Are you looking for a simple way to Camera2 API Support to use the Google Camera port (GCam) on your Android phone, then the following guide will be helpful for you.
In this article, you will get a complete step-by-step instructions on how to check Camera2 API support on Android devices easily.
What is Camera2 API?
The Camera2 API is an Android camera framework introduced with Android 5.0 Lollipop. It gives stock camera applications more control over the hardware. Camera2 API determines how much control apps can get over your hardware to uses features such as HDR, RAW capture, manual controls, Night Sight, and advanced image processing.
Since, the smartphone brands have improved a lot, But the older phones may still lack some of the camera features available on latest Android devices. Google Camera (GCam) port is one way to get more camera features on a compatible Android phone. Before installing GCam, you have to check the Camera2 API.
The GCam ports uses the Camera2 API capabilities to provide advanced features and Google’s image-processing technology on compatible Android devices.
Read more: Google Camera GCam APK Port
How to Check Camera2 API Using an App (Method 1)
The following proccess is one of the easiest method to check the Camera2 API using a simple checking app. If the method 1 is doesn’t work then you can use method 2 or Method 3.
Install a Camera2 API Checker
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for Camera2 API Probe.
- Install the app on your phone.
- Open the app after installation.
Also read: Download GCam APK v9.7
Then Check the Hardware Support Level
The app will display information for your phone’s cameras, usually including Camera ID 0 for the main/rear camera and Camera ID 1 for the front camera.
Look for Hardware Support Level. You may see the following levels:
- Level 3: Provides the highest level of Camera2 API support includes RAW capture and YUV reprocessing.
- Full: Most Camera2 API features are available.
- Limited: Only some Camera2 API features are supported.
- Legacy: The older Camera API and has very limited Camera2 API functionality.
- External: Used for external camera devices and have different capabilities.
Which Level is Best for GCam?
Full and Level 3 support are the most useful for GCam. However, a phone with Limited support can also run certain GCam ports with good features.
Note: Camera2 API support does not guarantee that all GCam feature will work. It also depends on the device, camera sensors, Android version, and the specific GCam port.
Method 2: Check Camera2 API Using ADB & USB Debugging
If you have a Windows PC or Mac, then also, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method to check Camera2 API on your Android device.
First Enable USB Debugging
- Open Settings > About Phone on your Android.
- Find Build Number and tap it 5-7 times to enable Developer Options.
- Go to Developer Options.
- Enable USB Debugging.
Connect Your Phone to Windows
- Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable
- Install the ADB Driver on your Windows or MAC.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows, or Terminal on macOS/Linux.
- Then type the following commands to check camera properties:
adb shell getprop | grep -i camera- On Windows PowerShell, you can use:
adb shell getprop | Select-String -Pattern "camera"- Older devices may show properties such as:
[persist.camera.HAL3.enabled]: [1]- or: type the following
[persist.vendor.camera.HAL3.enabled]: [1]However, the HAL3 property does not prove that the device has full Camera2 API support. For the actual support level, a Camera2 API checker is usually a better option.
Method 3: Check Camera2 API With a Terminal App
If any of the above two methods doesn’t work for you then you can try the method 3 to check the API through Android terminal app.
- Install a trusted Android terminal app:
- Run the following commands
getprop | grep -i camera- Next, Type & enter the following command
[persist.camera.HAL3.enabled]: [1][persist.vendor.camera.HAL3.enabled]: [1]- You may see HAL3 or other camera-related properties.
Keep in mind that these properties can vary between manufacturers and Android versions. For a clear Level 3, Full, Limited, or Legacy result, use a Camera2 API checker.
What Does Camera2 API Support Mean for GCam?
Camera2 API support level define which GCam features are available on your phone.
| Support Level | GCam Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Level 3 | Excellent for Camera2 advanced features |
| Full | Good compatibility with GCam ports |
| Limited | Some GCam ports may work, but certain features can be unavailable |
| Legacy | Limited Camera2 API support; many GCam ports not work properly without enabling it. |
| External | Mainly for external camera devices |
Note: If you Legacy hardware support, it means your phone does not have full Camera2 API support. In this case, you can manually enabling Camera2 API by following this guide.
However, as we told earlier, These are just the general guidelines & it does not gurantees. Sometimes, two phones with the same Camera2 API level can still have very different GCam compatibility.
Read more: How to Install Google Camera Mod (Gcam Port) on Android phone?
Does Your Phone Need Camera2 API for GCam?
Nowadays, the latest GCam ports uses the Camera2 API to work GCam perfectly on Android phones. It also depands on other important factors such as:
- Android version
- Processor and chipset
- Camera sensor
- Camera drivers
- Manufacturer’s camera implementation
- GCam port and package variant
- XML/configuration files
If one GCam port does not work, another version or developer’s port may work for you so you can try different different ports for your phone. Additionally, You can try GCam Go designed to work on a wider range of Android devices.
Do read: Detailed GCam FAQs & Troubleshooting Guide
Conclusion:
We hope now you have a complete idea of how to check Camera2 API support & why it is an important steps to find a compatible GCam ports. For most of the latest Android users, the recommened option is to install a Camera2 API checker and look at the Hardware Support Level.
Camera2 API support helps GCam to use latest camera features and improve the overall photo quality on the device.
If you have any questions or face any problems while checking Camera2 API, feel free to comment below. We’ll be happy to help.