Smart cover on Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter a mysterious feature in their settings called Smart Cover, which can suddenly activate by locking the screen or changing its behavior when you don’t even use special accessories. Understanding what a smart cover is is essential to making the device comfortable, as its incorrect operation can cause false positives.

In fact, it's a software algorithm that's tied to a proximity sensor that emulates the behavior of a physical accessory, and in this article, we'll go into detail about how this option works, find out why it's needed in modern models without magnetic cases, and learn how to adjust or disable it properly.

Many users mistakenly believe that this feature is useless if they have a regular silicone bumper, but MIUI and HyperOS use this tool to expand the interface, allowing you to control music or alarm without unlocking the screen, if you have a compatible accessory.

The principle of operation of the sensor and software emulation

The core of the feature is the proximity sensor located at the top of the smartphone. In the classic use case, the smart cover responds to magnets embedded in the original flip cases. When you close the lid, the magnet acts on the sensor, and the system locks the screen, showing the time or notifications.

However, Xiaomi Redmi’s budget and mid-range models often lack a physical Hall sensor that responds to magnets, in which case the system goes into software emulation mode. The algorithm analyzes data from the main proximity sensor: if an object (such as a hand or table) obscures the top of the screen, the phone “thinks” that you have closed the smart case.

This implementation allows you to use the functions of Smart Cover even with normal overlays, but has its drawbacks. Sensor sensitivity can be too high, which leads to accidental locking of the screen while talking or watching video in horizontal mode, which is why understanding the principle of operation helps to avoid false positives.

⚠️ If your phone is locked in your pocket or when you lift it to your ear, the problem may lie in the active function of the smart cover, not in the breakage of the screen.

It is important to note that software processing of sensor data requires calibration, and in some cases, after replacing the display or protective glass, the proximity sensor begins to work incorrectly, which directly affects the stability of the smart cover.

Where to find smart cover settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The settings may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. Most current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS have standardized paths to the switch, but users are often lost in menus.

To find the right option, you need to go to the main settings menu and select the Lock Screen section, which is where all the parameters related to the appearance and behavior of the locked smartphone are concentrated. In some older versions of firmware, this item could be in the Special Features section.

Inside the menu, you'll see a smart cover mode or smart cover switch, and activating this slider triggers the sensor tracking algorithm described above, and here are the main options for placing settings in different versions of the interface:

• 📱 Standard path: Settings → Lock screen → Smart cover mode.
• 🔍 Alternative Search: Through Global Search in the Settings on Cover».
• 🎨 In the theme: Some third-party themes may hide this switch in their settings.

If you can't find this item, maybe your current theme is hiding system settings. Try temporarily switching to a standard Classic or Default theme and checking for the switch again.

Functionality and use cases

Why do you need this feature if you don't have the original case? The smart cover provides a number of handy widgets that are available on a locked screen. When activated, artificial or real, the display can display a large watch, calendar or media controls.

One of the most useful scenarios is using a smartphone as a desktop watch. When the phone is charging and the sensor is triggered (or the In-pocket mode is turned on in conjunction with a smart cover), the screen can show the time in bright mode without consuming much energy.

There's also the ability to customize double tapping or specific gestures that are only available in this mode, like quickly launching a camera or voice recorder without fully unlocking the device, and this is implemented through the shortcuts on the lock screen.

For users who often use in-car navigation, this mode can be useful for quick access to information without being distracted by unlocking.

Sensor problems and false positives

The most common problem that Redmi Note and Xiaomi Poco owners face is spontaneous locking of the screen: you take the phone in your hands and it goes out, thinking that it is in the case, this is due to contamination of the sensor area or software errors.

Often the culprit is a protective glass, and if it's not evenly pasted or has a black frame that covers the sensor, the proximity sensor will constantly receive a "close" signal, in which case the smart cover function becomes a source of constant discomfort.

Another reason is a software failure in the sensor drivers, and after the system update, the calibration can get lost, and in this case, resetting the sensor settings through an engineering menu or calibration application, which can be found in the diagnostic menu, helps.

• 🧹 Clean the top of the screen of fat and dirt, especially the area of dynamic conversational speaker.
• 🛡️ Check if the protective film or glass covers the sensor area.
• 🔄 Restart your device in Safe Mode to eliminate the impact of third-party apps.

⚠️ Note: Do not use magnetic cables or bracelets near the top of the phone if the smart cover feature is on – this can cause the screen to be randomly turned on and off.

If the problem persists after cleaning and restarting, hardware diagnostics may be required, and in rare cases, the sensor itself may fail, giving a constant “closed” signal.

Instructions for deactivating the function

If you don't plan on using special accessories, the feature is better off.This will save you from accidental locks and potential sensor issues.The shutdown process is simple but requires care so you don't get confused in the menu.

First, open the Settings app on your device. Find the Lock Screen section (sometimes called Screen Lock and Password) and scroll down to the General or Additional block.

Find the smart cover mode and turn the switch to the off position, after which the system will stop responding to the sensor overlap as a signal to close the case, the screen will only go out on the timer or when you press the lock button.

In some cases, especially on custom firmware, the switch can be hidden, so you can search by settings: click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings menu and type in the "smart cover." The system will take you to the desired switch.

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Tip: After disabling the function, it is recommended to restart the phone so that the sensor driver is fully transferred to the standard mode without emulating the case.

It should be noted that turning off this feature does not affect the operation of the main proximity sensor during calls. The screen will go out when you bring the phone to your ear, as it should.

Compatibility of models and technical features

Not all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones support this mode equally, and flagship models are more often equipped with full-fledged Hall sensors, while public sector employees rely on software emulation, which affects the accuracy of the response.

Below is a table showing the differences in implementation across different device series, which will help you understand what to expect from your gadget.

Owners of devices at the bottom of the table should be especially careful about sensitivity settings. Software emulation on weak processors can consume additional battery life by constantly polling the sensor.

Critically important to know: On devices with IPS-type screens and a cut-out-drop, the sensor is often combined with a speaker, which makes it extremely susceptible to any overlaps, unlike screens with a hole in the matrix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The smart cover is a useful tool for owners of original accessories, but for most users with conventional covers it is recommended to turn it off to avoid false screen locks.