Always On Display (AOD) has become the standard for modern smartphones, allowing you to see the time, date and notifications without unlocking the screen. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face a situation where a familiar option disappears from the menu or simply does not activate. This can be due to the features of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, as well as the type of display matrix.
In this article, we will go into detail about why your device may not have an AOD switch, how to force the function through hidden menus, and which models support this technology at the hardware level. You will learn how to adjust your work schedule to save battery power, and learn how to add personalized styles.
The information will be useful for both beginners and experienced users who want to understand their system settings in greater depth. We will look at the nuances of AMOLED and IPS screens in the context of constant display of information.
Why is Always On Display on Xiaomi missing?
The main reason for the lack of feature is the type of screen matrix. Always On Display technology requires that the pixels can glow independently from each other without highlighting the entire screen, a property that is possessed by AMOLED and OLED matrixes, which are installed in most flagship and mid-budget models of Xiaomi.
If you have an IPS screen, standard systems don't work with AOD, because you would have to light up the entire display to display even one point, which would instantly land the battery, in which case the system can hide the menu item or make it inactive.
The second common cause is a software glitch or regional firmware, and sometimes in MIUI global builds, developers hide features that are available in Chinese versions, and the feature can be disabled by default after a major system update.
It is worth noting that on some budget models with AMOLED screens, the manufacturer can programmatically limit the functionality of AOD, leaving only the base watch or completely removing the option for marketing line separation.
Technical limitations of IPS matrices
Compatibility check and model support
Before looking for hidden settings, make sure your device is physically able to display information on the screen off. Below is a table of smartphone series where the feature is natively supported.
| Series of devices | Screen type | Support for AOD | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 8 - Mi 11 | AMOLED | Complete. | Extended styles |
| Xiaomi 12 - 14 Series | AMOLED | Complete. | Adaptive AOD |
| Redmi Note 8 Pro | IPS | No. | Just imitation. |
| Redmi Note 9-13 Pro | AMOLED | Complete. | Depends on the region. |
| POCO F3 - F5 | AMOLED | Complete. | Playing styles |
If your model is on the supported list but no feature, the problem lies with the software. Owners of devices with IPS screens (for example, many entry-level Redmi Note models or old POCO Ms) should not waste time searching for system switches – hardware is impossible to implement without third-party, energy-consuming crutches.
To accurately check the type of your screen, you can use specialized applications from Google Play, such as Device Info HW or AIDA64, which will show the exact name of the matrix and its specifications.
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AMOLED screen is a must, but not a sufficient condition. The function must be activated at the firmware level for your region.
Classic way of activation through settings
On most current devices with a HyperOS shell or a fresh MIUI, the path to enabling the feature is standardized, but the menu layout may vary slightly depending on the version of the android.
To start, open the main settings menu on your smartphone. Find a section called Wallpaper and Personalization or just Wallpaper. In some versions of the firmware, this item is put into a separate application on the desktop.
Inside the menu, find the Always On Display tab or Always On screen. If you see a switch, just activate it. The system will suggest you choose the display style: analog watch, digital format, animation or picture.
- 🕒 Choose your preferred time format (12 or 24 hours).
- 🎨 Set a bright or dark background to save energy.
- 📅 Add the date and calendar of events.
- 🔔 Set up the display of notifications from messengers.
After you select a style, click Apply. The screen blinks, and in a couple of seconds the selected image will appear on the locked display. If the switch is gray or missing, move to the next section of the instructions.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
Hidden settings and activation through code
If you don't have an AMOLED screen in the settings menu, you can try to activate the function through an engineering menu or special codes, which doesn't work on all versions of MIUI, but it often works on global firmware.
Open the Phone app and enter the following code: ##6484##. This will trigger the CIT (Customer Information Test) menu. Find the Black screen test or Always On Display item in the list. If there is one, activation of the option can unlock the function in the system.
A more effective way for advanced users to use the SetEdit application or similar registry editors. doze_always_on and change the meaning of the 0 on 1.
⚠️ Note: Editing the system registry can lead to instability!
There is also a method of activating via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) from your computer, plug your phone into your PC, enable USB debugging, and type in the command:
adb shell settings put secure doze_always_on 1This command enforces the "always on" mode at the system level, but if the firmware rigidly blocks the function for your region, this method may not work or reset after the reboot.
Schedule settings and smart modes
Constantly running Always On Display can increase battery consumption by 5-10% per day, and to optimize power consumption, the system offers flexible schedule settings.
From the AOD settings menu, select Schedule. There are three main modes available. Mode always keeps the screen active 24/7, which is not recommended for low charge. Schedule Mode allows you to set time intervals, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00.
The smartest option is to turn on for 10 seconds (or 30 seconds), in which the screen only lights up when the smartphone is raised or alerted, and then goes off. This retains functionality but minimizes the impact on autonomy.
- 🌙 Set up automatic shutdown at night.
- 📉 Use the "Energy Saving" mode if the charge is below 15%.
- 🔋 Turn it off. AOD "Ultra-savings".
New versions of HyperOS have introduced a feature called Adaptive AOD. The smartphone analyzes your habits and turns off the display itself when the phone is in your bag or pocket, even if the mode is not on in your pocket.
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For maximum charge savings, use black wallpaper for AOD and turn off the display of detailed notification icons, leaving only time.
Personalization and display styles
One of the main features of Xiaomi’s AOD implementation is its deep customization capability, which allows you to create your own dials using gallery photos or special file formats.
To set your own image, choose the Photo Album style or the Theme Store. The system allows you to upload the picture, automatically trims it into the screen format and applies the blackout effect. JPG and PNG formats are supported.
MIUI 14 and HyperOS have introduced AOD "Super Wallpapers" that respond to touch or time of day changes, and you can download additional style packs through the built-in Themes app by searching for "AOD" or "Always On".
Some styles require a specific version of the theme engine. If the style you choose doesn't apply or a black screen is displayed, try updating the Themes and Wallpaper app through GetApps.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party, modified themes from unverified sources can cause a cyclic phone restart (bootloop.