Mi 4K Action Camera App Review Features and Tips

The Mi 4K Action Camera app delivers seamless control and real-time 4K video preview, making it a must-have companion for capturing high-octane adventures. With intuitive editing tools, customizable settings, and instant social sharing, the app enhances both shooting and post-production for users at every skill level.

Key Takeaways

• Download the app: Essential for full camera control and settings.
• Use live preview: Frame shots perfectly with real-time viewing.
• Enable 4K mode: Maximize video quality in app settings.
• Adjust frame rates: Optimize for speed or clarity via app.
• Remote start/stop: Control recordings hands-free with app triggers.
• Quick sharing: Transfer and post media directly from the app.

Why the Mi 4K Action Camera App Matters

Remember the last time you tried to film something cool with your action camera, only to realize the footage looked flat, shaky, or poorly lit? It’s frustrating, especially when you’re trying to capture a once-in-a-lifetime moment—like your first skydive or a mountain bike descent. That’s where the Mi 4K Action Camera app steps in, not just as a remote control, but as a full-featured companion that unlocks your camera’s true potential. Whether you’re a weekend adventurer, a vlogger, or a parent recording your kid’s first soccer game, the app can make a big difference in how your videos turn out.

What sets the Mi 4K Action Camera apart isn’t just the hardware—it’s how seamlessly the app integrates with the camera. Unlike some competitors that feel like afterthoughts, Xiaomi’s app is built with user experience in mind. It’s intuitive, responsive, and packed with tools that help you shoot, edit, and share your adventures with ease. In this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Mi 4K Action Camera app: its standout features, hidden tricks, and a few things that could use improvement. Think of this as a chat with a friend who’s used the app for months—no fluff, just real talk.

Getting Started: Setting Up the Mi 4K Action Camera App

Download and Installation

Before you can dive into shooting epic 4K footage, you need to get the app up and running. The Mi 4K Action Camera app is available for both iOS and Android—just search “Mi Action Camera” in the App Store or Google Play Store. The download is free, and the app is lightweight (under 50MB), so it won’t hog your phone’s storage.

Once installed, open the app and follow the on-screen prompts. The setup process is surprisingly smooth. The app uses Wi-Fi to connect to your camera, and it walks you through each step. I had mine connected in under two minutes—no technical headaches. A quick tip: make sure your camera is fully charged before pairing. Low battery can cause connection drops during setup.

Pairing Your Camera

The pairing process is straightforward. Turn on your Mi 4K Action Camera, go to the app, and tap “Connect Device.” The app will scan for nearby cameras. When you see your device name (usually “Mi Action Camera” or a custom name), tap it. The app will prompt you to enter a Wi-Fi password—this is generated by the camera and appears on its small screen. Type it in, and voilà: you’re connected.

One thing I love is that the app remembers your camera. After the first setup, reconnecting is as easy as opening the app and tapping “Connect”—no re-entering passwords or hunting for networks. This is a huge time-saver, especially if you’re out in the field and want to quickly adjust settings.

Initial Configuration Tips

After pairing, take a minute to configure a few settings to get the most out of your camera. Here are my top three:

• Set your preferred resolution and frame rate: The app lets you choose between 4K, 1080p, and 720p, with frame rates from 24fps to 120fps. For cinematic shots, go with 4K at 30fps. For slow-motion, switch to 1080p at 120fps.
• Enable GPS (if your model supports it): This adds location data to your videos, which is great for travel vlogs or tracking your hiking route.
• Turn on “Auto Save to Phone”: This automatically transfers clips to your phone when connected. It’s a lifesaver if you’re shooting on a crowded memory card.

Pro tip: If you’re using the app for the first time, do a quick test shoot to check the connection stability. I once had a laggy feed during a ski trip, and it turned out my phone’s Wi-Fi was set to “sleep after 30 seconds.” Adjusting the phone’s power settings fixed it.

Key Features That Make the App Stand Out

Real-Time Live Preview and Framing

One of the most useful features of the Mi 4K Action Camera app is the live preview. When connected, you can see exactly what your camera sees on your phone’s screen. This is a game-changer for framing shots, especially when the camera is mounted in hard-to-reach places—like on a helmet, handlebar, or drone.

I used this during a mountain biking trip. Instead of guessing where my handlebar-mounted camera was pointing, I just opened the app, saw the live feed, and adjusted the angle until the trail was perfectly centered. No more “oops, my head was blocking the view” moments. The preview also shows battery life, recording status, and storage space—all in real time.

A small but handy detail: the app lets you zoom in on the preview screen to check focus. This is great for close-up shots, like filming a flower or a piece of gear. Just pinch to zoom, and the app will digitally magnify the image (though it’s not optical, so don’t expect DSLR-level clarity).

Remote Control and Settings

The app turns your phone into a remote control with way more options than the camera’s built-in buttons. Here’s what you can adjust remotely:

• Start/stop recording: Tap the big red button in the app to begin or end a clip. You’ll see a countdown and hear a beep from the camera.
• Switch modes: Toggle between video, photo, time-lapse, and slow-motion modes without touching the camera.
• Adjust exposure, ISO, and white balance: For advanced users, the app offers manual controls. I used this to brighten shots in dim lighting by increasing the ISO (just don’t go too high—it can introduce noise).
• Change resolution and frame rate: As mentioned earlier, you can fine-tune these on the fly. I once switched from 4K to 1080p mid-shoot because I needed a higher frame rate for a fast-moving subject.

One thing to note: the app’s interface is clean and uncluttered. All the key settings are on the main screen, and there’s a “More” menu for advanced options. No digging through nested menus—everything is where you’d expect it.

Editing Tools: Trim, Cut, and Add Music

Here’s a feature that surprised me: the app has built-in editing tools. You don’t need to download a separate app to trim clips or add music. Here’s how it works:

• Trim videos: Tap on a clip, drag the sliders to select the part you want to keep, and hit “Save.” It’s simple and fast—perfect for cutting out boring sections or mistakes.
• Add background music: The app has a small library of royalty-free tracks, or you can import your own music from your phone. I used this to add a motivational track to my workout videos. The app automatically adjusts the volume so your original audio isn’t drowned out.
• Merge clips: You can combine multiple clips into one video. This is great for creating highlight reels. I used it to stitch together a 3-minute montage of my hiking trip.

Limitations? The editing tools are basic. You can’t add text, transitions, or effects like you can in apps like CapCut or iMovie. But for quick, on-the-go edits, they’re more than enough. And the best part: edits are saved directly to your phone, so you can share them instantly.

Sharing Made Easy

The app makes sharing your videos a breeze. After editing (or even without editing), you can:

• Share directly to social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.).
• Save to your phone’s gallery.
• Upload to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).

I used the social sharing feature to post a time-lapse of a sunset to Instagram. The app compressed the file just enough to meet Instagram’s size limits, without sacrificing too much quality. One tip: if you’re sharing to YouTube, use the “Save to Phone” option first, then upload from your gallery. The app’s direct YouTube upload sometimes fails if the video is too long.

Performance and Reliability: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Connection Stability

The app relies on Wi-Fi to connect to the camera, which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, Wi-Fi offers a strong, stable connection—much better than Bluetooth, which some competitors use. On the other hand, Wi-Fi drains your camera’s battery faster. I found that a fully charged camera lasts about 2 hours with the app connected, versus 3-4 hours without it.

Another potential issue: Wi-Fi range. The app works best within 10-15 meters of the camera. If you’re using the app to control a drone-mounted camera, this can be a problem. I once lost the signal when my drone flew behind a hill. The connection dropped, and I had to land to reconnect. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.

Pro tip: To extend battery life, turn off the live preview when you don’t need it. You can still start/stop recording and adjust settings without the feed.

App Responsiveness

The app is generally responsive, but there are occasional lags. For example, when switching between modes or adjusting settings, there’s a 1-2 second delay. This isn’t a problem for casual use, but if you’re shooting fast-paced action (like sports or wildlife), it can be frustrating.

I noticed this during a kayaking trip. I wanted to switch from video to time-lapse mode, but the app took a few seconds to process the change. By the time it was ready, the perfect moment had passed. Not a major flaw, but it’s something to be aware of.

Bug Fixes and Updates

Xiaomi regularly updates the app to fix bugs and add features. In the past six months, I’ve seen improvements in:

• Connection speed: The app now pairs faster than it did a year ago.
• Stability: Fewer crashes and freezes.
• New features: Recent updates added support for external microphones and improved GPS accuracy.

That said, the update process isn’t always smooth. Once, an update caused my camera to disconnect repeatedly. Xiaomi fixed it in a follow-up patch, but it was a hassle. My advice: always back up your footage before updating the app.

Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of the App

Customize Your Shooting Modes

The app lets you save custom shooting profiles. For example, you can create a “Ski Mode” with 4K at 60fps, high ISO, and auto white balance. Then, save a “Vlog Mode” with 1080p at 30fps, medium ISO, and a warmer white balance. Switching between profiles is as easy as tapping a button.

I use this all the time. When I’m skiing, I just tap “Ski Mode” and the app automatically adjusts all the settings. No fumbling with menus in the cold. You can even name the profiles—I have one called “Beach Sunset” for golden hour shots.

Use the App for Time-Lapse and Slow Motion

The app makes it easy to experiment with advanced shooting modes. For time-lapse videos:

• Set the interval (e.g., 2 seconds, 5 seconds).
• Choose the duration (e.g., 10 minutes, 1 hour).
• Tap “Start” and let the camera do the rest.

I used this to film a 30-minute time-lapse of a storm rolling in. The app handled it perfectly, and the resulting video was smooth and stable.

For slow-motion, the app lets you shoot at up to 120fps. I used this to capture a dog jumping into a pool. The app’s preview helped me time the shot perfectly—I hit “record” just as the dog leaped.

Manage Storage and Battery

The app shows how much storage space is left on your camera’s memory card. If it’s getting full, you can:

• Transfer clips to your phone (tap “Auto Save” or manually select files).
• Delete old clips directly from the app.

For battery, the app displays the camera’s remaining charge. If it’s low, you can:

• Turn off Wi-Fi on the camera to save power.
• Use the app’s “Low Power Mode,” which disables the live preview but keeps remote control.

I use these features during long shoots. For example, I’ll start with full power and live preview, then switch to low power when the battery hits 30%. It’s a simple way to extend your shooting time.

Comparison: Mi 4K Action Camera App vs. Competitors

How does the Mi 4K Action Camera app stack up against other action camera apps? Here’s a quick comparison based on my experience:

Feature	Mi 4K Action Camera App	GoPro App	DJI Osmo Action App
Live Preview	Yes (with zoom)	Yes	Yes
Manual Controls	Yes (exposure, ISO, white balance)	Yes	Yes
Built-in Editing	Yes (trim, add music, merge clips)	Yes (more advanced)	Yes (basic)
Connection Type	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi + Bluetooth	Wi-Fi
Custom Profiles	Yes	Yes	No
Update Frequency	Monthly	Bi-weekly	Monthly

As you can see, the Mi app holds its own. It’s not as polished as the GoPro app (which has better editing tools), but it’s more affordable and easier to use. The DJI app is similar but lacks custom profiles, which I find incredibly useful. Overall, the Mi app strikes a great balance between features and simplicity.

Final Thoughts: Is the Mi 4K Action Camera App Worth It?

After months of using the Mi 4K Action Camera app, I can confidently say it’s one of the best companion apps out there—especially for the price. It’s intuitive, feature-rich, and genuinely helpful for improving your footage. The live preview and remote control are lifesavers, the editing tools are surprisingly capable, and the sharing options make it easy to get your videos online.

That said, it’s not perfect. The Wi-Fi connection can be finicky at long ranges, the app occasionally lags, and the editing tools are basic compared to dedicated apps. But for most users, these are minor issues. If you already own a Mi 4K Action Camera, the app is a must-have. If you’re shopping for an action camera, the app’s capabilities are a strong selling point.

My final tip: treat the app as a tool, not a crutch. Use it to plan your shots, but don’t rely on it too heavily. Sometimes, the best moments happen when you’re not staring at your phone—just hit record and enjoy the adventure. After all, the goal isn’t to make perfect videos. It’s to capture memories you’ll want to relive for years. And the Mi 4K Action Camera app helps you do just that.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features does the Mi 4K Action Camera App offer?

The Mi 4K Action Camera App provides intuitive controls for recording 4K videos, capturing photos, and adjusting settings like resolution, frame rate, and exposure. It also supports real-time preview, time-lapse, and slow-motion modes for enhanced creative flexibility.

How do I connect my Mi 4K Action Camera to the app?

To connect your camera, enable Wi-Fi on both devices, open the Mi 4K Action Camera App, and follow the on-screen pairing instructions. The app will automatically detect your camera for a seamless connection.

Can I edit videos directly in the Mi 4K Action Camera App?

Yes, the app includes basic editing tools like trimming, adding filters, and adjusting playback speed. However, for advanced edits, you may need to transfer footage to a dedicated editing app.

Is the Mi 4K Action Camera App compatible with all smartphones?

The app works with most Android and iOS devices, but older models may experience lag or limited functionality. Check the app’s compatibility list on the Play Store or App Store for specifics.

How do I troubleshoot connectivity issues with the app?

Ensure both your camera and phone are charged, Wi-Fi is stable, and the app is updated to the latest version. Restarting both devices often resolves most connection problems.

Does the app allow live streaming from the Mi 4K Action Camera?

Currently, the app doesn’t support live streaming, but you can record high-quality 4K footage and share it later via social media or cloud platforms. Future updates may add streaming features.