How to remove the camera from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Why the camera interferes with the lock screen and how to hide it

The camera icon on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 lock screen is a standard MIUI feature that allows you to quickly take a picture without unlocking your phone. However, for many users, this element becomes a source of discomfort: accidental taps lead to the activation of the camera, and its location takes up useful screen space. Moreover, in some scenarios (for example, when using the phone in public places or with children's hands), rapid access to the camera can create privacy risks.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can remove a camera icon from the Redmi 9 lock screen, including the official MIUI settings, ADB commands for power users, and alternative solutions. It’s important to note that the methods differ in complexity and consequences: some require administrator rights, others only a few taps on the menu, and we’ll also analyze why Xiaomi doesn’t provide a direct option to disable this element in standard settings.

Before you start making changes, make sure your Redmi 9 runs on the current version of MIUI (check Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version). On older firmware (below MIUI 12), some methods may not work due to system limitations.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use hidden MIUI options, which are not always obvious to users. Depending on the firmware version, the path to settings may vary slightly, but the general logic remains.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the settings on your Redmi 9.
2. Go to the Lock Screen section (in some versions of MIUI it is called Lock and Password).
3. Click on the Additional Lock screen settings (or similar).
4. Find the option of Shortcuts on the lock screen or Quick Actions.
5. In the list of available shortcuts, uncheck the box from the Camera item.
6. Save the changes and restart the device (optional, but recommended).

If your version of MIUI does not have a Shortcut on the lock screen, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 Find the Camera app in the list and open its settings.
• 🔒 Check for the option Show on the lock screen and turn it off.

Important: on some versions of MIUI (especially global ones), the option to turn off the camera may be hidden, in which case resetting the lock screen settings will help:

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the lock screen settings will delete all saved fingerprints, graphic keys and PIN-Prepare a backup of important data in advance!

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting locking settings

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If standard settings don’t work, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) commands, which require connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, but is guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Step-by-step:

Install ADB Tools on PC| Enable USB debugging on Redmi 9| Connect your phone to your computer | Allow debugging on your phone screen-->

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then execute the command to turn off the camera icon:

adb shell settings put global lockscreen_camera_disable 1

Once you've completed the command, restart the phone. The camera icon should disappear. To get it back, use the same command, replacing it with 1 by 0.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not execute commands unless you are sure of their purpose, for example, the error command adb shell pm uninstall. --user 0 com.android.camera will completely remove the camera app, which will require flashing the phone!

Method 3: Third-party applications for customization

If the first two methods didn’t work or seemed too complicated, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, which offer flexible lock screen settings, including removing unnecessary items, but there are downsides to this approach: some apps require root rights, while others may contain ads or collect data.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 9:

For LockScreen Customizer or Hi Locker installation:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the necessary permissions.
3. In the settings, find the section Shortcuts or Lock screen elements.
4. Turn off the camera icon display.
5. Save the changes and install the app as the default lock screen.

💡

Before installing a third-party lock screen, check user reviews for compatibility with your version of MIUI. Some apps may not work properly on Redmi 9 with MIUI 13+.

If you choose to use the Xposed Framework, note that it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing custom recovery (e.g. TWRP). The process is complex and risky, but gives you complete control over the interface. Detailed instructions for installing Xposed for Redmi 9 can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If none of these methods worked, your version of MIUI may have a strict restriction on lock screen customization, leaving a radical set of measures:

• 🔄 Update firmware. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → System updates. Sometimes new versions MIUI Add flexibility in settings.
• 📲 Install custom firmware. Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience allows you to fully customize the lock screen, but requires unlocking the bootloader and technical skills.
• 🛠️ In some cases, the specialists can disable the icon through the engineering menu (for example, using the code # # #4636##), but this is not guaranteed.

On some versions of MIUI for Redmi 9 (e.g. MIUI 12.5 Enhanced), the camera icon is hard-stitched into system files and not deleted by standard methods. The only reliable way is to edit the framework-res.apk file through decompilation, which requires root rights and knowledge in the Android modification.

If you are not ready for radical measures, you can make a compromise:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-a code or pattern lock instead of a fingerprint, which will reduce the risk of accidentally tapping the camera.
• 📱 Install a case with a magnetic lock that will automatically lock the screen when closed.
• 🚫 Turn off the camera’s quick start by double pressing the power button (in the Camera app settings).

Risks and cautions

Before you make changes to Redmi 9 system settings, consider the possible consequences:

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Or modifying system files without root can cause the lock screen settings to reset, in which case you will need to enter the password from your Mi Account if it was tied to the device. If you forget the password, unlocking your phone will become impossible without contacting the service center!

Other potential problems:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption when using third-party lock screens.
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities if the customization application has access to sensitive data.
• 🔄 Unstable phone performance after system files are modified (e.g., occasional reboots).

If you decide to use custom firmware, consider:

• 📱 Redmi 9 Warranty Will Be Revoked After bootloader Unlocks.
• 🔌 Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster NFC) They may not work properly.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI They will no longer automatically act.

💡

Before any system modifications, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will allow you to restore your phone in the event of a crash.

Alternative solutions: if the camera cannot be removed

If all attempts to remove the camera icon have failed, consider alternative approaches to solving the problem:

1. Use gestures instead of icons

Set up a gesture to start the camera instead of taping the icon, for example, in MIUI you can double-press the power button to start the camera, and then turn off the gesture:

Settings → Lock screen → Gestures → Double pressing of the power button

2. Hiding the icon through accessibility settings

In some cases, the icon can be “hidden” using the screen zoom function:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Increase.
2. Turn on the option and set the scale to 100%.
3. The camera icon can move beyond the visible area of the screen.

3. Replace the lock screen with minimalist

Install wallpaper with a dark background and minimalist design, which will visually "hide" the camera icon, for example, use wallpaper with black background and fine text at the bottom of the screen.

4. Disconnect the camera through device policies

If your Redmi 9 is being used in a corporate environment, the administrator can disable the camera via Android Enterprise or Mi Device Management.This is a radical method, but it will completely remove access to the camera, including the icon on the lock screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the camera from the lock screen