Today’s flagship and mid-range smartphones are no longer just communication devices, becoming full-fledged information hubs that we check hundreds of times a day. One of the most sought-after features that have come to the Android ecosystem with the filing of manufacturers. OLED-The technology is always on display (AOD). In the devices of Xiaomi, this option is implemented through the company shell MIUI (or the new HyperOS, offering users not just static time, but a whole gallery of widgets, animations and useful notifications right on the locked screen.
Owners of Redmi and Poco devices often wonder why their gadgets don’t have this feature, or how to make it work properly without landing the battery in a couple of hours. AOD Xiaomi is a rigid reference to the type of matrix screen: the technology works only on the screen. AMOLED and OLED It's a display, because it requires a personalized pixel glow, if you have it installed on your phone. IPS-panel, systemically turn on the classic Always On Display will not work, as the backlight of the entire screen to display time will lead to rapid discharge and the risk of burnout.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the mechanics of the function, how it can be activated in different versions of firmware, and also look at hidden settings that not all users know about, how to set up a schedule, choose a dial style, and understand whether the game is worth a candle in terms of power consumption.
The principle of operation and the impact on AMOLED matrix
Always On Display is based on the physical properties of organic LEDs used in Xiaomi smartphone screens. Unlike IPS-matrixes, where the backlight is located throughout the area and is lit constantly, each pixel in the AMOLED display is a standalone light source. When the screen is displayed black, the corresponding pixels are completely turned off and do not consume energy, which is why the time and date drawn in white on a black background, have little impact on the autonomy of the device.
However, a permanent static image carries the risk of so-called burn-in, a process of uneven wear of organic subpixels that can leave barely visible "phantom" images on the screen even after a change of picture. Xiaomi engineers have implemented smart algorithms that prevent this effect. For example, every few minutes the image on the screen can shift a few pixels down or to the side, which is invisible to the eye, but prolongs the life of the matrix.
It's important to understand that activating AOD requires certain display controllers to work even in sleep mode, which means that the smartphone doesn't go into deep sleep while the screen is on. Modern processors and optimizing the MIUI shell minimize this expense, but it's still present, especially if you're using complex animated dials.
Technical reference
Availability of the feature in the Xiaomi model range
Not all of the Chinese giant's smartphones support Always On Display, and it's not just about software limitations. AMOLED Budget models of the Redmi Note series (basic versions) or the Redmi line 9/10/11/12 (In some versions, they are often equipped IPS-screens, which makes the function inaccessible at the hardware level.
Global ROMs can have a reduced AOD functionality compared to Chinese ROMs or European builds, and in some cases, the feature is hidden in the menu, but can be activated through special theme apps or third-party software, although this is not recommended for system stability.
Below is a table showing the technology’s support in popular smartphone series:
| Series of devices | Screen type | Support for AOD | Features of implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 | AMOLED / LTPO | Complete. | Adaptive refresh rate, rich choice of styles |
| Redmi Note 10/11/12/13 Pro | AMOLED | Complete. | Standard set of functions, depending on the version of MIUI |
| Poco F3 / F4 / F5 / F6 | AMOLED | Complete. | Frequently updated design themes |
| Redmi Note 10/11/12/13 (basic) | IPS LCD | No. | The function is not in the settings menu |
| Xiaomi 13T / 14T | AMOLED | Complete. | Extended widgets in HyperOS |
It is worth noting that even in supported models, functionality may differ. In older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 11 or 12), the choice of dials was limited to standard styles. With the release of MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS, it became possible to download third-party themes with a unique AOD design through the Themes app.
How to turn on Always On Display
Activating the feature in current versions of Xiaomi shell has become as simple and intuitive as possible. However, the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware.
- 📱 Open the Settings app on your smartphone and find the Screen is always on and locking (or just Lock Screen) section).
- 🔌 In the menu that opens, select the screen always on and move the slider to the active position.
- 🎨 Click on Format or Style to select the look and date of the watch.
- ⏰ Set up a work schedule so that the function doesn’t work at night when the phone is lying on the nightstand.
In some cases, especially on HyperOS devices, the menu may be hidden deeper. If you don't find the item right away, search for settings by typing "AOD" or "Always on." It's also worth checking for system updates, as in early betas, some features may be unstable or missing.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
Once turned on, you'll see the screen light up. Don't be alarmed if the image doesn't show up immediately or late, which is normal for energy-saving mode. The system may require confirmation or show training animations of how the technology works.
Scheduling and personalization
One of the most useful features of Always On Display in Xiaomi is flexible running time management, meaningless to keep the screen on while you sleep or in your bag, and there is a schedule section in the settings menu.
There are three main modes available here: One is Always: the screen burns around the clock until the battery or protection goes off. The second is Scheduled: you set a time interval, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00. The third is 10 seconds after touching: the screen only lights up when you pick up the phone or tap it, which is the most energy-efficient option.
⚠️ Attention: The 10 seconds after touch mode may not work if the phone is lying on a completely flat surface or in a case with a magnetic fastener that blocks the proximity sensor.
Personalization goes beyond watches, and the Xiaomi theme store has thousands of options available, from minimalist digits to animated characters, pedometers, and even live wallpapers, and some themes respond to notifications by changing color or animation when a new message is sent to Telegram or WhatsApp.
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Use dark themes with minimal brightness, which will not only save battery life, but also reduce the risk of screen burnout in the long run.
Battery problems and optimizing consumption
The main fear of users when switching on AOD — fast battery discharge. Really, even with efficiency. OLED-On average, the power of the display controller and the processor requires energy. 1-3% per hour, depending on the brightness and complexity of the animation.
To minimize the impact on autonomy, follow simple guidelines: first, reduce the brightness of AOD in the settings; second, abandon color and animated dials in favor of static black and white; third, make sure to use 10 seconds or night schedules.
If you notice that the phone is running out of standby much faster than usual, try turning it off for a couple of days and compare the results. It’s also worth checking the battery usage statistics in Settings → Battery to make sure that AOD is the cause, not the background activity of any application.
- 🔋 A static black dial consumes minimal energy, as the smallest number of pixels are involved.
- 📉 Brightness AOD automatically adjustable by the light sensor, but it can be limited manually in advanced settings.
- 🌙 Night mode (DND) often-automatically AOD, If this is stated in the automation scenarios.
Frequent questions and troubleshooting
Despite the system’s fine-tuning, users may encounter a variety of bugs, such as AODs that may not turn on after a firmware update or spontaneously shut down. Often the problem is the design conflict: if you have installed a third-party theme, it may override the system settings of the lock screen.
Another common situation is "flickering" or artifacts on the screen, which can be a sign of both software failure and hardware problems. If resetting and returning to a standard theme does not help, you may need to diagnose in the service center.
⚠️ Warning: If colored spots or stripes appear on the screen that are visible even when turned off AOD, This may indicate that the matrix is starting to burn out or that the plume is physically damaged.
In some cases, it helps to clean the cache of the Wallpaper and Carousel system app or reinstall updates for that component through the GetApps store. Also make sure you don't have Power Saving Mode turned on, which forcibly shuts down all visuals.
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Always On Display is a balance between aesthetics/convenience and battery consumption, and a timetable that is well-tuned allows you to use the feature with little or no loss of autonomy.