Many users who have switched to smartphones Xiaomi or Redmiare faced with the question of how to automatically record the time a photo was taken directly on the image. This feature, known as a “watermark” or “date stamp,” is especially useful for those who take a lot of photos while traveling or for reporting, where reference to a specific moment is important.
Unlike some other manufacturers, in the standard MIUI camera interface this option is not always on the surface and can be hidden in additional menus. However, if it is not possible to implement the task using standard means due to the firmware version, there are always alternative methods. In this article we will look in detail at all the ways to put date and time date and time on your pictures
It is immediately worth noting that the approach to setting may differ depending on the version of the shell MIUI or new HyperOS. Developers periodically change the layout of controls to optimize the user experience. Therefore, if you did not find the desired item where it was before, do not rush to get upset - most likely, it has simply moved to another menu.
Setting a time stamp through the standard Camera application
The easiest and most correct way is to use the built-in functionality of the application Camera. In most current firmware versions Xiaomi this function is provided by the developers, but by default it is often disabled so as not to spoil the aesthetics of the frame.
To activate, you need to launch the camera application and go to the settings menu. Typically, the settings icon looks like three horizontal stripes or a gear located in the upper corner of the screen. By clicking on it, you will be taken to the list of parameters, where you need to find the section responsible for additional effects.
Look for an item with the name "Watermark" or Time on photo. In some versions MIUI this switch is placed in a separate menu sub-item. After you activate the toggle switch, the system will begin to automatically add the current date and time to the bottom corner of each new photo.
If you do not see the "Watermark" item in the main settings, try switching to the "Pro" or "More" mode, sometimes the settings are tied to a specific shooting mode.
It is important to understand that enabling this option only affects new photos. Photos taken before the settings were changed will not have a time stamp. If you need to date old files, you'll need to use the editing techniques we'll talk about below.
⚠️ Warning: Time stamps added through camera settings are part of the image and cannot be removed without loss of quality or the need for complex retouching tools. Disable the function if you plan artistic processing.
Features of the function in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The shell interface Xiaomi undergoes significant changes with each major update. What worked in MIUI 12may look completely different in MIUI 14 or HyperOS. It is important for users to know these nuances so as not to waste time searching for non-existent buttons.
In older firmware versions, time settings were often combined with phone model watermarks. You could choose whether to display only the date, only the device model, or both elements at once. In new versions, algorithms separated these functions for greater flexibility.
For example, in HyperOS watermark settings have become more advanced. Now you can configure not only the date, but also geolocation, as well as shooting parameters (ISO, shutter speed) if you use the professional mode. This makes pictures more informative for photographers.
If after updating the system you no longer find the usual settings, it is recommended to check the section Additional settings inside the camera menu. Sometimes developers hide rarely used functions deeper so as not to clutter the main interface.
Using third-party applications to add a date
In situations where the built-in camera for some reason does not allow adding a time stamp (for example, in stripped-down versions for China or specific builds), applications from store Google Play. There are many utilities that do this even better than standard tools.
One of the most popular solutions is the application Timestamp Camera. It allows you not only to set the date, but also to select its format, font, color and position on the screen. You can customize the display of seconds, which can be critical for video recording of events.
- 📸 Timestamp Camera Free - a simple application with the ability to select the date and time format in real time.
- 🕒 DateStamper - a utility that can automatically add the date to existing photos in the gallery, and not just new ones.
- 📅 Auto Stamper - a powerful tool with support for GPS coordinates and customizable templates text.
When using third-party software, you should remember about permissions. Such apps need access to storage and camera. Read the terms of use carefully to avoid leakage of personal data, although most of the popular applications from this list have a good reputation.
☑️ Selecting a third-party application
Editing already taken pictures in the Gallery
Often there is a need to put a date on a photo that was taken a long time ago, when the stamp function was disabled. The built-in editor in the application on smartphones has wide functionality and allows you to solve this problem without installing additional software. Gallery pencil or sliders). In the lower tool menu, scroll through the processing options to the Gallery on smartphones Xiaomi has wide functionality and allows you to solve this problem without installing additional software.
Open the desired image in the gallery and click on the button "Edit" (usually an icon with a pencil or sliders). In the bottom menu of tools, scroll through the processing options to the section Text or Stampsection. Here you can manually enter the current date or use special templates.
Some versions of the editor allow you to automatically pull EXIF metadata from the file itself. If the photo has not been processed in other editors that erase this data, the system will be able to read the original shooting date and offer to add it to the image.
| Adding method | Suitable for | Complexity | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera settings | New pictures | Low | Medium |
| Third-party applications | New and old photos | Average | High |
| Gallery Editor | Only old photos | Low | High |
| EXIF data | View info | Low | No (hidden) |
When manually entering text, be careful with the font. Standard gallery fonts can look too pretentious. Try to choose strict, readable options that will not distract attention from the subject of the photo.
What is EXIF metadata?
EXIF metadata is hidden information inside an image file that contains the date, time, camera model, shutter speed and aperture settings. Even if the date is not on the photo itself, it is almost always inside the file, unless you used special apps to remove it.
Problems with date display and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the function is enabled, but the date does not appear on the photo or is displayed incorrectly. Most often, the problem lies in incorrectly set system time settings or malfunctions in the camera application.
The first thing you need to check is time synchronization in the system. Go to Settings phone, then to the "Advanced" section and find the item Date and time. Make sure the "Use network time" option is enabled. If the time on the phone is wrong, then the stamp will be incorrect.
⚠️ Attention: If you are traveling in a different time zone, automatic time detection may change the date to photo. Turn off automatic sync and set the time manually if you need to keep a timestamp for your home region.
The second common reason is clearing camera app data. If you recently reset or used a memory wipe, all user preferences, including the enabled watermark, may have returned to factory settings. Just check the settings again.
It is also worth considering that in some shooting modes, for example, when using beauty filters or certain AI scripts, stamp application may be blocked by software. Try switching to normal mode Photo and check if the date appears.
Correct display of the date directly depends on the system time settings of the phone. Always check synchronization with the network before important shooting.
How to remove the date from a photo if it is no longer needed
There are cases when the time stamp becomes an unnecessary element of the composition. Since the date is “baked” into the image when saved, simply turning off the setting in the camera for ready-made files will not work - you need to edit the image itself.
The most effective way to delete it is to use retouching tools. The gallery Xiaomi has a function Eraser or Magic removal. Select an area with a date, and artificial intelligence algorithms will try to replace it with a background texture. This method works great on plain backgrounds, but can leave marks on complex textures.
If the built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party applications like Snapseed or TouchRetouch. They have a tool Healing (Recovery), which allows you to carefully erase the inscription while maintaining the integrity of the image.
An alternative option for those who need to save the original is cropping (cropping) the photo. If the date is in the very corner and does not carry any semantic meaning, you can simply crop the edge of the image. This is guaranteed to remove the stamp, but will change the composition of the frame.
Is it possible to change the date display format (DD.MM.YYYY)?
In standard camera settings Xiaomi the date format is usually tied to the system language and region. You cannot change it to an arbitrary one (for example, add a day of the week) through the camera menu. To customize the format, you need to use third-party applications, such as Timestamp Camera, where dozens of spelling options are available.
Does including the date affect the quality of the photo?
No, enabling the watermark function does not affect the technical quality of the photo, resolution or file size. The date is simply drawn over the finished image programmatically before saving. The only negative is the visual change in the frame, which cannot be undone without editing.
Why is the date put on the video, but not on the photo?
In some versions of MIUI, the time stamp settings for photos and videos are placed in different menus or work independently. Check the video mode settings separately. It is also possible that the photo is in a mode that does not support text overlay, such as panorama or long exposure mode.
Where are the original undated photos stored?
If you used a third-party application that creates a copy with a date, the original is usually saved in the same DCIM folder, but with a note in the file name or in a separate folder within the application. If the date is superimposed by a standard camera, a separate original without a date is not saved - the source file is edited.
Is it possible to put a company logo instead of the date?
The standard camera Xiaomi does not allow you to upload your images as a watermark. It only offers text options (model, date). To apply a logo, you will have to use third-party applications for batch photo processing or editors like Canva or PicsArt.