Pixel 2 Portrait Mode gets ported to Nexus 5X, 6P, original Pixels and more

The Pixel 2‘s cameras are among its most impressive features and it’s largely thanks to the excellent Google software accompanying them. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL take advantage of high-quality image processing, a dedicated camera app, and some exclusive features — like Portrait Mode — to achieve some of the best shots you’ll see from an Android smartphone.

The Portrait Mode (examples of which can be seen in the images below) style became popular this year thanks to the bokeh-effect that it creates, resulting in images with focused foregrounds and blurred backgrounds. Despite Google’s version of this being previously exclusive to the Pixel 2 phones, it has now been ported to the original Pixels, as well as the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.

This has been achieved thanks to the Camera NX V7.3 app, based on the Google Camera, created by developer Charles Chow (also known for porting Google’s AR Stickers and HDR+ to other Google phones). Chow outlined how he created his app on his website (via Android Police), and provided a link to the apk file over at Android File Host. 

Because the feature arrives with an apk, you don’t need to go through any fiddly, technical processes to use it: just install the app and the Portrait Mode option should appear in its hamburger (3 dots) menu. Feedback so far suggests that the app functions as described. 

Meanwhile, a developer over at the XDA Developers forums, Arnova8G2, has managed to expand the app even further, bringing it to several non-Google handsets.

It seems that 64-bit devices running Android Oreo can take advantage of the revised version of the app (even the Galaxy Note 8 running the leaked Oreo beta), though it works only for the rear camera at the moment. Your mileage may vary on this one, however, as reports from XDA indicate that compatibility might be spotty. Sill, if you want to give it a try, hit the bottom link to check it out.