How to remove the watermark on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: a step-by-step guide with a photo

Watermarks in photos with Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 are a common problem that users face after MIUI updates or when certain camera features are activated. These tags not only spoil the aesthetics of the images, but can also create difficulties in further processing or publishing images. In most cases, the sign appears as a Mi logo, model name or shooting date, and its removal requires knowledge of the specific settings of the smartphone.

It's important to understand that watermarks come in two types: software (added automatically by the camera) and hardware (stitched into the firmware at the driver level). The former can be removed through settings or third-party applications, and the latter will take longer to tinker with, up to flashing the device. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, including official and alternative, taking into account their pros and cons.

Before you start removing, make sure the problem isn’t related to regional MIUI restrictions (e.g., Chinese firmware often has watermarks turned on by default) or custom settings (sometimes tags are activated randomly via Camera Settings → Additional).If you’re not sure of the reason, start with the simplest method – checking the camera settings.

1. Removal of watermark through camera settings

The safest and most recommended way is to disable the watermark directly from the camera menu, which works if the label is added programmatically (for example, through the Watermark or Signature function in MIUI Camera).

Instructions:

📷 Open the standard Camera app on the Redmi Note 8.
🔧 Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (usually in the upper right corner).
📝 Scroll down to the Watermark or Photo Signature section (depending on version) MIUI).
🚫 Turn off the slider or uncheck the tick next to the option.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have an explicit watermark clause, check:

🔍 Section Additional → Shooting settings.
🔍 Filters tab – sometimes labels are added through effects.
🔍 Settings → System system → Additionally. → For developers → Camera debugging (rarely, but it happens).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Chinese or custom) may not have a watermarked item.

📊 How often do you take pictures on your smartphone?

Every day.

Several times a week

Closely.

Only if necessary.

2. Use of third-party applications for shooting

If a standard MIUI camera persists in adding watermarks, and you can't turn them off, alternative applications will be the answer, not only bypassing the system's limitations, but often offering advanced shooting features.

The best options for the Redmi Note 8:

📸 Google Camera (GCam) – Ported version of the camera from Google Pixel with support HDR+ You can download it here (select the version for the Snapdragon 665).
📸 Open Camera is open source with manual settings and no forced watermarks. Available on Google Play.
📸 Footej – a professional shooting application with support RAW and unmarked.

How to install and configure:

Download. APK-Application file (e.g. GCam) from a verified source.
Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
Install the application and open it. GCam may require additional configuration (.xml) for the Redmi Note 8.
Take a test shot - there should be no watermark.

⚠️ Note: When using GCam on Redmi Note 8, there may be focus or color errors. Before taking important shots, test the app in different lighting conditions.

☑️ Preparation for shooting without watermarks

Install an alternative cameraDeactivate the standard Camera appCheck the resolution and format of the picturesTake a test frame.

Done: 0 / 4

3. Editing photos after shooting

If you've already added a watermark and you can't re-take a photo, post-processing will help. Modern tools allow you to remove the tags without losing quality, but the result depends on the complexity of the sign and the background.

Effective ways to:

Method	Annex/Tool	Difficulty	Suitable for
Retouch with a brush	Adobe Photoshop Express, Snapseed	Medium	Small signs on a monotonous background
Replacement of fragment	PicsArt, Lightroom	Tall.	Large signs on a texture background
AI removal	Remove.bg, Inpaint	Low.	Logos on a contrasting background
Pruning	Any editor	Low.	Signs at the edges of the frame

Step-by-step instructions for Snapseed:

Open the photo in the application and select the brush tool.
Set the Exposure setting to +1.0 and sniff the watermark.
Use Blurr or Stamp to smooth the boundaries.
Keep the result as high as possible.

Critical: When editing photos with watermarks added at the level EXIF-labels (e.g. through MIUI Gallery, a regular retouch will not help – you will need to clean up the metadata using ExifTool or similar utilities.

4.Reset camera settings to factory

If the watermark appears after updating MIUI or changing configuration files, resetting the camera settings will help, which does not affect user data, but returns all shooting parameters to the default state.

How to perform the reset:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find the Camera app and open its page.
Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
Reboot your smartphone.

After the reboot:

🔄 Launch the camera and check if the watermark remains.
🔄 If the tag has disappeared, but you want to save your settings (such as manual mode), reconfigure them again.
🔄 If the sign remains, move on to more radical methods (see next section).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Resetting the camera data may result in loss of stored user filters or shooting profiles. Back up important settings in advance through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

💡

Before resetting the camera, check if the default watermark function is activated in MIUI regional settings. Go to Settings → Additional → Region and select Russia or Global (if you have Chinese firmware).

5. Removal of watermark through ADB (for advanced)

If a watermark is sewn into the firmware at the system file level, it can only be removed through ADB debugging (Android Debug Bridge), a technique that requires technical skills and can lead to unstable camera performance when errors occur.

What you need:

💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
📱 Included debugging by USB on Redmi Note 8 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Commands for watermark removal:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm /system/vendor/build.prop




echo "ro.camera.watermark.enable=0" >> /system/vendor/build.prop




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

Explanation:

The rm /system/vendor/build.prop command deletes the file with the camera settings (check the path carefully - it may be different!).
The string ro.camera.watermark.enable=0 forcibly disables watermarks.
After restarting, the camera should work without tags.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect editing of system files through ADB It can lead to bootloop or loss of camera functionality. Before executing commands, back up your firmware through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

What if the camera stopped working after ADB?

If the camera fails to connect to the camera after the changes through ADB, try: 1. Return the original build.prop file from the backup. 2. execute the command adb shell setprop persist.camera.watermark 0. 3. Fastboot flash system.img. If nothing helps, you will need a complete flashing of the device.

6. flashing the device (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed, the most radical way is to flash the Redmi Note 8 to a clean MIUI (preferably Global Stable) that removes all system modifications, including sewn watermarks, but takes time and care.

Step-by-step:

Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) from Xiaomi’s website.
Unpack the archive and place the update.zip file in the root of the smartphone’s internal memory.
Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
Select Select a firmware file and specify the path to update.zip.
Confirm the installation and wait until the end (the smartphone will restart several times).

Alternative method (via Fastboot):

🔧 Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC.
🔧 Download your smartphone to Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Loudness down).
🔧 Connect the device to your PC and run the official firmware through Mi Flash (select Clean all option).

After flashing:

📱 Check the camera for watermarks.
📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
📱 Restore data from backup (if you made it in advance).

💡

Fastboot Flashback removes all data from the device, including photos and apps. Always back up important files before you start the process!

FAQ: Frequent questions about watermarks on Xiaomi

🔹 Why did the watermark appear on its own?

The most likely causes: Automatic MIUI update, which activates the default watermark function (especially in Chinese firmware); Camera settings failure after cache clearing or reset; Custom firmware installation with pre-sewn tags; Check update history in Settings → About Phone → System Update → Update → Update History.

🔹 Can I remove the watermark without root rights?

Yes, in most cases. Rootless: Disable through camera settings (section 1). Use of third-party applications (section 2). Post-shoot editing (section 3). Root will only be required to remove the stitched firmware tags (section 5).

🔹 Will the watermark return after the update? MIUI?

The probability of the tag returning depends on the type of firmware: 📱 Global Stable: There are usually no watermarks, but they may appear after major updates (for example, when you upgrade to a new version of Android). 📱 China Stable: Watermarks are often activated by default and come back after updates. 📱 Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS): build-dependent, but most modifications don't add labels. Recommendation: check camera settings immediately after the update.

🔹 How to check if the watermark is sewn into the firmware?

Hardware watermark: The label appears even when shooting through third-party applications (e.g. GCam). There is no option in the camera settings to turn off the watermark. After resetting or flashing the sign remains. For accurate diagnosis, you can view EXIF-Photo data via Exif Viewer app – if the tag is written in metadata, it can be removed only through the ADB or-flashing.

🔹 Is it legal to remove watermarks from photos?

From a legal perspective: 📜 Removing watermarks from personal photos does not violate the law, as you are the author of the photo. 📜 If the photos are intended for commercial use (for example, selling on stock sites), deleting the tags may violate the service rules. 📜 The watermarks added by Xiaomi are not copyrights to your content, they only indicate the device model. Exception: if you are taking pictures for an employer or contract, specify the terms of use of the images.