How to change the watermark on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones feature powerful cameras that by default add a brand logo to every photo taken.This watermark contains the device model and sometimes shooting options, which can be useful to demonstrate the capabilities of the gadget, but often annoys users planning to post pictures on social networks or send to customers.

Many owners are wondering whether it is possible to completely remove this stamp or, conversely, change its contents. With standard means of the MIUI system or the new HyperOS, you can not change the text of the logo to arbitrary, but there are ways to disable it or modify it through third-party tools. In this article, we will discuss all legal methods of watermark management.

It’s worth noting that the setup process doesn’t require root permissions in most cases, but you’ll need to be careful when searching for the right switches in the camera menu, as developers sometimes change their location when updating the firmware.

Why do you need a watermark and should you leave it?

The watermark in photos is a manufacturer's marketing tool. When you share a picture online, the Xiaomi logo or model name (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra) works as a free brand advertisement. For the company, it's a way of promoting, and for the user, it's an opportunity to show which gadget is a quality frame.

But aesthetically, the white text in the corner of the frame often looks foreign, can overlap important details of the image or simply not fit into the concept of minimalism, and the presence of a stamp can give off a model of your phone, which is not always desirable for reasons of digital security and privacy.

The decision to remove or leave the sign is made by each user independently. If you take a photo for work, portfolio or just like a clean shot without unnecessary graphics, the logo is better to turn off. If you like to brag about the new flagship in front of friends, leave it as it is.

⚠️ Note: In the standard camera app, you can't change the watermark to your own (e.g., write your name) and only use modified versions of the software.

Standard disabling of the logo in the Camera app

The easiest and safest way to remove the label is to use the app's built-in settings, which works on all current versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells, and you don't need to install additional software or change system files.

To start, open the Camera app. In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see a menu icon represented by three horizontal bars. Click on it to reveal the list of options available. Next, select Settings (usually indicated by a gear).

In the menu that opens, scroll down to the "Additional" or "General" section, and you'll find the "Watermark" switch, which can be simply called "Watermark" or "Device Model," and then you'll have the slider inactive (gray) and no logo added when you're shooting.

It's important to understand that once this feature is disabled, the logo will disappear from all new photos. Old images taken earlier will remain unchanged, since the graphics are already sewn into the image file. To change the appearance of the watermark, you need to act before you shoot.

Advanced settings and watermarks of modes

In recent Xiaomi firmware versions, the ability to fine-tune the stamp has been added. In addition to simply turning on or off, the system can offer a choice of style. For example, some models have a large logo of the Xiaomi or Leica series (for flagship models), which is located differently from the standard small inscription.

To check for these options, go back to the camera settings. Look for the watermark settings. If it's available, you'll see the options inside:

• 📷 Model of the device - a standard inscription with the name of the smartphone.
• 🎨 Custom watermark – option to add custom text (not available on all models).
• 🚫 Off - complete lack of graphics.

Also, check the settings for Portrait mode separately, and sometimes the watermark in this mode is controlled by a separate switch, as it can simulate the signatures of professional cameras. Go to Portrait mode, open the settings menu (three dots or stripes) and make sure that there is no separate stamp activated.

⚠️ Warning: Setting up a watermark in Portrait mode may be different from the general setting. Check both sections if the logo keeps appearing.

Table: Location of settings in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s shell interface is constantly updated, and the path to the right setup can change. Below is a table that helps you navigate depending on the version of your system.

If you don't find the switch along the specified path, try searching inside the phone's settings. Type the phrase "water" or "watermark" into the search bar, and the system will redirect you to the desired section.

Use of third-party editing applications

If you don’t like standard methods, or you want to add your unique text to the photo, you will have to resort to the help of third-party software. Officially, Xiaomi does not allow you to change the text of the stamp, but there are camera applications that can cover the standard logo with their own.

One popular solution is to use apps like Open Camera or custom modules to add post-factum watermarks, so you can take a photo without a logo (by turning it off in the settings), and then automatically overlay your text through a third-party app.

To automate the process, you can use automated applications, which, when saving a photo in a folder, DCIM/Camera This requires a deeper setup, but gives you complete control over the look of your shots.

• 📱 Open Camera is a free, open source app that lets you customize your own watermark with any text.
• 🖼️ Watermark X – application for packet addition and removal of watermarks on already finished photos.
• 🛠️ EXIF Editor – allows you to edit the metadata of the file by adding model information to the properties of the file, rather than the image itself.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party cameras, make sure you download them from trusted sources (Google Play, F-Droid) to avoid getting your device infected with malware.

Advanced Methods: ADB and System Modifications

For users familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to hide the watermark at the system level without root rights, although in modern versions of Android this is becoming more difficult.

To do this, you'll need to connect your phone to your computer, enable USB Debugging in the Developer Menu, and install drivers. Commands are entered into the console on your computer.

adb shell settings put global watermark_enabled 0

However, it is worth noting that in current versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, this command often does not work, as the developers moved the control of the watermark to the proprietary settings of the camera application, which are not available through standard settings of the android.

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Before any manipulation of system settings through ADB, be sure to make a full backup of important data to a cloud drive or computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most reliable way to remove the logo is to permanently disable the settings menu of the Camera app. This is safe and works on all Xiaomi models.

To sum up, watermarking on Xiaomi smartphones is a simple task, if you know where to look for the switch. Standard tools allow you to completely get rid of the obtrusive inscription, ensuring the purity of your images. Using third-party tools opens up opportunities for customization, but requires more care.