GCAM FAQ
Sir TAVARESGCAM INSTALATION QUESTIONS:
1 - HOW DO YOU INSTALL GCAM?
You can install just like any other Application. Download & Install. To use different GCam versions together you have to clone the apk [Read below].
2 - "APP NOT INSTALLED" INSTALLING A GCAM VERSION, WHY?
Make sure you uninstall every other GCam Port on your phone. You can't have both versions installed unless you clone one of the apk's
GCAM BUGS & CRASHES ISSUES:
1 - GENERAL GCAM BUGS
- Slow Motion;
- Electronic Image Stabilization;
- Ultrawide Camera Distortion (fixable on Lightroom)
2 - PHOTO IS STUCK AT HDR+ PROCESSING
Download a version compatible with Android 10.
3 - MY APP CRASHES WHEN I SELECT A NEW LIB (ARNOVA 6.2)
Settings > HDR Control > Custom Libs (Stable) and select Savitar ZA v3. If the app crashes, just load a xml, select custom libs (stable) and save that xml.. load it again and then select Savitar ZA v3.
GCAM NOOB QUESTIONS:
1 - WHAT IS THE BEST / MOST STABLE GCAM VERSION?
Every version is stable enough to use. Use the Telegram Groups Pinned Message to know more. Important... the latest version usually doesn't give the best results!
2 - DOES GCAM HAVE AI?
Not as a single button that boosts saturation/contrast. Every AI is under the hood.
3 - DOES GCAM/STOCK HAVE SUPER MACRO MODE (ONEPLUS 7 SERIES)?
Super Macro Mode is hardware add-on added only for OnePlus 7T/Pro.
You can't have it on previous generations!
4 - WHY THE CAMERAS DON’T HAVE THE “CORRECT” MEGAPIXELS ?
Camera2api implementation only delivers a 12MP raw stream (48MP/4). Front and Back Camera have the same pixel binning system.
48MP Magisk Module for Xiaomi Mi 9 here!
Not available yet for OnePlus 7 Series!
5 - HOW DO YOU SWITCH BETWEEN CAMERAS ?
(Xtreme) Settings > Auxiliary cameras settings > switch method > Viewfinder Buttons
(Urnyx) Settings > Advanced > Auxiliary Camera and enable the Buttons
(Arnova) Tap the screen and you'll see the "tree" icon on the right!
Attention that Cloned APKs doesn't support aux cameras!
6 - HOW TO GET SELFIES AS FOUND ON VIEWFINDER?
(6.1/6.2) You can only get it with GCam Tools APK in PlayStore or using any photo editor application.
(7.x) Settings > Advanced > Save selfie as previewed = enabled.
GCAM IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
1 - HOW TO USE TELEPHOTO AND ULTRAWIDE IN GCAM?
📍 Xiaomi Mi 9: doesn't require anything to get access to aux cameras.
📍 OnePlus 7 Pro:
1 - Flash Aux Module here in Magisk and Reboot;
2 - Open GCam Settings > Advanced > Enable Auxillary Cam and select the lens. Restart the app.
📍 OnePlus 7T/Pro:
1 - Install App Systemizer from Magisk and Reboot.
2 - Follow the Instructions and Systemize the Urnyx GCam (make sure the package name org.codeaurora.snapcam is systemized, not any other) and Reboot
3 - Open terminal and type su -c setenforce 0 (or any other method to make it permissive,you may use a script to enable selinux permissive at boot itself)
4 - Open GCam Settings > Advanced > Enable Auxillary Cam and select the lens. Restart the app.
2 - WHY DO YOU NEED A CLONED APK ?
- You can keep two different versions of the same app installed;
- Have multiple copies of the same app with different settings;
- Keep one version up-to-date and an old version of the same app;
- Clone an app and give it a new name so it doesn't receive updates.
You can clone downloading [this] apk. You also have a tutorial [here].
Attention that Cloned APKs doesn't support aux cameras!
3 - HOW TO USE .XML FILES ?
(6.1/6.2) Config files are stored in Main Storage > GCam/Configs/
In Arnova 6.2 you need to load the XML twice! [Tutorial]
(7.0) Config files are in Main Storage > GCam/Configs7
4 - HOW DO YOU USE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY IN GCAM?
(7.0 Arnova) Developer Settings and Enable: nightsight.extended_force_tripod
Change to Nightsight Mode, wait for "Phone is Steady" and take a picture!
For now it's only 15 frames (around 3 seconds) as it is in test versions !!
(7.2 Urnyx) Doesn't work on OnePlus 7/T/Pro!
5 - DOES GCAM WORK IN AOSP BASED ROMS ?
Yes, may need GApps. And works with the same quality.
6 - HOW DO YOU USE MANUAL MODE ?
(6.1) Settings > Manual Focus (only that available);
Also the way it works is you set a focus distance, tap once into the viewfinder, then tap the shutter button.
(6.2) Settings > Manual Mode;
First of all, you must use HDR+ Enhanced. Then, enable the options in settings to show the sliders (only the 1st time). When you are in viewfinder to take a photo, click on "Pro" button to join the pro mode, where you can see all the sliders. Now, you can set any values you want. At the end, tap on the screen to apply changes (otherwise it won't work).
(7.x) Not available yet!
GCAM ANOTHER QUESTIONS:
1 - HOW DO YOU TAKE PHOTOS FASTER ?
(6.1/6.2/7.x) Enable HDR+ instead of HDR+ Enhanced.
(Stock Camera) Use Pro Mode and reduce the Shutter Speed.
2 - SHOULD I USE HDR+ OR HDR+ENHANCED?
HDR+ is continuously taking super short exposure frames.. and when you hit the shutter button.. it takes the last few frames in the memory buffer and computationally aligns and combines exposures to produce an image that doesn't clip highlights but also brings out the details in shadows ("HDR") that a single exposure could not take (single exposure has to exposure for highlights or shadows but generally cannot do both). HDR+ Enhanced - This is actually the old school way of how phones captured HDR images starting back with the iPhone 5 and Nexus 6P/5X. Enhanced mode does not use the short exposure frames in the buffer before the shuttle is pressed.. it instead takes slightly longer shutter speed frames after the shutter is pressed, AND/OR uses more frames for calculations/composition than the default mode, and then does the computational alignment/magic to produce a (hopefully) clearer and cleaner image with even MORE dynamic ranger than the default HDR+ option. The catch is, you will likely have to have your phone propped up on a surface or tripod, and then set a self timer so your fingertip doesn't rock the phone for the photo as you press the shutter. A few scenarios you would want to use HDR+ Enhanced would be when the default HDR+ is still clipping highlights or crushing shadows... or in low light situations.
3 - HOW DO YOU USE “PLAYGROUND” STICKERS ON GCAM?
Install the latest ARCore via Play Store or download the apk in APKMirror.
Install the modded AR Stickers or Playground [here].
Open Google Camera and select "Playground".
(optional) Download the different Stickers in APKMirror.
4 - WHAT IS AWB AND WHICH ONES SHOULD I SELECT?
AWB means Auto White Balance and as the name says it means that enabling/disabling the option will provide different "whites". As so it's recommended to use in Xiaomi Mi 9/Pro: Day / Solarlight: AWB Off /AWB Pixel 2 Night/Artificial Light: AWB Pixel 2/ IMX586. For OnePlus 7/T/Pro it's mandatory to use IMX586 AWB all the time.