It’s 2022 and still, the Camera2 API feature is not enabled on many Android devices. You should definitely enable this feature to access advanced camera tools such as ISO, shutter speed, manual camera, and much more. This tutorial is dedicated to What is Camera2 API and How to Enable Camera2 API in any Android phone. Here we go…
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What is Camera2 API and Why It’s Important?
Android uses API (Application programming interface) to share the resources ( including services & functionalities) to apps to perform operations on your phone. An API also can deny or allow permission to apps from accessing some restricted resources of the Android devices. The Camera API works on the same principle.
Earlier in Android 5.0 (Lollipop), the camera API was so limited to third-party apps until Camera2 API is released. Now with camera2 API enabled, third-party camera apps (such as Google Camera) can take full advantage of your device hardware and click better pictures. The manual camera support, controlling shutter speed, ISO, changing light exposure, etc are some functionalities of the new camera2 API. However, the feature may depend upon the implementation of Camera2 API. Yes, there are four levels of Camera2API: Legacy, Limited Full, and Level 3. But At this time, we mainly focus on how to enable Camera2 API on your Android phone
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How to Check Your Phone Support Camera2 API
It’s very important to know if your device supports the camera2 API feature or not. To know that, simply install the Manual Camera Compatibility app from the play store then open and tap on start. And It’ll show you the result.
Or additionally, you can install Camera2 API Probe app to see the level of Camera 2 API implementation. Congratulation, if your device supports this feature so you can leave this tutorial. Otherwise, continue reading. We’ll learn several methods to enable Camera 2 API on your Android device
Caution: Since this is a critical operation might damage your phone or corrupt your OS completely. We don’t take any guarantee if this happens in your case.
Enable Camera 2 API Using TWRP
This is the fastest and easiest method to enable Camera 2 API. Simply download this Camera2 API Enabled.zip file and flash on your phone using TWRP recovery. It’ll enable Camera 2 API on your phone. Here’s how to install TWRP recovery on Android you may like it.
Enable Camera 2 API in Build.prop
If the above method doesn’t work try this method. It works in most cases. In this method, you’ll need to modify the system build.prop file to enable camera 2 API on your phone. The only problem is you’ll have to root your Android device first to modify the build.prop file. If you’ve already rooted then follow the given instructions:
- Download & install Root Explorer or any other root file manager app from the play store.
- Open the app and allow the root permission
- Go to System > Build.prop file from the root folder
- Inside Build.prop, search “persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=0” and change the value from 0 to 1. Then save the file & exit from the file manager then reboot your device. That’s it. Now you’re eligible to use Google camera on your Android phone.
- Alternatively, you can directly download & install BuildProp Editor app on your Android and modify the build.prop file from here.
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Enable Camera 2 API Using Magisk
As this method requires Magisk installed on your phone. If installed, open Magisk manager and download & install “Camera2 API” module from the download section. Then reboot your device. This module will enable the camera2api feature on your phone and make it compatible to run Google camera ported apps.
Enable Camera 2 API Using Terminal
This method also tries to change the Build.prop file codes. To enable camera2api, you need to download & install the Terminal Emulator for Android from the play store. Open the app and allow the SU permission. Then enter the given commands and reboot your device. That’s it.
su
su persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1
exit
exit
Enable Camera 2 API Using ADB
This method still needs root access and required an unlocked bootloader device —here’s how to unlock bootloader on Android.
First, download ADB and fastboot drivers and install on your PC. Again download Android SDK platform tools & Patched_boot.img from here and extract them on your computer.
Now open your Android smartphone’ settings, go to the about section, and tap 7 times on the build number to get the developer option. In the Developer option, enable two options: USB debugging and OEM unlock.
Now connect your Android phone to PC via USB cable. Then open the SDK platform tools folder on your computer and open the command window by pressing the shift and right button. Then enter the given commands one by one:
(i) Type “adb devices” and hit enter and prompt the notification from Android phone.
(ii) Reboot your device into Fastboot mode by pressing volume down and power key for 10 seconds. and type “fastboot devices” and hit enter to check if the device is booted into fastboot successfully. It’ll show a random number.
(iii) Then move “patched_boot.img” file to fastboot foler and enter “fastboot boot patched_boot.img” command on command window.
(iv) Turn on your phone. Download the latest version of the Magisk Manager app from its official website and install on your phone. (You need to install the “Magisk Manager” app only)
(v) Once installed enter these four commands simultaneously:
adb shell
su
setprop persist.camera.HAL3.enabled 1
setprop persist.camera.eis.enabled 1
At last step, reboot your Android to enable camera2 API successfully.
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Conclusion
We’ve discussed too many methods to enable camera 2 API. If one method doesn’t work try another one. It should work fine. I hope this tutorial helps you. If you’re facing any issues during the process or have any questions, ask me in the comment box. We’ll respond to you quickly.
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