Xiaomi smartphone owners often find that after taking a picture, they find an intrusive inscription with a model of the device in the corner of the frame. This element, called a watermark, is automatically added by the system to identify the model, but often spoils the aesthetic of the photo, especially if you plan to share it on social networks or send it to friends. You can remove this artifact using regular system tools, but the path to setting can vary depending on the version of the shell.
In some cases, users find that the standard switch is missing or does not work correctly after the software update. This may be due to the peculiarities of the regional versions of the firmware or the specifics of the camera application in a particular model. In such situations, alternative methods come to the rescue, including the use of third-party software or modification of system files, which requires a deeper understanding of the Android file system device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to remove logos, from simple menu switches to advanced editing techniques, how to set up your camera once and for all so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary elements in images, and also consider cases when it is impossible to remove a sign.
Staffing the watermark shutdown in camera settings
The easiest and safest way to get rid of a phone model is to use the camera app’s built-in settings, which Xiaomi developers have designed because they understand that not all users need branding on every shot, which is usually found in a general settings menu accessed through the top corner of the viewfinder screen.
To find the right option, open the camera app and click on the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right corner. In the menu that opens, select Settings (usually indicated by a gear), then scroll down to General or Additional, which is where the switch that is responsible for adding service information to the photo is hidden.
It's important to note that different versions of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS may have slightly different locations. If you don't find the switch right away, look carefully at all the menu subsections. In some cases, the option may be called "Model Watermark" or simply "Watermark." Once this item is turned off, new photos will be saved without unnecessary captions.
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If you upgraded your phone to HyperOS, look for watermark settings in the Quality and Size section or next to your snapshot resolution selection, as Xiaomi often changes the logic of settings grouping.
It's worth remembering that turning this off doesn't affect the quality of the images themselves or the way the image processing algorithms work. You just remove the visual layer that is overlaid on top of the finished frame, which is especially true for those who like minimalism and don't want a Xiaomi Redmi or Poco phone to advertise itself in your personal photos.
Features of logo removal in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s camera interface undergoes constant changes with each major OS update. In the early versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, the watermark switch was easily available in the basic settings. However, with the release of MIUI 14 and the transition to HyperOS, the company began experimenting with the arrangement of elements, sometimes hiding them in the submenu or making them available only for certain shooting modes.
Global ROMs are almost always guaranteed to have a sign-off feature, which is complicated if you use Chinese firmware (CN ROM) or custom builds. Chinese firmware sometimes has a logo activated by default, and it can be more difficult to remove it through the standard menu, as some options can be hidden or renamed into Chinese if you don’t have a Russian language package installed.
There is also a difference between normal shooting mode and professional mode (“Profi”). In some software builds, the watermark setting is global and applies to all modes, while in others it needs to be turned off separately for each camera use scenario. If you use Portrait or Night mode, check the settings inside these modes separately.
Why do some versions not have a switch?
Users who have moved from MIUI 11 to newer versions should pay attention to the change in icons. The standard gear settings could move to the corner of the screen or be replaced with a text menu. A careful inspection of the interface will help find the right control lever.
Use of third-party applications to remove text
If you can't remove a sign with regular methods, or if the watermark is already on the finished photos, third-party apps come to the rescue. There are many Android tools that specialize in retouching images and removing unwanted objects, including text, logos and dates.
One of the most effective methods is to use stamped or patched applications, and the way they work is that you single out a region of text, and the algorithm replaces the pixels of that area with those of the neighbouring area, creating the illusion of a clean background. For simple backgrounds like the sky or the wall, this method works perfectly.
- 📸 TouchRetouch - a specialized application for removing objects, perfectly copes with text on a homogeneous background.
- 🎨 Snapseed is a powerful editor from Google, where the tool “Point” allows you to quickly wipe the logo.
- 🖌️ Meitu is a popular app with a “lastic” function that often has automatic watermark removal modes.
- ✂️ Photo & Picture Resizer is a simple tool that allows you not only to delete, but also to crop the image, cropping the sign.
When using these applications, it is important to be careful not to disturb the integrity of the image. Algorithms can create artifacts, especially if the watermark is on a complex background with many details, in such cases it is better to use a cloning tool, manually copying the texture from a clean area.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party apps from unknown sources or even from Google Play, read permissions carefully. Some free editors may require access to your contacts or location, which is not relevant to photo processing.
Radical methods: editing system files
For advanced users who want to be guaranteed to remove the system-level watermark and not be dependent on updates, there is a method of editing system files, which requires root rights and a file manager with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer or MT Manager.
The method is to find and delete (or replace with a transparent file) a graphic resource containing the model logo. /system/media/ inside APK-However, simply removing a file is not enough - the system may stop opening the camera or emit errors.
A safer, but more difficult way to do this is to modify the APK-The camera application file (com.android.camera) requires decoding the file, finding the lines in the resources that render the watermark, modifying or deleting them, and then recompiling and installing the modified application. This process is called “modding” and requires knowledge of reverse engineering.
Example of commands for searching a string in a decoded resource (Linux/Termux)
grep -r "watermark" ./res/Using modified versions of the camera (called "ports" or "mods") is another option, and enthusiasts often post it on forums (e.g., on the Internet, 4PDA) modified APK-Camera files from other Xiaomi models, where the watermark function has already been cut or disabled, installing such a file may give you more options, but carries the risk of unstable operation.
☑️ Checklist before system modification
Comparison of Photo Cleaning Methods
The choice of method depends on your technical skills and the ultimate goal. If you just need to take some beautiful pictures for Instagram, it is easier to use the built-in settings or framing. If you are a professional photographer and use the phone as the main tool, you may want to consider installing a modified camera.
The table below compares the main ways of removing a sign, their complexity and effectiveness.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera settings | Low. | No. | 100% for new photos |
| Editorial annexes | Medium | No. | Depends on the background. |
| Crop (Crop) | Low. | Loss of part of the frame | Tall. |
| Modification of APK | Tall. | High-pitched | 100% forever |
Please note that modification of system files (APKs) may result in loss of warranty for the software. In the event of a camera problem following such manipulations, the service center may refuse free repairs, citing a violation of the integrity of the software.
Frequent errors and problems with removal
Users often face a situation where seemingly everything is done correctly, but the sign still appears. One common mistake is to enable the Watermark function in Portrait mode separately from the main mode. In Xiaomi, these settings can be duplicated and work independently.
Another problem is cloud services, and if you're syncing with Google Photos or Mi Cloud and you've edited a photo on the telefx, removing the sign, you can sync the original logo upload when you sync. Always check which version of the file is the main one.
Also worth mentioning are the “blind spots” in the settings: some users look for the switch in the “About Phone” section or in the general system settings, forgetting that the camera control is inside the app itself. In the new versions of HyperOS, the camera settings have been partially taken to the system menu, which causes confusion.
If after all the manipulations, the watermark continues to appear in the pictures, try clearing the Camera app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Camera → Clear the cache. This will not delete your settings, but can fix a software failure in which the system ignores disabling the function.
Prevention and recommendations for setting up
In order not to waste time on removing unnecessary elements in the future, it is recommended immediately after buying a new Xiaomi smartphone or after resetting the settings to the factory to audit the camera settings. Disable not only the watermark of the model, but also other intrusive functions, such as grid (if you are not used to it) or sound accompaniment of the shutter (if this is not required).
Update your camera app regularly through GetApps or Google Play. Updates often fix bugs that misplace graphics, but beware: sometimes new ad integrations come along with patches.
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The most reliable way to avoid watermarks is to turn them off in the settings immediately after the first phone is turned on, before you take the first important pictures.
Remember that a watermark is just one element of a digital footprint. For complete privacy, it’s also worth checking the camera geolocation settings so that the shooting coordinates aren’t stored in the file metadata (EXIF) unless you plan to use them for maps.