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Install Android 4.2 “Photo Sphere” Camera and Gallery Apps on Your Android Device

Rakesh | 02 Mar 2013 | Downloads/ Guides/ Samsung

 

Our phones are no longer just a simple gadget to make and receive calls. With the advancements in mobile technology, smartphones have already replaced other gadgets and have begun to give us a unified experience. The most popular things that we now prefer to do with our phones are no longer associated just with calling. Our super phones are capable of giving outstanding performance as a gaming, web browsing, shopping and even a professional camera device.

One of the most talked about features of the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean was the introduction of the Photo Sphere camera feature that was first seen on the Google/LG Nexus 4. With the launch of the Galaxy S4 at hand on March 14, we have heard rumors that the Korean OEM will be launching its own version of the Google’s Photo Sphere feature which will be called Camera Orb. The Photo Sphere feature is an advanced form of 360º photos as it beautifully synthesizes several photo frames in to one whole to give you a spherical shot. The feature achieves this by piecing together the picture in a virtual space. It then combines all the pieces together, adding depth to the space.

As you all know having a rooted Android phone has its own advantages as it lets you enjoy various apps, mods and custom ROMs. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone with Android Jelly Bean ROM and you have rooted and installed the ClockworkMod Recovery on it, you do not need to wait for the Camera Orb feature that might or not come to your phone with upcoming updates. You can get the Android 4.2 Photo Sphere camera by installing a custom ROM that has it but such a ROM might also take away many other stock  features from your Galaxy phone.

Get Photosphere Camera from Galaxy S4 GE

The Gallery and Camera apps from Galaxy S4 Google Edition are now available for download. Click Here to get it.

We have a CWM flashable zip file for you that includes the Android 4.2 Photosphere camera and Gallery apps. Having flashed the zip package, you will be able to enjoy both these apps together with the stock Samsung camera and gallery apps.

Rooting Tutorials for Samsung Galaxy Phones:

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For Other Phones See Here

(To find your device easily, use our friendly Menu system or Search box.)

How to Install on Non-AOSP ROMs:

Make sure you Galaxy phone is on Android Jelly Bean firmware with root privileges and a custom recovery installed on it.

  1. Download the zip file and copy it to your phone by connecting it to computer using USB cable: camera42_patched_v2.zip
  2. Turn on USB Debugging mode on your phone from Settings> Developer Options.
  3. Turn off your phone and boot it into Recovery mode. If you do not know how to do it, refer to this comprehensive guide.
  4. Inside the recovery mode, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to select an option.
  5. Now scroll down to “advanced” option and “wipe dalvik cache”. Choose “yes’ when asked.
  6. Go back to main menu and select “install zip from sdcard> choose zip from sdcard”, navigate to the “camera42_patched_v2.zip” file and select it. Confirm the installation when asked.
  7. The zip will be installed in a few seconds and when it is done, go back to main menu in recovery and select “reboot system now” option.

When you phone reboots, you will be able to see the newly installed Camera and Gallery app on the app drawer of your phone.

Installing Photo Sphere Camera on AOSP/CM-based ROMs:

Photo Sphere camera is a native feature of Android 4.2 but quite mysteriously, it is not available in various AOSP, AOKP, and CyanogenMod based custom ROMs like the ParanoidAndroid 3, Carbon ROM, etc. If you do not find this feature in your camera app on your device with Android 4.2, here is how you can get it. I have tested this method on Galaxy S3 with the above-mentioned custom ROMs.

  1. Download and install a root file browser from the Google Play Store.
  2. Download the following zip file and copy it to your phone: camera42_patched_v2.zip
  3. Open the root explorer and go to system/app or data/app directory, depending on where the system apps on your device are present.
  4. Now look for the “Gallery2.apk” file.
  5. Tap and hold it and select “Delete”. If you are not able to delete it in first attempt, try again. In my case, the phone told that the app cannot be deleted, but when I checked the app drawer the Gallery and Camera apps were removed.
  6. Anyways, turn off your phone and boot it into CWM or TWRP recovery mode.
  7. First of all, backup your current ROM.
  8. Go to “advanced” option and “wipe dalvik cache”.
  9. Then go back and select “install zip from sdcard> choose zip from sdcard” and select the zip file you copied in Step#2.
  10. When the zip is flashed, go back and “wipe dalvik cache” again.
  11. Finally, reboot the device.

 

How to Use the Photo Sphere Feature:

In Photo Sphere mode, you can capture the world around you: create fully immersive 360-degree shots, wide-angle scenic shots, and even what’s above and below you. To use the Photo Sphere feature on your Nexus 4, follow the following steps:

  1. Open the Camera app and touch the current mode icon, and then tap the Photo Sphere icon. This will pop-up an alignment box with a round-shaped target appears, with the message “Align to start.” Android-4.2-Camera-Photo-Sphere-1Android-4.2-Camera-Photo-Sphere
  2. Adjust the camera position so that the floating dot is precisely at the center of the  target. It takes a few seconds for the camera to calibrate the scene as you hold the camera steady. When you succeed, a blue Shutter button with a white square appears below the image. Do not touch the button yet.
  3. Move the camera to a direction- left or right, up or down. Make sure that the alignment box and floating dot is always  at the center. When it is done, a second image automatically appears next to the first.
  4. Keep the camera moving  until the entire scene is captured. Now tap the Shutter button to capture the Photo Sphere.
  5. To view the images or videos captured/recorded with the camera, just swipe you finger from left to right when camera app is running.
  6. To launch camera settings quickly, swipe your finger from top to bottom of the screen when camera is working.

It takes a minute or two for the photo to render. You can preview it as it renders. To view your most recent Photo Sphere, swipe left on the main camera screen, and touch the Photo Sphere icon to pan automatically through the shot. You can also drag to move through the captured scene.

Do not forget to share with us any nice images you captured using the Photo Sphere camera feature. Cheers!

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Tags: Camera Apps How to Guides Jelly Bean Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 Samsung Galaxy S2 Samsung Galaxy S3 Samsung Galaxy S4

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Reader Interactions

Discussion

  1. Sep 29, 2013 at 11:47 AM
    Guest says:
    Reply

    nothing:/

  2. Sep 27, 2013 at 8:06 AM
    op says:
    Reply

    I trying photosphere at galaxytab p5110 with rooting and CM 10.2 with manual up, but the icon for 360panorama is not visible:/ can you help me?:)

    • Sep 27, 2013 at 9:27 AM
      Rakesh says:
      Reply

      Try these too: https://www.droidviews.com/tag/photo-sphere-camera/

      • Sep 29, 2013 at 11:48 AM
        op says:
        Reply

        nothing works

  3. Sep 19, 2013 at 12:56 PM
    Manju C says:
    Reply

    bro can i install this spere camera on galaxy s3 which is running paranoid android 3.97.
    if you replied to this mail i appreciate that c.manju88@gmail.com

    • Sep 19, 2013 at 4:43 PM
      Rakesh says:
      Reply

      Yes, you can. Why not try this: http://droidviews.com/new-photosphere-camera-from-galaxy-s4-ge-works-on-all-android-devices-jb-without-root/

      • Sep 19, 2013 at 4:49 PM
        Manju C says:
        Reply

        Bro you’re awesome, thanks thanks for helping me out

  4. Sep 1, 2013 at 2:11 AM
    Rex says:
    Reply

    Worked well on my S3 indeed. Thanks! 🙂

  5. Aug 2, 2013 at 3:00 AM
    loyal4real says:
    Reply

    Thanks for the instructions to install the new camera. Per your instructions I tried to remove gallery2.apk before installing the new one. But the phone didn’t allow deleting it even after several attempts. I went ahead and installed the new camera anyways. Now i have two sets of working Camera and Gallery app on my phone. How can i get rid of the old one? Thanks in advance for your help.

  6. Jun 29, 2013 at 2:41 PM
    Nico Caprioli says:
    Reply

    Flashed on my HTC Desire with paranoid android (JB 4.2.2) and everytime I open gallery or camera i get a “play service” error with an hot reboot…i supose i should flash back original camera 😀

    • Jun 29, 2013 at 2:43 PM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Did you try this http://droidviews.com/2013/new-photosphere-camera-from-galaxy-s4-ge-works-on-all-android-devices-jb-without-root/

      • Jun 29, 2013 at 2:53 PM
        Nico Caprioli says:
        Reply

        installed and went back to original camera…strange strange think o.O

  7. Jun 28, 2013 at 8:43 AM
    Alex Kiwala says:
    Reply

    Will this work for a rooted Samsung Captivate on Cyanogenmod 10.1.0 on 4.2.2? I followed the instructions and when I was done and I restarted the phone the camera app and gallery were gone even after I had flashed it. I followed the directions exactly.

    • Jun 28, 2013 at 10:03 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Try this new app: http://droidviews.com/2013/new-photosphere-camera-from-galaxy-s4-ge-works-on-all-android-devices-jb-without-root/

  8. Jun 28, 2013 at 8:29 AM
    Bogart says:
    Reply

    Photosphere works. But it seems the panorama doesn’t focus. I get blurry pictures. As for the video I can record them but its not playable on any video player. Regular camera works like a charm though. By the way, I’m using a Tmobile version of the original Galaxy Note.

    • Jun 28, 2013 at 8:31 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Try this new Photosphere app: http://droidviews.com/2013/new-photosphere-camera-from-galaxy-s4-ge-works-on-all-android-devices-jb-without-root/

      • Jun 29, 2013 at 10:59 PM
        Bogart says:
        Reply

        Hello, it works. especially the video. But still the panorama is blurry. I can leave with it though. Thank you.

  9. Jun 27, 2013 at 12:30 AM
    rich r says:
    Reply

    worked… didnt use a root explorer to delete anything .. have two cameras and two galleries. im ok with that.. thanks.. worked in about 10 mins including backups.

    • Jun 27, 2013 at 4:59 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Nice to hear that!

  10. Jun 26, 2013 at 6:52 AM
    simpharm says:
    Reply

    Hi..installed photosphere on carbon rom in note..the customization options seems to be very less.eg,hdr camera not present.preset scene settings not available.what should i do to revert back to gallery2.apk?do i have to reflas the rom?i have saved gallery2.apk somewhere else.please help.

    • Jun 26, 2013 at 7:19 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Delete the flashed gallery apk from System/app and copy the older apk that you have backed up. Fix the permissions and you are done.

      • Jun 26, 2013 at 9:21 AM
        simpharm says:
        Reply

        Thank you.that means i have to do deletion and copying with root explorer and fix permission in recovery mode?

  11. Jun 18, 2013 at 6:19 PM
    Amit says:
    Reply

    unable to delete Gallery2.apk … what should i do?…can u tell me some specific file explorer which can delete it??

    • Jun 18, 2013 at 6:20 PM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Use root browser from market.

  12. Jun 12, 2013 at 2:54 PM
    Travis Stiles says:
    Reply

    I can’t get this to work on my att optimus g… I’m rooted and I’m running android 4.1 but not custom rom because there aren’t any big name custom roms for it unless I do the nexus 4 conversion… I just want a photo sphere camera and I’ve tried installing this from various zip files through cwm recovery… I’ve installed other apk files successfully but this one just won’t work… Do you know of any other 360° camera apps that work well that I can use instead or if you know of a way I can get this one to work. I’ve tried doing the dalvik cache as well… Any help would be appreciated

    • Jun 27, 2013 at 12:23 AM
      rich r says:
      Reply

      cant its for 4.2.1.

  13. May 29, 2013 at 5:06 PM
    DroidViews says:
    Reply

    Yes it’ll work.

    • May 30, 2013 at 1:23 AM
      Guest says:
      Reply

      thanks. i wonder if there is a way to overwrite the stock camera app on CM10.1 rom. i just dont want two camera apps. any clue? thanks

      • May 30, 2013 at 3:17 AM
        DroidViews says:
        Reply

        The method to remove the original CM gallery and camera app has already been given above. Read this head:
        Installing Photo Sphere Camera on AOSP/CM-based ROMs

    • May 30, 2013 at 2:10 AM
      Muhammad Nabil says:
      Reply

      perfect. i forgot to do another dalvik wipe after flashing though. shall do it after?

      • May 30, 2013 at 3:16 AM
        DroidViews says:
        Reply

        No need to do that if everything is working fine.

  14. May 23, 2013 at 4:00 AM
    dicky says:
    Reply

    Works perfectly on my SuperNexus 2.0 I9100 !! thanks bro

  15. May 20, 2013 at 5:10 AM
    Omar says:
    Reply

    please help!!! I follow the instructions exactly and after reboot i don’t find camera or gallery in app drawer and when go with root explorer i don’t find any apk for gallery or camera. I’m using NexusHD2 CM10.1 JB4.2.2 ROM and myphone is T-Mobile HD2. the ROM comes with gallery2.apk for gallery and camera because when i move that file from /system/app to anywhere these apps are disappeared from app drawer which is done after doing instruction above, also the ROM comes with gallery with simplified Edit feature and a Camera with Panorama feature.
    but I want love spherephoto and i’d like to try it .
    so any help to get it on my HD2

  16. May 15, 2013 at 3:13 AM
    Michael Firman says:
    Reply

    everything but photosphere works like a charm. I don’t know why, but after I took a photo in photosphere, it get stuck. btw Thanks!

    • May 15, 2013 at 3:55 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Clear app data and cache from Settings>Applications.

      • May 15, 2013 at 9:15 AM
        Michael Firman says:
        Reply

        the camera app?

        • May 16, 2013 at 5:56 AM
          DroidViews says:
          Reply

          Yes.

  17. May 7, 2013 at 4:14 AM
    Herojig says:
    Reply

    works great on international Note 2, thx! But the new camera is weird, as there is no tap to get to the gallery after taking a shot. Should there be? thx!

    • May 7, 2013 at 4:24 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      To view the images or videos captured/recorded with the camera, just swipe you finger from left to right when camera app is running.

      • May 7, 2013 at 4:51 AM
        Herojig says:
        Reply

        very cool, just figured that out. The camera and gallery are really one app now. nice.

        • May 7, 2013 at 4:53 AM
          DroidViews says:
          Reply

          Also, swiping from top to bottom launches camera settings.

          • May 7, 2013 at 4:59 AM
            Herojig says:

            yea, got that too, thx. things are crazy different… but i like. But what does the aw icon mean? and the firecracker and the one next to that? I guess those are creative modes. I am used to Camera ZOOM FX, so not seeing a lot of the settings that they have there, here.

    • May 7, 2013 at 5:04 AM
      Herojig says:
      Reply

      So, is there still no way to say to Camera, “Put photos in this dir on the ExtStor card?”

      • May 7, 2013 at 5:08 AM
        DroidViews says:
        Reply

        Nexus 4 has no Ext. SD.

        • May 7, 2013 at 5:11 AM
          Herojig says:
          Reply

          ha! but Sammy sure does. I guess that’s just the way it is… but Camera ZOOM let’s u pick where u want the photos to go.

  18. May 6, 2013 at 6:38 AM
    h2 says:
    Reply

    i wonder if this work on samsung galaxy mini s3?

    • May 6, 2013 at 6:52 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Not tested but I believe it will work.

  19. May 3, 2013 at 11:18 AM
    Torsten Flottmann says:
    Reply

    Works fine on S3 Stockrom 4.1.2 and CF-Root-SGS3-V6.4.Zip

  20. Apr 23, 2013 at 3:42 PM
    Stefany says:
    Reply

    Weird, I still get the “Model not supported” error on my Note 2 when I try to use Photo Sphere. I’m running ParanoidAndroid 3.15.

    • Apr 23, 2013 at 3:51 PM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      4.2 camera comes preinstalled with PA 3+. You need not install it separately.

      • Apr 23, 2013 at 4:11 PM
        Stefany says:
        Reply

        True, but there’s no Photo Sphere in the one that comes with PA, I wanted Photo Sphere so I installed this one. The icon now shows up, but when I try to use it I get the error I mentioned. Do you know if there’s any way to fix this?

        • Apr 23, 2013 at 4:41 PM
          DroidViews says:
          Reply

          Hmm. The problem is due to clash of both the camera apps. It’ll work fine with a non-AOSP rom: http://droidviews.com/2013/best-custom-roms-for-samsung-galaxy-note-2-n7100-2013-edition/
          Anyways, try to wipe cache partition and dalvik cache after flashing the zip. If this does not wok for you, delete the PA 3+ camera app using a root explorer and then flash this app.

    • May 7, 2013 at 4:23 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Try the new updated method.

  21. Mar 20, 2013 at 6:28 AM
    Jed says:
    Reply

    Is this safe? And will it not interfere with my rom when flashing? (4.2.1 revolt JB)

    • Mar 20, 2013 at 6:45 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      It is safe. I have tested and using it. When you flash a new ROM, it will be wiped.

  22. Mar 18, 2013 at 5:24 AM
    imt says:
    Reply

    how to uninstall this apps? in detail please..

    • Mar 18, 2013 at 5:27 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Use a root file explorer, open the System/App folder and delete the Apks.

  23. Mar 17, 2013 at 5:19 AM
    vishjet says:
    Reply

    Highly recommeded…Just installed on my rooted galaxy grand i9082…it’s awesome…thanx a ton.

    • Mar 17, 2013 at 5:22 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Yes, it works like a charm!

      • Mar 17, 2013 at 5:59 AM
        vishjet says:
        Reply

        Can I convert it to system app after unintalling stock one???

        • Mar 17, 2013 at 6:17 AM
          DroidViews says:
          Reply

          There is nothing wrong in having both the apps. You can delete the stock gallery but do not delete the camera or the phone will have freezing issues.

          • Mar 17, 2013 at 6:38 AM
            vishjet says:

            Ya…I got it…I found 2 galleries in root browser but the camera app was only one…I think this app runs with stock cam…ri8??if I ever want to uninstall this one what shoul I do???

          • Mar 17, 2013 at 6:54 AM
            DroidViews says:

            You already got the answer. Use Root Browser and delete.

          • Mar 17, 2013 at 7:03 AM
            vishjet says:

            Thnx sir…it so nice of you for giving reply so fast…thnx again..

  24. Mar 11, 2013 at 8:36 PM
    Simer Jeet Singh Doad says:
    Reply

    sir This Camera apps work Not Good On my Mobile Click Low quality Picture and Hang Plz Help?

    • Mar 11, 2013 at 3:42 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Seems it is not working on Note

      • Mar 11, 2013 at 5:24 AM
        Simer Jeet Singh Doad says:
        Reply

        Sir I have 2 gallerys in my note .. And Two Cameras Help Plz And How To unstall This Camera apps..?
        Jelly Bean Works Very Good On My phone Thanks… Sir

        • Mar 11, 2013 at 10:38 AM
          DroidViews says:
          Reply

          Well, it is a god thing to have 2 decent camera app on you phone. I have then too. To delete the apps, download a root file manager like Xplore or Root Browser from Google Play. Open System/data folder and delete it.

  25. Mar 9, 2013 at 9:35 AM
    Gagandeep says:
    Reply

    helloooo….is there any solution 4 me sir ???

    • Mar 9, 2013 at 10:17 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      I can’t figure it now.

  26. Mar 9, 2013 at 1:04 AM
    Gagandeep says:
    Reply

    yes there was option named advanced and further the was a option named wipe dalvik cache…i did all as per instructions …bt i dnt knw why this trick not worked 4 me :/

    • Mar 9, 2013 at 2:37 AM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Okay, enter cwm recovery, wipe dalvik cache and flash again.

      • Mar 9, 2013 at 2:57 AM
        Ryan Blue says:
        Reply

        sir i done it 3-4 times,,,bt nothing happend 🙁 even i installed zip from EXternal SD card and in 2nd tym i installed zip from INternal SD… 🙁 wat to do nw

  27. Mar 8, 2013 at 6:17 PM
    Gagandeep says:
    Reply

    yes sir i hv note with german official JB nd i rooted it from tutrl of this site nd rooted via odin…i dnt knw wat is CWM nd wat is the need of it

    • Mar 9, 2013 at 6:42 PM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      CWM means ClockworkMod recovery and it replaces the official recovery. Do you remember having Now “advanced” – “wipe dalvik cache” options in recovery? If yes, it is CWM recovery. If no, it is stock recovery.

  28. Mar 8, 2013 at 5:38 PM
    Ryan Blue says:
    Reply

    sir i did all as directed above …bt there were not any new camera app or gallery app in app drawer 🙁 help me 🙁
    i hv jst old samsung stock camera 🙁

    • Mar 8, 2013 at 5:49 PM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Does your Note has stock JB rooted with CWM?

  29. Mar 5, 2013 at 6:27 PM
    Yogendra Kumar says:
    Reply

    Rooted and Install on my Galaxy Grand .. working fine.

    • Mar 5, 2013 at 6:29 PM
      DroidViews says:
      Reply

      Nice! You finally rooted!

      • Mar 6, 2013 at 6:37 PM
        Yogendra Kumar says:
        Reply

        ya, finally 🙂

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