How to remove the Xiaomi watermark with a photo: from manual edits to system settings

Watermarks on photos from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are a standard feature that the manufacturer adds to brand images. However, not all users like it when the Shot on Xiaomi logo or device model flaunts in the bottom corner of each frame, especially if you are professionally engaged in photography, posting pictures on social networks or just want to get a “clean” image.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to remove watermarks, from simple editors to changes in the camera system settings. It is important to understand that some methods require superuser rights (root), while others work without them, we will also explain the risks of certain approaches, and give recommendations for maintaining image quality.

If you’re looking for a way to remove a watermark with one click, skip to the editorial app section, and for those who are ready to dive into smartphone settings, the section on disabling the sign via MIUI Camera or ADB will be helpful.

Why does Xiaomi add watermarks to the photo?

Xiaomi has been actively implementing watermarks in photos since 2018, when it released MIUI 10.

• 📱 Branding – brand promotion through user-generated content (similar to iPhone and Shot on iPhone).
• 🔍 Marketing – Demonstrating the capabilities of the device’s camera (e.g., an inscription) 48MP AI Camera in pictures with Redmi Note 8 Pro).
• 🛡️ Protection against counterfeiting – in some regions watermarks help distinguish original photos from edited ones.
• 📊 Statistics collection – the company analyzes the popularity of models by the prevalence of images with watermarks in social networks.

Since MIUI 12, watermarks have become more intrusive, even in Pro and RAW shots. However, in recent firmware versions (such as MIUI 14 and HyperOS), users have gained more control over this feature.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Market (Global) ROM) Watermarks are often turned off by default. If they appear, you have Chinese firmware. ROM) custom-assembly.

Before you remove the sign, check if it is part of the brand identity of your model. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the watermark with the Leica logo is part of a collaboration with the legendary optics manufacturer, and its removal may violate the terms of the license agreement.

Method 1: Disabling the watermark in the camera settings

The easiest and safest method is to disable the watermark right in the camera app, which works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, but may not be available on older or custom firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the standard Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (usually in the upper right corner).
3. Scroll down to the Watermark section (or Watermark in English firmware).
4. Turn off the switch next to Add a watermark.
5. Close the settings – the changes will apply automatically.

If there is no such item, try:

• 🔍 Switch to Pro or Manual mode – sometimes watermarks there are disabled by default.
• 📱 Update the Camera app via Google Play (if you have a global version).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes settings are reset after updates.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3 Redmi Note 10 Pro watermark can only appear when shooting in the 48MP or 64MP. In this case, try to take a picture in the mode. 12MP — sign.

Method 2: Photo editing in standard tools

If the watermark has already been added, it can be removed using Xiaomi’s built-in tools. It does not require third-party applications – a standard Gallery is enough.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the photo in the Gallery app.
2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Select the Trimming Tool (or Crop).
4. Increase the scale and trim the edge with a watermark (unless it covers important details).
5. Save the changes, the original will remain intact.

If the trimming doesn't work, try the Retouch tool:

• 🎨 In editing mode, select Retouch. → Cloning.
• 🖌️ Press your finger on the area next to the watermark to copy the texture.
• 📍 Move the copy to the sign - it will be "painted" with the background.

Cons of this method:

• ❌ Loss of part of image when cropped.
• ❌ Poor quality retouching on complex backgrounds (for example, if the sign is in the sky or grass).
• ❌ It does not work for batch processing.

💡

If the watermark on a monochromatic background (for example, white or black), use the Color Replacement tool in the Gallery - it allows you to "fill" the sign with the background color in a few seconds.

Method 3: Applications for watermark removal

If the built-in tools don't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 popular editors and selected the best in terms of quality and convenience.

Selection recommendations:

• 📲 For quick removal – Remove Watermark or Photoshop Express.
• 🎨 For accurate retouching - Snapseed or Lightroom.
• 📸 If you need not only to remove the sign, but also to improve the photo – PicsArt.

Example of work in Snapseed:

1. Open the photo in the app.
2. Select the Healing tool (the patch icon).
3. Increase the scale and swipe the watermark.
4. Click Ready and export the result.

⚠️ Note: When using Remove Watermark and similar applications, do not upload processed photos to cloud services with original images. EXIF-data – this may result in the account being blocked for copyright infringement (if the mark contained brand information).

Method 4: Removing watermark through ADB (without root)

If you need to completely disable watermarks at the system level, but root rights can not be obtained (or do not want to), you can use the system. ADB-This method works on most devices with commands. MIUI, But it requires a computer connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press to unlock the developer settings).
• 🔌 USB Type C C Cable (Original or Quality).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Execute the command to disable watermarks: adb shell settings put global watermark_enabled 0
6. Reboot your smartphone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.camera/.settings.CameraSettings


adb shell input tap 500 1500 # Coordinates of the item "Watermark" (may differ!)




adb shell input tap 300 1000 # Switch coordinates

⚠️ Attention: Taps coordinates in the latter method depend on screen resolution.For accuracy, use the Screen Coordinates app from Google Play to determine the correct values for your model.

Install Platform Tools on PC|Enable debugging on USB Xiaomi|Connect the original cable|Check the connection of the adb device team|Backup important data-->

Method 5: Modify system files (root required)

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a radical method of editing the system files responsible for watermarks, which permanently removes the sign, but has risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ⚠️ Possible bootloop (load looping) in case of error.
• ⚠️ Violation of camera or other functions.

Instructions for root devices:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/vendor/overlay/ or /system/product/overlay/
3. Find files with names: MiuiCameraWatermarkOverlay.apk or com.android.camera.watermark.overlay.apk
4. Rename them by adding.bak at the end (e.g. MiuiCameraWatermarkOverlay.apk.bak).
5. Reset the device.

If there are no files, try an alternative path:

/system/priv-app/MiuiCamera/

This folder may contain a file miuicamera.xml – open it in the text editor and find the line:

<bool name="watermark_enabled">true</bool>

Replace true with false and save the changes.

Method 6: Alternative chambers without watermarks

If you don’t want to mess around with settings or risk the system, the easiest way out is to use a third-party camera app, many of which don’t add watermarks and offer more features than the standard MIUI Camera.

Top.-5 Alternative cameras for Xiaomi:

• 📸 Google Camera (GCam) is the best quality HDR And night photography, no watermarks, requires manual configuration for your model.
• 🎥 Open Camera – Open source, support RAW, complete control of parameters.
• 📷 Footage – professional tool with manual settings, suitable for video shooting.
• 🌄 ProCam X - Advanced modes (e.g. Light Painting) with no watermarks.
• 🔍 Camera FV-5 — imitation DSLR-camera with full exposure control.

How to install GCam on Xiaomi:

1. Download the compatible version for your model (for example, for Redmi Note 11, BSG GCam is suitable).
2. Install. APK-file (allow installation from unknown sources).
3. Download the config (.xml) for your device and upload it to GCam via double-clicking on the black area next to the down button.
4. Set up settings (for example, disable Sabre if there are artifacts).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) GCam may not support all camera modules (e.g. telephoto or macro).Please check forum reviews before installing 4PDA or XDA Developers.

💡

The camera side not only removes watermarks, but also often improves the quality of images due to more advanced processing algorithms (for example, GCam is better at dealing with noise in the dark).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When removing watermarks, users often face problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to solve them.

Additional advice:

• 🔄 Always back up original photos before editing.
• 📱 If you use root, install Magisk for secure rights management.
• 🔍 Before installing GCam, check compatibility on Celso Azevedo's website.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions