Owners of Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter an intrusive feature that automatically adds a device logo to each shot taken, a stamp that can look like “Shot on Xiaomi” or contain an exact model of the device, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro. For many users, this is an annoying factor that spoils the aesthetic of the photo and requires subsequent editing in graphic editors.
Fortunately, the developers of MIUI and the new HyperOS shell have now made it possible to turn this feature off by the system’s regular means, so you don’t have to install questionable apps or root rights to get rid of the extra text in your images, just change one setting in the camera interface and your pictures will be clean.
In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for all current firmware versions in detail, and we will also look at the situation if the standard menu differs from the one described, and answer the frequently asked questions of beginners.
Why does the model stamp appear in the photo?
By default, the camera settings of many Chinese-made smartphones activate the option of adding a watermark. This is a marketing ploy aimed at free brand advertising. When you share a photo on social networks, recipients immediately see which device the picture was taken on, but for professional processing or just a personal aesthetic, this element is often superfluous.
The feature can be activated automatically when you first turn on your smartphone or after a major system update. In some regions, such as global firmware versions for Europe, this stamp may be missing initially, whereas in Chinese (China ROM) or Indian builds it is turned on by default. Understanding the origin of this setting helps you find it faster in the menu.
⚠️ Warning: watermark is added at the time of shooting. If you have already taken photos with the logo, changing the setting will not remove text from existing files in the gallery.
It is important to distinguish between two types of stamps: the standard one, which simply indicates the brand, and the extended one, which adds shooting parameters (ISO, shutter speed, aperture). Both types are configured in the same section but have different switches. Disabling one does not guarantee the other to turn off, so you need to check both parameters.
Disabling the watermark in the standard MIUI camera
The interface of the standard Camera app in the MIUI shell is quite logical, although some items may be hidden in the additional menus. To remove the logo, follow the step-by-step instructions. First, launch the camera app and make sure you are in Photo or Video mode.
At the top of the screen, usually in the right corner, is an icon with three horizontal bars. This is the option menu. Click on it to expand the list of options available. In the list that opens, you need to find Settings. This is where all the depth of the camera module is hidden.
Inside the settings menu, scroll down to Advanced Settings or immediately look for Watermark. Depending on the firmware version, the name can vary: Watermark settings, Device Model, or simply Watermark. After you go to this section, you'll see several switches.
☑️ The die-off algorithm
You will be offered several options:
- 📱 Device model – adds the name of your smartphone (e.g. Xiaomi 13).
- 📅 Time – puts the date and time of shooting directly on the photo.
- 📍 Location – Adds geolocation (only works when switched on) GPS).
To completely remove any labels, you need to put all active switches in an inactive state (grey), then you can exit the menu, and now with each new image, the image will be clean, without unnecessary graphic elements.
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If you don't find "Watermark" in the main settings, try switching the camera mode to "Pro" (Pro).In some older versions of MIUI, the stamp settings were duplicated in the professional mode menu.
Setup of the stamp in the new shell HyperOS
With the transition to the HyperOS operating system, the camera menu structure has changed. The logic has remained the same, but the visual design and layout of the elements have become more minimalist. The new Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 smartphones with HyperOS look different.
Open the camera and tap the menu icon (three bars) in the top corner. Unlike the old MIUI, there may be a pop-up with large icons. Find an icon that looks like a stamp or the letter "W" (Watermark). Often it is placed in a quick menu so that the user does not have to go into deep settings every time.
If you don't have a fast button, go to the full settings through the gear. In HyperOS, it can be called "Watermark Settings." Inside, you'll see not just an on/off switch, but a preview of what the stamp will look like. It allows you to flexibly customize its contents.
Available options in HyperOS:
- 🚫 Without watermark - completely disabling any inscriptions.
- 📱 Model of the phone - a classic version with the name of the device.
- 🎨 User text – the ability to enter your nickname or phrase.
Select the "No watermark" option or simply turn off the feature activity switch. HyperOS interface is more responsive and changes are instant. It's worth noting that in some firmware betas, this item may temporarily disappear or move, so if you didn't find it right away, check for updates to the Camera app via GetApps or Google Play.
The Hidden Possibilities of the Watermark
Removing the Leica logo on flagships
Flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra series or Xiaomi 14 Pro feature optics developed in conjunction with the legendary Leica company, a partnership reflected in the camera interface. In addition to the model's standard watermark, the Leica logo can appear on the photo, often in yellow or white, sometimes with lens settings.
This logo is considered part of the "brand identity" and many users appreciate it for its premium look. However, if you want a clean frame, it can be removed. The process is similar to the standard one, but has its own nuances on the menu. Go to the camera settings and find the section related to Leica or "Leica styles."
There might be a separate switch, the Leica Logo, which if it's not there, is combined with a common watermark, so if you turn off the common watermark, you remove both the Leica logo and the model name, and you can't manage them separately in the global versions of the software.
⚠️ Note: on some Chinese versions of firmware (China) ROM) The Leica logo can be embedded in the image processing software code without being disabled by standard methods, in which case only flashing to a global version or using third-party cameras will help.
Also worth mentioning are Leica filters (Vibrant and Authentic), which change the color rendering, but don't add graphics unless the appropriate stamp is activated, so using filters, you can rest assured that the frame is clean if the main watermark is turned off.
Comparison of watermark removal methods
There are several ways to get rid of the captions in the photo, but they vary in complexity, safety and quality of the result. Below is a table that will help you choose the best method for your situation.
| Method | Difficulty | Quality of the result | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera settings (staff) | Low. | Perfect (original) | Absolutely safe. |
| Photo editors (Crop/Clone) | Medium | Depends on skill. | Safe. |
| Third-party cameras (GCam) | Tall. | High. | Requires APK vetting |
| Modified system files | Very high. | Perfect. | Risk of loss of guarantee |
The standard method through settings is the preferred one. It requires no additional action after the initial setup. Using editors is suitable for the images already taken, but takes time. Installing GCam (Google Camera) gives excellent results and often lacks watermarks by default, but requires finding the correct version for your processor.
Modifying system files (through root rights) is a last resort, allowing you to remove the stamp even from system applications that do not allow this on the menu, but it violates the integrity of the system and can lead to denial of warranty service.
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Using built-in settings is the only way to get a source photo without a logo immediately at the time of shooting, while maintaining maximum quality and metadata.
What to do if settings are unavailable or hidden
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the item "Watermark" is simply not on the menu, or it is inactive (shadowed).This can occur for several reasons. First, in some regions (for example, India or China), the legislation or policy of the operator requires the presence of camera sound or certain labels, although this is rare for watermarks.
Second, the problem may be in the Camera version of the app. If you have an outdated version or, conversely, a beta version with bugs, the menu may not display correctly. Solution: go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Camera and check for updates.
It's also worth checking the shooting modes. In some modes, such as Short Video, Documents or Panorama, the watermark may behave differently or not at all, as these modes have their own settings inside the main menu. Switch to the main mode Photos and check the settings there.
If nothing helps, you can use an alternative route through the engineering menu (for power users only):
##6484##You can find the camera tests on the engineering menu, but the direct watermark disconnection from the device is not available on all models, and it's usually used to diagnose hardware.