How to permanently disable the camera on Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways from software to hardware

Why users want to deactivate the camera module on Redmi and what to know before starting

Disabling the camera on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge that arises for a variety of reasons: Some worry about data privacy (especially for corporate devices or phones issued by the employer), others want to save battery power, others face hardware malfunctions of the module that interfere with the normal operation of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss all possible methods, from simply restricting access for applications to completely physically disabling the camera through the service menu or disassembly of the device.

It’s important to understand that Redmi (unlike some of Xiaomi’s flagship models) doesn’t always provide built-in options to completely shut down the camera at the system level.This means that radical methods may require unlocking the bootloader, root rights, or even tampering with the hardware. Before you start, assess the risks: some actions may lead to loss of warranty or unstable MIUI operation.

If your goal is simply to prevent applications from using the camera (for example, to protect against spyware), privacy settings will suffice. If you want to completely deactivate the module, read on.

Method 1: Limiting camera access for all applications

The safest and most reversible method is to block access to the camera at the permission level, which will not disable the module itself, but will make it inaccessible to third-party programs, including instant messengers, social networks and potentially malware.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Confidentiality → Application authorizations → Camera.
• 🔍 In the list, select the apps you want to deny access to (for example, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok).
• 🚫 In front of each application, translate the slider to the position "Prohibit».
• 🔄 For system applications (e.g. Camera) MIUI) You may need to disconnect through the settings → Annexes → Application management → [Name of name] → Permits.

Note that even after doing this, the system camera (the one that opens by default) can remain active, and you have to use other methods to block it completely.

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If the app stops working correctly after disabling permissions (for example, Instagram stories do not open), try setting a “Only during use of the app” restriction instead of a complete ban.

Method 2: Disable the camera via ADB (without root)

A more advanced method is using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to turn off the camera at the system level without obtaining root permissions, but requires connecting the phone to the computer and enabling the developer mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Tap on MIUI Version 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
2. Turn on USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate the USB Debugging Switch.

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


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

This will disable the standard MIUI camera app.

To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.camera

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|

Download ADB Tools (for example, from the official Google website)|

Enable the developer mode on Redmi|

Allow debugging over USB on the first connection |

Check the connection with the adb device command-->

Method 3: Completely shutting down the camera via the Engineering Menu (MTK)

On Redmi smartphones with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi 9A, Redmi 8A, Redmi Note 8T), you can use an engineering menu to deactivate the camera at the hardware level. This method does not require root, but lasts until the next device restarts.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (some models may run ##4636## → Device Information → Select your preferred network → Disable Camera).
2. In the engineering menu, go to Hardware Testing → Camera.
3. Select the option Disable Camera or Camera Test → Turn Off.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: the engineering menu is designed to test the device and may contain options that affect the stability of the work!

Method 4: Physically shutting down the camera (disassembling the phone)

If the software methods don't work, the radical option is to physically disable the camera by disassembling the smartphone, the only way that is guaranteed to deactivate the module permanently, but has serious disadvantages:

• 🛠️ Requires electronics skills and special tools (suction cup, mediator, tweezers).
• 🚨 Cancellation of the guarantee (if it is still valid).
• 🔋 Risk of damage to the plume or other components during careless disassembly.
• 📵 After shutting down, the camera will not work even after resetting the settings.

How to do this:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (temperature ~60°C) to soften the glue.
3. Carefully tuck the cover with the mediator, starting at the corner next to the power button.
4. Unplug the battery (required!), then find the camera plume (usually located near the top of the board).
5. Turn off the plume with tweezers or gently cut it (if you want to make the shutdown irreversible).

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), the camera is integrated into a common module with other sensors (e.g., proximity sensor) and may cause the screen to automatically adjust the brightness of the screen during calls to be disabled!

Yes, repeatedly |

Yes, but only to replace the battery/screen|

No, I'm afraid to hurt |

No, but I'd like to learn |

Method 5: Disable the camera via TWRP and Magisk (for advanced)

If your Redmi has a custom TWRP recap and root rights, you can turn off the camera by deleting system files or modifying build.prop. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires an understanding of the structure of Android.

Steps:

1. Install Magisk and TWRP (if not already done).
2. Download the Disable Camera module for Magisk (for example, with XDA Developers).
3. Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the phone.
4. Alternatively, manually edit /system/build.prop by adding the line: ro.camera.disable=1 (requires mounting /system partition to write).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔧 Flexibility: You can only turn off the rear camera or the front camera.
• 🔄 Reversibility: just remove the module or return changes to build.prop.
• 🛡️ Does not affect the warranty (unless the bootloader is unlocked).

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Using Magisk to turn off the camera is the most versatile method, but requires an unlocked bootloader. On Redmi models with a locked bootloader (for example, new devices on MIUI 14+), this method will not work without first unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

What if the camera is still working?

If the camera continues to function after using one of the methods, check the following:

1. System Updates: Some versions of MIUI reset permission settings after the update. Check Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. App cache: Clear the cache for the Camera app in Settings → Apps → App management → Camera → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Resetting: If the problem appears after installing new software, try resetting to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
4. Virus Checking: Some malware can activate the camera bypassing restrictions. Scan the device through Google Play Protection or Malwarebytes.

If none of these methods worked, your Redmi model may have a hardware camera protection system (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon chips and secure firmware), in which case you only have a physical shutdown.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the camera shutdown on Xiaomi Redmi