How to permanently or temporarily disable the front camera on Xiaomi Redmi: from software to hardware

The front camera on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a useful module for selfies, video calls and face unlocking, but not all users want it to work constantly. From privacy concerns (fear of spying through the camera) to saving battery power or a banal desire to get rid of random taps. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable the front camera – from software methods to physical locking, including nuances for different Redmi models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro).+, Redmi 9A, POCO F4).

It’s important to understand that completely disabling your camera will prevent you from using it in any application (including WhatsApp, Zoom, TikTok), and may also affect some MIUI features (like Face Unlock). If your goal is to simply deny access to the camera for individual programs, you just need to configure the permissions in the system. We’ll look at both options.

The article is relevant for Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14. For devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), some methods may not work - in this case, manual editing of system files will be required.

1. Disable camera access for individual applications

The easiest and safest way to do this is to limit the use of the front camera to programs you don't trust, which won't shut down the camera completely, but it will prevent it from starting without your knowledge.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select the app you want to deny access to your camera (such as Instagram or Facebook).
• 🔒 Go to the Permissions section → Camera and set the switch to the position Prohibit.
• 🔄 Repeat the steps for all suspicious applications.

This method does not require superuser rights (root) and is reversible: you can allow access again at any time, but it does not protect against the use of the camera by system processes or malware with administrator rights.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Google Meet or Skype) may request access to the camera every time you run a video call. If you have banned permission globally, they will either not be able to use the camera at all or will constantly issue an error.

2. Completely disabling the front camera through MIUI settings

Some versions of MIUI (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) have a hidden option to deactivate the camera at the system level, a method that does not require root rights, but may not work on all devices.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636## (this will call the Test menu).
2. In the window that opens, select Hardware Info.
3. Scroll down to the Camera section and find the Front Camera bar.
4. Click on it and in the window that appears, select Disable.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If this method does not work, try an alternative way:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Back to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
• 🔍 Find the option to turn off the camera and activate it for the front module.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware, disabling the camera through the developer menu can cause Face Unlock to malfunction. If the face unlock stops working after the reboot, return the settings to the original state.

3. Shutting down the camera via ADB (no root)

If the system settings do not allow you to turn off the front camera, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to control your smartphone from a computer, which works on most Xiaomi Redmi devices without having to obtain root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux).
2. Activate the Developer Mode on your smartphone (as described in the previous section) and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for connection stability).
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), execute a command to turn off the front camera:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.camera2


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.camera

After you restart your smartphone, the front camera will stop working in most apps.

adb shell pm enable com.android.camera2


adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.camera

This method blocks access to the camera at the system level, but does not guarantee 100% protection: some applications with superuser rights or system processes can bypass the restriction.

4. Physical locking of the camera (sticker, cover, tape)

If you don't like the software, you can just tape the lens of the front camera, which is a radical but effective way to prevent any use of the camera, both legal and malware.

Lockdown options:

• 📏 Special camera sticker (sold in smartphone accessories stores) is thin, does not interfere with the closure of the case and is easy to remove.
• 🎨 Tape or scotch (less aesthetically pleasing, but cheaply) It's important to stick it so there's no gaps left.
• 📱 A stub case (such as a model with a retractable curtain for the camera) is suitable for the Redmi Note. 11S, POCO X4 Pro and other popular devices.
• 🖌️ You can use black nail polish, which is easily washed off with acetone.

The advantages of physical blocking:

• ✅ 100% guarantee that the camera will not work.
• ✅ No changes to the system (safe for guarantee).
• ✅ Reverse: Remove the label is enough.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ You can’t take a selfie or video call quickly.
• ❌ The sticker can peel off over time (especially when using a smartphone actively).
• ❌ Some cases with stubs increase the thickness of the phone.

💡

If you use a sticker, cut it exactly to the size of the lens – this will prevent dust from getting under the camera glass and will not spoil the appearance of the smartphone.

5. Disconnect the camera through editing system files (root)

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a way to disable the front camera at the system file level, which is the most reliable method, but it voids the warranty and can lead to unstable smartphone operation.

What will be required:

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi smartphone with unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or SuperSU.
• 💻 Computer installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Root-enabled file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Root Browser from Google Play.
2. Go to /system/vendor/etc/ or /system/etc/ (depending on the model).
3. Find the file. media_profiles.xml or camera_config.xml And back it up.
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the line with the front camera settings (usually containing front or selfie).
5. Comment or delete the block with the front camera settings (example below).
6. Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the device.

An example of editing (look for a similar block):

<Camera id="1" facing="front" />

Replace it with:

<!-- <Camera id="1" facing="front" /> -->

Once you reboot, the front camera will disappear from the list of available devices in the applications. To return everything back, restore the original file from the backup.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot) or loss of functionality of the main camera.If you are not sure about your actions, use other methods from this article.

💡

Editing system files is the most radical way, but it requires root rights and can disrupt MIUI. Use it only if other methods have failed.

6.Use of third-party apps to lock the camera

If you don't want to dig into settings or get root, you can use Google Play's specialized apps, which don't shut down the camera completely, but allow you to control how you use it.

Top.-3 camera-locking applications:

• 🔒 App Ops allows you to manage permissions in detail, including camera access for each application, without root, but requires activation through the app. ADB.
• 🛡️ Camera Block - blocks the camera from starting on schedule or manually.
• 🔍 Bouncer – gives temporary permissions for the camera (for example, only for 5 minutes) After the expiration date, access is automatically revoked.

How to set up App Ops:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm grant com.lbek.appops android.permission.GET_USAGE_STATS


adb shell pm grant com.lbek.appops android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

1. Open App Ops, find the Camera section, and disable access for unnecessary apps.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: you can only allow the camera for trusted programs (like WhatsApp) by locking it to others.

7. disable the camera via TWRP (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi Redmi has custom TWRP recovery installed, you can turn off the front camera by removing or freezing the corresponding modules.

Instructions:

• 🔄 Reset the phone to mode TWRP (clamp down on power. + Loudness up).
• 📁 Go to the File Manager section.
• 🔍 Find the file. /system/priv-app/MiCamera or /system/app/Camera2.
• ❄️ Rename the folder by adding the name at the beginning _disable_ (for example, _disable_MiCamera).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

After that, the camera system app will stop working, and the front module will be inaccessible to all programs. To get it back, rename the folder to the original name.

⚠️ Warning: Removing or renaming system folders can cause malfunctions MIUI, Especially if the camera is integrated with other features (e.g. Face Unlock or other features). AR Before experimenting, make a backup copy through TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off the front camera