This story is not recent. Since Pixel 2, Google's native camera app, known as Gcam, has started to be ported to multiple devices, and installed on so many others. The results were amazing. Now, with the release of Pixel 3 and its new camera features, including Night Sight, the situation has only improved.
It's because? Because Pixel, even with just one camera, does the right job, and its post processing allied with the sensor and camera set makes photos that rank among the best on the market, lined with dual up cameras. Google knows what it's doing, I can see.
The Desired Pixel Camera / AndroidPIT
So yes, using just one app, installing it without root access, no code messaging, and no complex implementations, you can substantially enhance your photos by utilizing Google's "fancy" post processing "magic", which makes the Pixel line have amazing photos with just one camera. But how to do it on your smartphone?
First, know: the miracle is not for everyone
It's no use doing like me and trying to install the Google Camera APK on any smartphone in the world thinking it will do. I got frustrated most of the time. Unfortunately, I need to fulfill some requirements to have the installation.
The main one being Android above 7.1.1 Nougat, but for the Pixel 3 app version, only Android 9 Pie accepted. And that will also vary in processing matter. Depending on the version of the camera app, the limitations are different. There are two types of APK:
- Gross APK: The version is provided by Google, available on sites in an original form without modification. Google specifications must be met, and many features may not work on your smartphone.
- Modified APK: For some tops and middlemen, in addition to Samsung models, volunteer developers modify the app, activating features that don't work in the raw version and making the app work on different processors.
Even if Google Camera doesn't work, you can still try Gcam, like Sony above / AndroidPIT
Unfortunately, due to the processing power required, Google Camera does not work on 99% of the simplest input and intermediate smartphones. Check out a compatibility table at the end of the article.
How to install Google Camera on your smartphone
WARNING: Do not perform any of these procedures without knowing what you are doing. Neither AndroidPIT nor me will be responsible for any damages caused, since if you do so, you will do so on your own. Always back up your device before anything.
The most current version of Google Camera 6.1. Coming with the new Pixel 3, it can be installed natively on the other Pixel, but to install on your device the steps are simple. If your device does not have Android Pie or does not have a special version of APK, download previous versions.
The best way to get the Google Camera app is by going to a trusted site like APK Mirror and downloading the latest version:
Download the Google Camera app here from the Mirror APK site
We have made some tutorials on what an APK, how to install on your smartphone and how to know the right version for your processor:
Before you install, be sure to enable the option that allows you to install unknown sources on your system. Just go to Settings / Settings> Security. And if you have already installed an old version of Google Camera or Gcam, delete the app data as well.
APK Mirror a font, but use with caution always / AndroidPIT
I didn't find my smartphone in the links, now what?
All smartphones listed below have a version of either Google Camera or Gcam available. They may not contain all functions, or even contain very few functions, but they do exist.
The best option here is to give Google a model of your device next to the name of the apps. For example: "Moto Z2 Play Gcam" or "Moto Z2 Play google camera". But always remember to download reliable links.
Google Camera Exclusive Ports
In some cases, you may have access to more features of the Google Camera app on certain devices. This is because some developers and curious people make the "port", ie take the app and tweak it to work especially with a device model.
To find out if your smartphone already has a port, you can keep an eye on the XDA Developers website, where the modified APKs are published. You can find most of them on this link that XDA made.
But there is another very simple way to find the right port for you. If you have Telegram installed, just follow the Google Camera Port Updates channel, where several daily links to APKs are published. Da, just perform a search for the model of your device.
Xiaomi Mi 8 one of which has port for Google Camera / AndroidPIT by Irina Efremova
Among the latest handsets that received port and appeared there are Xiaomi Mi 8, Pocophone F1, OnePlus 6T, Mi Max 2, Galaxy S9, Nokias (7 Plus, 8, 6.1 and 6.1 Plus), Moto X4, among others. Some may be older versions of the app, but they are gradually being updated.
In some cases, like some Xiaomi, the process is more complex, and you need to make deeper modifications to your device. advised only for experts.
Will I have all the features of Pixel's Google Camera?
This will depend on device to device. Devices such as Xiaomi Mi 5, Essential Phone and OnePlus 6, for example, have support for Night Sight, the low light shooting mode of Pixel Camera. However, not all smartphones have optimal processing and components to support all features.
Still, what is worth here for the improvement in the overall quality of your photos, something you didn't even expect to happen and is kissing your hand?
See the features that may be available for your device:
- HDR +: Capture better photos, especially in low light or backlit scenes.
- Video stabilization: Capture softer videos, even if your hands frame.
- Smartburst: Hold down the shutter button to automatically capture a stream of photos and make moving GIFs.
- Photo sphere: Create immersive pics.
- Rear lens blur: Add a background blur (bokeh or portrait mode) to close-up photos after capturing.
- Slow Motion: Capture slow-motion video action (up to 240fps on some compatible devices).
- Autofocus Motion Tracking: Traces a selected object by tapping the screen and keeps it in focus
- Photobooth: Recognize when you or others in the photo are making faces and expressions and capture the photo at this time
- Night Sight: Special capture mode in dim light environments
- Super Res Zoom: Zoom with enhanced resolution
I'm seeing bugs and defects, now what?
The solutions presented for any non-Pixel handset are developed by people who understand APKs, but are not officially working with them, and are all volunteers.
Thus, it is expected that some bugs and problems appear in the app, including the impossibility of installation, treatments, slowdown and sudden shutdown of the app. Try uninstalling the app, install it again, open the camera, force it to close, and reopen the app. It also works to search for another version and restart the device.
Another solution to look for in XDA Forums is for the best camera settings. On some models, I need to turn off some functions, not using the flash, among other tricks.
Oh, and Google Camera may in some cases not improve the quality of photos. It can even get worse. It's not common, but the Galaxy S9, for example, still doesn't have a good Google app, and the system's native remains the solution.
What are the differences?
The following images are shocking, so get ready for the impact. Below you can see photos taken with the same smartphones, one taken with the device's native camera, the other with the Google Camera app:
OnePlus 5T without and with the app / Caio Lemos
Zenfone 3 Zoom front camera, without and with the app / Eduardo Urbaneja, website reader
Moto Z3 Play without and with the app / AndroidPIT by Stella Dauer
Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 without and with the app / 5ynt3ck, Reddit
Pixel 2 with HDR + and Pixel 3 Night Sight / joaomgcd, Reddit
List of devices compatible with Google Camera or Gcam
Currently, there are some smartphones that have the right compatibility with the app, either the raw version or the modified version. Just them:
Google:
Samsung:
Motorola:
ASUS:
OnePlus:
Xiaomi:
- Xiaomi Mi 5 and 5S
- Xiaomi Mi 6
- Xiaomi Mi 8
- Pocophone F1
- Xiaomi Mi A1
- Xiaomi Mi A2
- Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite
- Xiaomi Mi Max 2
- Xiaomi Mi MIX
- Xiaomi Mi MIX 2
- Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S
- Xiaomi Mi Note 3 and 3S
- Xiaomi Redmi 3S
- Xiaomi Redmi 4X
- Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime
- Xiaomi Redmi 5A
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and 5 Plus
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
LG:
Sony:
Nokia:
HTC:
LeEco:
- LeEco Le Max 2
- LeEco Le Pro3
Lenovo:
- Lenovo K6
- Lenovo P2
- Lenovo ZUK Z2 Pro
- Lenovo ZUK Z2 Plus
Razer:
- Razer Phone (with HDR + and Night Sight)
- Razer Phone 2 (with use of second camera)
Honor:
Huawei:
- Huawei Mate 10
- Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Others:
- Essential Phone PH-1
- Snapdragon 835 Processor Smartphones
- Snapdragon 625 Processor Smartphones
- Smartphone with Camera2API (use this app to check if your own)
Even though not mentioned here, chances are your smartphone has some version of Google Camera or Gcam for it. Search Google and be careful with downloads!
Have you used this app on your smartphone?
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