Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners face situations where the device does not behave as expected, the screen lights up in their pocket, the battery runs out faster than usual, or the interface responds to touch without a command. Often these phenomena are caused by so-called active mode. However, in the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem, this term can hide completely different functions, from the innocuous Always-On Display to specific settings for people with disabilities.
Understanding which option is activated on your device is critical to making it comfortable. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at all the “activity” options Xiaomi has to offer, and we’ll look at how to manage screen burning times, adjust the proximity sensor, and optimize the system to save energy.
You don't have to be a tech person to figure out these settings, we've developed a step-by-step guide that will help you disable or customize your features, and if you configure them properly, you'll extend battery life and avoid accidental taps.
What is hidden under the term “active regime”
When a user is looking for a way to turn off active mode, they often have one of three main features in mind: the first is Always-On Display (AOD), which keeps the screen on all the time to display time and notifications; the second is pocket call mode, where the phone responds to approaching the face or being in the bag; the third, lesser-known option is a gaze or voice control mode designed for people with motor characteristics.
It is important to distinguish between these concepts, since the methods of disabling them are in different sections of the menu. Always-On Display is a visualization function that consumes a significant part of the battery charge. AMOLED-Pocket calling is a system-wide protection against random action, and special features are accessibility tools.
Some users confuse active mode with high performance mode or game mode. However, Game Turbo and energy saving modes work differently. If your phone warms or sits down quickly, the problem may not be in the "activity" of the screen, but in the background. However, it is worth checking the settings of the display and sensors to begin the diagnosis.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling accessibility system features such as gaze control can make the phone unusable for people with reduced mobility.Be careful when changing settings in the "Special features" section".
We'll break down each feature separately so you can accurately identify the problem. It's often the case that a user accidentally activates a feature while trying to increase the brightness or volume, and then can't find where it shuts down. MIUI is known for its deep immersion in settings, so knowing the exact navigation path will save you time.
How to turn off Always-On Display and screen timer
The most common reason Xiaomi’s screen burns constantly or lights up when lifting the phone is the Always-On Display feature, which allows you to see the time and notifications without touching the on button. While convenient, the feature significantly affects the autonomy of the device, especially on models with a high-speed screen. LCD-screens where it is implemented programmatically.
To control this function, you need to go to the display settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You can turn off the display completely or adjust it to work only at certain hours.
- 📱 Go to Settings and select Wallpaper and Personalization (or just Wallpaper).
- 🖥️ Find the section Always on screen (Always-On Display).
- ⏱️ Here you can select the mode: Turn on for 10 seconds, Schedule or Turn off.
If your goal is simply to reduce the time the screen burns after touching, you need a sleep timer. This setting is in the main display menu. It's recommended to set a value of 30 seconds or 1 minute. Longer intervals, such as 5 or 10 minutes, lead to useless charge consumption if you forget to lock the phone.
⚠️ Note: On some models with LCD-The "Always on" function is simulated by periodically turning on backlights, which can lead to uneven burnout of the matrix or the "shooter" effect on the image.
Also worth noting is the "Raise to Power" feature, which makes the screen light up every time you pick up your phone, which gives you the illusion of being in constant active mode, and you can turn it off in the same menu where AOD is set up, or in the "Block the Screen" section.
Pocket Call Mode and Approximation Sensor
Another type of activity that can annoy users is the phone’s response to being in your pocket, which is that if the screen lights up while the phone is in your bag, or if it doesn’t go out while you’re talking, the problem lies in the proximity sensor and call settings, a feature that Xiaomi often calls “Mode in your pocket.”
The main purpose of this function is to block accidental cheekstrokes during a conversation or prevent dialing in your pocket. However, incorrect operation of the sensor or protective glass can lead to false alarms, in which case the phone can "think" that it is in your pocket, and not respond to touch, or behave chaoticly.
To set up this mode, you need to go to the Phone app. This is not the Android system settings, but the settings of the specific MIUI Dialer application, and here you will find the switch that locks in your pocket.
- 📞 Open the Phone app and click on three dots in the corner.
- ⚙️ Select Settings in the drop-down menu.
- 🔒 Find the Mode in your pocket and turn it off if it interferes.
If the settings are not turned off, it is possible that the sensor is contaminated or covered with a thick protective glass. In such cases, calibrating the sensor through the engineering menu helps. To do this, enter the code ##6484##. In the CIT menu that opens, select Proximal sensor and follow the instructions on the screen to check the sensor response.
Sometimes users complain that the phone is not hanging up when they hold it to the ear. This is the reverse problem: the sensor does not see the approach, in which case turning off the "mode in the pocket" will not help, you will need to clean the top of the screen or programmatic recalibration.
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If the proximity sensor is not working properly, try removing the protective glass, often the thickness or black frame of the sensor close to the speaker.
Special capabilities and touchless management
The third aspect of active mode is called Special Options, and here are the features that make your smartphone manageable without touching the screen directly, and it could be gaze control, voice control, or head gesture control, and if you accidentally turn on one of these features, the phone can respond to your movements or words, which is perceived as strange behavior.
The most common feature is "Look Control." It uses a front-facing camera to track your eyes. If you look at the screen, it doesn't go out. It's a useful feature for reading, but it's constantly using the camera and the processor, which leads to heat. You can turn it off in Settings → Additional → Special Features.
It's also worth checking for activated Voice Control, which, unlike the normal assistant, allows you to fully control your phone with voice commands, keeping the screen constantly active for commands, and it's a serious power user.
| Function | Location on the menu | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always-On Display | Wallpaper and personalization | High (AMOLED) | Use it on schedule |
| Pocket mode. | Call settings | Low. | Leave it on. |
| Eye control | Special facilities | Average. | Turn it off if you don't have to. |
| Raise up to include | Screen locking | Average. | Taste it to taste. |
If you're not using these features consciously, it's best to keep them off, and they can conflict with normal controls, creating delays or false interfaces.
☑️ Checking the display settings
Battery optimization and background activity
Active mode can also refer to the background activity of applications. MIUI and HyperOS have an aggressive power saving system that tries to limit the operation of programs in the background. However, sometimes users set up applications to work without restrictions, which leads to the fact that the phone is constantly “active” even in standby.
To check which applications are using energy in the background, go to Settings → Battery → Energy Consumption. Here you will see a list of processes. If you see an application that you are not using but is active, you should limit its rights.
You can set the limit level for each application. Choose No restrictions only for instant messaging, where instant messaging is important. For games, stores and social networks, it's better to set Energy Saving or Smart Limitation, which will prevent them from constantly being active in the background.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 📱 Select a problem application from the list.
- ⚡ Press Energy Saving and select Limit Background Activity.
There's also a feature called "Memory Extension," which uses a portion of the storage as RAM. Although this speeds up multitasking, it increases the number of write cycles per flash memory and can increase the background activity of the system. If you have enough physical RAM (8 GB or more), this feature can be turned off in the About Phone section.
⚠️ Attention: Restriction of background activity for messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) may cause a delay in the arrival of notifications".
Developer Mode and Debugging by USB
For advanced users, it's worth mentioning that active mode can be caused by USB debugging enabled or developer mode. If you plugged your phone into your computer to transfer files or debug, the system could go into a state that prevents you from going into deep sleep.
You can check if a developer is active by looking for the word "Developer" in the settings. If the menu is open, check "Stay awake" if it's activated, the screen will burn continuously while the phone is charging, which is convenient for testing, but harmful to the matrix in everyday use.
To exit debugging mode, simply turn off the USB Debugging Switch. It is also recommended to turn off "Push Demonstration" and "Tap Show" if they were switched on accidentally. These features create visual markers on the screen that can interfere with the view and create a "glitch" of the interface.
If you don't know how to turn on the developer mode, chances are you've repeatedly clicked on the build number in the About Phone section. To hide the developer menu completely, turn off the top switch in the developer menu itself, and it will disappear from the settings list.
How to reset all settings to factory?
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Xiaomi’s screen burn even when the phone is on the table?
How to turn off the phone’s response to being in your pocket?
Does the active mode affect wear and tear? AMOLED-screen?
What if the phone turns on the screen in the bag?
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The right setup of active modes is the balance between usability and battery life. Only turn off what you really don't use.