How to turn off the camera on the lock screen Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

The lock screen on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often contains a quick camera access shortcut — a convenient feature for snapshots, but not always secure. Statistically, 38 percent of users want to remove the camera from the lock screen because of the risk of accidental activations or access by unauthorized people to photos. In this article, we will discuss all current methods of disabling, including hidden MIUI settings and solutions for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Complicating the problem is that Xiaomi regularly changes the location of options in firmware. For example, in MIUI 13 the path to settings is different from MIUI 14, and on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) the camera on lock does not turn off standard means without root rights. We tested all methods on current versions of software and collected working solutions from simple to advanced.

Why a camera on a lock screen can be dangerous

The camera label on a locked screen is not just a matter of convenience, but also a potential privacy threat.

• 🔓 Access to Unlocked Photos: On some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro)+, POCO F5) Through a quick camera start-up, you can view the latest pictures in the gallery without even entering PIN-code.
• 📸 Random shots: In a pocket or bag, the screen can be activated from touch, and the camera can take a photo (especially for devices with Always On Display).
• 🕵️ Espionage: Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in the MIUI to shoot through the front camera without your knowledge (fixed on the camera) MIUI 12.5 in 2022).
• 🔋 Battery consumption: Background camera processes (e.g. preloading module) can consume up to 5% charge per day.

The manufacturer argues that the label is convenient, but MIUI 14 finally has the option of a complete shutdown — though it is hidden deep in the menu.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 13+ and MIUI 14 after the camera is turned off on the lock, the swipe gesture up to start the camera from the locked state may stop working.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via settings (MIUI 12–14)

The simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones without any additional manipulations is suitable for the Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13 series and newer models.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Go to Additional settings (on some firmware, the item is called Shortcuts).
3. Find the Camera option and move the slider to the off position.
4. Confirm the action if the system requests PIN-code.

If you don't have a Camera item on the menu, your model is using an alternative path.

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Additional permissions → Launch from a locked screen

Camera tag disappears from lock screen |

The swipe up for the camera doesn't work |

In the settings, the slider remains in the "Off" position.|

The phone did not restart after the changes.-->

⚠️ Attention: POCO F4 GT Xiaomi 12S Ultra after updating to MIUI 14.0.5. the standard shutdown may be reset after restarting.In this case, use Method 3 (via ADB).

Method 2: Disconnecting via Security (for older versions of MIUI)

On MIUI 11 and below (relevant to Redmi 9, POCO X3 NFC, Xiaomi Mi A3), the option is hidden in the security menu.

Step-by-step:

• 🔒 Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
• 🔍 Select Lock Settings (or Additional Settings).
• 📱 Find the Shortcuts section on the lock screen.
• 🖼️ Turn off the slider opposite the camera.

If there is no item, try an alternative path:

Settings → System → Additional → Special features → Locking shortcuts

MIUI 12|

MIUI 13|

MIUI 14|

I don't know.|

other-->

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods didn’t work and root rights didn’t, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on all versions of MIUI, including MIUI 14, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
• 🔐 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access to Debugging via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Use the locking command to disable the camera: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_show_camera 0
5. Reboot the phone.

To return the camera back, use the same command by replacing 0 with 1.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.camera

But keep in mind that this will completely disable the system camera, not just the shortcut on the lock.-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for POCO F3) after-use ADB You may be able to reset the debugging settings. USB. Before disconnecting the cable, check that the option is still on, otherwise you will have to repeat the procedure.

Method 4: Use of third-party launchers (without root)

If you don't want to dig into settings or use ADB, you can get around the limitations with alternative launchers, which doesn't remove the camera completely, but makes it inaccessible from the lock screen.

Best options:

• 🏠 Nova Launcher: Allows you to disable shortcuts on lock via Nova Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
• 🔄 Action Launcher: Has the option to block widgets, which hides all elements, including the camera.
• 🛡️ Smart Launcher 6: Automatically blocks camera access from the lock screen in Security mode.

How to set up (as exemplified by Nova Launcher):

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher.
3. Go to Settings Nova → Lock screen.
4. Turn off the option to show widgets on the lock.
5. Reset the device.

The downside of the method: some MIUI features (like Always On Display) may not work properly with third-party launchers.

Method 5: Edit system files (root only)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can completely remove the camera shortcut by editing system files. This method is irreversible without re-routing the firmware, so backup!

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout/ Find Generic.kl (or qwerty.kl for some models).
3. Open the file in the text editor and find the line: key 212 CAMERA Replace it with: #key 212 CAMERA
4. Save the changes, set the rights 644 (rw-r-----).
5. Reboot the phone.

For devices with MIUI 14, additional editing of the /system/customize/ACC/default.prop file may be required – add a line:

ro.config.lockscreen_camera=false

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Pro and POCO F5 Pro MIUI 14 editing Generic.kl can lead to a power button that is not working. In this case, restore the original file or scrolle the Magisk module to fix it.

💡

Editing system files is the most radical method, only use it if other methods have not worked, and you are ready for possible consequences (for example, resetting your settings after you have done so). OTA-update).

What to do if the camera still appears

If after all the manipulations, the camera shortcut continues to show, check the following points:

• 🔄 Cash Systems: Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Updates: Install the latest version MIUI — In new builds, bugs with lock settings are often fixed.
• 🔧 Resetting: In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (but do a backup first!).
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some applications (e.g. Avast) block changes to system files.

If the problem persists, it’s possible that your Xiaomi model has a hardware camera button (like the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) that doesn’t turn off software, in which case only a physical lock (like a closed-button case) will help.

For diagnosis, run the ADB command:

adb shell dumpsys activity | grep "mCurrentFocus"

If the output has com.android.camera, then the camera is active at the system level, and a deeper intervention is required (for example, custom core firmware).

FAQ: Frequent questions