How to Find GCAM & its XML file for your Device?

Google Camera, or GCam for short, is an Android app widely accepted as a decent alternative to the standard camera app. It comes pre-installed on Google’s Pixel devices, which are recognized as some of the best phones for taking photos.

With most phones, the final image quality has more to do with how an image is processed than the hardware. GCam can improve photos with realistic colors, better details, shadows, and exposure, and in well-lit scenarios, improved dynamic range too.

Finding the suitable version of Google Camera for your phone requires two main steps. First, identify whether your device actually supports the app. Second, find a port or version developed for your specific device. While modern GCam ports can work for a variety of devices, it’s important to observe how different mods behave on different phones.

1) Check if GCam Is Supported on Your Phone

Not all phones support Google Camera’s modded versions, so it’s crucial to check if your phone model is supported. To do this, search “[Model Number] GCam Port” on Google or use a third-party app to verify compatibility with unofficial Google Camera builds.

Another option is to download the Camera2 API Probe from the Google Play Store. This app allows you to manually check your phone’s compatibility with GCam. Under the ‘Hardware Support Level‘ section:

• Even if your device has ‘LIMITED‘ support, you can still try installing GCam ports tailored for such devices, but be prepared for potential limitations or bugs.
• If it shows a checkmark beside ‘FULL‘ or ‘LEVEL_3,’ your phone is likely to be fully compatible with GCam, supporting most of its features.
• If it shows ‘LIMITED,’ your phone may still run GCam, but with reduced functionality. You might experience limited features or some features may not work as intended.

While GCam ports are more commonly optimized for devices running Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, there are successful GCam ports available for devices with Exynos and MediaTek chipsets as well. Compatibility depends on your specific device and the availability of suitable ports.

It’s worth checking community forums and resources dedicated to your device model to find a GCam version that works well. Users with Exynos or MediaTek devices have reported positive experiences by using tailored GCam mods developed for their specific phones.

2) Find a Working GCam Port

Since GCam ports are unofficial builds, they won’t be available on the Play Store. You’ll need to manually download their APK files from various sources. Primarily, your safest and easiest route is to search and check on Google.

Celso Azevedo, or GCam Hub, has a dedicated page for stable versions of these ports from multiple modders – BSG, Arnova8G2, Shamim, BigKaka, and MWP. These range from GCam 3.0 to the most recent version. Each iteration comes with a different feature set, and one may sometimes work better than another.

↪ GCamator (Play Store)

GCamator is an app on the Play Store that automatically detects if your phone has an enabled Camera2API module. It then detects your device model and recommends a GCam version based on the detected config.

↪ Device-Specific Versions (Reddit, Telegram, XDA)

For device-specific updates and versions of GCam, it is best to scour forums like XDA and Reddit, particularly for your device. These forums contain all the necessary information on what mod works best and which versions could potentially be problematic.

There’s also Telegram, where you can look for versions better suited to your particular phone. Developers on these platforms often work one-on-one with port users. This interaction is beneficial for the developer, who can quickly identify and address potential issues with a new build, and for the user, who gets to test out new features from versions fine-tuned to suit a particular phone’s camera config.

3) Download the APK & XML File

Once you’ve chosen the GCam version you want, it’s crucial to download the APK file from reputable and trusted sources to minimize security risks. APK files installed from third-party sources can pose potential threats like malware or viruses.

Always verify the credibility of the website or developer before downloading. Trusted sources include well-known forums like XDA Developers, Celso Azevedo’s GCam Hub, or official modder websites. Avoid downloading from unknown or suspicious sites.

After downloading the file, you may need to enable the option to install apps from unknown sources in your device settings. Be cautious with this setting and disable it after installation to maintain your device’s security. Proceed to install the APK.

When the app is installed, open it and snap some photos. This will give you a good idea of how well the port works for your device and how the images turn out. It will also help you identify any possible bugs, such as green or grayscale images after processing, random crashes, or issues with saving the image after pressing the shutter button.

↪ XML Files for GCam

In the context of working with GCam, XML files are dedicated config files fine-tuned to match a phone’s camera hardware and SoC. Essentially, they’re made to change the app’s settings to produce images with a particular preference. Keep in mind that you could also create XML files that absolutely ruin the end image; they’re not always guaranteed to give the best results.

Each phone will have an XML file to match a specific GCam version. Since the app changes the way it processes images in subsequent updates, an XML that worked well with a previous version might not do so after an update.

4) Load the XML File

To load an XML file into GCam:

1. Open the destination folder where the XML file is downloaded.
2. Copy the file.
3. Paste it to Internal storage/GCam/Configs.
4. Open GCam and tap the empty space to the right or left of the shutter button.
5. Select the XML file.

Note: If you can’t find the option to import XML files or if the file path mentioned above doesn’t exist, this might be due to your specific device, the GCam version you’re using, or how the mod handles configurations. Some GCam mods, including certain versions by Parrot043, may require different methods to load XML files or may have the import feature located elsewhere within the app. We recommend:

• Check the settings menu or advanced configurations within GCam for options to import or load config files.
• Visit the mod developer’s page or read any included documentation for device-specific instructions on importing XML files.
• Look for guidance on platforms like XDA Developers, Reddit, or Telegram groups dedicated to your specific device and GCam mod.

If you’re still unable to load XML files after these steps, consider trying a different version of the mod that is known to support XML imports on your device.

Which GCam Version Should You Get?

The best GCam version depends on personal preference and what you consider a good photo. You can play it safe by choosing one of the more popular versions, or you can explore Reddit or Telegram to find modders who aren’t as well known.

For example, for a particular device like the Xiaomi 11T, you might find not-so-well-known mods like the AGC GCam mod developed by BigKaka (also known as BigKong), which is said to be one of the better-performing versions for the phone. Contributors like antykat may provide additional configurations or tweaks for this mod. Similarly, your phone might work well with a different mod; it’s all about leveraging community experience and finding what feels right.