Camera Not Working After Custom ROM

Camera issues are the most complained-about problem with custom ROMs. The good news? Most issues have solutions.

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Understanding Camera Issues

Why Cameras Break on Custom ROMs

1. Proprietary Drivers: Camera HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) is device-specific
2. Vendor Mismatch: ROM expects different vendor partition
3. Framework Changes: Camera APIs change between Android versions
4. Missing Libs: Required libraries not included in ROM
5. SELinux: Security policies blocking camera access

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Diagnose Your Issue

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Fix 1: Flash Matching Vendor/Firmware

Most camera issues are vendor mismatches.

Check ROM Requirements

Look in ROM's XDA thread for:

• "Requires firmware X.X.X"
• "Flash vendor from [version]"
• "Based on Android X vendor"

Flash Firmware

1. Download matching firmware
2. Boot to TWRP
3. Install → Select firmware
4. Don't wipe anything
5. Reboot

If camera works now - you're done!

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Fix 2: Try Different Camera App

The stock camera app might be the problem.

Google Camera Ports (GCam)

GCam ports often work better than stock camera:

Where to find GCams:

• Celso Azevedo's GCam Hub
• XDA device-specific threads
• Telegram GCam groups for your device

Install GCam

1. Download recommended GCam APK for your device
2. Install
3. Grant all permissions (camera, microphone, storage, location)
4. Test

GCam Config Files

Many GCam ports work better with device-specific configs:

1. Download .xml config for your device
2. Copy to: /GCam/configs/ folder in internal storage
3. Open GCam → double-tap between shutter and gallery
4. Load config

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Fix 3: Check Permissions

Android 12+ has stricter camera permissions:

Settings → Apps → Camera app → Permissions
- Camera: Allow
- Microphone: Allow
- Location: Allow (for geotagging)
- Storage: Allow (or scoped storage)

Also check:

Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Camera
Ensure camera app is listed

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Fix 4: Clear Camera Data

Cached data causing issues:

Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear Data
Settings → Apps → Camera → Force Stop

For GCam:

Also clear: Google Camera
And: Camera Services

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Fix 5: Enabling Auxiliary Cameras

Ultrawide, macro, and telephoto might not work.

Check Device Config

Some ROMs disable aux cameras by default. Check:

/vendor/etc/camera/
/vendor/etc/

Look for XML files with camera configuration.

Install Camera2 API Enabler

Some Magisk modules enable Camera2 API for all cameras:

• Search Magisk for "Camera2 API"
• Install and reboot

Check Camera2 API Status

Install "Camera2 API Probe" from Play Store:

• Should show all cameras
• Should show LEVEL_3 or LEVEL_FULL support

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Fix 6: SELinux Issues

SELinux might be blocking camera:

Check SELinux Status

su
getenforce
# Should return "Enforcing" or "Permissive"

Temporarily Test with Permissive

su
setenforce 0
# Try camera now

If camera works with SELinux permissive:

• Kernel or ROM has missing SELinux policies
• Try different kernel or ROM version
• Or use Magisk module to keep permissive (not recommended for security)

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Fix 7: Reinstall ROM Properly

Sometimes clean flash fixes everything:

1. Boot to TWRP
2. Wipe:
   - System
   - Vendor
   - Data
   - Cache
   - Dalvik
3. Flash firmware first
4. Flash ROM
5. Flash GApps (if needed)
6. Reboot and test camera immediately

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Device-Specific Solutions

Xiaomi/POCO

Xiaomi camera issues often need:

1. Correct MIUI-based firmware
2. ANXCamera Magisk module (for MIUI camera app)
3. GCam with device-specific config

Install ANXCamera via Magisk modules
Get it from GitHub or XDA

Samsung

Samsung Exynos cameras are tricky:

1. Must have matching One UI vendor
2. Stock camera rarely works on AOSP
3. Use GCam designed for Exynos
4. Some features never work (super resolution, etc.)

OnePlus

OnePlus cameras usually work well but:

1. Make sure Oxygen OS firmware matches
2. OnePlus Camera APK can be installed
3. Hasselblad features may not transfer

Pixel

Pixel cameras should work perfectly on:

• Pixel Experience
• Any Pixel-based ROM
• If not: reflash, something's wrong

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When You Need Different ROM

Some camera issues can't be fixed on certain ROMs.

Signs to Switch ROMs

• Developer confirms camera issue won't be fixed
• Device-specific bugs with no solution
• Missing key features (video stabilization, night mode)

ROMs Known for Camera Quality

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Alternative: Port Stock Camera

Advanced users can try porting OEM camera:

Requirements

• Rooted device
• Stock camera APK extracted
• Camera libs from stock ROM
• Knowledge of app porting

Basic Process

1. Extract camera APK from stock ROM
2. Extract camera libs from stock vendor
3. Place libs in /system/lib64/ or /vendor/lib64/
4. Install camera APK
5. Grant permissions
6. Fix SELinux contexts if needed

This is complex and device-specific. Search XDA for guides.

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Magisk Modules for Camera

Some useful modules:

Install via Magisk → Modules → Search online.

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Testing After Fixes

After each fix, test:

Checklist:
[ ] Rear main camera - photo
[ ] Rear main camera - video
[ ] Front camera - photo
[ ] Front camera - selfie video
[ ] Ultrawide (if applicable)
[ ] Telephoto (if applicable)
[ ] Macro (if applicable)
[ ] Night mode
[ ] Flash
[ ] HDR
[ ] Slow motion
[ ] Portrait mode

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Prevention for Next Time

Before Flashing

1. Check XDA for camera status on that ROM
2. Ask in ROM's Telegram group
3. Look for "camera fix" mentions

After Flashing

1. Test camera before restoring apps
2. If broken, easier to fix/reflash while clean
3. Note what firmware you used

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My Experience

In years of custom ROM use:

• 90% of camera issues = firmware mismatch
• GCam solves most remaining issues
• True hardware incompatibility is rare

Most cameras work. The solution is finding the right combination.

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