Watermarks in photos from Xiaomi smartphones are a common problem that users of the brand face. These tags are automatically added by the MIUI system when shooting in certain modes or when certain functions are activated (for example, Camera Watermark or Copyright Protection). Depending on the phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and the firmware version (MIUI 14/15), the ways to remove the characters may differ.
It is important to understand that watermarks are of two types: software (added with software cameras) and hardware (built into the software). EXIF-The first can be removed directly in the phone settings or using third-party applications, and the second will require more in-depth processing. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for 2026, including hidden features. MIUI, which are rarely mentioned in the standard instructions.
1. Watermark type check on Xiaomi
Before you start deleting, determine which sign is placed on your photos, which will save time and eliminate unnecessary actions.
Open a photo in the standard Xiaomi gallery and follow the following steps:
- 🔍 Enlarge the image – if the sign blurs with the pixels, it is a software patch (it can be removed in the camera settings).
- 📊 See the file properties: go to the details → If there's a line like Xiaomi Watermark or MIUI Camera, the sign is embedded in the metadata.
- 🖼️ Check through the PC: connect the phone to the computer and open the photo in Photoshop or GIMP. If the sign on a separate layer is a lining, if inscribed in pixels – a hardware sign.
On Xiaomi models 12S Ultra and Redmi K60 Pro watermarks are often added when shooting in Pro mode or when on AI-If you use GCam (a modified Google camera), the sign can be put by the Sabre module - in which case its removal will require editing the configuration file.
2. Removing watermark through Xiaomi camera settings
The easiest way is to disable automatic character addition directly in the Camera app, which works on all models with MIUI 12 and later, including the POCO F5, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and Xiaomi 13 Lite.
Instructions:
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the gears (⚙️) in the upper right corner or swipe up to open the settings.
- Go to the Watermark section (on some models – Shooting Settings → Additional → Camera Label).
- Turn off the slider Add a watermark or AI-watermark.
- For dual camera models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), you may need to disable the sign separately for the main and wide-angle module.
Once disabled, all new photos will be saved without tags, but the old ones will remain tagged and will have to be processed separately (read more about this in the following sections).
☑️ Preparation for shooting without watermarks
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU Or custom builds, the path to watermark settings may be different. If you don't find the right item, try resetting the camera to factory settings: → Annexes → Application management → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Removal of watermark by means of a standard gallery
Xiaomi has a built-in editor that allows you to remove some types of watermarks without third-party applications, which is suitable for software overlays, but will not work if the tag is sewn into EXIF.
Step-by-step:
- 📷 Open the photo in the Gallery app.
- 🖌️ Click Edit (the pencil icon at the bottom).
- 🔄 Choose the Pruning Tool (not to be confused with Framework!).
- 📏 Manually trim the edges of the photo where the watermark is located (usually at the bottom right). Use the Free Frame function to fine-tune.
- 💾 Save the modified version (select Save as a copy so you don't lose the original version).
This method has limitations: image quality will decrease if the sign is located in the center or occupies a large area. For high-resolution models (Xiaomi 13 Pro with 50 MP), the losses will be less noticeable, but on budget smartphones (Redmi 10A) there may be a visible deterioration in detail.
How do you get back cropped pixels?
4.Use of third-party applications for removal
If standard methods didn't work, specialized applications will come to the rescue, and we tested more than 15 programs and selected the ones that work best with Xiaomi watermarks.
| Annex | Type of sign | Difficulty | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapseed | Software overlay | Low. | Healing removes signs without traces, free of charge, but requires manual processing. |
| Watermark Remover | Anybody. | Medium | Automatic deletion with AI. The paid version removes EXIF signs. |
| PhotoRoom | The edges lining | Low. | Perfect for signs in the corners. There's an eraser magic function. |
| Lightroom | Complex signs | Tall. | It requires mask skills, it's suitable for professional retouching. |
| AI Watermark Remover | EXIF-marker | Medium | It removes the data, but it can distort the colors in some photos. |
For most users, the best choice is Snapseed or Watermark Remover. The first is suitable for point removal, the second is for automatic processing of a large number of photos. If the watermark is complex (for example, the semi-transparent Xiaomi logo on the Mi 11 Ultra), try the combination from Lightroom + Photoshop Express.
⚠️ Note: Apps like Watermark Remover and AI Watermark Remover sends photos to their servers for processing. If there is sensitive information in the pictures (documents, people's faces), use offline editors like Snapseed or Snapseed. GIMP.
5. Manual removal through EXIF-editorial
If the watermark is embedded in the metadata of the file (checked through the properties of the photo), it can be removed by editing. EXIF-This method requires care, because incorrect changes can damage the file.
Instructions for ExifTool (on PC):
- Download ExifTool and unpack the archive.
- Connect your phone to your computer and copy the photos to a separate folder.
- Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the ExifTool folder.
- Enter a command to remove all EXIF-tagged: exiftool -all= *. Or selectively remove only tags associated with the watermark: exiftool -XiaomiWatermark= -Software= *.
- Reload the photos to your phone.
For mobile users, the Exif Eraser app (available on Google Play) is suitable:
- 📱 Install and open the application.
- 📂 Choose photos with watermarks.
- 🗑️ Press Delete. EXIF and save cleaned files.
This method does not affect image quality, as it only removes metadata, but once EXIF is cleaned, the photo may lose information about the date of the shooting, the camera model and the geolocation.
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Before mass removal EXIF back up your photos. Some tags (e.g, GPS-coordinates) cannot be restored after cleaning.
6. Alternative methods for advanced users
If none of these things worked, try more radical solutions that require technical skills and can affect the stability of your phone.
Method 1: Change the camera configuration file (requires Root)
On the firmware MIUI watermarks are controlled by a file /system/vendor/build.prop or /system/etc/camera/camera_config.xml. To turn them off forever:
- Get Root access (for example, via Magisk).
- Use Root Explorer or FX File Manager to open the file camera_config.xml.
- Find the line: <watermark enabled="true"> and replace true with false.
- Save the file and restart the phone.
Method 2: Installation of modified firmware
Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) do not add watermarks by default, but this method is only suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and can be unwarranted.
Method 3: Use ADB-team
For Android 12+ models, you can turn off watermarks via ADB without Root:
adb shell settings put global camera_watermark_enabled 0This team runs on the Xiaomi 12/13 series and some Redmi with MIUI 13/14.
⚠️ Note: Modifying system files or using ADB This can lead to soft-brick (the phone will stop booting).Before experimenting, back up using the Mi Flash Tool or TWRP.
7 How to Avoid Watermarks in the Future
To keep new photos unlabeled, follow these guidelines:
- 📵 Turn it off. AI-Camera function: Many watermarks are added when activated AI-scene AI-Try shooting in Pro mode without any improvements.
- 🔄 Update the firmware: in MIUI 15 added the option of global disabling watermarks for all shooting modes (available in Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality of the camera).
- 📱 Use third-party cameras: Google Camera (GCam) or Open Camera don't add watermarks by default. Download the GCam version optimized for your model from Celso Azevedo's website.
- 🔒 Check your privacy settings: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro) activate watermarks when you turn on the option Copyright Protection in Settings. → Confidentiality.
If you share photos frequently on social media, consider setting up automatic metadata removal when exporting. At Xiaomi Gallery, this is done via Settings → Sharing → Delete Metadata.
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On models with Leica optics (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), watermarks can be added by Leica proprietary software, in which case only disconnecting through ADB or Root will help.