How to disable the signature on the photo Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 12-14

Watermarks in photos with Xiaomi is one of the most controversial features of the branded shell MIUI. On the one hand, they help identify the author of the picture, on the other hand, sometimes spoil the composition, especially if the signature is superimposed on important details of the frame. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to disable this feature, and in recent versions of the firmware even added flexible settings for watermarks.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of deleting signatures, from standard camera settings to manual editing of system files for advanced users, special attention will be paid to the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and versions of MIUI (12-14).

Why does Xiaomi add captions to the photo?

The watermark feature originated in MIUI 10 and was originally positioned as a copyright protection tool.

• 📱 Smartphone model (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G)
• 📸 Name of the camera (48MP AI Triple Camera)
• 🔍 Shooting mode (Night Mode, Portrait, etc.)
• 📅 Date and time (optional, in some regions)

Over time, however, users have complained about the inconvenient location of the caption, which often overlaps key elements of the image (face, text, landscapes), and watermarks can automatically appear even when shooting in third-party applications (Google Camera, Open Camera), if they use the API of the Xiaomi camera.

In response to criticism in MIUI 12.5 and later, it is possible to adjust or completely disable watermarks, but not everyone knows where to look for these options - especially after firmware updates when the camera menu changes.

Method 1: Disconnect via camera settings (MIUI 12–14)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Camera app options, which works on most modern devices (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 10-12, POCO F4/X5, etc.) with MIUI 12.5+ firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (usually in the upper right corner).
3. Scroll down to the Watermark section (or the caption in the photo in some localizations).
4. Select the Off option or move the slider to the Unplugged position.
5. Confirm the changes by pressing OK.

If there is no Watermark item on your menu, it means:

• 🔄 You have an outdated version. MIUI (Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 Your smartphone model doesn’t support this feature (relevant for low-end devices like Redmi). 9A or POCO M3).
• 🔧 Settings reset after the update (try resetting the camera settings in Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data).

Update MIUI to the latest version | Check for "Watermark" in the camera settings | Make sure you use the standard Camera app instead of a third-party | Back up important photos in case of a crash-->

Method 2: Editing a configuration file (for advanced)

If the camera settings don’t have the option to disable watermarks, you can try manually editing the system file. This method requires root rights or ADB (no root) for devices running MIUI 11-14, but does not guarantee 100% results on all models.

Attention:

⚠️ Incorrect editing of system files can lead to camera failures or complete device failure. TWRP Or the Mi Flash Tool before starting.

Instructions for ADB (without root):

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global camera_watermark_enabled 0
3. Reset the device.

If this method didn’t work, try editing the file /system/vendor/build.prop (root required):

1. Open the file in a text editor (such as Root Explorer).
2. Add the line: ro.camera.watermark.enable=0
3. Save the changes and restart the phone.

Method 3: Use of third-party cameras (Google Camera, Open Camera)

If standard methods don't work, you can completely abandon the proprietary Camera app and use alternatives.

• 📷 Google Camera (GCam) – offers better photo processing and no watermarks. Requires you to install a ported version for your model (see forums). 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🔍 Open Camera is open source with flexible settings, supports manual control of shooting parameters and does not add signatures.
• 🎥 ProCam X – a paid application with professional features (RAW, manual focus) and lack of watermarks.

How to install Google Camera:

1. Download. APK-file for your model (for example, Redmi Note 11 will fit the version from the BSG Wichaya).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and open the app.
4. In GCam settings, disable the Watermark option (if any) or simply unsubscribe – there will be no signature.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ Not all functions of the main camera can work (for example, for example, AI-modes or Supernight shooting).
• ⚠️ In some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12S Ultra GCam may not support all camera modules (telephoto, macro).

💡

Before installing GCam, check the compatibility of your model on Celso Azevedo's website. There are configuration file databases (XML) for optimal performance.

Method 4: Removing watermarks from already taken photos

If you've already taken pictures with a caption, you can delete it after the fact.

The easiest option is to trim:

1. Open the photo in the Gallery or Google Photos.
2. Click Edit → Pruning.
3. Select an area without a watermark (if possible by composition).
4. Save the changes.

For more complex cases (when a signature is overlaid on an important object), use retouching tools:

• 🖌️ In Snapseed: Select the Correction → Remove and paint over the watermark.
• 🎨 In Photoshop: Use the Instrument “Platch” (J) or Content-dependent filling.
• 🤖 In Fotor or Remove.bg: upload a photo and select the area with the caption – the AI will automatically restore the background.

Attention:

⚠️ When editing photos with watermarks, Xiaomi can block access to the RAW-To avoid this, disable the option Save RAW-copy in camera settings before shooting.

Method 5: Firmware rollback (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked and the watermarks are critically intrusive, you might consider rolling back to an older version of MIUI that didn't have that feature yet, for example, on MIUI 10-11, the photo captions were missing by default.

How to do this:

1. Download the archive with the desired firmware version for your model from the official website en.miui.com/a-234.html or the 4PDA forum.
2. Unpack the archive and move the.tgz file to the folder downloaded_rom phone-on.
3. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points (⋮) → Select a firmware file.
4. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

Risks of rollback:

• ⚠️ Loss of data (restore it via Mi Cloud or TWRP).
• ⚠️ Possible bugs in old firmware (for example, problems with the 5G or new cameras).
• ⚠️ Blocking certain features (such as Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.2 on new devices).

An alternative to rollback is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where there are no watermarks by default, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may take away your warranty.

💡

Firmware rollback is a last resort. Try all other methods before you resort to it and assess the risks. On new models (for example, Xiaomi 14), older versions of MIUI can work unstable.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after the watermarks are turned off, users are faced with nuances.

Problem 1: The signature is missing, but reappears after the MIUI update.

Solution: Re-disable the feature in the camera settings or use ADB-team from Method 2.

Problem 2: The watermark remains when shooting in Pro or Night Mode.

Solution: Disable the signature separately for each mode in the camera settings (some versions of MIUI have different options).

Problem 3: The Leica logo is still in the photo (on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, 14 Ultra).

Solution: The Leica logo is a separate graphical overlay, it can only be removed by editing photos or turning off the Leica Authentic mode in the camera settings.

Problem 4: After editing build.prop, the camera stopped running.

Solution: Restore the original file via TWRP or reflash the device.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions