Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often have an intrusive logo that is automatically added to each shot taken. This label, usually reading “Shot on Xiaomi” or containing the name of a particular model, can annoy those who prefer a clean frame composition without unnecessary graphic elements. Fortunately, modern MIUI shells and the new HyperOS have a built-in feature that allows you to instantly deactivate this parameter without installing third-party software. However, if you want to completely erase the information about the model from the metadata file, or hide its methods in the gallery, you will need more advanced methods.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to eliminate watermarks, from standard camera settings to editing. EXIF-It is important to understand that deleting the logo does not affect the quality of the image itself, but changes the visual perception and technical information hidden inside the file. We will consider the nuances of working with different versions of firmware, since the location of the menu may slightly differ depending on the year of release of the device and the regional version of the software.
Some users also confuse the watermark with a date or geolocation stamp that is customized in nearby menus. Unlike the time stamp, the model watermark is part of the corporate identity and is included by default on all global versions of smartphones. Before moving on to radical measures such as using third-party apps or root rights, it is worth trying regular tools that are safe and do not violate the device warranty.
Standard shutdown via camera settings
The easiest and most reliable way to remove the word "Shot on Xiaomi" is directly in the Camera interface, which works on the vast majority of devices running current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the latest HyperOS. You don't need superuser rights or a computer connection. All you need is a few seconds of your time and access to the settings menu.
To start, open the standard camera app and find in the upper right (rarely left) corner an icon with three horizontal bars or a gear. This is the entrance to the main settings menu. In the list that opens, you need to scroll down to the section related to the design of the images. The item you want is usually called "Watermark" or "Device Model." Put the switch to an inactive state.
Once this option is turned off, new photos will be saved without a logo. However, it is worth noting that old photos taken before the setting change will remain unchanged. If you need to clear the gallery of old logos, you will either have to delete them manually through the editor or use batch processing, which we will talk about in the next sections. Also note that some scenario modes, such as Portrait or Night, may have their own watermark settings.
☑️ Checking camera settings
There's a common misconception that turning off the watermark reduces the quality of the photo or removes information about the parameters of the shooting. It's not. The resolution of the matrix, the bitrate of the video and other technical parameters remain unchanged. You just remove the graphic layer that is applied software over the top. JPEG-file at the time of saving.
Setting up watermarks in different shooting modes
Xiaomi shells are famous for their flexibility, allowing you to customize the display of logos separately for different modes of camera operation. This means that you can leave a caption on photos taken in Portrait mode, but remove it from ordinary shots. This functionality is especially useful for those who maintain social networks and want to brand only certain types of content.
The camera settings menu, next to the main watermark switch, often has an extra button or arrow opening the extended menu. Here you can see checkboxes for different modes: Portrait, Video, Night, Pro. By ticking or unchecking the boxes, you control where the logo will appear. In the HyperOS version, this interface has been redesigned and made more intuitive by combining all settings into a single tape.
- 📸 Portrait Mode: Often has a separate setting to add a bokeh effect or logo frame that needs to be disabled separately.
- 🎥 Video recording: Watermark on video can be more visible and annoying, so turning it off is critical for bloggers.
- 🌙 Night mode: In this mode, the logo can shift to avoid overlapping the light areas of the frame, but its presence is still regulated by a common switch.
Interestingly, some Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM) may have a more aggressive or default logo, while the Global ROM always has it on. This is part of the company's marketing strategy. If you re-fashioned the device from the Chinese version to the global version, the settings may reset, and it's worth checking again.
Why does the logo return after the update?
Remember, changing these settings only applies to future shots. If you're planning a series of important photos, take a test shot and check the result before you start the main shoot, which will save you from disappointment when you find the logo at a perfectly captured moment.
Removal of the logo from already finished photos
It's a common situation where you have to remove a watermark from a photo you've already taken. Fortunately, Xiaomi's built-in gallery editor has powerful retouching tools that let you get rid of the label in a couple of touches. You don't have to download heavy apps from the Play Market if you need to process a few shots.
Open a photo in the gallery and click on the "Change" button (usually a pencil or slider icon). In the bottom menu, select the "Swallow" or "Retouch" tool. In newer versions of MIUI, this tool is often called "AI Lastick" or "Magic Erasure." Just highlight the area with the "Shot on Xiaomi" logo, and the AI algorithms will replace the texture with the background texture.
To remove watermarks from dozens of photos in a mass manner, you have to tinker with one at a time, but there are third-party applications like Watermark Remover or TouchRetouch that allow you to highlight areas in multiple photos at once, and it's important to not overdo it to get a soapy texture in place of deleted text.
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Use the Cloning tool in the editor if AI-eraser is doing poorly. Choose a clean area of background next to the logo and gently paint over the inscription, preserving the texture of the image.
It’s worth mentioning that removing the watermark completely with retouching tools is destructive editing — you change the pixels of an image. Unlike a simple switch in camera settings, this method takes time and care, especially if the logo is on a complex background, such as the texture of clothes or the foliage of trees.
Work with EXIF-file data and metadata
Many users want to not only remove the visible label from the picture, but also to erase the information about the phone model from the technical data of the file. This is necessary if you upload the photo to the drains, to the professional portfolios or just value privacy. The watermark in the photo and the model in EXIF are different things, and turning off the first does not always hide the second.
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a metadata format that stores information about the camera, shutter speed, aperture, shooting date and, of course, device model. To change or delete this data on Xiaomi, you can use file managers with EXIF editing function or specialized applications, such as Photo Exif Editor. In some cases, the built-in gallery editor also allows you to hide details when you send a file, but does not delete them from the original.
The process of editing metadata is like this: you open a file in the editor, find the "Model" or "Make" field, and either clear it or replace it with arbitrary text. This action is safe for the file and does not affect image quality. However, beware: some social networks and cloud storage use this data for sorting, and deleting it can disrupt the chronology or grouping of albums.
| Parameter EXIF | Description | Can we change? |
|---|---|---|
| Make | Manufacturer of the device (Xiaomi) | Yes. |
| Model | Smartphone model (Redmi Note 12) | Yes. |
| DateTime | Date and time of shooting | Yes. |
| GPS Latitude/Longitude | Geolocation | Yes. |
For advanced users working with ADB (Android Debug Bridge, there is a possibility of batch change EXIF-This is especially useful when processing large volumes of photos before publishing on a site where the purity of metadata is important for the user. SEO or copyright.
Hidden settings and third-party solutions
If standard methods don't suit you, there are deeper ways to intervene, one of which is to use a hidden CIT test menu or an engineering menu, although in recent versions of MIUI, access to changing watermarks from there is often blocked, but enthusiasts find workarounds by changing the system files of the camera configuration, which requires root rights.
Getting root rights (via Magisk) opens up access to system files where watermark templates are stored. PNG-If you have a logo file on a transparent file of the same size and name, you can make the camera print the void, but this method is risky: when you update the system, the file will recover, and an error when editing system partitions can lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
- 🔓 Root rights: give full control, but deprive the guarantee and security of banking applications.
- 📱 Third-party cameras: Google Camera (GCam) or Open Camera installation lets you completely ignore Xiaomi watermark system settings.
- 🛠 Magisk modules: there are special modules that automatically patt down the camera system files, removing the logo at the firmware level.
Using alternative camera applications, such as Open Camera, is a safest way to gain full control of your shooting options without the risk of system failure. In the settings of such applications, there is a separate item "Watermark", which is completely independent of the MIUI settings.
The Impact of the Regional Version of the Firmware
Watermark behavior can vary dramatically depending on which version of the software is installed on your device: Global (Global), European (EEA), Chinese (CN) or Indian (IN).
For example, in Chinese firmware versions, the "Shot on Xiaomi" logo may be replaced with a calligraphic inscription or not at all, because in the domestic market, the brand does not need such aggressive advertising. At the same time, in global markets, this logo serves as free advertising. If you bought a phone imported from China and refashioned it to a global version, you are almost guaranteed to get a watermark, even if the original firmware did not have it.
⚠️ Note: When you flash your device from Chinese to Global (or vice versa) through the bootloader unlock, all data will be deleted. Make sure you back up important photos and contacts before starting the procedure.
It is also worth considering that some regions have strict privacy laws that may require manufacturers to provide more control over metadata, so privacy and watermark settings may be more detailed in European versions of MIUI than in other markets.
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The regional firmware version not only defines the interface language, but also a set of pre-installed features, including the behavior of watermarks and the availability of certain camera modes.