Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter intrusive interface elements that interfere with the comfortable use of the device. One of these elements is the camera icon located in the lower right corner of the lock screen. Although this feature is designed to quickly access shooting, many users consider it unnecessary, as it can accidentally activate in the pocket or just visually pollute the space.
In earlier versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, developers have implemented strict restrictions on the customization of the lock screen. Standard system tools can not remove this label, which is puzzling for users accustomed to flexible android settings. However, there are proven methods to circumvent these limitations and return the clean interface without losing warranty or stability.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the solutions available, from simple switches to the settings menu to the use of specialized applications and hidden engineering codes, and learn which models support native shutdown and where you will have to resort to third-party tools to achieve the desired result.
Why you can’t just turn off the camera in the settings
Xiaomi’s policy in recent years has been to unify user experience and keep the focus on key features. The camera button on Lock Screen is positioned as a quick access element, similar to a flashlight or voice recorder. The company’s engineers deliberately hide the possibility of turning it off in the standard menu so that the user can capture an important moment at any time, even without unlocking the phone.
However, this approach ignores the needs of those who prefer minimalism. The lack of a switch in the Settings menu → The lock screen is not a firmware error, but an intentional design choice. In some regions and on certain versions of Android (for example, Android 13 or 14), these restrictions may be tougher than on previous versions of the OS.
It's worth noting that trying to find this switch in standard settings often leads to a dead end. Even in advanced MIUI settings, you won't find "Remove the camera." This requires the use of workarounds, which we'll discuss below. It's important to understand that each firmware update can change the methods available, so the relevance of the information is critical.
Using themes for full customization
The safest and most legal way to change the look of a lock screen is to use themes from the official MIUI Themes store. Some theme creators modify the system files of the interface by hiding standard shortcuts, including the camera and flashlight, which requires no root rights and is safe to guarantee the device.
To start, open the Themes app on your smartphone. Search for queries like "No Camera," "Clean Lock Screen," or "Minimalist." The themes often indicate whether they remove system widgets. Once you install the theme and apply it to the lock screen, check the result. If the shortcut is gone, the problem is solved without interference.
- 🎨 Open a theme store and search for the keywords “Clean” or “Minimal".
- 📥 Download only those topics that have a high rating and positive reviews about the operation of the lock screen.
- 🔄 Use the theme in its entirety or only the Lock Screen and System components to test the effect.
If a standard store does not work, you can use third-party theme stores, but this requires caution. Installation of themes from unknown sources can lead to unstable system operation or the appearance of advertising banners. Always check the permissions that the theme requests when installing.
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Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of the current lock screen to quickly bring everything back if the new theme doesn’t like you or causes crashes.
Use of third-party applications to block
When built-in tools and themes don’t work, the replacement lock screen apps come to the rescue, replacing Xiaomi’s standard lock mechanism completely, giving the user full control over the interface elements, and you can decide which buttons to display and which to hide.
One of the most popular solutions is Hi Locker or KLCK Lock Screen, and once you install it, you'll need to give it a number of permissions, including access over other applications and device administrator rights, so that the program can intercept the event.
☑️ Setting up a third-party lockscreen
In the settings of the selected application, find the section responsible for shortcuts or shortcuts. There you will see the items "Left Shortcut" and "Right Shortcut." Set the value "None" or "No" for the lower right corner, where the camera is usually located. Then when you turn on the screen, you will see the interface of the selected application without the extra icon.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party lock screens can increase battery consumption, as they consume additional CPU resources.In addition, in emergency situations, calling emergency services can be difficult if the application is not configured correctly.
Settings through the Engineering Menu and ADB
For advanced users who are not afraid to work with code, there is a method to disable the function through ADB debugging (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to make changes to system settings that are hidden from the average user, but it requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.
First, activate Developer Mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI or HyperOS version number seven times. Then, in the Advanced Settings menu, turn on "Debugging on USB." Connect your phone to your PC and use the command to change the global shortcut setting.
adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_show_camera 0In some cases, the command may differ depending on the version of the Android. If the standard command does not work, you can try using more specific keys associated with Keyguard. It is important to understand that after resetting settings or updating the system, these changes can be canceled and you will have to repeat the procedure.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Comparison of Camera Shutdown Methods
The right method depends on your technical skills and goals. If you want stability and you don't want to take risks, you'd better use themes. If you want full control and you're willing to put up with the possible increased battery consumption, third-party apps will do. ADB-The methods are suitable only for experienced users.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI themes | Low. | Tall. | Medium (depending on the topic) |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Medium | Tall. |
| ADB team | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Root rights | Very high. | Low. | Maximum |
Analyzing the table, we can conclude that for most users, the optimal balance between security and the result is finding the right theme. However, if the theme does not hide the camera completely, switching to Hi Locker is the best solution.
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The most reliable way that does not require the installation of additional software is to search for a specialized theme in the official store, which software hides system shortcuts.
Possible problems and solutions
In the process of setting up, you may find that after installing a theme or application, the camera still appears, often due to the system cache or aggressive battery optimization, which kills the processes of third-party blockers, in which case you need to add the application to the autoboot and exclude it from the energy savings.
Another common problem is widget conflict, where if you use weather or music widgets, they can block the area where the button should be, or they can cause it to appear, and try removing all widgets from the lock screen and leaving only the clock to check if the camera disappears.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Save charge and select No Limits mode for the lock application.
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the “Themes” and “Security” application through the Memory Management Menu.
- 📱 Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed. MIUI Themes from an official source.
Also worth mentioning is the specifics of how Face ID works on Xiaomi: If facial unlock is active, the system can force the camera to be scanned, even if the label in the interface is hidden, this behavior is embedded in security algorithms and is only disabled by completely refusing biometric unlock.
⚠️ Note: When using modified system files or deep-implemented themes (Deep Mod), there is a risk of a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot). ADB Restore access to the system.