How to remove the sound of photos in Xiaomi: Full instructions

Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users face the situation of taking a picture invisibly, but the loud snap of the shutter betrays them. This problem is especially relevant in quiet places, in meetings or when shooting animals that are easy to scare. Fortunately, the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS have different ways to solve this problem, although some of them are hidden from the eyes of the average owner.

In this article, we will take a look at all the existing methods to turn off the camera sound on the Chinese giant's devices, and we will look at both the standard settings available to each user, and the more complex but effective methods for advanced ones. Understanding the nuances of the system will help you always remain invisible.

It should be noted that the behavior of the smartphone can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware. European and global versions of Xiaomi often have restrictions imposed by law, while the Chinese versions are free of such restrictions by default.

Why Xiaomi's camera clicks while shooting

The shutter sound is a software simulation of a mechanical camera to tell the user that it's a good shot, but in some countries, like Japan and South Korea, it's a legal requirement to prevent hidden shooting, and smartphones shipped to these regions don't have a switch-off button even in their settings.

The situation is different on Redmi and Poco devices sold in Russia and Europe, where the sound is often on by default for convenience, but it can be removed. If you bought the phone from an official store, chances are you have a global firmware, where the method of disconnecting may depend on the current one. SIM-maps and geolocations.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of the firmware (especially: EEA — for Europe) the system forcibly turns on the sound of the shutter, if the smartphone is installed SIM-European operator card, this is done to comply with local privacy laws.

There are also system limitations that prevent you from completely drowning out the sound through a standard multimedia volume slider, so that the user does not accidentally take a photo in silence, thinking that the sound is off, when in fact it is a separate system parameter.

Standard way to disable through settings

The easiest and most obvious method that every owner should try is to use the built-in functionality of the Camera app, which Xiaomi developers leave available in most cases by hiding it in the logical settings menu.

To start, open the camera app and look at the interface. At the top of the screen, usually in the right corner, there's an icon with three horizontal bars, which is the settings menu, and you click on it and you'll be taken to the section where you control the basic settings.

In the list that opens, look for "Camera Sound" or "Shut Sound." If your region and firmware version allow, there's a switch next to you, put it inactive, and the next time you take it, the smartphone will be silent, which is the safest method, and it doesn't require third-party software.

• 📱 Open the Camera app on the home screen.
• ⚙️ Click on the menu button (three bars) in the upper right corner.
• 🔇 Find the "Camera Sound" item and turn off the switchboard.

If you don't find one, your version of the software is blocking this capability software, and then you shouldn't despair, because there are workarounds that we'll look at next, and it's important to understand that the lack of a switch is not a bug, but a feature of the company's regional policy.

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Try to switch shooting modes (e.g., from Photo to Portrait) after the sound is turned off, and sometimes the settings only apply after changing mode or restarting the application.

The method of switching regions

One of the most effective ways to unlock hidden features, including turning off the shutter sound, is to change the region in the system settings. The logic is simple: in some countries (for example, India or Andorra), laws are less strict regarding privacy, and the shutter sound can be turned off legally.

To take advantage of this method, you need to go to the basic settings of your smartphone, find the "Additional Settings" section or the "Region" section immediately. Change the current region to "Andorra", "India" or "Taiwan", after changing the region, the interface can change slightly, and the camera settings often appear cherished switch.

It's worth noting that changing the region can affect some system applications, such as Mi Video or Mi Music, where the content feed can change, but the basic functions of the phone are not affected. Once you turn off the sound, the region can be reset back — the camera's audio setting is often saved.

This method is especially useful for users who do not want to install third-party applications or obtain root rights. It is a standard solution offered by the Android operating system itself in conjunction with the MIUI shell.

Use of “No Sound” and Vibration

Many users forget about the existence of physical or software switches for the phone’s modes of operation. On the side of many Xiaomi and Redmi models, there is a special slider that puts the device into “No Sound” mode (the icon of the crossed-out speaker).

When this mode is activated, system sounds, including the sound of the camera shutter, are often blocked at the core level of the system, which works even if the camera settings do not turn off the sound, just translate the lever or select the appropriate profile in the notification curtain.

You can also use Vibration mode, in which case the phone will vibrate with each shot, which may be even more convenient than complete silence, since it gives a tactile response about the shot. To activate, press the volume button and select the vibration icon.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (especially Chinese versions), the No Sound mode may not turn off the shutter sound completely if the camera settings are forced to turn on.

It's a great way to do this, because it doesn't require a deep dive on the menu, and it works quickly. If you need to take a silent photo right away, just switch the sound profile before you launch the camera app.

Third-party camera applications

If Xiaomi’s standard Camera app is blocking the ability to turn off the sound, an alternative software is a great solution. There are many free apps on the Google Play store that completely ignore system limitations.

A popular option is the Open Camera app. It's a completely free, open-source project that provides advanced manual settings and, of course, lets you turn off the shutter sound in one click.

Another option is Google Camera (GCam), which has more flexible settings and better photo processing quality (HDR+) than a stock camera, and also has a sound control unit in the GCam settings that works regardless of the manufacturer’s system limitations.

• 📸 Download Open Camera from Play Market.
• ⚙️ Open the application settings (cogs).
• 🔇 Find the section "UI settings».
• ✅ Remove the box from the "Silent Sound" item».

Using third-party software is a reliable workaround that works 99% of the time, and the only downside is that you have to get used to a new interface that may be different from the usual MIUI.

Comparison of methods of switching off sound

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method depending on your situation and technical background.

As you can see from the table, the safest and easiest method is to change the region or use settings if available.Installing third-party apps requires more action, but gives guaranteed results on any models, whether it is an old Redmi Note or a new flagship.

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The best solution for most users is a temporary change of region to Andorra – it quickly, safely and efficiently removes the sound of the shutter without installing unnecessary software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)