HAL3 archive…it doesn’t show enabled camera 2 api in test. And the other problem is that when i try to start by recovery mode, Redwolf doesnt appear, just Recovery stock. What am i doing wrong??? i installed the “unofficial” version of REDWOLF. Shoul i try with the other?
You don’t need to install redwolf, just use it to boot into recovery.
i think the problem is that appears “DM verity is not enabled” when i install the HAL3 zip, instead “DM successfully patched”…. i tried several times and i can’t
After booting into redwolf recovery, it says data partition is encrypted, please enter password to decrypt. What do I do? Please help.
Use RWRP unofficial build
10.3.1.0 global and it doesn’t work. Only orange recovery (took it from the zip and not installed) let me see my device trough mtp but, even if it let me flash the zip I’m still with no cam2api support. I also tried to pass the commands through the ADB shell to modify buildprop but no luck. Any suggestion?
Finally it works, I had to use first Orangefox the first that let me see the phone via MTP (but that doesn’t apply the patch even if it say was flashed with no errors); once tried again whit RWRP unofficial finally it works like a charm!
I am happy for you 😉
Do you find a solution?
Hello, I have Redmi Note 5 Global Version, MIUI 10.3.1, Android 9 Pie with unlocked bootloader, i did all steps as above but camera2api still remains disabled, i pulled build.prop file from phone and find that line persist.vendor.camera.HAL3.enabled=1 already exists, does it needs also line persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1 to work as in oreo? I haven’t enabled camera2api before pie update. Also build.prop file exists in vendor folder but there is no line persist.vendor.camera.HAL3.enabled in this file.
It worrkksss…thank you brothaaaa…..