Use Google Camera on Zenfone Max Pro Without Root: Here’s How

Asus ZenFone Max Pro

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro may be one of the best smartphones in its segment, but it does have one critical shortcoming that prevents it from being the segment leader – an underwhelming camera. While the hardware seems quite capable on paper, its the less-than-impressive software that’s believed to be the reason why the device’s dual-camera setup comes up short against its biggest rival in the segment, the Redmi Note 5 Pro.

Use Google Camera on Zenfone Max Pro Without Root: Here’s How

Now, however, there might just a breakthrough on that front, thanks to an XDA senior member who claims to have come up with a method to enable the Camera2API on the Asus mid-ranger without modifying the build.prop in the system partition, thereby bringing the incredibly capable Google Camera app to the device without root.

According to shakalaca, the Camera2API can be enabled on the Zenfone Max Pro via a fastboot command that enables Camera HAL 3. Multiple senior members of XDA have since confirmed that the method works, so it very likely works as advertised.

How to Enable Camera2API on Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

  • Enable Developer mode on the phone by tapping the Build Number option seven times in quick succession by going over to Settings > About Phone.
  • Once Developer Options is enabled, toggle on the USB debugging option.
  • Now power off the phone and then enter Fastboot mode by pressing and holding the ‘Power’ and ‘Volume Down’ buttons together for a few seconds.
  • On a PC (Windows/Linux/Mac), install the necessary drivers and ADB files for Android.
  • Now connect the phone to the PC and launch a Powershell Window / Command prompt / terminal based on your OS.
  • Make sure that it points to the same directory where the fastboot binary is located, and then enter the following command:

Windows Command Prompt: fastboot oem enable_camera_hal3 true
Windows PowerShell: .\fastboot oem enable_camera_hal3 true
macOS or Linux Terminal: ./fastboot oem enable_camera_hal3 true

Now you can download a Google Camera port of choice by going over to XDA’s hub for Google Camera ports and finding one for your device. Once that’s done, do let us know if you see any significant difference in imaging quality on your device.

comment Comments 12
  • Shravanth says:

    Adb doesn’t recognize device in fastboot mode. When phone is switched on it will show the serial key. But in fastboot mode it doesn’t show anything.
    Cmd- fastboot devices
    Any solution.?

  • akshay says:

    will it void warranty of my mobile phone?

  • Kushal Halder says:

    Is it safe??

  • Anu Modi says:

    Perfect

  • Rizwan says:

    Is there any way to use this on Redmi note 5 pro?

  • Harsh says:

    Can we take long expo shots now ?

  • Nasir Mallick says:

    Thank you Beebom for helping me out with the camera issue. There is huge difference before and after using this specially on the front camera side. And all without rooting.

  • chinmay anand panda says:

    Will warranty be void.
    And will I get future updates.
    Please answer

    • arjun says:

      i want to know the same.

  • Sulem Ghawte says:

    Takes 10 odd seconds to process hdr+ enhance photos in artificial lighting conditions…does anyone face this issue?

  • Hitesh Chaudhary says:

    I want video for this Google camera application with rooted download….. please suggest me video on YouTube and other applications… because my asus m1 mobile camera is so dull.

  • Subhasis Mishra says:

    Does it require unlocked bootloader??

Leave a Reply