Pixel phones have been equipped with an Astrophotography mode for a few years now, which lets users capture stunning photos of the night sky. Typically, to use this feature, you’d first have to enable Night Sight. However, this might soon become easier with an upcoming update.
According to the unofficial Google News channel on Telegram, it looks like you’ll soon be able to manually turn on Astrophotography mode on Pixel phones. This change is expected to be part of the Pixel Camera app’s new version 9.5.118.
To activate this feature, you’ll go into the Night Sight settings and switch on Astrophotography. Some reports online suggest you can easily switch between modes by adjusting a slider from “Auto” to “Astro” in the Night Sight menu. You’ll recognize it by an icon showing a crescent moon with a plus sign, making it much quicker to access.
Once you’ve set it up, starting the Astrophotography mode is as simple as pressing the shutter button, which triggers a five-second countdown. This brief delay gives you time to steady your phone before it starts capturing long-exposure shots, which can take up to four minutes. Be prepared for a little wait while the phone processes the final image, as this might take longer depending on the model of your Pixel and the exposure time.
If you prefer, Android Authority notes that you can adjust the timer from five seconds to either three or ten seconds, or even disable it altogether. However, the four-minute exposure time is fixed and can’t be changed, according to 9To5Google.
Remember, while Astrophotography mode can greatly enhance your night sky photos, it’s not a miracle worker. You still need to have good lighting conditions for the best results.
As for getting this update, it’s not officially available just yet. However, if you’re eager to try it out, you can sideload the Pixel Camera version 9.5.118 APK onto your Pixel phone. This version not only brings the new Astrophotography mode but also adds some extra video tools and exclusive features from the Pixel 8 Pro, like Pro Controls for the rear camera system.
Before you jump in, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The APK file is hefty, around 500MB. According to 9To5Google, simply downloading it might not work as you could encounter a message saying you’re using an “invalid version of Google Camera.” Additionally, you’ll need to have the APKMirror app installed on your phone, which you can get from the Google Play Store.
While some users on Reddit have mentioned that the APK bundle is safe, always be cautious when downloading files from third-party sources. There’s always a risk of malware, so if you’re not comfortable with that, it’s better to wait for Google to officially release the update, though it might take some time. If you’re willing to take the risk, you can find the bundle on the APKMirror website.
