Redmi smartphones have long proven to be affordable devices with great functionality, but many users are annoyed by the automatic addition of a watermark "Shot on Xiaomi" or "Shot on Redmi" on each image taken. This inscription often spoils the composition of the frame, especially if you plan to post photos on social networks or send them to customers. Fortunately, the MIUI firmware installed on the Redmi Note 8 provides a regular ability to disable this setting without the need for superuser rights or reflashing the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to remove the logo, from standard system settings to using third-party software to edit already finished images. You will learn how to change the camera settings for future photos, and understand why some global firmware versions may hide the menu item. Removing the watermark is the first step to a more professional use of the capabilities of your gadget.
It's worth noting that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the MIUI shell, but the logic of the action remains the same for the entire ecosystem. We'll look at the nuances of working with the Camera application, which is system-based and takes precedence over third-party solutions.
Standard method of disconnecting through camera settings
The easiest and most reliable way to get rid of the "Shot on Xiaomi" label is to use the app's built-in functionality. The developers have left this option available to all users, but have hidden it deep enough in the settings menu. To start, open the standard Camera app on your Redmi Note 8. Make sure you're in photo mode, not video, as the settings can be duplicated, but the basic menu is called from here.
In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see an icon that has three horizontal bars, which is the optional menu button, click on it, and then select the gear icon that stands for Settings, and in the settings list that opens, you'll scroll down to the General Settings or Advanced block, where the switch is hidden.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't see "Watermark" on the menu, your firmware version may have regional restrictions, in which case try switching the device region in your system settings to "India" or "Nepal", restart your smartphone and check the camera menu again.
Find a line called Watermark and put the slider inactive, and then the system will stop adding logos to new images, and it's important to understand that this action does not affect the photos you've already taken, they will remain with the inscription unless you edit them separately.
Working with different shooting modes and modules
The feature of the MIUI shell is that the watermark settings can be applied globally or selectively, depending on the software version. Redmi Note 8 most often has a single switch that removes the inscription from all modes: portrait, night, panorama and standard shooting. However, in some versions of the firmware there are separate toggles for different scenarios.
If you notice that the logo still appears in Portrait or Night mode after you turn off the main watermark, carefully examine the top of the camera settings menu. There may be additional items such as Model Watermark or Time Watermark, and disabling each requires a personalized approach.
- 📸 Main mode: Requires to disable the master switch in general settings.
- 🌙 Night mode: sometimes has its own date stamp and model setting.
- 👤 Portrait: can add a logo separately if the function (improvement) with branding is activated.
Also worth mentioning is the AI Camera feature, which automatically recognizes scenes. In rare cases, activation of certain AI scenarios can trigger re-appearance of tags if a software failure occurs, in which case cleaning the camera app cache through the application management menu helps.
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If you change your camera settings frequently, take a screenshot of the perfect configuration before experimenting to get back to working quickly.
Use of third-party editing applications
What if photos with the words "Shot on Xiaomi" are already taken and there are hundreds of them? Manually cropping each image is long and inefficient. For batch processing or quick removal of the logo from one photo, the best way to use specialized applications from Google Play. They use cloning or intelligent filling algorithms (Content-Aware Fill) to remove objects.
One of the most effective tools is the Snapseed application.
The algorithm of actions in Snapseed:
1. Open the photo.
2 Tools -> Point.
3. Enlarge the photo (zoom).
4. Carefully thumb through the text.
5. Keep a copy.Other popular apps, like TouchRetouch or Meitu, offer even more advanced features, which allow you to highlight areas of complex shape, which is true if the watermark on the Redmi Note 8 hits a person's face or complex pattern. Paid versions of such programs often have a "Lastick" function with automatic border definition.
☑️ Pre-editing checks
Hidden functions and engineering menu
For advanced users who are not afraid to experiment with system settings, there is access to hidden functions through the codes of the engineering menu. However, it is worth cautioning that in modern versions of MIUI, access to deep camera setup through codes like # #6484## (Cit menu) is often limited to hardware testing functionality and does not contain software change options.
However, there is a method of changing regional settings, which we touched on in part earlier: Changing the region to China in the phone settings (Settings -> Additional -> Region) can open up access to features not available in global firmware. In the Chinese version of the camera, the logic of watermarking can differ, and it is sometimes easier to find a switch.
| Region | Availability of watermark | Difficulty in removal | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia/CIS | Aye (standard) | Low. | Minimum. |
| Europe (Global) | There is. | Low. | Absent. |
| China (CN) | There (often more) | Medium | Tall. |
| India | There is. | Low. | Present. |
⚠️ Warning: Changes in region may affect some system applications, weather widgets and news feeds. After making changes to camera settings, it is recommended to return the region back to avoid localization problems.
Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to force the camera to change settings is also possible, but requires a computer connection and command line skills.Adb shell settings put global commands can modify hidden flags, but without the exact key value for your version of MIUI, it's best not to risk it.
Alternative Camera Applications
If the regular camera app on the Redmi Note 8 does not suit you not only with watermarks, but also with the quality of processing, an excellent solution will be the installation of alternative software. The mobile photography market offers many options that completely ignore system limitations and do not add unnecessary logos.
One of the best solutions is to install Google Camera ports (GCam), which are modified versions of the camera from Pixel smartphones, adapted by enthusiasts for other devices. The Redmi Note 8 (Snapdragon 665) works perfectly with the GCam 7.x and 8.x versions. They provide better dynamic range (HDR+) and night shooting, and also allow you to flexibly adjust watermarks or turn them off completely.
- 📷 Open Camera: A completely free, open source app, no ads and default watermarks.
- 🌐 GCam (Ports): requires a specific version for the Snapdragon 665 processor, gives better photo quality.
- 🎨 VSCO / Camera FV-5: Apps for lovers of manual settings and filters that do not add branding.
When installing a third-party camera, it is important to give it all the necessary permissions to access files and microphone. Unlike a system application, "camera substitutes" do not have deep integration with hardware at the driver level, so in rare cases they may run slower or not support all auxiliary lenses (macro, depth) in full.
Where to download the safe GCam?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will my camera settings disappear if I update MIUI?
Can I change the text of the watermark to my own?
Does the watermark affect the quality of the photo?
Why is there a sign in some photos in the gallery and not in others?
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The most effective way is to permanently shut down the settings, if you don't, change the region, if you want to remove the finished photos, just retouch the editors.
To sum up, getting rid of the intrusive Redmi Note 8 is a solvable and non-technical task. Using the built-in settings, you are guaranteed to remove the logo from future shots, and using third-party editors will clear the archive of old tags. Experiment with settings, try alternative cameras and make your photos truly yours.