Creating exciting videos where time is compressed to a few seconds has become available to every owner of a modern smartphone. Device owners often face the question of how to activate this function, since the interface of the shell Xiaomi Often faced with the question of how to activate this function, since the shell interface MIUI or the new one may differ from the stock one. Timelapse allows you to capture the movement of clouds, busy city streets or the blooming of a flower, turning hours of real shooting into a dynamic clip. HyperOS may differ from stock Android. Time lapse allows you to capture the movement of clouds, busy city streets or the blooming of a flower, turning hours of real footage into a dynamic clip.
The standard “Camera” application in phones Redmi i Poco is already equipped with all the necessary tools for these purposes. You don't need to install third-party software or have professional video editing skills. It is enough to understand the basic exposure and focus settings to get cinematic-level results right out of the box.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for different models, from budget series to flagships. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes like flickering lights or frame shifts, and what settings are critical to a stable picture. Proper preparation of the device is the key to success in creating effective content for social networks.
Searching for and activating the slow-motion mode
The first step to creating a video is choosing the right mode in the application. In most current models Xiaomi this tool is hidden not on the main viewfinder screen, but in an additional menu. You need to slide your finger along the bottom panel with modes to the left or right all the way to find the “More” item.
In the list that opens, the mode icon is usually labeled as "Slow Motion" or has a Latin name Timelapse. If you don't see it right away, the feature may be hidden in the list of available modules. In some versions of the firmware, you need to click on the edit button (often looks like three dots or a pencil) to add a shortcut to the main quick access panel.
Once activated, the interface will change: some zoom settings will disappear, and specific interval parameters will appear on the screen. It is important to understand that in this mode autofocus it can behave aggressively, constantly retuning to new objects. For static scenes, it is better to lock the focus manually by pressing on the screen and holding your finger until the inscription appears AE/AF Lock.
⚠️ Attention: In budget models of the series Redmi Note previous generations, the time-lapse mode may not be available in the stock camera due to processor limitations. In this case, functionality is added only through a software update or installation of Google Camera (GCam).
Adjusting exposure and white balance settings
The quality of the final video directly depends on how the camera processes light over a long period of time. Automatic algorithms often make mistakes when lighting changes, such as when shooting a sunset. If you trust the automatic settings, the brightness of the frame may jump, creating an unpleasant strobe or flickering effect.
To avoid this, you need to switch the settings to manual mode inside the time-lapse module. Tap the settings icon (gear) or swipe up/down on the viewfinder to open the adjustment sliders. Your task is to fix ISO at the minimum value, usually 100 or 50to reduce the level of digital noise.
Next you should adjust the shutter speed. Short values are suitable for daytime shooting, and long values for evening shooting. However, in time-lapse mode, the shutter speed is often tied to the frame interval. A critically important parameter is White balance (WB). Set it manually in Kelvin (for example, 5500K for daytime) so that the colors do not “walk” from cold to warm shades during the recording process.
Use the 180 degree rule for a cinematic look: the shutter speed should be about half the interval between frames. If the interval is 2 seconds, the shutter speed should be about 1/100 or 1/50 second if the camera allows you to adjust it separately.
Choosing the shooting interval for different scenarios
The interval is the time that passes between two adjacent shots. The speed of movement of objects in the final video depends on this parameter. Choosing the wrong interval will result in the video being either too jerky or, conversely, almost static, despite the passage of time.
For fast moving objects, such as vehicles on a busy highway or running people, a short interval is required. In this case, the camera takes pictures frequently, maintaining smooth trajectories. If you are filming slow processes, for example, the growth of plants or the movement of shadows from buildings, the interval should be increased.
Below is a table with recommended settings for popular scenes, which will help you quickly navigate:
| Scene type | Recommended interval | Example objects |
|---|---|---|
| Fast movement | 1 - 2 seconds | Cars, crowds, sports |
| Average pace | 3 - 5 seconds | Clouds, shadows, construction |
| Slow processes | 10 - 30 seconds | Blooming, stars, melting ice |
| Very slow | 60+ seconds | Plant growth (days/weeks) |
Remember that the longer the interval, the less space the video will take up on the drive, but the longer the total shooting duration must be to obtain a standard length video. Experiment with these values to find the sweet spot for your particular scene.
Image stabilization and using a tripod
Any camera shake during a long session will be amplified many times over when the video is sped up. Even a microscopic movement of the smartphone on the table will turn into a strong shaking on the screen. Therefore, using a rigid fixation of the device is not just a recommendation, but a prerequisite.
Built-in electronic stabilization (EIS) in time-lapse mode Xiaomi is often disabled by default or does not work correctly, since the algorithms assume a static camera. Trying to remove it from your hands even within 5 minutes will result in marriage. You will need a tripod (tripod) or at least a reliable support where you can rest your phone.
- 📸 Use a heavy floor tripod for street photography in the wind.
- 🏠 A tabletop flexible stand (“octopus”) is ideal for product photography at home.
- 🧱 In case of emergency, use a sandbag or a heavy book to secure it.
If you don't have a tripod, you can try pressing the phone against a stationary object using rubber pads, but this is risky. Also make sure that the record button is not accidentally pressed during the process, which could throw off focus. Some users use the self-timer for 3 or 10 seconds to remove the vibration from pressing a finger on the screen at the very beginning.
☑️ Ready for long shooting
Shooting in Pro mode for advanced users
For those who do not have enough automatic mode capabilities, there is a section Pro or “Professional”. Here you get full control over the sensor and optics. This method is more complicated, but allows you to achieve a result close to working with a SLR camera.
In Pro mode, you can manually set the focal length, fixing it at infinity for landscapes or at macro for small details. The main advantage is the ability to shoot in RAWformat, if your model Xiaomi supports this function in video modes (usually available only in photos, but some scripts allow you to emulate this).
However, it is worth considering that the standard application does not always allow you to set the exact interval in seconds in Pro mode. Enthusiasts often use third-party applications, such as Framelapse or Microsoft Hyperlapse, which integrate with the phone's hardware but provide more flexible time settings. However, for most tasks, the built-in tools MIUI are quite sufficient.
⚠️ Attention: When shooting in Pro mode, monitor the body temperature. Prolonged processing of images by the processor can cause overheating and emergency shutdown of the camera. Remove the protective case for better heat dissipation.
Why can the video be dark?
If you are shooting in Pro mode and the result is too dark, check the shutter speed. It may be set too short (eg 1/4000) for the current light level. Increase the shutter speed to 1/50 or 1/30.
Processing and saving the finished time-lapse
After recording is complete, the phone will automatically stitch together hundreds of photos into one video file. Processing may take some time depending on the processor power Snapdragon or MediaTek and video resolution. At this time, it is better not to run other heavy applications so as not to slow down the encoding process.
The finished file is saved in the gallery in a standard format MP4 or MOV. The built-in video editor Xiaomi allows you to perform basic corrections: trim the beginning and end, apply a filter or add music. For more serious work, for example, changing the speed of individual sections, it is better to export the video to a computer or to professional mobile editors like CapCut or DaVinci Resolve.
- 🎞️ Check the resolution: for social networks it is enough
1080p, for YouTube it is better4K. - ✂️ Trim “empty” frames at the beginning and end, where you set up the camera.
- 🎵 Add dynamic music that matches the rhythm of frame changes.
Do not forget that time lapse “eats up” a lot of space. A minute of finished 4K video can weigh hundreds of megabytes. Regularly clear the folder DCIM/Camera from sources if you no longer need them, or transfer them to cloud storage.
The quality of time-lapse depends 80% on the stability of the camera position and the correct choice of shooting interval, and not on the number of megapixels of the matrix.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does my timelapse jerk or jerk?
Most often the problem is unstable lighting or autofocus. The camera tries to adjust the exposure for every change in light, which creates jumps in brightness. Try locking the exposure and focus manually before starting recording. Also make sure that the phone is firmly secured.
How much space will one hour of time-lapse shooting take?
The amount of memory depends on the resolution and frame rate. When shooting in 1080p, one hour of real time can turn into 30-60 seconds of video, which will take up about 50-150 MB. In 4K the volume will be 4 times larger. The original photos (if saved) can take up several gigabytes.
Is it possible to shoot time-lapse at night on Xiaomi?
Yes, but you will need a tripod and manual settings. Automatic mode often makes noise at night. Set your ISO low and your shutter speed slow. Also turn off the flash, it is useless for landscape night photography. Night mode in some versions of MIUI is also available for time lapse.
How to take a time lapse of the movement of stars?
For astro time lapse you need an interval of 15-30 seconds and a shutter speed of about 15-20 seconds. Be sure to use a tripod and turn off all stabilizers. Shooting should last at least 1-2 hours so that the stars have time to move a noticeable distance.