Watermarks on Xiaomi smartphone screens are a topic that has raised questions among Redmi 9 users. These translucent labels (most often with a brand logo or model name) appear in video recording mode, on screenshots or even in some applications. Many people mistakenly believe that the sign is removed only through complex firmware manipulations, but in fact there are simpler and safer solutions.
It is worth clarifying immediately: the watermark on Redmi 9 is not a screen defect, but a software function. MIUI, The main purpose of this tool is to protect copyright in media files. However, for most users, it is more of an annoying element than a useful feature. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove a mark, including methods without any need to remove a sign. ROOT-rights and with them, and also to tell about possible risks and alternative solutions.
It is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, some can lead to loss of warranty or even "bricking" of the device, so before any manipulation, we recommend backing up the data and carefully review each step of the instructions.
1.What is the watermark on Xiaomi Redmi 9 and why does it appear
The watermark on Redmi 9 is a translucent label that is automatically added by MIUI to screenshots, screen recordings and video from the main camera, usually containing the Xiaomi logo or model name (e.g., "Redmi 9"), a feature that dates back to early versions of MIUI as a way to protect content from unauthorized distribution.
In practice, the sign appears in the following cases:
- ๐ธ When creating screenshots (if the appropriate setting is enabled)
- ๐ฅ While recording the video, the main camera
- ๐ฅ๏ธ When recording the screen through a standard application MIUI
- ๐ฎ In some games (if they use a system) API screen-capturing)
Interestingly, some firmware can even show up on Google Camera or other third-party cameras if they access MIUI system libraries.This is because the feature is stitched into the Android kernel level, not just the Camera app.
Technically, the sign is added through an overlay, a translucent layer that is overlaid on top of the image as it is processed, which is why simple graphics editors like Photoshop or Snapseed canโt always remove it completely without a trace.
Why is Xiaomi adding watermarks?
Method 1: Disconnect via camera settings (without ROOT)
The easiest and safest method is to disable the sign directly in the Camera app settings, which unfortunately doesn't work on all versions of MIUI, but it's worth trying first.
Step instructions:
- Open the camera app on your Redmi 9.
- Go to Settings (cog icon in the upper right corner).
- Find the Watermark or Screenshot Settings section (the title may vary depending on the MIUI version).
- Turn off the switch next to Add a watermark.
- Restart the device to apply the changes.
If there is no such item on the menu, try an alternative way:
- ๐ง Go to Settings. โ Annexes โ Application management.
- ๐ Find the camera in the list and open its settings.
- ๐ Check the permissions or optional section โ sometimes the option is hidden there.
Open the Camera app|Check the version. MIUI (Settings โ The phone)|Make a backup of photos|Reboot your phone after the changes-->
Limitations of the method:
- โ Doesn't work on versions. MIUI below 12.0.3.
- โ Does not remove the sign from screenshots - only with photos / videos.
- โ After updating MIUI tuning may reset.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some firmware (especially global ones) may have the option of disabling the watermark hidden. If you don't find it, don't try to change system files manually, which can cause the camera to crash.
3. Method 2: Use of ADB-teams (no teams) ROOT, PC-only)
If the standard settings did not help, you can try to disable the watermark through ADB (Android Debug Bridge is not required. ROOT-It will require a computer and a little training.
What you need:
- ๐ป Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- ๐ USB-cable (preferably original)
- ๐ฑ Included debugging by USB Redmi 9
- ๐ ๏ธ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website)
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Googleโs Platform Tools (includes ADB).
- On the phone, turn on the debugging. USB: Settings โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI (Press 7 times until the message โYou became a developerโ appears โ Additionally. โ For developers โ Debugging by USB
- Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and confirm your debugging permission.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
- Execute the command to disable the watermark: adb shell settings put global watermark_enabled 0
- Reboot the phone.
Important nuances:
- โ It works on most versions. MIUI (including 12/13/14).
- โ ๏ธ After resetting settings or updating MIUI sign may reappear.
- ๐ If the command fails, try the alternative: adb shell settings put system. watermark_enabled 0
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If ADB Does not recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using another USB-Also check if file transfer mode is on (MTP) plug-in.
Method 3: Removal via Magisk (ROOT required)
If the first two methods donโt work and youโre willing to take more drastic measures, you can remove the watermark with Magisk, a popular management tool. ROOT-This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the loader and installing a custom Recovery.
Advantages of the method:
- โ Remove the sign permanently (until the next update) MIUI).
- โ It works on all versions of the firmware.
- โ Does not affect the performance of the device.
Instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 9 (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
- Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
- Download and install Magisk through the Recovery.
- Install the Disable module MIUI Watermark: ๐ Find it in the Magisk repository (Downloads section). ๐ฅ Download and install through Magisk Manager. ๐ Reset the device.
An alternative is to manually delete system files:
- With Root Explorer or Mixplorer, go to /system/vendor/overlay/
- Find files with names that contain watermark or miui_watermark.
- Rename them by adding the.bak extension (e.g, miui_watermark.apk โ miui_watermark.apk.bak).
- Reboot the phone.
Step-by-step instruction (briefly):
- Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
- Install TWRP or OrangeFox via Fastboot.
- Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 20 for Redmi 9 codenamed lancelot).
- Swipe through the Recovery, having previously made a full backup.
- Install GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (optional).
Risks:
- โ Loss of warranty (if you don't return the stock firmware).
- โ Possible bugs (not working) NFC, camera trouble).
- โ Difficulty rolling back MIUI (requires a complete reflashing).
โ ๏ธ Note: Redmi 9 with Helio processor G80 Some custom firmware may not support hardware video acceleration. Check forum reviews before installing (e.g., forum reviews, XDA Developers or 4PDA).
7. Alternative solutions: how to hide a watermark without removing
If neither method works, you can compromise not to remove the sign, but to hide it when necessary. Here are some working ways:
For screenshots:
- ๐ผ๏ธ Use Photoshop Express or Snapseed to grout the sign with the Healing tool.
- ๐จ In Canva or PicsArt, put a sticker/text over the sign.
- โ๏ธ Cut the screenshot so that the sign does not get into the frame (suitable for social networks).
For the video:
- ๐ฌ In CapCut or KineMaster, add a blur effect to the sign area.
- ๐ Turn the video over to 180.ยฐ (The sign will be below and less visible).
- ๐น Overlay subtitles or logo over the sign.
For screen recordings:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Use it. OBS Studio on PC to capture the screen by USB (watermarked).
- ๐ Write via Scrcpy โ it is mirroring the screen on the computer without overlays MIUI.
The only time when the watermark on Redmi 9 can not be removed by any method is if it is soldered into the hardware of the camera (which is extremely rare and is typical only for some batches of devices released for the Chinese market).
8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When trying to remove a watermark, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| ADB does not see the device | Not installed drivers or debugging not included | Reinstall Mi PC Suite and check for USB Debugging |
| After the phone is turned on, the phone does not turn on. | Incompatible firmware or interrupted process | Run the stock MIUI through Fastboot with the Mi Flash Tool |
| Watermark remained after disconnection in settings | Camera cache not cleared | Go to Settings โ Applications โ Camera โ Storage โ Clear the cache |
| Magisk is not installed | Unlocked bootloader or old version of TWRP | Update the recaps and re-unlock through Mi Unlock |
A few more tips:
- ๐ Always check the version. MIUI before applying the instructions (path: Settings) โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI).
- ๐ก If the sign appears again after the update, repeat the steps of your method (ADB magisk).
- ๐ง For firmware experiments, use a second phone or make a full backup through TWRP.
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Most watermark removal problems are due to incompatible MIUI versions or incorrect sequences. Always follow the instructions for your particular firmware!