Owners of the Chinese giant’s modern devices often notice that even when locked, the display continues to display useful information, a phenomenon dubbed the Active Screen, or in international terminology Always-on Display (AOD), which allows you to see time, notifications, battery power and even personalized images without having to unlock the gadget or press buttons. For many users, this becomes a familiar and convenient interface element that saves time on daily operations.
However, not everyone knows exactly how this mode works on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, and what resources it consumes. LCD-panels where the lighting is constantly lit, technology AOD most effectively implemented in AMOLED-In these screens, each pixel is individually illuminated, allowing only individual points to display numbers or icons to be active, with little or no energy being used by the rest of the display.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to customize this mode for yourself, what are the limitations and why some models may not have this feature. You will learn how to avoid problems with pixel burnout and adjust the smart display of content. Understanding the principles of Always-on Display will help you make using your smartphone more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
Principles of technology AOD on AMOLED-screen
The fundamental basis for the operation of the active screen is the physical structure of the matrix. IPS-The screens use the total lighting of the canvas, then in AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode, each pixel is a standalone light source, which is a key point: when the screen displays black, the corresponding pixels are simply turned off and do not consume energy. That’s why the active screen on Xiaomi looks like information floating in the void.
The processor or dedicated coprocessor is constantly asking the system for new events, and if there's a message, a call, or a change of numbers, the system activates the diodes that it needs. OLED-In panels, a static image can cause organic LEDs to wear irregularly, so the system regularly shifts the image by several pixels. This microshift is invisible to the eye, but critical for the longevity of the display.
Power consumption is minimal, but it's not zero. Power management allocates resources so that background processes don't interfere with basic work. Unlike the old technology, which required keeping the entire display controller on, modern Snapdragon and MediaTek chipsets have special low-power modes that ensure AOD operation.
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Technology AOD possible AMOLED-screens due to the ability of individual pixels to completely shut down, which is impossible in the IPS-diagram.
Also, the brightness of the active screen is automatically controlled by the light sensor, which at night becomes dimmer to avoid blinding the user, and during the day brighter to read the information in the sun, and this dynamic control provides a balance between readability and autonomy of the device.
Customization and personalization of the active screen in MIUI
The interface of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provides a wide range of customization options. To get into the settings menu, you need to go to the Settings → Lock screen. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called Always On Screen or located inside the Wallpaper section, where the user can choose one of the preset styles or upload his own image.
The system offers several activation modes. You can choose to display continuously, which is convenient if you look at your phone often. The alternative is to display within 10 seconds of touching or receiving a notification. It is a compromise solution that saves charge while maintaining functionality. For those who monitor every percentage of the battery, a schedule mode is available.
- 🕒 Scheduled: The screen is turned on, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00, when you are most active.
- 📱 In the pocket: the smart system shuts down AOD, When the proximity sensor detects the presence of the smartphone in the pocket or bag.
- 🔔 At notifications: the screen lights up only when new messages or missed calls are received.
Personalization goes beyond the choice of watches. You can add pedometer widgets, Bluetooth status, or headphone charge levels. The theme gallery has a lot of animated styles that come to life when you lift a smartphone. However, it's worth remembering that complex animation consumes more energy than static white digits.
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Use dark wallpaper for AOD on AMOLED-screens – it is not only aesthetic, but also significantly reduces energy consumption, as black pixels do not consume current.
The impact of Always-on Display on the autonomy of the smartphone
One of the most common questions is how much the active screen eats the battery, and the answer depends on a variety of factors: brightness, content type, and operating time. On average, a constant AOD can consume between 5% and 15% of battery life per day. If you are critical to maximum battery life, you should use 10 seconds or schedule activation.
Xiaomi's current algorithms have learned to optimize this process, so if the smartphone is still for a long time, the brightness can decrease to a minimum, and then the screen can completely fade, going into deep sleep mode, waking up only on interruption, this is especially true for night time, when the phone is lying on the nightstand.
| Mode of work | Approximate 24-hour expenditure | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Always on. | 10-15% | For users with Power Bank or charging in the office |
| Scheduled (12 hours) | 5-8% | Optimal balance of convenience and economy |
| Only on notice. | 2-4% | For maximum charge savings |
| Off. | 0% | If the battery is in critical condition |
Also worth considering is battery age: on new devices with capacious 5,000 mAh batteries, the impact of AOD is almost imperceptible in everyday use. On older models with worn-out batteries, every percentage counts, so it is better to turn off the function or use minimalist styles.
☑️ Optimization of battery consumption with AOD
The problem of pixel burnout and screen protection
Organic LEDs used in the AMOLED-The blue subpixel burns out faster than the red and the green. If a static image (such as a logo or clock numbers) is displayed in one place for months, a “burn” or residual image may occur, which will be visible even when the content is changed.
⚠️ Warning: Manufacturers are implementing Pixel Shift algorithms. Do not attempt to capture a static image using third-party applications, as this can lead to irreversible burnout of the matrix and loss of warranty.
Xiaomi automatically shifts the position of the active screen elements by several pixels at certain intervals, the user does not notice this, but for pixels this means a change in load. In addition, it is recommended to periodically change the styles of the design. If you use the same clock font in the same zone of the screen for months, the risk of a phantom image increases.
Another risk factor is high brightness combined with high temperature. Using an active screen at maximum brightness under direct sunlight on a hot day creates extreme conditions for organics. Although modern panels have protective layers, extreme loads accelerate the aging of materials.
The myth of burnout
Why the Active Screen is Not Working on My Xiaomi
Often, users are faced with a situation where the settings do not include "Always on screen." The main reason is the type of matrix. As mentioned earlier, the technology is not the same. AOD It is fully working only on AMOLED Redmi and Poco budget models are often equipped with displays. IPS-screens where it is technically impossible or impractical to implement this function without serious damage to the autonomy and quality of black.
The second reason is software constraints: Global ROMs may have some features cut down from Chinese ROMs, sometimes restricting functionality to segment the market or because of licensing restrictions, and may not be available on very old smartphones whose hardware does not support low-energy display modes.
- 📉 Screen type: Check the specifications of your model. IPS or LCD, staffed AOD will not.
- 🌍 Firmware region: On Chinese versions MIUI Functions often appear earlier than on global.
- 📱 Device model: The flagship Mi and Xiaomi series almost always have AOD, The Redmi A or Poco budget segment M/C series.
There are third-party apps from Google Play that emulate the operation of the active screen on IPS-matrixes, periodically turning on the display or using very dim backlights. However, such solutions have a very negative impact on battery life and can lead to accelerated wear of the backlight, so their use is not recommended for experienced users.
Hidden functions and tips for use
Few people know that the active screen on Xiaomi can do more than just show time. In some themes, interactivity is available: for example, when you double tap, applications can run in certain areas (camera, voice recorder, flashlight), which turns a locked screen into a powerful tool for quick access.
Also worth looking at is integration with fitness trackers. If you have a Mi Band bracelet, the settings can sync and the screen will go out as you raise your wrist with your watch to avoid duplication of notifications. This is an example of the IoT ecosystem where devices "understand" each other.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party themes from Themes store, check permissions. Some unofficial themes may request access to contacts or geolocation, which is suspicious behavior.
For minimalist fans, it is possible to create their own black and white images and set them as the background of AOD. This allows you to create a unique style that will not distract attention, but will be informative.
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Experiment with themes, but watch for their effect on the battery; custom PNG-Images are often more effective than heavy animated themes.