The watermarks in Xiaomi photos are a topic that has raised questions among users, on the one hand, they serve as copyright protection and authentication, on the other, they sometimes interfere with social media, printing or professional processing. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove watermarks, from official MIUI functions to third-party tools, and discuss legal and technical nuances that are rarely discussed.
It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. Some can lead to loss of image quality, others to violation of license agreements. We'll not only show you how to do this, but also explain whether it's worth doing this in your particular case. Let's start with the simplest one: built-in smartphone capabilities.
1. Disabling the watermark in Xiaomi camera settings
The most legal and safe way to do this is to disable the watermarking in the shooting phase, and in most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (starting with MIUI 12), this feature is available right in the camera app. Here's how to find it:
Open the standard Camera app, then:
- Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (usually in the upper right corner).
- Go to Watermark or Photo Settings (the name may vary depending on the MIUI version).
- Turn off the slider next to the Add Watermark or Device Model option.
If you have an older firmware version (e.g. MIUI 11 or lower), the path might look like this: Camera settings → Additional → Watermark. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 10T or POCO X3 Pro), the option is hidden deeper — you have to dig through the menu.
⚠️ Warning: Turning off the watermark in the settings won't remove it from the photos you've already taken, it will only prevent you from adding it to new pictures.
If you don't find this option, your model may not support disabling the watermark software, in which case move on to the next section.
2. Watermark trimming in the standard MIUI editor
If the watermark is located on the edges of the photo (for example, on the bottom right, as in most photos with Xiaomi), it can be removed with cropping. MIUI has a built-in photo editor with basic functions:
- Open the photo in the Gallery app.
- Click Edit (pencil icon).
- Select the Trimming tool (frame icon).
- zoom in and trim the watermarked edge, leaving only the right part of the image.
- Save the changes (Save as a copy is preferred so as not to lose the original).
This method works if the watermark does not cover important details of the image.
- 📏 Loss of a part of the frame – if the sign is in the center, the cropping is useless.
- 🔍 Deterioration of quality with strong scale increase.
- 📱 Not suitable for panoramas - cropping will distort the perspective.
For more accurate cropping, you can use third-party apps like Google Photos or Snapseed, which offer more tools to correct boundaries.
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If the watermark is translucent and overlaid on top of important details, try cropping the photo first and then using the Cloning tool in Snapseed to recover lost fragments.
3. Removal of watermark with retouch applications
When pruning doesn't work, specialized applications come to the rescue, allowing you to smear, erase or replace a watermark with minimal loss of quality.-3 Android-based:
| Annex | Deleting method | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapseed | Tools Healing or Cloning | Free, accurate retouch, saves EXIF | Requires skills, is not suitable for complex signs |
| Adobe Photoshop Express | Tool for Background Correction or Replacement | Automatic removal, integration with Creative Cloud | Restrictions on the free version |
| Remove Watermark | Automatic removal with AI | Simplicity, supports batch processing | Paid features, can leave artifacts |
Let’s take a look at the Snapseed example:
- Open the photo in the application and select the Healing tool (the patch icon).
- Increase the scale and circle the watermark with your finger.
- Snapseed will automatically replace the selected area with texture from adjacent pixels.
- If necessary, adjust the result with the Cloning tool.
For complex cases (for example, a colored watermark on a homogeneous background), it is better to use Photoshop Express:
- 🎨 Select the Background Replacement Tool.
- 🖌️ Round the sign with your brush, then specify the area with the texture of which it needs to be replaced.
- 🔍 Adjust Sensitivity and Blurrence settings for a natural result.
⚠️ Note: When removing a watermark with AI tools (such as Remove Watermark), check the result at 100% magnification. Often there are artifacts - blurred spots or texture inconsistencies that are noticeable when printing.
How to remove watermark from a video on Xiaomi?
Advanced methods: editing EXIF and RAW-file
Watermarks in Xiaomi photos are often embedded not only as a graphic layer, but also in metadata. EXIF. This means that even after visual deletion, the sign can remain in the file's service information. EXIF.
This is what I'd like:
- 📱 EXIF Eraser (Android) – deletes all metadata, including device model information.
- 💻 ExifTool (Windows/macOS/Linux) — console utility for accurate editing.
- 🌐 Online EXIF Viewer (e.g., exif.viewer) – for viewing and cleaning.
Instructions for ExifTool (requires installation on PC):
exiftool -Model= -Make= -Software= -overwrite_original path k photo.jpgThis command removes information about the device model (Model), manufacturer (Make) and software (Software) from the file. EXIF-data, including the date of the shooting and camera settings.
To work with RAW-Files (such as those with the.dng extension) that capture Xiaomi’s flagship models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) will need to be used:
- Convert RAW to JPEG using Lightroom or Darktable.
- Remove the watermark in the graphic editor (see section 3).
- If necessary, edit EXIF separately.
⚠️ Attention: Editing EXIF This can lead to the inability to restore the original data, which is critical for professional photographers!
Make a backup photo|Check the file format (JPEG/PNG/RAW)|Install ExifTool or analogues|Disable cloud sync (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)|Check the result on the original screen (not on preview)-->
5. Technical methods: root rights and firmware modification
If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can turn off watermarks at the system level, which requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, which voids the warranty and can lead to unstable device operation, a method only suitable for power users!
Algorithm of action:
- Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- Get root rights with Magisk.
- With Root Explorer or MiXplorer, find the file /system/build.prop.
- Add the line: ro.camera.watermark.enabled=0
- Save the changes, restart the device.
After that, watermarks will no longer be added to new photos, and old images will require methods from the previous sections.
An alternative is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) in which the watermark function is disabled by default, but this is an even riskier step, because:
- 🚨 It can lead to data loss.
- 📵 Some camera functions, for example, AI-Night photography or mode may not work properly.
- 🔒 Ban on Xiaomi services (such as Mi Cloud or Mi Home).
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Getting root rights is a last resort. Before you start, consider the risks: loss of warranty, possible brick devices, problems with updates. 90% of the time, the methods in sections 1-3 are enough.
Legal aspects: can watermarks be removed?
Technically, removing a watermark is possible, but legally, it's not always legal. The watermark in the photos from Xiaomi has two functions:
- Confirmation of authorship – the sign indicates that the photo was taken on a specific device.
- Fraud protection – prevents the use of images for commercial purposes without the consent of the owner.
According to the license agreement Xiaomi, the removal of the watermark and the subsequent distribution of the photo can be considered as:
- 📜 Copyright infringement (if the photo is used in commercial projects).
- 🔄 Violation of the terms of use of the software (if the sign is deleted by hacking the system).
When removal of a watermark is permitted:
- 🏠 For personal use (print, family album, social networks without monetization).
- 🎨 For creative processing (collages, art projects with the indication of the source).
When removing a watermark is prohibited:
- 💰 When using photos in advertising, articles or sales without Xiaomi’s consent.
- 📦 When distributing modified firmware with watermarks turned off.
If you plan to use the photo for public purposes, it is better to ask permission from Xiaomi or use stock images without watermarks.
7.Alternatives: How to Avoid Watermarks From the Beginning
Instead of fighting watermarks after the fact, we can prevent them from appearing. Here are a few ways to do this:
- 📸 Use third-party cameras: Apps like Google Camera (GCam) or Open Camera don’t add watermarks.
- 🔄 Take off RAW: Watermarks are usually added only to JPEG, RAW-Files remain clean (but take up more space).
- 🌐 Disable cloud sync: Sometimes watermarks are added when downloaded to Mi Cloud.
- 🛠️ Install a patch through Magisk: Disable Watermark module disables the sign without full flashing.
If you shoot for social media often, the best option is Google Camera, which not only bypasses Xiaomi’s limitations, but often gives you better quality shots thanks to improved HDR processing. You can download it from sites like Celso Azevedo (choose the version optimized for your model).
For professionals, Open Camera, which is open source software that supports manual settings, will work, so you can turn off the watermarks.
- Go to Settings → Other camera settings.
- Turn off the option Enable time stamp/geotag.
- In the text section of the photo, make sure that all fields are empty.