Everyone loves Pixel devices because of their Stock Android, guaranteed updates, great performance and most importantly, amazing Camera. We all know that how awesome the Camera on the Pixel 1 was. It’s Auto HDR feature could take amazing images with some great details. It got even better when Google launched the Pixel 2 last year. It took the Pixel family a step ahead in terms of Camera performance. When other brands were using a Dual Camera setup to improve the Camera performance, take DSLR like bokeh shots, Google did it with just Single Camera. Yes, with a Single camera which is one of the reasons why Pixel 2 got the highest score by DxO Mark for a Mobile camera. Not only the Pixel 2 has a great Camera hardware, but some amazing Software processing as well. That’s like the icing on the cake.
But wait, why are we talking about Pixel and its Camera?
Well, here’s the answer. What if I tell you that you can get the same amazing
portrait shots on your device as well? Yes, you read that write. We know that
Dual camera setup isn’t necessary to get those amazing Portrait shots. So, you
can do that as well on your phone with just the Single primary camera only. And
what’s more interesting is that, you can get the Portrait mode in selfies as
well. Yes, because its software processing, you can get Selfie bokeh shots as
well.
So, how to do that? Well, the procedure is down below. But
before that, let me tell you that this will work on Most devices but not all of
them.
Now, there are many versions of Pixel 2’s ported Camera (Not
to be mistaken for Google Camera). Thanks to the awesome developers at XDA, who
made it possible for us to use the Pixel 2 Camera on almost any device. I will
tell you that which version you should use.
First of all, you need to check if Camera2API is enabled on
your device or not. If it is not enabled, then you cannot use the Pixel 2’s
camera on your device. But there’s a workaround for that as well which I will
tell you later in this post.
To check that, download the Camera2 probe app from the Play
store and Open it. Once you open it, you will be able to see a screen like this
:
Now Just Force stop the GCMod5 once and Capture amazing Portraits.
Now,
if you take a look at the “Hardware Level Support Category”, you can see
multiple types of support listed. If the “Level_3” Support or “Full” Support is
Green in color and there is a tick
besides it, that means your phone has Camera2API enabled by default. If it’s
written in Red color, then you cannot use the Pixel 2’s camera directly.
For devices with Camera2API enabled, with Qualcomm Processor (600 series or above), and Android Oreo 8.0 or above.
Download this apk file.
Install this file like any normal apk.
Once done, open the App. It will be named as “GCMod5”. Touch on the three bar on the left side to open the menu. Now Click on Settings.
Now Set Config camera HDR+ to Nexus 6 Auto, and Choose Model Nexus 6P.Now Just Force stop the GCMod5 once and Capture amazing Portraits.
Download this apk file. This file is ported by XDA Senior Member miniuser123 (Full Thread here.)
Install this file on your device.
It will be named “Camera” itself. Find out the app and open it.
It will ask for few permissions. Grant all the permissions (Location is optional).
Touch
on the menu button on the left side and go to settings.
Find
BSG Settings and Open it.
Now
choose Nexus 6 in Model. Scroll down and turn On
the “Portrait mode on all models” option.
Return back to Settings. In
the end, find Developer options. Click on that.
Ensure these settings:
camera.af.debug.show: off
camera.faceboxes: on
camera.af.debug.show: off
camera.faceboxes: on
Exit
the app. Clear the cache and force stop it.
Now
launch the app and Enjoy the Portrait shots(Back only, as of now).
Note:
This method may not work on all Exynos devices since the mid-range exynos chips
don’t support high end image processing. Only flagship devices have such high
performance ISPs.
For
devices with Camera2API disabled, QualComm Processors and Android 7.0 or above.
Since Camera2API is
disabled on your device by your OEM, you need to enable it in order to be able
to use the Pixel 2’s cam.
To Enable that, you need to
root your device. Yes, without rooting you cannot enable the Camera2API.
If you’re using any Custom
ROM like Resurrection or Lineage, then you’re already rooted and Camera2API is
by default enabled on those devices.
For devices running Android
Nougat (7.0 or 7.1.2), download this apk.
For devices running Android
Oreo (8.0 or 8.1), download this apk (GCMod5).
Note: This method is tested
for both cases. Miniuser123’s port working on Non-Oreo Redmi Note 3 device
running RR based on 7.1.2. And, tested the Oreo based port on rooted Mi A1
running Android Oreo 8.0(December patch).
As of now, Front Camera
Portrait is not working on Android devices running Android Nougat. But you can
still capture HDR Bokeh shots from your Single back camera. This method can be
used to take Portrait shots even in low lighting conditions because flash can
be enabled.
I’ll update the links if a
newer version is released supporting front Bokeh as well.
And Oreo devices can use
Front as well as Back cameras to capture amazing Bokeh shots.
Unfortunately, any of the
port isn’t working on any Mediatek devices. You can try if you want but
probably it won’t work.
Sample Shots:
Taken on Mi A1 (Front Cam)
Taken on Samsung Galaxy S7 (Rear Cam)
Hope you like the guide.
You can check out our YouTube channel to see a tutorial for the same in Hindi. Feel
free to comment if you have any query or issue.
Happy Capturing!
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