How To Enable Camera2 API Support on Any Android

Enabling the camera2 API is a prerequisite for downloading the Google Camera app to your mobile devices. In general google camera ports will raise the camera’s overall quality and provide stunning images and videos with little effort. Before using google camera app you have to check camera2 api supports your device or not.

The camera2api module may be by default disabled on some Android smartphones. Apps may access features like RAW image capture, manual exposure adjustments, improved JPEG quality, and more by turning on the Camera2 API.

Everything you need to know about the Camera2 API and how to enable it on rooted and non-rooted Android devices in 2024 will be covered in this extensive guide.

What is Camera2 API?

The Android Camera2 API is an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows developers to utilize the phone’s camera software to access specific functions. The instructions on the device provide access to this API.

In Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google first added the ability to modify shutter speed (ISO), autofocus, RAW capture, and other aspects of camera quality.

Smartphone cameras may now access a multitude of capabilities and make the most of their camera sensor thanks to this API. 

This suggests that smartphones might be able to make use of HDR or other comparable photography features. 

The Camera2 API is customisable in addition to providing more precise control over the sensor, lens, and flash for each every shot.

Why Enable Camera2 API?

The following are some of the main advantages that come with activating the camera2 API on your Android device:

  1. Use specialized manual camera applications that provide DSLR-like options for shutter speed, white balance, focus, exposure, ISO, and other settings. This makes it possible to take excellent pictures and films.
  2. Capture images in RAW format for more creative editing options later. Uncompressed sensor data is contained in RAW photos, which can be edited beforehand without sacrificing quality.
  3. enhanced low-light performance with exposure and manual ISO settings. Bright, low-noise photos can be taken in low light.
  4. Take shutter-lag-free, high-resolution burst mode pictures. 3-5 times faster in burst modes than in the standard camera app.
  5. When recording slow-motion, 4K, 8K, or high-bitrate videos, keep complete control. Adjust focus, exposure, frame rate, and other settings by hand.
  6. Utilize specialized camera programs that leverage the Camera2 API to provide artificial bokeh effects, light field captures, and 3D depth maps.
  7. Using the Camera2 extension system, you can add external hardware such as lenses, filters, and sensors to extend the capabilities of your camera.

Therefore, you’ll need to enable the Camera2 API if you wish to take high-quality pictures and videos, use manual camera controls, capture in RAW, or use specialized camera apps.

Pre-requirements

  • Generally speaking, root access is needed for all of the following techniques.
  • To enable USB debugging, navigate to the Developer Settings.
  • Installing the requisite ADB drivers on the PC or laptop is necessary.
  • Obtain the appropriate TWRP custom recovery version based on your phone.

Note: Although there are several ways to root your phone, we advise downloading Magisk for a solid setup.

Methods To Enable Camera2 API

Once the developer mode is enabled, certain smartphone manufacturers, like Realme, offer Camera HAL3 in extra options for using third-party camera apps.

(Only usable with Realme phones running Android 11 or later). However, this isn’t always the case with smartphones. If so, you can proceed with the following techniques

Enable Camera2 API in Build. Prop

To enable the Camera 2 API using Rooting Mobile and Build.Prop, simply download the BuildProp Editor program. This is the only way to edit Build.prop without using the Magisk module. Installing the BuildProp Editor app from the Google Play store is simple.

  • Place the following line at the conclusion of the Build.Prop script and click Save.
  • Simply include the following new line: persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1

Enable Camera2 API in Terminal Emulator (Root)

su

  • and press Enter.
  • Input the first command –

setprop persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1

and press enter.

  • Insert the next command –

setprop vendor.persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1

and press enter.

  • Next, reboot the phone.

Via Magisk Modules Library (Root)

Among the many advantages of using magisk to root is the ability to access modules’ directories.

  1. Module-Camera2API-Enabeler.zip should first be downloaded from the module library.
  2. Installing the appropriate zip file in the Magisk Manager is the next step. 
  3. In order to enable the camera API module, restart your device.

Flashing zip file through TWRP (Root or Not Root)

  • Get the required Camera2API zip file. 
  • Enter the TWRP custom recovery when the phone boots up.
  • Locate and click on the zip file location. 
  • On the smartphone, flash the Camera2API.zip file. 
  • Lastly, to see the results, restart the device normally.

How Can the Previous Camera2 API Be Restored?

The steps from Step 4 must be repeated exactly as they were in order to install the Camera API in the section above.

  • All you need to do is replace the

setprop persist. camera.HAL3.enable 1

  to

setprop persist. camera.HAL3.enable 0

to switch off the camera API overwrite. 

  • Type the exit command –

exit

and hit Enter

  • Lastly, type –

adb reboot

to normally restart the phone.

Note: You won’t have any problems receiving updates because you don’t install TWRP. Plus, if you do the OTA update, the Camera2API will function normally again. To verify the modifications, you can also verify manual camera compatibility.

Conclusion

I’ve explained how to use a root or unrooted mobile device to enable the Camera 2 API. I also go over the definition and operation of the Camera 2 API. Which of these two approaches is better, as well as the one you utilized, might be mentioned in your remark. You can ask us questions by leaving a comment if you have any about this post.

David is an avid photographer and technology enthusiast with a passion for exploring the world of computational photography. As the author of Gcamport, he shares his expertise on smartphone camera technology and provides tips and tricks to help readers capture stunning images with the Google Camera app.

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