INTRO
Here I will collect all the sources where I've found working APKs for the P20 and other APKs that work in other Huawei devices.
None of these are meant to work on Huawei devices. Theese have been tested on the EML-L29/EML-L09 EMUI 8
These might also work for other Kirin 970 devices, so give them a try.
Just so you know: the main goal here is to get HDR working. I don't care if Night Sight or Portrait mode doesn't work, the main goal is to get the best image quality for the Huawei Camera using Google's magic (HDR and HDR+).
===I'll edit this post if I find other ports that work or if I have anything important to add=== (Edited: 23/02/2020)
::Some important info about Camera2 API and Huawei devices::
The android.hardware.camera2 API provided by Google is needed for the Google Camera to work. Huawei devices tend to limit the functionality of this API, having little support for it and restricting functionality when installing third-party apps (e.g. FilmicPro or the GCam ports).
There are several levels of support for this API which you can consult in this app: Camera2 API Probe.
Since Android 9 (EMUI 9) updates began to roll out, Huawei devices (P20, P30, Mate 20, Mate 30, etc.) are on the LIMITED level (View P20's level support here). If you want to have the full functionality of the GCAM (ports by modders mentioned in this post) you need at least LEVEL_3 support, which Huawei won't have from now on.
If your phone has LEVEL_3 support, you can try any APK mentioned below or consult the latest mods posted in Celsoazevedo's page (Dev-Arnova8G2), which may work for your phone.
WORKING APK FOR HUAWEI P20/OTHER KIRIN DEVICES (Works only with EMUI 8 - Android 8.1.0, crashes on EMUI 9 - Android 9 users)
Some people might find interesting downgrading their phones to have the Google Camera. Here you have a quick guide on how to do it: Downgrading the P20
The best working Google Camera APK to this day is MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos.apk (only tested on the P20, it might works for others too).
This APK provides partial HDR+ functionality, night sight (issues found on EMUI 9), portrait mode, Photo Sphere, Google Lens, video and panorama.
IMPORTANT: You need to tweak some things in the settings so it doesn't crash:
Open the settings
First go to "Advanced options" in the "Quick Settings" tab and go to "FIX" (at the bottom)
Go to "Viewfinder Format" and choose the "YUV_420_888" option
I have also set "Settings">"Advanced options">"Base">"Config" to "Pixel2018 ZslR HDR+" and "Settings">"Advanced options (at the bottom)">"HDR+ Control" ON to enable or disable HDR .
You can also try other configurations to see which one does better.
This should be enough to be able to take HDR photos, which a lot of the APKs mentioned below can't do, but if you try to take some photos you'll notice that the image lacks color. To fix that you'll need to:
Open the settings
Go to "Saturation". Change the value on "Highlight Saturation" and "Shadow Saturation" to your liking (for me 2.4 and 2.8 give the best results using the YUV format, but you can tweak it as you like)
You have a clear comparison in these images: HDR - No Saturation and HDR - Saturated w/ settings from above (it's a foggy day and the differences between the HDR and non HDR photos are minimal, but you get the point).
Thanks to @vov4arka for suggesting using the YUV fix and @Arnova8G2 and B-S-G for spending their time on porting the APK.
If you're an Android 9 user: This APK seems to have the HDR function working (L-G_cam.apk by harysviewty), but it's an older and modded version of the GCam. It is much worse than the APK mentioned above but it is the only one I've found.
OTHER AVAILABLE APKs
You can visit celsoazevedo's web, where you can find a ton of modded Google Camera APKs for every kind of device (Samsung, OnePlus, LG, Xiaomi, etc.). Huge shoutout to the web creator for providing this APKs, and also to the modders for their work on these mods.
For the P20, the working APKs that I've found are Google Camera v4.1.006.126161292 and MGCB_7.0H_C2API_v.4.0 (both stable on the P20):
MGCB_7.0H_C2API_v.4.0 has the HDR+ function but is disabled on the settings, if you enable it the app crashes.
The same version of the Google Camera v4.1.006.126161292 with HDR+ can be found here, but I think the HDR+ feature it's broken (you can see it in this thread (also stable on the P20):
[url]https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7oAweIKkrytSXdJYkQ2NUtxS28[/URL]
If you only want the Google Camera because of the Panorama mode (I think the Google Camera is the best camera app to take panoramas), those should be enough.
Another APK that I've tried is GCMod5 1.7 from @Arnova8G2, it is a newer version (v5.1.018.177470874) and it has more features and some developer options:
[url]https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/GCam5.1.018-Arnova8G2-V1.7.apk[/URL]
This one has crashed a few times but everything seems to work fine (except for HDR, I can't see a difference between a photo with HDR and without it, so I guess it doesn't work either).
You can find older versions of the GCMod in here, for example, some betas and other versions (like the 1.6 or 1.5), but I haven't tested them on the P20 and I don't know if they'll crash right after you install them (as it happens with a lot of other APKs from that page) or they will work just fine.
In December 2018, @Arnova8G2 uploaded a new version of his Google Camera Port for the Huawei Mate 10, Mate 10 Pro and Honor Play, which have the same processor as the Huawei P20. I tried it on the P20 but it crashes (Android O and P). If you have one of these devices you can download it from here: MGC_6.1.021_V1d-Advances_test2.apk
The version V1d-Advances_test1.apk does not work as well.
APKs I'VE TRIED AND DON'T WORK (tested on EMUI 8)
I've tried a lot of APKs from celsoazevedo's page trying to find the ones that work on the P20. Here you have some of them (most of them crash before opening):
All of the APKs I've talked about before
P3v9.1_GoogleCamera_6.1.021.apk and previous versions
MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_Final_Fix_Exynos_kirin.apk, MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_Final_Fix2_Exynos.apk and MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_Final_Fix3_Exynos.apk. These are the only ones tagged as "kirin" in celsoazevedo's web at the moment (except for the TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos.apk which I talked about before).
MGCB_7.0H_C2API_Full_PXL2_v.1.4_60FPS_noburst_v3.apk (Only for Android 7 devices)
Pixel 2 Mods from Arnova, like GCam-5.1.018-Pixel2Mod-Arnova8G2-V8.3b1.apk or GoogleCamera-Pixel2Mod-Arnova8G2-V8.1.apk
GoogleCamera_5.2.025-Final_fu24-17_845Colorfix.apk and other versions from kokroo
MGCamera_5.1.0.18_R5Plus_v.5.1.6_fix_crash_slowmo.apk and all the other fixes that saneklic has on the version 5.1.0.18
OnePlus6_cstark27_GCam_5.1.018_24_v3.7.apk and v3.8.apk from the developer @cstark27. Some people say that v3.4A.apk works on the Huawei P20 Pro, but in the P20 crashes after few seconds.
Potter versions from san1ty, such as MGC_6.1.021_Potter_v6-san1ty.apk and previous versions
Except for L-G_cam.apk, all of the harysviewty GCam apks
TL;DR / Conclusion
Don't buy a Huawei device (not only the P20, any of them) if you want to get the most of its camera through GCam ports. All the restrictions that Huawei implements in their devices for the Camera2 API ruins any possibility of having full HDR+, Night Sight or other modes from third-party apps, like FilmicPro or GCam ports. If you have a Huawei device, you are most likely to be stuck with the stock camera app.
Despite this, there are some APKs that work partially with the P20 (and maybe other Kirin devices too):
The best one to this day is MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos.apk (only tested on the P20 running EMUI 8, it might works for others too).
Other APKs that work for the Huawei P20 are the ones I mentioned at the beginning: Google Camera v4.1.006.126161292 and MGCB_7.0H_C2API_v.4.0.
Despite not having the HDR functionality, they work just fine as the Google Camera for panoramas, slow motion, photo sphere, video recording and lens blur.
Whenever they stop working (for example if you tune anything in the settings and the app crashes) reinstall the app or clear the data/cache.
Hi!
Carball0 said:
APK's I'VE TRIED AND DON'T WORK
I've tried a lot of APK's from celsoazevedo's page trying to find APK's that work on the P20. Here you have some of them (all of them crash before opening):
(the MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos.apk kinda works).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app works pretty well in my P20, if you choose "Viewfinder format - YUV_420_888(default)" in FIX section.
HDR+, HDR+ Enchanced, Night Sight and Portrait mode work perfect on the main cam. Front camera can only shoot video.
Front camera works on configs with (need YUV), but with this config doesn't work HDR+, HDR+ Enchanced, Night Sight on both cameras.
vov4arka said:
Hi!
This app works pretty well in my P20, if you choose "Viewfinder format - YUV_420_888(default)" in FIX section.
HDR+, HDR+ Enchanced, Night Sight and Portrait mode work perfect on the main cam. Front camera can only shoot video.
Front camera works on configs with (need YUV), but with this config doesn't work HDR+, HDR+ Enchanced, Night Sight on both cameras.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true, it works!
This APK works wonderfully on the P20 with the YUV fix. This is the only APK I've seen with the HDR function working on this Huawei.
However, do you have the same issue with the saturation on HDR photos? The images taken by the app come out almost in black and white, I had to tune the saturation setting to get it working right.
Also, I have added your suggestion in the post, I didn't notice this setting on that APK and it is pretty useful. Thanks!
One more thing. On 4pda those users who had got Android 9 found out that HDR doesn't work anymore on this version.
With MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos .apk
Night mode does not work on 9.0.0.160, the camera app just closes itself when selecting Night Sight.
Quality post and great summary all the modded APKs. Thanked!
By the way, what version of EMUI are you trying these on?
I also cannot get Night Sight to work with MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos .apk. I'm on EMUI 9.
Any working version for p20 pro? On this version aplication work on p20 pro but i can only rec movie or click panorama... In normal mode (portrait etc..) i have black screen
Works
Confirmed working and takes better pictures than stock camera in almost every situation. However, night mode is still superior due to noise reduction and slow shuttwr speeds. Great job finding this. Keep us posted if therebis a front camera fix!
vov4arka said:
One more thing. On 4pda those users who had got Android 9 found out that HDR doesn't work anymore on this version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Added to the post
BB88 said:
Quality post and great summary all the modded APKs. Thanked!
By the way, what version of EMUI are you trying these on?
I also cannot get Night Sight to work with MGC_6.1.021_BSG_Arnova_TlnNeun_1.2_test_fix_Exynos .apk. I'm on EMUI 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Android 8.1.0 on EML-L29 (EMUI 8) and Night Sight works fine.
As @vov4arka said, some EMUI 9 users have reported issues with some features not working. I don't have the EMUI 9 update yet so I can't see what's not working, but you can try the APK's labeled as "kirin" on celsoazevedo's page to see if any of them works on that version.
However, I think that Huawei's Night Sight does a good job too. You can see it in the comparison attached below.
Szafexd said:
Any working version for p20 pro? On this version aplication work on p20 pro but i can only rec movie or click panorama... In normal mode (portrait etc..) i have black screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you changed all the settings that I mentioned in the post? It is necessary to have the YUV fix applied.
If you have changed all the settings and still doesn't work, try this:
Carball0 said:
OnePlus6_cstark27_GCam_5.1.018_24_v3.7.apk and v3.8.apk from the developer @cstark27. Some people say that v3.4A.apk works on the Huawei P20 Pro, but in the P20 crashes after few seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tested it (I don't have the P20 Pro) but they say that it works
So far living having the Google camera on the P20. Had missed it ever since upgrading from my HTC U11.
Only issue is front facing camera. Works for video, but cannot take images. Anyone got settings that work?
Carball0 said:
Thanks! Added to the post
I'm using Android 8.1.0 on EML-L29 (EMUI 8) and Night Sight works fine.
As @vov4arka said, some EMUI 9 users have reported issues with some features not working. I don't have the EMUI 9 update yet so I can't see what's not working, but you can try the APK's labeled as "kirin" on celsoazevedo's page to see if any of them works on that version.
However, I think that Huawei's Night Sight does a good job too. You can see it in the comparison attached below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I found that not only Night Sight is not working on this port, the camera actually close immediately whenever I take a picture in normal Photo mode. I'll see if I have time to test other kirin port in your post.
I tried one of them and then it crashed. The stock camera also crashed. After reboot stock works but the video camera can only record 720p. Had to clear data.
jimmyboggust said:
So far living having the Google camera on the P20. Had missed it ever since upgrading from my HTC U11.
Only issue is front facing camera. Works for video, but cannot take images. Anyone got settings that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing here. Any advice on how to address this issue????
Thank you in advance.
jimmyboggust said:
So far living having the Google camera on the P20. Had missed it ever since upgrading from my HTC U11.
Only issue is front facing camera. Works for video, but cannot take images. Anyone got settings that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. Do you find any solution ?
Even though Huawei P20 has its own aperture & portrait mode on stock camera ,I was interested to see the quality of the GCam pictures on portrait mode, but I cant get it work. I press the shutter button but no picture is saved. I dont know why.
I am running my Huawei P20 on EMUI 9.
arben.m.morina said:
Even though Huawei P20 has its own aperture & portrait mode on stock camera ,I was interested to see the quality of the GCam pictures on portrait mode, but I cant get it work. I press the shutter button but no picture is saved. I dont know why.
I am running my Huawei P20 on EMUI 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here, emui9, gcam wont save pics
jimmyboggust said:
So far living having the Google camera on the P20. Had missed it ever since upgrading from my HTC U11.
Only issue is front facing camera. Works for video, but cannot take images. Anyone got settings that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, the front facing camera not works, I have the P20 with emui 8.1
Carball0 said:
Have you changed all the settings that I mentioned in the post? It is necessary to have the YUV fix applied.
If you have changed all the settings and still doesn't work, try this:
I haven't tested it (I don't have the P20 Pro) but they say that it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive tried the one you posted sir , but only video and panorama are working. Using my P20 Pro.
And then I also tried the one you quoted, but then only the v3.4A.apk works, but with no night sight like the other newer versions. hard to find any working gcam for P20 Pro. I thought the one you posted is also working but sad to say still needs a fix, btw, thanks for sharing sir. Keep it up, i'll just wait for another fix hopefully :good:
Same problem here, after i click shutter button gcam can't save pictures.Panorama and lens blur are working. But the camera itself it does'nt. Emui 9 and Android pie version here.
Who has the device and has sideloaded gcam yet ? Really thinking about getting the phone and am coming from a pixel 4xl and really enjoy the point and click of the pixel. Want to see if GCAM is a viable option on the Sony Xperia 5 ii.
Thanks
I am also very close to purchasing this and would also like to know if this is possible.
https://mega.nz/folder/pg5y2CaJ#qH95TX8mieu7pP50DsPI-A/folder/1tR2ACpT
The MGC here works, but you may need to tweak settings for best results, and it only works with the main and selfie cameras.
Surprisingly, the stock app for the camera is very good on 5 II.. The question is, is gcam needed for 5 II, sony did a great job with the camera and the camera software this year.
The stock app is indeed surprisingly capable, but managing highlights is still one of the weak points with Sony. The 5 II is probably the best phone Sony has made in years so it would be great to see GCam support for it. Any chance of this @Arnova8G2 @Urnyx05?
CazeW said:
The stock app is indeed surprisingly capable, but managing highlights is still one of the weak points with Sony. The 5 II is probably the best phone Sony has made in years so it would be great to see GCam support for it. Any chance of this @[email protected]?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you hit it on the head honestly. The testing I have been doing with the camera seems to be that Sony is okay with highlights in photos, similarly to Apple but Apple does still a little better than Sony does.
There are definitely benefits I have seen from the highlights though, portrait photos of a person with good lighting look exceptional on the mark II even with indoor lighting. My first 2 days with this phone have been a pleasure because it almost makes me feel like this phone is built like a Nexus device was back in the good old days, with minor Sony embellishments.
Looking forward to progress here in this!
@Urnyx05
Checked your thread for what you need for a bug report, so I've tried include all that you need incase you are interested in getting your GCam up and running on the Xperia 5 II.
Phone: Xperia 5 II, stock rom, no fixes
APK: GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v2.3.apk
Camera2 Test and logcat attached of the crash.
The app crashes the moment you start it (after you've given it all the permissions), but you can also hear the camera activating.
Please bring gcam to our device, Urnyx05
Came here from the Xperia 1 II thread. Yes, the Xperia 5 II is one of the Android flagship this year. Stable gcam support will elevate the popularity of this device more, Sony get more sales and they have more money to develop next gen Xperia.
CazeW said:
@Urnyx05
Checked your thread for what you need for a bug report, so I've tried include all that you need incase you are interested in getting your GCam up and running on the Xperia 5 II.
Phone: Xperia 5 II, stock rom, no fixes
APK: GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v2.3.apk
Camera2 Test and logcat attached of the crash.
Hi, i downloaded and tested it: IMHO Sony Photo Pro app gives better results
unistalled
my 2 cents
Luca
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lucapasto said:
Hi, i downloaded and tested it: IMHO Sony Photo Pro app gives better results
unistalled
my 2 cents
Luca
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, what? There aren't any properly working GCam versions for the phone yet.
The only ones that work are one older GCam and the Go version. Yes, stock apps give better pictures than those but I'm not counting those as proper GCam ports.
I find a webpage of GCam for Xperia 5 II. https://www.cyanogenmods.org/google-camera-xperia-5-ii/
I tried it but all crashed, maybe because my phone is China Edition. You can try it.
fengmubai said:
I find a webpage of GCam for Xperia 5 II. https://www.cyanogenmods.org/google-camera-xperia-5-ii/
I tried it but all crashed, maybe because my phone is China Edition. You can try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, seems like some autogenerated ****. "Gcam for *automatically insert phone model here*". To be ignored.
This are not Versions for the Xperia. Bad Link.
Android 11 and GCAM
It might actually help when sony releases Android 11 for both the mark 5 ii and the mark 1 ii phone. It's might make the current GCAM apks and config files more compatible.
Are you running this version?
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/changelog1234/
On my 5-2 this GCam is semi-working. It takes photo on 16 and 70 mm module. Sometimes you can enter the menu using the button LIB from the tenth time.
(If the image from the camera is visible and falls out, move the slider to the video and choose a different camera).
Perhaps someone can make this version work and run the main photo module (it works in the video).
Subbb said:
Are you running this version?
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/changelog1234/
On my 5-2 this GCam is semi-working. It takes photo on 16 and 70 mm module. Sometimes you can enter the menu using the button LIB from the tenth time.
(If the image from the camera is visible and falls out, move the slider to the video and choose a different camera).
Perhaps someone can make this version work and run the main photo module (it works in the video).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant Open it.... Force Close everytime
@Subbb I've managed to snap a photo with the ultra wide and tele yes, the photos are very grainy though.
It's weird because Google Camera Go works only with the 24mm lens.
@chilled_orange13 my trick was to open the app, quickly swipe to video then change the lens using the upper settings menu. Pressing the setting icon or lib icon makes the app crash. Changing lens crashes the app but when you open it again it launches on the selected lens.
tarkan-t29
I still have this version running: https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/changelog1214/
Similar result...
Guys joyn this group from BSG
t.me/BSG_googlecamera
Pleased also try to Help ?