Pixel 7 Pro - How to get GCam working?

epic_gos_user

Hi all,

Recently got my P7 Pro. I set up all the usual stuff and decide to install GCam (I like the zoom function there better for quick shots, for detailed photos I have Open Camera on full manual mode). I install GSF, install camera app (Tried both PlayStore version & APKMirror) just fine, and no matter what version I try, it always crashes upon boot. I find that the newer versions (8.5.300.450594193.08) are smaller in size (_20MB) and crash whilst trying to find some native library:

type: crash
osVersion: google/cheetah/cheetah:13/TD1A.221105.001/2022111000:user/release-keys
package: com.google.android.GoogleCamera:65075802
process: com.google.android.GoogleCamera

java.lang.UnsatisfiedLinkError: dlopen failed: library "libgcastartup.so" not found
	at java.lang.Runtime.loadLibrary0(Runtime.java:1077)
	at java.lang.Runtime.loadLibrary0(Runtime.java:998)
	at java.lang.System.loadLibrary(System.java:1661)
	at ior.b(PG:1)
	at ios.b(PG:8)
	at ios.a(PG:1)
	at dnb.b(PG:1)
	at dnb.a(PG:1)
	at cwg.get(PG:63)
	at msu.get(PG:1)
	at cyr.get(PG:13)
	at msu.get(PG:1)
	at hma.get(PG:3)
	at msu.get(PG:1)
	at dru.get(PG:1)
	at msu.get(PG:1)
	at mst.get(PG:2)
	at bmg.d(PG:2)
	at bmg.a(PG:1)
	at bpz.run(PG:28)
	at axr.run(PG:8)
	at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:942)
	at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:99)
	at android.os.Looper.loopOnce(Looper.java:201)
	at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:288)
	at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:7904)
	at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Native Method)
	at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(RuntimeInit.java:548)
	at com.android.internal.os.ExecInit.main(ExecInit.java:49)
	at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit.nativeFinishInit(Native Method)
	at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit.main(RuntimeInit.java:355)

So I try an older version (8.4.600.440402475.27, _120MB), which crashes with this:

type: crash
osVersion: google/cheetah/cheetah:13/TD1A.221105.001/2022111000:user/release-keys
package: com.google.android.GoogleCamera:64765150
process: com.google.android.GoogleCamera

java.lang.RuntimeException: java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to invoke virtual method 'boolean com.google.googlex.gcam.Gcam.f()' on a null object reference
	at kqm.run(PG:6)
	at bwx.run(PG:6)
	at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:942)
	at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:99)
	at android.os.Looper.loopOnce(Looper.java:201)
	at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:288)
	at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:7904)
	at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Native Method)
	at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(RuntimeInit.java:548)
	at com.android.internal.os.ExecInit.main(ExecInit.java:49)
	at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit.nativeFinishInit(Native Method)
	at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit.main(RuntimeInit.java:355)
Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to invoke virtual method 'boolean com.google.googlex.gcam.Gcam.f()' on a null object reference
	at eat.get(PG:48)
	at pyn.get(PG:1)
	at enl.a(PG:2)
	at dsc.get(PG:1)
	at pyn.get(PG:1)
	at dvc.get(PG:13)
	at pyn.get(PG:1)
	at kbi.get(PG:3)
	at pyn.get(PG:1)
	at eus.get(PG:1)
	at pyn.get(PG:1)
	at pym.get(PG:2)
	at btj.d(PG:2)
	at btj.a(PG:1)
	at cak.run(PG:1)
	... 11 more

Any ideas how to get it working?

epic_gos_user

Nevermind, it just started working! For those wondering, I deleted both GCam and GSF, installed GSF, but KEPT NETWORK PERMISSION! (And kept network permission for GCam) I know it might seem obvious but I usually (if not always) turn network off, if it doesn't make sense for an app to have network I don't allow it (Calculator, Contacts, Dialer are some google apps that I denied network for yet work fine, but apparently Camera is different). This is crucial, as it turns out that libgcastartup.so is downloaded at launch time! (For a split second you will see 'installing camera updates') Then it works :)

Edit: can't seem to figure out a way to change the tag to be solved but other than that everything's awesome :) This is yet another example of everything suddenly working the moment you ask tech support

Volen

epic_gos_user

Can you please check if portrait mode works well in GCam? For me, it takes around a minute to process each Portrait picture which makes it impossible to use that mode. I am using BSG GCam and stock Google Camera. Thanks!

mythodical

epic_gos_user Just an FYI that network permissions shouldn't be necessary for either Google Camera or GSF in order for the camera to work; at least that hasn't been the case for me.

epic_gos_user

Volen Yeah, it does take like a full minute to process, but then again I don't really use portrait mode that much so I don't mind it. Mostly using GCam for quicker/more ergonomic zoom function, astrophotography, night sight etc.

mythodical Not sure what version of GCam you're using but for me I had to enable it once for it to download some update file and then I can disable it. Works 100% fine without network after initial run with network.