How to Install Pixel 3 Camera for Pixel or Pixel 2!

For those of you who want to get some of the Pixel 3 camera features, you can get it now already for those of you with a Google Pixel, Pixel 2, Nexus 6P Android smartphones. (And may work on other devices running Android 9.0 Pie but I am still testing.)  The Pixel 3 Google Camera APK has been floating on the internet since the launch of Pixel 3 this morning and this is straight off the Pixel 3 smartphone.  Luckily, it is 100% compatible with original Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL smartphones.  And no, no root is required to install, you just need to have Android 9.0 Pie running on your Pixel smartphone.

Finally, the new Pixel 3 camera brings you RAW mode for all Pixel smartphones and I have verified it working fine on both my original Pixel and Pixel 2.

To enable this, make sure to go into Settings->Advanced and enable “RAW+JPEG control”.  While Pixel smartphone have had very good photo capabilities using its HDR+ and HDR+ Enhanced mode, lack of RAW mode was its only missing component for advanced users.  Now, those advanced users have nothing to complain about and start taking full control over their photos thru RAW files.

Both front and back camera portrait mode now have depth control AFTER  you take the shot.  This is great since you can now get a bokeh-less photo or increase the background blur to the maximum.

And yes, you can even CHANGE the focus for your subjects, this is REALLY AWESOME!  If you have multiple people in your photo and want to change focus after taking the shot, you can easily do it anytime.

There are many awesome filters you can now use on the Portrait mode including Color Pop and much more.

Front portrait mode also has exact same features as the back, Google definitely improved by a mile with the new Pixel 3 Google Camera.

And Panorama mode is now much easier to use and effective with VR view.

And one of the biggest features of Pixel 3 is the ability to read things automatically in your photo such as website URL, telephone number, and any kind of written letters that you can easily copy & paste!

How to Install Pixel 3 Camera for Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL!

Step 1. This Pixel 3 Camera APK will ONLY work on the following smartphones(as of now but I will update):

  • Pixel, Pixel XL
  • Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL
  • Nexus 6P

Make sure you have a supported smartphone.

Step 2. Make sure you have Android 9.0 Pie or higher.  You can check this in Settings->About Phone.  If you have older Android version, do an OTA update or you can also root and install a custom ROM if you have non-Pixel device.

Step 3. Download the latest Pixel 3 Google Camera APK from APKQuick.com.  (Direct Download Link)

Once downloaded, tap on the APK file to install.

Step 4. Install the Pixel 3 Google Camera APK file.  You may have to enable “Unknown Sources” in Settings if you’ve never installed APK files before.

Step 5. Once installed, OPEN!

You should now have fully-working Pixel 3 Google Camera on your Pixel or Pixel 2!  Congratulations!  Pat yourself on the back and go take a bunch of photos!  Go play with the new RAW mode and see if you can make your photos even better than before.  Your HDR photos should also now be better with Pixel 3’s new Google Camera algorithm.  Enjoy!

Does this give you better photos in HDR mode?

Yes, in my test of Android 8.1 Oreo Google Camera vs. Pixel 3 Google Camera on my Nexus 6P, the image is WAY sharper.  It seems the Pixel 3 camera processing is much better and faster:

(Android 8.1 Oreo Google Camera on the left and Pixel 3 Camera on the right, zoomed in about 5X)

 

 

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Max Lee

Max Lee is the founder of HighOnAndroid.com. Max makes Android tutorials and review videos for people who want to get high on Android over at his YouTube channel and Korean YouTube channel.