Have you ever wanted to take a photo or video without anyone noticing that you are using your phone? The off-screen feature of Xiaomi smartphones is not a myth, but a real possibility that is available on many models of the brand. However, not all users know how to use it correctly so as not to run into technical limitations or glitches.
In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to activate covert photography, from standard MIUI settings to detours for devices where the feature is not officially supported. You’ll learn which Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models are compatible with the mode, how to avoid overheating the camera, and why the screen sometimes turns on while recording, and a unique gesture trick that works even on budget devices.
Importantly, the methods vary depending on the firmware version and model, so we'll go through each option in detail. If your phone doesn't support out-of-the-box function, don't be too upset: there are solutions in this article for these cases as well.
Which Xiaomi models support shooting with the screen off?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones can shoot with the display turned off, but the function depends on the hardware platform and the version of MIUI.
- 📱 Flagship series: Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mix 4/Fold — supportive (MIUI 13+).
- 💰 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 11/12 Pro, POCO F4/F5 — Requires activation through camera settings.
- 🔋 Budget models: Redmi 10A/9A, POCO M4 Pro - only through bypasses (see section) 4).
- ⚠️ Excluded: Xiaomi Civi and Redmi K50i — The function is disabled by the manufacturer due to the camera features.
To find out exactly if your device supports shooting with the screen off, check:
- Open the Camera app.
- Go to Settings. → Additionally.
- Look for the Shooting option with the screen off or the Hidden Shooting Mode.
If there is no point, do not despair: in the following sections we will tell you how to get around this limitation.
The official method: setup via MIUI Camera
If your Xiaomi smartphone supports the feature at the firmware level, you can turn it on in 3 steps:
- Activate in Camera Settings: Open Camera app → tap on gear (Settings) → select Additional → turn on Shoot switch with screen off.
- Start shooting: Once activated, close the camera app. Now, to start recording, press the power button twice (even if the screen is off).
- Stop recording: To complete, press the power button again twice or use a voice command (if Xiaomi Voice Assistant is enabled).
Note that on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the feature only works for video, not photos, and you may also need to unlock the screen by fingerprint or face, otherwise the camera will not activate.
☑️ Pre-screening
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) for long shooting (>10 minutes) can trigger the overheating protection, in which case the screen will turn on automatically and the recording will interrupt. To avoid this, use an external battery or lower the video resolution to 1080p.
Alternative methods for unaccompanied models
If your smartphone doesn't support MIUI-level off-screen shooting, there are a few workarounds.
1. Use of gestures (works on MIUI 12–14)
This method is suitable for most Redmi and POCO models:
- Activate Camera Gestures in Settings → Additional Features → Gestures.
- Select the Double-touch gesture on the screen and assign it the action Start the camera.
- Turn off the screen, then double-task the black display – the camera will open in the background.
- Use physical volume buttons (top photo, bottom video).
2. Third-party applications
If gestures don’t work, install one of these apps (available on Google Play):
- 📸 Secret Camera – Supports shooting with the screen off, but requires permission to access the camera in the background.
- 🎥 Background Video Recorder – Records video without screen activation, but may conflict with MIUI.
- 🔍 Hidden Camera Detector – not for shooting, but for detecting hidden cameras (useful if you want to go unnoticed yourself).
⚠️ Note: Hidden shooting apps are often blocked by Xiaomi's security system. If they don't work after installation, turn off Battery Optimization for the app in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
3. ADB-Teams for experienced users
If you're ready to dive into the technical details, you can turn on the covert footage via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
- Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global hidden_camera_enabled 1
After the reboot, a hidden Stealth Mode item will appear in the camera settings.
What to do if ADB is not working?
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Suitable models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official MIUI setting | ✅ Stable work✅ No risk of blocking | ❌ It doesn't work on all models.❌ Time limit for recording | Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mix 4, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ |
| Gestures | ✅ No root.✅ Works on MIUI 12–14 | ❌ Could be an accident.❌ Not all gestures are supported | Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4 |
| Party of annex | ✅ It works on any model.✅ Additional functions (timer, masking) | ❌ The risk of blocking MIUI❌ Could drain the battery. | Any Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO with Android 9+ |
| ADB-team | ✅ Maximum customization✅ There are no time limits | ❌ Requires PC and team knowledge❌ Risk of resetting settings | Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader |
💡
If you shoot often with your screen off, add a camera shortcut to the lock screen. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Shortcuts and select Camera. Now you can quickly start shooting without even unlocking your phone.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even if you set it up correctly, you can get into a crash, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:
1. The screen is turned on during the shooting
Causes and solutions:
- 🔋 Low battery charge (<20%) → Connect the charger or use the Power Bank.
- 📱 Notifications → Disable all notifications in Settings → Notifications → Don't disturb.
- 🔄 Automatic locking → Increase screen lock time in Settings → Lock screen → Sleeping mode.
- 📡 Bad signal from the network → Switch to In-plane mode (but note that GPS shut down too).
2.The camera does not start with the screen off.
Check it out.
- 🔓 Is the phone unlocked (some models require fingerprint unlocking).
- 📵 Do not disturb (can block background processes).
- 🔧 Is the firmware updated (on MIUI 14+ function is more stable).
3 Video recorded with artifacts
This is a typical problem for Xiaomi with 108 MP or 200 MP cameras.
- 🎞️ Reduce video resolution to 1080p camera-setting.
- 🔥 Turn it off. HDR and AI-Improvement – they load the processor.
- 📱 Reboot your phone before shooting (sometimes helps reset the camera cache).
💡
In the models with AMOLED-With screens (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), shooting with the display off uses 30% less battery than with the screen on. MIUI.
Legal and ethical aspects of covert photography
Before using the off-screen feature, be aware of legal restrictions. In most countries, it is illegal to photograph people without their consent, especially in:
- 🏠 Private premises (house, office, hotel room).
- 🚻 Toilets, locker rooms, showers.
- 💼 Places where confidentiality is expected (negotiation, medical offices).
Exceptions:
- 📸 Public places (street, park) if people are not the main subject.
- 🏢 Video recording on your territory (for example, a surveillance camera at home).
- 🚗 Registrar in a vehicle (unless directed at pedestrians or other vehicles).
In Russia, according to Art. 137 of the Criminal Code, illegal distribution of photos or videos taken without consent is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 rubles or compulsory work (GDPR).
⚠️ Note: Even if you shoot for yourself, but the video gets to the network (for example, through cloud storage Mi Cloud), this can be considered a violation. → Accounts. → Mi Cloud.