Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where every shot taken is automatically stamped with the current date or time. On the Redmi 8 model, which has dual camera and has its own features of the MIUI interface, this feature can be activated by default or turned on by the user accidentally. The presence of a watermark on the image spoils the composition of the frame and requires additional editing time in third-party applications, which is not always convenient.
Fortunately, the MIUI-enabled Android operating system has the ability to turn off this option without having to root or flash the device. The process of deactivating the stamp is quite simple, but the location of the switch can vary depending on the version of the firmware installed. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, including standard settings and hidden engineering menu, which is relevant for Snapdragon chipsets installed in Redmi 8.
Before you start changing system settings, it is important to understand that the date stamp is a software feature implemented immediately at the time the image file is created. This means that deleting the setting will only affect the new pictures you take after making the changes. Old photos already saved in the gallery with a stamp will remain unchanged, and cleaning them will require the use of graphic editors or retouch functions.
Standard method of disconnecting through camera settings
The easiest and safest way to remove unnecessary captions from photos is to use the built-in Camera app settings menu. In most versions of the MIUI shell, including those preinstalled on the Redmi 8, this switch is shared. First, you need to start the camera app by switching to photo mode, and find the menu icon, which is usually represented by three horizontal bars or a gear at the top of the screen.
Once you open the menu, you'll see a list of available shooting options, and you'll need to scroll down to the "Additional Settings" section or search for the time stamp item right away. In some firmware localizations, this option may be called "Date and Time" or "Watermark." Move the slider to the "Off" position to deactivate the function.
If a standard switch is found and disabled, new images will be created without unnecessary inscriptions. However, in some cases, especially after a system update or when using global versions of firmware, this item may be hidden or renamed by developers.
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Before changing the settings, take a test shot to make sure the stamp is actually displayed and compare the result after the feature is turned off.
Use of the engineering menu for Redmi 8
In situations where the standard camera interface does not have a date switch, the Android engineering menu comes to the rescue. For devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which includes Redmi 8, there is special code that allows access to deep system settings. This method requires care, since changing the wrong parameters can affect the operation of other system components.
To enter the engineering menu, you need to open the standard Phone app (caller) and enter a special combination of characters in the dialing field. Xiaomi devices often use the code ##6484## to enter the CIT test mode, but accessing the camera settings sometimes requires entering the code ##4636## or using third-party dealer applications if direct access is blocked by the manufacturer. In the case of Redmi 8, the most effective is often using a hidden menu through the developer settings.
An alternative and more reliable way for Redmi 8 is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Once the "You're a developer" notification appears, go back to the main settings menu, find "Additional" and select "For Developers" there may be an option "Disable Camera Watermark" or similar, depending on the specific version of the android.
What do I do if the codes don't work?
Setting up watermarks and phone models
Beyond the date, users often want to control the display of the device model in the images. In Redmi 8, a separate setting unit is responsible for this, which is sometimes mistaken for a time stamp. In the camera settings menu, in the Watermarks section, you can flexibly adjust what information will be displayed in the photo. Here you can add the model logo, current time and even geolocation data.
It is important to distinguish between two types of watermarks: a date stamp that fits into the watermark. EXIF-It's either over the image in the corner, or it's a decorative watermark with the model name, and it doesn't always turn off the other. → Watermark and make sure all switches are inactive.
Some users prefer to leave the model logo but remove the date, as it looks more aesthetically pleasing and doesn't spoil the composition as much as the numbers. MIUI allows you to combine these settings, giving the user freedom of choice. If you want to leave only the model, make sure the Date and Time switch is turned off and the Device Model switch is activated.
Date Display Problems After MIUI Update
Once the operating system is upgraded to a new version of MIUI, the camera settings can be reset to factory values, which means that even if you have previously successfully removed the date, it can reappear after the update, a situation that often occurs when you switch between major versions of Android, for example, from Android 9 to Android 10, when the configuration file structure of the camera application is completely rewritten.
In addition, updates sometimes bring changes to the settings interface itself. Menu items can be regrouped, renamed or moved to the "Advanced Settings" subsection. If you do not find the usual switch after the update, you should search for the phone settings. Type the word "stamp" or "watermark" in the search bar, and the system will tell you where the desired parameter is in the current version of the firmware.
Also, consider that some global firmware versions for Redmi 8 may have menu differences from the Chinese versions. If you have re-flashed a device or bought a phone intended for another market, the layout of the elements may differ from the standard.
☑️ Verification after system update
Comparison of stamp removal methods
For the convenience of users, we have organized the main ways of solving the problem into a table, which will help you quickly choose the best method depending on your situation and level of technical training, each of which has its advantages and limitations, which should be considered before starting actions.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera settings | Low. | 100% | No. |
| Engineering menu | Medium | Tall. | Medium (entry error) |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | Medium | Advertising in the annex |
| Resetting settings | Tall. | 100% | Loss of data |
As you can see from the table, standard camera settings are the preferred option, they are safe and guaranteed to work on working devices, and the use of an engineering menu is justified only if the standard interface does not provide the necessary options, which is extremely rare on official firmware.
Responding to a full phone reset to remove date from photos is not recommended, as this is an extreme measure. Third-party camera apps such as Open Camera or Google Camera (GCam) are also a great solution, as they completely ignore the system settings of MIUI stamps and allow you to flexibly manage the output information.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
One common mistake is to try to delete the date from the already finished photos through the camera settings. As mentioned earlier, the settings only apply to future shots. To delete the date from existing files, you need to use photo editors such as Snapseed, PicsArt or the built-in tool “Lastik” in the Xiaomi gallery, which is able to delete objects and text from images.
Another mistake is the confusion between the date of the shooting in the EXIF-The camera settings remove the visible inscription, but do not delete the metadata of the file. If your goal is to hide the date of the shooting from prying eyes when you post on social networks, removing the stamp is not enough, you also need to clean up. EXIF-data by special applications or privacy settings when sending a file.
⚠️ Warning: When using third-party applications to edit system files or access the engineering menu, always back up important data. Incorrectly changing system settings can lead to unstable camera operation.
Users also often forget that Portrait mode or some special shooting modes can have their own watermark settings. If the date is gone in normal mode but appears in portrait mode, check the settings of this particular mode by clicking on the settings icon inside the mode switching interface.
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Date and time settings only apply to new images taken after the settings change. Old photos require manual processing.
Alternative solutions: third-party cameras
If the regular camera app on Redmi 8 doesn’t completely get rid of the stamp for some reason or doesn’t work properly, an alternative app is a great option. Google Play offers a lot of free analogues that provide more flexible control over the shooting process. One of the best options is Open Camera, an open source application that doesn’t contain ads and allows you to fine-tune all the display options.
In Open Camera, you go to settings, select Settings, then Additional Photo Features, and find Date Print, and you can select Do Not Print Date, or customize the display format if the stamp is still needed, but in a different way, and this app completely ignores the system limitations of MIUI and gives the user full control.
Another popular option is the ported version of Google Camera (GCam) for Redmi 8.It not only removes unnecessary stamps, but also significantly improves the quality of photos, especially in low light conditions, thanks to processing algorithms from Google. Installation of GCam requires a special download APK-File from proven resources, as in the official store it is not available for all devices.
⚠️ Attention: Download APK-Camera files only from verified forums (e.g, 4PDA or XDA Installing modified applications from unverified sources may pose a threat to the security of your data.
Using third-party software also allows you to bypass the restrictions imposed by the manufacturer on the duration of video recording or the format of saving photos. For Redmi 8 with its Snapdragon 439 processor, optimized versions of the cameras can give a tangible increase in performance and quality, making it quite justified to abandon the standard application.