How To Enable Camera2 API On Android: Latest Guide 2024

There is one thing you must know before you download the Google Camera Port for your smartphone: you must enable the Camera2 API. In general, such ports will further improve the camera quality and deliver fantastic photos and videos all by itself. But, as always, it may be frustrating to learn that your mobile phone does not support the camera APIs after testing its performance.

Camera2 API

It’s your last resort to either root your Android phone or install a custom recovery in order to get that application programming interface. In this article, we will take look at several methods of how to enable the Camera2 API on your phone without issues. However, before we proceed, it is necessary to explain the following terms if the reader encountered them for the first time. So, first of all lets learn what is Camera2 API.

What Does Camera2 API Mean?

Camera2 API is a framework introduced by google for android that provides developer with enhanced camera capabilities. This API replaced the original camera API to offer more advanced features and flexibility allowing developers to tap into the full potential of camera hardware.

The built-in camera API on older Android phones is usually very subpar. But the Camera2 API is released by Google is in Android 5.0 Lollipop version. It is a better program that has numerous enhancements that help enhance the phones’ onboard camera system.

This function alone delivers better HDR+ results and also integrates great features with software for low light photography.

Therefore, we recommend that the reader visit the official page for more information.

Prerequisites for Using Camera2 API

  • As a rule, in every method described below, root access is required.
  • For those who don’t know where to enable USB debugging, it’s located in Developer Settings.
  • The PC or laptop in use needs to have the right ADB drivers download and installed on it.
  • Use the right TWRP custom recovery depending with your phone.

Note: You will find that there are many methods of getting root access to your device, however, we recommend using Magisk for a basic setup.

Ways to Enable Camera2 API

After enabling the developer mode, some OEM’s like Realme provide Camera HAL3 under the additional options for third-party camera apps.

(Works best for all Real me phones with Android 11 or higher updates only). Of course, for many cellphones, that isn’t the case. In that instance, you can use the following techniques:

1. Using Terminal Emulator App (Root)

  • Click on the Terminal Emulator app first.
  • It should say “u” and then press the “Enter” key to gain root access.
  • At the hashtag, type ( set prop persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1 ) Camera as another command, then press Enter.
  • Press Enter after inserting the following command: # Charge the camera with operating the hardware or type : (set prop vendor.persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1)
  • Then, turn the phone off and turn it on again.

2. Using X-plore application (Root)

  • To create a system/root folder data, one has to download and install the X-plore File Manager.
  • Then you are required to navigate to the system> Build.prop folder.
  • To do that, click on the Build.prop to change that script that was put in place.
  • At the bottom, put – “persist.camera.HAL3.enabled = 1”.
  • You then have to make your smartphone start again.

3. Magisk Modules Library (Root)

The benefit of Flexible Rooting but with Magisk is that when rooted, you will have full access to the modules directory.

  • Go to the module library first and get the Module-Camera2API-Enabeler.zip.
  • The next step is to get the Magisk management where the corresponding zip file must be installed.
  • In order to cut the API module for the camera, restart the device.

4. Flashing zip file through TWRP (Root or Not Root)

  • Download the necessary Camera2API zip file.
  • Unlocked the bootloader of the phone and also flash the TWRP custom recovery on the phone.
  • Locate where the file has been saved and then double click on the zip file.
  • On the smartphone, install Camera2API.zip.
  • Finally to get the outcome then the device should be restarted as usual.

Key points About Camera2 API

Here are some of the key points about camera2 API:

  • Improved control: Camera2 API gives developers control over camera settings such as exposure, focus, ISO, and shutter speed. This gives them more flexibility to create complex camera applications.
  • Manual adjustments: Camera2 API allows apps to support manual controls. This allows users to manually adjust focus and exposure settings for advanced photography.
  • High-quality output: The API supports high-resolution image capture and advanced image processing features. This results in better photo and video quality.
  • Real-time processing: Developers can leverage the API to add real-time filters and effects to camera previews.
  • RAW Capture: A unique feature of the Camera2 API is its RAW capture capability, allowing photographers to capture uncompressed images for better processing

Is It Possible to Enable Camera2 API Functions Without Root Permission?

Because these files are normally available when the device has full root authorization you would therefore require root access if you are to unlock the camera2API.

But before you do so and if you want to get access to the API features and you have much time in your hands, we recommend that you follow the following instructions.

Access Camera2API without Root

You will be given the ways on how to get the camera API files without folders of the system files below. That having been said, let me proceed to describe the fact that has formed the basis of the procedure the basic essentials so to speak.

Products should have before the Process:

  • The bootloader of the Android device should also be unlocked.
  • By using the developer mode, you should make USB debugging possible.
  • It is also recommended to work on a PC or a laptop using Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11.
  • A processing unit to process information which is received by the phone from the PC through the USB cord.
  • Download TWRP file for your mobile device.
  • The two files are minimal_adb_fastboot.zip and ADB Driver.zip

Follow the given steps below to install Camera2 API without Root:

 1: Create a Complete Setup

  • On your PC, setup the ADB driver.zip file.
  • Secondly, the minimal_adb_fastboot.zip file should be extracted.
  • Copy the TWRP file into the minimal fastboot zip folder and then rename the file as recovery.img.
  • To connect the PC and the phone, use the cable bundle…On your PC, install the ADB driver.zip file.

2: Run the Command Prompt

  • To begin with, right-click on the minimum zip folder ,here select cmd-here.exe.
  • To verify the status of connected device, simply type adb devices and hit the Enter key.
  • Then to enter the boot mode send adb reboot bootloader through the keyboard.
  • The last command is to type “fastboot boot recovery” Then press enter for the command on the keyboard to load the TWRP mode.Initially, double-click the minimum zip folder’s cmd-here.exe file.

  3: Use TWRP Mode for Modification

  • When typing those commands, be sure to spend some time waiting.
  • On your phone screen you will be able to see the TWRP custom recovery mode.
  • Choose the “Swipe to Allow Modifications” key.
  • Go back to the screen of the PC or laptop now after entering those commands, pause for a bit.

  4: Enter Second-phase Commands

  • To verify the connection, transfer, or checking this type > adb devices one more time and hit the enter button.
  • After this you need to type the > adb shell command and incorporate
  • To accomplish this use the command > set prop persist. camera to activate the Camera2API.HAL3. Press Enter to enable 1.
  • To get out of the ADB shell environment type > exit.
  • Lastly, to restart the device normally, type adb reboot and press enter. To check if the device connects or not, type adb devices once more and press enter.

How to Restore Camera2 API as before?

There is little question that all of Step 4 must be executed again from scratch in an identical fashion as if the Camera API was installed in the preceding section.

  • The only that is left to do is replace the > setprop persist. camera.HAL3.enable 1 camera to setprop persist. camera. HAL3.enable 0 if one wants to avoid the camera API being overwritten.
  • Type in > “exit” then press “Enter.”
  • Lastly, to reboot the phone type > adb reboot.

Note: In other words, you have no problem receiving updates since you don’t flash TWRP. Moreover, if you have done the OTA update, the Camera2API shall work properly as before again. Further, the changes can be also confirmed by checking the compatibility with cameras with the help of ordinary vision.

Conclusion

In short, to root permission and TWRP setup which are unique methods to access the camera2API. After the process, the installation of GCam application on any Android device is a very easy task. On the other hand, if you have any questions regarding the camera2 API activation, please enter the comment section below.

FAQ’S

You can use third-party apps like Camera2 API Probe to quickly check the support level of Camera2 API on your device. This will help you determine if your device already has Camera2 API enabled or if additional steps are needed.

In most cases, enabling Camera2 API without root access is not possible. Most devices require root permission to modify the build properties needed to enable Camera2 API functionalities.

Enabling Camera2 API allows for advanced camera features like manual focus, exposure control, RAW image capture, and real-time effects, providing greater control over photography and videography on your device.

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