[GUIDE] Enable Camera2 API Without Root [mido] [Unlocked Bootloader] [MIUI 9]

A_K_S_H_ · Oct 20, 2017

DISCLAIMER

I am not responsible for anything that happens to your device on following these steps. These are untested steps that worked for me and might work for you.

PREREQUISITES

1. PC with adb
2. Unlocked Bootloader
3. TWRP
4. MIUI 9 [Might work with other ROMs, not tested]
5. Lazyflasher zip

NOTES

1. If you are on a custom ROM, chances are that camera2 api is already enabled. Use Manual Camera Compatibility to verify.
2. ~~If you are on MIUI, updating using ota might reset build.prop file. This might help, not tested.~~ Update: I successfully updated to MIUI 9 Global 7.10.19 | Beta, see below for steps,
3. I am using Google Camera v4.4.020.163412804 on MIUI 9 Global 7.9.7 | Beta, and it is a HUGE improvement over the stock camera.

STEPS

1. Boot into TWRP. (Guide if you don't have TWRP)
2. Mount System.
3. Take NANDroid backup. (Optional but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
4. Connect to PC and execute the following command in terminal:

Code:

[SIZE="3"]adb pull /system/build.prop[/SIZE]

5. This copies build.prop to the current directory. (C:\Users\[USERNAME] by default on windows)
6. Copy it to another directory for backup.
7. Open in editor and add the following line at end:

Code:

[SIZE="3"]persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1[/SIZE]

8. Save and exit.
9. Execute following commands:

Code:

[SIZE="3"]adb push build.prop /system/
adb shell
cd system
chmod 644 build.prop
[/SIZE]

10. Copy lazyflasher to internal storage.
11. Flash using TWRP.
12. Reboot to system.
13. Use Manual Camera Compatibility Checker to verify.
14. PROFIT!
15. Install the latest Google Camera HDR+ Port. (Optional but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ;P)

UPDATING MIUI

1. Download the official recovery zip from here.
2. Download latest TWRP from here
2. Reboot into TWRP.
3. Take NANDroid. (Optional, just in case . . .)
4. Transfer ROM zip, TWRP img and Lazyflasher zip to internal storage.
5. Flash ROM zip. (Took about 10 minutes)
6. Flash TWRP img. (Go to flash -> select flash image -> select twrp-[v].img)
7. Flash Lazyflasher zip.
8. Follow steps 4 through 9 of above instructions. (Yes, build.prop also gets replaced on update)
9. Reboot to system.
10. Wait patiently.
11. VOILA !!

LINKS

1. Manual Camera Compatibility Checker
2. Lazyflasher Zip
3. Google Camera HDR+ Port
4. Latest MIUI Recovery Image
5. Official TWRP for mido
6. Sources: (1) (2) (3)

Hope this helps. Try and comment if this works for you in other ROMs. Also let me know if anything is unclear.

A_K_S_H_ · Feb 4, 2018

TWRP Tweaks (MIUI 9 Beta)

The method in this thread basically allows you to edit build.prop without rooting, which opens up a lot of possibilities. Here are some other useful tweaks to build.prop that I use.

(Note: If a line is already present in the file, edit the line otherwise add at end.)

1. Enable MIUI's full screen gestures

Code:

[SIZE="3"]
qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
[/SIZE]

2. Add EIS and disable noise cancellation

Code:

[SIZE="3"]
persist.camera.eis.enable=1
persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1
ro.qc.sdk.audio.fluencetype=fluencepro
[/SIZE]

3. Turn off noise cancellation for audio recordings

Code:

[SIZE="3"]
persist.audio.fluence.voicerec=false
[/SIZE]

4. Fix Google Assistant talkback

Code:

[SIZE="3"]
mm.enable.qcom_parser=245389
[/SIZE]

Sources: (1)

Do reply if you are using some build.prop tweak and I'll add it here!

joefso · Oct 17, 2017 at 6:33 PM

is it possible to make the flash-able zip work with stock recovery?

mato_d007 · Oct 17, 2017 at 11:07 PM

What does the lazyflasher zip actually do? A quick search on google shows a custom kernel installer.

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

joefso said:
is it possible to make the flash-able zip work with stock recovery?

I am not sure if it is safe to flash zips from stock recovery. Even if you could, you would not be able to take NANDroid, so you are doomed if things go south. Still, if you want, you could try and then we'll know

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

mato_d007 said:
What does the lazyflasher zip actually do? A quick search on google shows a custom kernel installer.

The source of the lazyflasher zip (2 in sources) says:

This device uses dm-verity

This means that swiping to allow system modifications will prevent you from being able to boot if you are using the stock kernel. In order to bypass dm-verity's boot prevention, you will have to install a kernel that has dm-verity disabled in the fstab.

When I was trying the adb method, I was getting a bootloop, because (I think) the system partition had been modified (new build.prop replaced old one). Flashing this zip solved this, so I guess it essentially allows modifications to the system partition.

joefso · Oct 18, 2017 at 10:22 AM

A_K_S_H_ said:
I am not sure if it is safe to flash zips from stock recovery. Even if you could, you would not be able to take NANDroid, so you are doomed if things go south. Still, if you want, you could try and then we'll know

I am willing to try because it would be great if this could work withouth using twrp, root or a unlocked bootloader.

Are the scripts compatible?

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

joefso said:
I am willing to try because it would be great if this could work withouth using twrp, root or a unlocked bootloader.

Are the scripts compatible?

They should be, as I used them with stock MIUI, stock kernel. However, are you going to flash a zip on locked bootloader? Is that even possible? Why would modifications to the system partition be allowed with locked bootloader? What would be the point of locking if that is the case?

joefso · Oct 18, 2017

A_K_S_H_ said:
They should be, as I used them with stock MIUI, stock kernel. However, are you going to flash a zip on locked bootloader? Is that even possible? Why would modifications to the system partition be allowed with locked bootloader? What would be the point of locking if that is the case?

I assumed that if OTA updates can be flashed through bootloader then by that logic /system could be modified too, right? hmmm

In Android devices, Recovery is an Android-based, lightweight runtime environment separate from and parallel to the main Android operating system. Recovery's original purpose was:

to apply software updates to the device, e.g. OTA updates, and
to erase user data and cache, e.g. for troubleshooting or preparing the device for resale (factory reset) and
to run (another) external tool from microSD flash memory

https://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Recovery

amit.tiger12 · Oct 19, 2017

Thanks... BTW..
You can simply add that line using any file manager with root permissions and after rebooting device it works..

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

amit.tiger12 said:
Thanks... BTW..
You can simply add that line using any file manager with root permissions and after rebooting device it works..

Read the title : WITHOUT ROOT

amit.tiger12 · Oct 20, 2017 at 2:34 PM

A_K_S_H_ said:
Read the title : WITHOUT ROOT

yep I found..
do you have any solution for locked bootloader or everything stock??

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

amit.tiger12 said:
yep I found..
do you have any solution for locked bootloader or everything stock??

Unfortunately I don't have access to a stock mido right now, and I don't want to lock my bootloader.

If you're willing to risk it, you could try these steps:

1. Go to developer settings and enable adb.
2. Follow steps 4 to 9 of main post (with device switched on)
3. Reboot.

You might get a bootloop on rebooting, in which case you'd have to get into stock recovery and factory reset, because afaik, stock recovery doesn't give you adb.

Do tell what happens if you try this, good luck!

gel14a · Oct 21, 2017

When I replace the build.prop the phone goes bootloop. It does not matter I use adb or root explorer or something... Why is that? BTW only this method worked: I used an app called build prop editor and worked like a charm! Thank you. If you did not tell that it was possible to enable camera 2 api on miui 9, all my hopes would be lost. So I suggest everyone to use another methods in case this does not work.

qun · Nov 27, 2010 55 6 0

Does this work for MIUI 8? I dont want to root my phone but would like camera2

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

qun said:
Does this work for MIUI 8? I dont want to root my phone but would like camera2

It should, provided you have unlocked bootloader, but I haven't tested yet. Take a backup and try! Also, don't forget to reply what happens if you do try.

Ghavio1516 · Jul 15, 2017 39 3 0

Can someone tell me what is this?it was set to no hdr+ on default.im on miui 9 global beta 7.12.8

foxhunt · Dec 30, 2017 1 0 0

In the end of the TWRP guide it says to flash lazyflasher.zip . In the end of this guide it also says you have to install lazyflasher.zip .
Do you have to install it both times or is once enough ? What would happen if you follow both guides to the letter and install it twice ?

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

Ghavio1516 said:
Can someone tell me what is this?it was set to no hdr+ on default.im on miui 9 global beta 7.12.8

These are configs, check and see which one works best for you.

A_K_S_H_ · Jan 20, 2017 34 23 0

foxhunt said:
In the end of the TWRP guide it says to flash lazyflasher.zip . In the end of this guide it also says you have to install lazyflasher.zip .
Do you have to install it both times or is once enough ? What would happen if you follow both guides to the letter and install it twice ?

No, once should be enough, but flashing twice won't cause any trouble either.

[GUIDE] Enable Camera2 API Without Root [mido] [Unlocked Bootloader] [MIUI 9]

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