Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO offer users ample opportunities for shooting, but the function of automatically putting the date and time on the photo is disabled by default. Many device owners are faced with the need to document events with exact time reference β whether it is working reports, legal evidence or just personal memories with a chronology, MIUI It doesnβt provide a direct option to enable this feature in a standard camera, but there are a few workarounds.
In this article, we will analyze all available methods: from hidden firmware settings to third-party applications with advanced capabilities. You will learn how to configure the display of date in the photo without loss of quality, which Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box, and how to circumvent restrictions if your device is not included in this list. EXIF-Compatibility and compatibility with different versions MIUI.
Before you get into the instructions, itβs important to understand: adding a date directly to the image (as a watermark) and saving it in metadata. EXIF β These are two different things. The first one is visible immediately when you look at the photo, the second one requires special programs to read.
1. Check the feature support in the standard Xiaomi camera
Some Xiaomi models (mainly the Redmi budget series) POCO Asian marketers have a built-in date option to check for it:
Step 1. Open the Camera app and go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
Step 2. Scroll through the list to Watermark or Date/Time. If there is no such item, your model does not support the feature at the firmware level.
Step. 3. If you have an option, activate it and select the display format (for example, YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM or DD/MM/YYYY). In the models with MIUI 14+ accessible 5 Date formatting options.
- π± Supported models: Redmi Note 11/12 (firmware), POCO M4 Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE (Only for Southeast Asian markets).
- β οΈ Limitation: Date is applied as a non-removable watermark in the lower right corner, which can spoil the composition of the frame.
- π Alternative: If you do not have an option, use the methods in the following sections.
β οΈ Warning: Enabling date display in Xiaomiβs standard camera may conflict with feature HDR If the camera starts to hang after activation, turn it off. HDR photo-set.
2.Use of the "Document" mode for the automatic date
Little known fact: in MIUI 13+ There is a hidden document mode that automatically adds date and time to the photo in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS. This mode is originally designed for document shooting, but is suitable for other purposes.
How to activate:
- Open the Camera and swipe left across the screen to open the list of modes.
- Choose More. β Document (if not, update the camera app via Google Play).
- Take a picture β the date and time will appear at the bottom of the image in white.
The advantage of this method is that the date is marked without loss of quality and does not interfere with the main content of the frame.
- π Fixed authorization 1920Γ1080 (Even if the main camera is supported 4K).
- π¨ No manual adjustment of exposure and white balance.
- π The date is displayed only on JPEG, not RAW.
π‘
If you need to save the original resolution, take a picture in Document mode, then crop the date in any graphics editor and overlay it on a high-quality photo from the main mode.
3. Third-party annexes for adding date
If the built-in methods don't work, use specialized applications. 10 programs and selected the top-3 with the best balance of functionality and convenience.
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timestamp Camera | Set up font, color, date position Support GPS-Timer coordinates | Advertising in the free version | Google Play |
| AutoStamper | Automatic Date Dating on Existing Photos Package Processing Support for Russian Language | The paid version for HD-permitting | Google Play |
| Camera MX | Built-in photo editor Templates for date (including seconds) | No support. RAW | Google Play |
Instructions for setting up (Timestamp Camera example):
- Install the application and open it.
- Go to Settings. β Date format and select DD.MM.YYYY HH:mm (or other variant).
- In the Position section, specify the placement of the tag (we recommend the Lower right corner).
- Activate the AutoSave option in the gallery.
- Click on the shutter release circle - the date will be marked on the photo.
β οΈ Note: When using third-party cameras, turn off battery optimization for the app in Xiaomi settings (Settings) β Annexes β Permits β Battery optimization; otherwise, the camera may spontaneously close.
βοΈ Set up a third-party camera for the date
4. Editing EXIF-tagging
If you do not need a visual display of the date, but its presence in the metadata of the photo (for example, for sorting or evidence base), use editing. EXIF. This method preserves the original quality of the image and does not add watermarks.
Method 1. Through the application EXIF Editor:
Method 2. via PC (for batch processing):
Use ExifTool (free, cross-platform) as a command to change the date of all photos in the folder:
exiftool -alldates="2026:05:15 14:30:00" -overwrite_original/path/k/folder/To check metadata after editing:
- π₯οΈ On PC: right-click on the file β Properties β Detailed.
- π± On the phone: use the Photo app EXIF Viewer.
What to do if EXIF-Dates are lost when sent?
5. Manual date addition in graphic editors
If you need to add a date to an existing photo or need a special design (for example, to post on social networks), use graphic editors, which provides maximum flexibility, but requires manual processing of each image.
The best tools for Xiaomi:
Step-by-step instructions in Snapseed:
- Open the photo in the application and select the Text tool.
- Print the date in the format 15.05.2026 14:30.
- Set up the font (Roboto Bold is recommended for clarity).
- Set the color of the text to contrast the background (for example, white in dark photos, black in light).
- Move the inscription to the corner (indentation) 5-10% edge).
- Save Changes Without Losing Quality (Export) β Quality 100%).
To speed up the process, create a preset with date settings:
π‘
For legally significant photos, use at least 24pt You can save the original file without compression, and the court may require proof of the authenticity of the metadata.
6. Automation via Tasker (for advanced users)
If you often take time-based photos and want to fully automate the process, use Tasker, a method that requires initial setup, but then it will work in the background.
What you need:
- π± Installed Tasker (paid, but there is a 7-day trial).
- π§ AutoInput module (to simulate pressing).
- π Correctly configured date and time on the phone.
Instructions for creating the task:
- Open Tasker and create a new task (+ β Name: βDate in the photo").
- Add the action Plugin β AutoInput β UI Query (set to detect open camera).
- Add the action Variable β Variable Set: Name: %current_date Meaning: %TIMES (format: dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm)
- Add the action Plugin β AutoInput β Text (enter %current_date and set up position).
- Create a profile that will run the task when you open the camera (Application) β Camera).
To verify the work:
- π Restart your phone after setting up.
- πΈ Take a test shot β the date should appear automatically.
- βοΈ If necessary, adjust the position of the text in the AutoInput settings.
β οΈ Note: Tasker may conflict with the Game Turbo feature in Xiaomi. If the camera starts to brake, turn off the Game Turbo in the settings or add the camera in exceptions.
7. Alternative solutions for specific tasks
If none of the above methods are suitable, consider alternative approaches depending on your goal:
- π For working documentation: Use CamScanner or Adobe Scan scanner documents β they automatically add date and time to your work. PDF-photo.
- πΉ For video: Enable date display in camera settings (Settings) β Date on video) β this feature is available on most Xiaomi MIUI 12+.
- π For evidence: Take a picture of the phone screen with the open-app Watch (showing the current time) along with the main object.
- π For web publications: Upload photos to Google Photos β the service automatically recognizes the date of the shooting from the EXIF And lets you search it.
For owners of Xiaomi root-rights (root) there is another way β editing the system file /system/build.prop. Add a line to it:
ro.camera.timestamp.enable=1After the reboot, the camera settings will have a Watermark option with a date. Careful: this method requires an unlocked bootloader and can cause the camera to crash.