Watermarks on photos and video from the Xiaomi camera are a standard MIUI feature that automatically adds the name of the device model, date or brand logo. For some users, this is a convenient way to mark photos, for others – an annoying element, spoiling the frame. Especially relevant is the problem for owners of flagship models (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro+), where the watermark can occupy up to 10% of the image area.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to remove a watermark - from the basic camera settings to advanced methods using the use of watermarks. ADB Important: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or ROOT-We will specify the risks for each option and give recommendations on the choice of the optimal solution.
Why Xiaomi is adding watermarks and can they be removed without consequences
The watermark feature appeared in MIUI 12 and became mandatory for all Xiaomi devices, including the sub-brands Redmi and POCO. The official position of the company is: it is a measure of protection against counterfeiting and a way to promote the brand.
- 📱 Marketing: The logo in the photo is free advertising. According to Counterpoint Research, 30% of users recognize the Xiaomi brand by watermarks in photos on social networks.
- 🔒 Security: Watermark with the device's serial number helps identify stolen gadgets (the feature works in tandem with Find Device).
- 📊 Xiaomi collects data on the popularity of models through tags in photos uploaded to the cloud Mi Cloud.
Can you remove the watermark without harming the device?
⚠️ Attention: Ways without ROOT (through the camera settings or ADB) Reversible and do not affect the warranty. Methods with modification of system files (build.prop, firmware Custom) ROM) On HyperOS models (2026), some of the old workarounds stopped working. ROOT Risk to guarantee Difficulty Works on HyperOS Disconnection in Camera Settings ❌ No. ❌ No. ⭐ Very simple. ✅ Yes. ADB-team ❌ No. ❌ No. ⭐⭐ Middle-Average ✅ Yes Editing build.prop ✅ Yes. ⚠️ Partially. ⭐⭐⭐ Hardly. ❌ No (blocking) Installation of Custom ROM ✅ Yes. ⚠️ Total loss. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very difficult. ✅ Yes (on some) Pruning Apps (e.g. Snapseed) ❌ No. ❌ No. ⭐ Very simple. ✅ If you are not willing to risk the stability of the system, start with the first two methods. For experienced users, options with ROOT, But remember: on new devices (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi K70) Xiaomi tightened control over modifications. 📊 What watermark removal method have you tried?Through camera settingsADB-teamROOT and editing system files Applications for croppingNo, just looking for a method 1: Disabling the watermark through the camera settings (no ROOT) The easiest and most secure method that works on all Xiaomi devices MIUI 12 and newer, including HyperOS. Suitable for models: Xiaomi 12/13/14 series, Redmi Note 11/12/13, POCO F4/F5. Instructions: Open the standard Camera app. Touch the gears. ⚙️ in the upper right corner (or swipe left for the side menu on some models). → Watermark (on HyperOS path can be: Additional → Tags in the photo). Turn off the slider next to Add a watermark.Important: On some devices (POCO X5 Pro) you need to further disable the Date and Model Mark separately, after which new photos and videos will be saved without watermarks, old pictures will remain unchanged - they will have to be edited manually.|Open it in the gallery.|Enlarge the image to check the angles|Repeat for video (if necessary)|Restart the device to apply changes--> ⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global Stable for Redmi 10) after the system update, the watermark can be turned on again. Check the settings after each major update. MIUI No watermarked item, try updating the Camera app via Google Play or Mi App Store. On HyperOS devices (2026 year) the path to settings may be different - look for the section Personalization of pictures. 2: Removal of watermark through ADB (without ROOT, But with PC) If the camera settings do not have a turn off option, or it does not work, use ADB-This method doesn't require a team. ROOT, but need: 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original) 📱 Included Debugging by USB smartphone 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official Android site) Step-by-step instruction: Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone Press 7 once-on MIUI (A notification will appear “You became a developer” Return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on debugging by USB and confirm permission Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer mode. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) in the folder with ADB Tools. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell settings put global watermark_enabled 0 To check, run the command: adb shell settings get global. watermark_enabled If the answer 0 — the watermark is off. 1 — Repeat the procedure or check the rights ADB. adb shell am start -n com.android.camera/com.android.camera.Settings --es setting_key watermark_switch --ei setting_value 0 This command directly opens the hidden camera settings.--> ⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14) standard ADB-The command may not work because of the changed configuration structure. In this case, try the method with pm disable: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.camera/.watermark.WatermarkActivity But it will disable not only the watermark, but also some of the camera's functions. If ADB-It didn't work, so go to more radical ways -- but be aware of the risks. 3: Editing system files (only for the purpose of ROOT) This method is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and installed by Magisk or other ROOT-We're going to look at two options: edit build.prop and delete the system. APK. Important: On devices with HyperOS (2026 Xiaomi has implemented dm-verity protection, which can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot) when changing system files. TWRP. Option A: Change build.prop The build.prop file contains the global system settings. To disable the watermark: Install the file manager with ROOT-access (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer) /system/build.prop. Find the line: ro.camera.watermark.enable=True and replace with: ro.camera.watermark.enable=False Save the file and restart the device. If there's no string, add it to the end of the file (MIUI EU) You may also need to change: persist.camera.watermark.enable=0 Option B: Removal APK Watermark is implemented through a separate system package to remove it: in Magisk or TWRP mount the section /system on record (Mount) R/W). Move to the /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/. Find folders: MiuiCameraWatermark Watermark CameraWatermark (on older versions) MIUI) Rename the folders by adding.bak at the end (e.g. MiuiCameraWatermark.bak). Reboot the device. What to do if you delete it after you delete it. APK camera stopped working? If the Camera app gives an error after removing the watermark packet, restore the deleted files and try an alternative method: Install a Magisk module called Disable Watermark. MIUI (You can reboot the device if the module doesn't work, return the original ones. APK backup TWRP. On some devices (POCO F3) You may need to further disable com.miui.watermark via App Systemizer (module for Magisk). ⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, system removal APK This may result in blocking updates. OTA. Xiaomi checks the integrity of system files before installing updates. If you plan to update "over the air", use the method with build.prop or ADB. On Xiaomi models 2023-2026 (for example, Xiaomi) 13T Pro) watermark partially sewn into camera firmware. Even after removal APK It can appear on video mode. 8K Or Pro Mode. In this case, only custom firmware installation will help. Method 4: Install custom firmware (for power users) If none of the previous methods worked, then the radical solution remains to install an alternative firmware. This will remove the watermark completely, but will require: 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (the procedure erases all data!) 🛠️ Established custom recovery (TWRP Or OrangeFox) 📥 Compatible firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience, MIUI EU Watermark-free) Step-by-step instruction: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and waits 7-14 days). TWRP For your model (see instructions for the XDA Developers). Download the firmware without watermarks: 🌍 MIUI EU (European version without branding – Xiaomi.eu 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience (completely pure Android) – lineageos.org TWRP run the Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) Install the firmware through Install and restart: ✅ Complete removal of watermark at system level ✅ Additional features (e.g. Google Camera on Pixel Experience) ✅ Regular security updates Disadvantages: ❌ Loss of guarantee ❌ Risk of “bricking” in case of error ❌ Some features of Xiaomi, for example, IR Blaster may not work 💡Installing custom firmware is the only way to permanently get rid of the watermark on new Xiaomi devices (2023–2026), where other methods are blocked at the kernel level. Method 5: Software-based watermark removal (for finished photos) If you need to remove the watermark from a photo or video you've already taken, use specialized applications. ROOT It's safe for the device. Application Type Cost Features Snapseed Photo Editor Free Tool "Platch" to delete text Adobe Photoshop Express Photo Editor Free Function "Fix" with AI InShot Video Editor Free (with watermarks) Trimming, blurring, background replacement Watermark Remover Specialized Paid (≈300₽) Automatic deletion of text from photo CapCut Video Editor Free Deletion of logos from video without loss of quality Instructions for Snapseed: Open the photo in the application. Select the tool patch (icon with a patch). Click Ready – AI will automatically fill the area. Adjust brightness/contrast if necessary to mask the tracks. For video, use CapCut: Import the video into the project. Click on the clip and select Effects. → Remove the watermark. Circle the Xiaomi logo. Apply the effect and export the unmarked video. ⚠️ Note: When removing a watermark from a video in InShot or CapCut, quality (artifacts, blurring) may decrease. For professional processing, use Adobe Premiere Rush on a PC. This method does not disable the watermark at the system level, but allows you to save old photos without logos. For new photos, combine it with other ways in the article. Common problems and solutions When removing a watermark, users encounter typical errors. We've collected the most common and ways to correct them. Problem 1: Watermark is missing but returned after update MIUI Reason: Xiaomi resets some settings when you upgrade the system.Solution: Repeat the shutdown through ADB Or set up the camera. Install the Magisk module. MIUI Watermark Disabler (Even after updates) Disable automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → System update. Problem 2: ADB Does not see the device Reason: Drivers are not installed or debugging is not enabled Solution: Install Mi PC Suite from the official website. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on debugging by USB (In the command line, type: adb kill-server adb start-server Problem 3: After deleting APK Camera doesn't start Reason: Critical system component removed Solution: Restore deleted files from backup TWRP. Install the Magisk module Camera2API Enabler (can help with camera errors) Fastboot the device (instructions on the camera) XDA). Problem. 4: The watermark remains on the video in 4K/8K Reason: On New Devices (Xiaomi) 13 Ultra, watermark for video sewn into the camera firmware. Solution: Use third-party cameras (like GCam, which supports your model). Install custom firmware (LineageOS). Shoot the video in the camera. 1080p — This resolution is often missing a watermark. 5: The screen displays a warning "System is damaged" Reason: Change build.prop or remove system APK Solution: Install Magisk Universal SafetyNet Fix. In build.prop, add the line: ro.boot.verifiedbootstate=orange Reboot the device. If none of these methods helped, go to the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA — They often provide new patches for new products. FAQ: Answers to popular questions: Can you remove the watermark on Xiaomi without a computer? Yes, if the camera settings have an option to turn off. If not, you will have to use the watermark. ADB (need a PC or receive ROOT. Alternatively, edit the finished photos in apps like Snapseed. Why does it still appear in screenshots after the watermark is turned off? Watermark in screenshots and watermark camera are different functions. To remove it from screenshots, use the same method. ADB-Adb shell settings put global screenshot_watermark 0 Or turn off the Settings. → Additionally. → Screenshots. Will the way with ADB on POCO F5? Yes, POCO F5 base-work MIUI/HyperOS, therefore ADB-teams need to work together. If not, check the firmware version: on HyperOS. 1.0+ Alternative command may be required: adb shell cmd camera watermark --disable Can I get the watermark back after it's turned off? Yes. For that, turn it back on the camera settings. Or use it. ADB: adb shell settings put global watermark_enabled 1 If you delete system files, restore them from the backup. Is it true that Xiaomi blocks an account for removing a watermark? No, that's a myth. Xiaomi doesn't block accounts for modifying system files. However: Violating system integrity can lead to a loss of warranty. On HyperOS devices, some methods (e.g., build.prop editing) can cause updates to be blocked. OTA. If you use Mi Cloud, the watermark on the uploaded photos will remain (it is added when shooting, not when downloading).