How to enable Always On Display on Xiaomi Mi 8: Full Guide

What is Always On Display and Why You Need It on the Mi 8

The feature is Always on Display (AOD) The Xiaomi Mi 8 allows you to display key information on the screen even when it's off. It's not just an aesthetic solution - the convenience is the ability to see the time, notifications or battery level without fully activating the display. AMOLED-This technology is implemented with the screen especially efficiently: pixels are illuminated selectively, which minimizes energy consumption.

However, not all users know that the Mi 8 AOD function is initially hidden in the settings or requires additional activation through the engineering menu. Moreover, after the MIUI updates, the location of the options may change, which causes confusion. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable Always On Display - from standard to alternative methods for firmware without official support for the function.

Official method: enable AOD through MIUI settings

If your Xiaomi Mi 8 runs MIUI 10 and higher (including the global and Chinese versions), the easiest way to activate Always On Display is to use the built-in settings.

Open the Settings app (cog icon).
Go to the Screen (or Display in English).
Scroll down to Always-on display & Lock screen (may be called Screensaver and Lock).
Slip on Always-on display and switch on the switch.
Customize the information displayed: time, date, notifications or battery icon.

If the Always-on display option is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI does not support the out-of-the-box function, in which case move to the next section with alternative methods.

Make sure that the MIUI version is not lower than 10.0.3.0

Battery charged at least 20%

Turn off the power saving modes

Check that the screen is not damaged (AOD It doesn't work with broken pixels)-->

For firmware without official AOD support (such as MIUI 9 or custom builds), you will need to use hidden settings. Attention: these methods require caution, as improper actions can lead to system failures.

The engineering menu allows you to activate hidden functions, including AOD.

Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##3646633##.
Go to Hardware Testing → Display → Always On Display.
Turn on the option and save the settings.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If the engineering menu is not available, you can use it. ADB-For this, for this:

Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
Turn on USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).
Connect Mi. 8 The command is: adb shell settings put global always_on_display_enabled 1

What if the ADB does not recognize the device?

Make sure Xiaomi USB Drivers are installed. Try using the original cable from the kit. In some cases, switching the connection mode from Charging to File Transfer in the notification curtain helps.

Warning: after use ADB-commands may need to restart the device if AOD If it does not appear, check if it is blocked by third-party software (for example, Greenify or Battery Saver).

Customization of displayed information and AOD styles

Once activated, Always On Display can be customized to its appearance. The options available depend on the version of MIUI, but usually include:

🕒 Watch and date: format selection (analog/digital), backlight color.
📱 Notifications: Displaying App Icons (WhatsApp, SMS, missed calls).
🔋 Battery charge: percentage or icon (can be turned off to save energy).
🎨 Screensaver style: Some firmware features themes (e.g. Minimal or Digital).

To change the settings:

Press your finger on the lock screen (without unlocking the phone).
Slap the icon. ⚙️ Settings in the bottom corner.
Select the desired parameters and save.

Minimalistic (time only)

Notified.

With battery percentage

Animated (for example, moving clocks)-->

Important: on Xiaomi Mi 8 with firmware older than MIUI 12.5, battery consumption increases by 10-15% in 8 hours when choosing animated AOD styles.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Despite the simplicity of the feature, Mi 8 users often have difficulty working with Always On Display.

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
AOD is not included	There is no support in the firmware	Update MIUI to the latest version or use ADB
The screen goes out in 10 seconds.	Power saving mode activated	Turn off the battery → Modes → Energy saving
AOD flashes or twitches	shell conflict (e.g., Nova Launcher)	Return to the standard launcher or upgrade it
Notifications are not displayed	Restrictions for applications in settings	Check the settings → Applications → Permits

⚠️ Note: if after activation AOD The screen is overheating, turn off the function immediately, which may indicate a hardware defect. AMOLED-panels or a failure in the display drivers, in this case, it is recommended to contact the service center.

The Impact of Always On Display on Mi 8 Autonomousity

One of the main questions users have is how AOD affects battery life, according to tests on Xiaomi Mi 8 with a battery capacity of 3400 mAh:

🔋 Static AOD (hours only: expense ~1-2% per hour.
📊 AOD with notice: expense ~2-3% per hour.
⚡ Animated styles: up to 5% per hour (not recommended for active use).

By comparison, without AOD, the phone loses ~0.5 to 1% of its charge per hour in standby mode, so it increases its consumption by 15 to 20% per day in moderate use, to smooth out the effect:

Turn off AOD overnight or at low charge (less than 15%).
Use dark themes – they save energy on AMOLED.
Check the background: apps like Facebook or Instagram can increase your spending.

💡

If you want a trade-off between convenience and autonomy, set up a schedule for AOD, for example, activate it only during business hours (9:00-18:00) through the MacroDroid or Tasker app.

Comparison with other flagships Xiaomi: should you use AOD on the Mi 8?

The Xiaomi Mi 8 was released in 2018, and its hardware platform (Snapdragon 845 + AMOLED FHD+) is still relevant, but compared to new models (such as the Mi 11 or Mi 12), it has limitations:

Model	Support for AOD	Additional functions	Battery consumption (AOD)
Xiaomi Mi 8	Yes (with MIUI 10+)	Basic styles, notifications	1-3%/hour
Xiaomi Mi 9	Yes.	Animation, customization of colors	1-2%/hour
Xiaomi Mi 10	Yes.	Always On with music, weather	0.8-2%/hour

As you can see from the table, the Mi 8 is lagging behind in terms of flexibility, but the basic functionality is preserved. If you have enough display time and notifications, the difference with new models will be minimal. The main advantage of the Mi 8 is the stability of AOD even on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where new devices can experience bugs.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I turn on AOD on Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 9?

Officially, no, as support for the feature only appeared in MIUI 10, but you can try activating it via ADB or engineering menu (see section above). Note that on older firmware, AOD can run unstable or cause overheating of the screen.

Why does AOD not show notifications from some apps?

This is related to permission settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select the desired application (such as Telegram), and turn on the option to Show notifications on the lock screen. Also check if the application is added to the list of Optimized in battery settings.

How to turn off AOD at night automatically?

In standard settings MIUI There is no such option, but you can use third-party applications: Install MacroDroid from Google Play. Create a macro with the condition Time. → 23:00 to 7:00 Add the action Turn off Always On Display (required) ADB-Alternatively, manually shutting down before bed through the notification curtain (if the appropriate switch is added).

AOD works, but the screen fades after a few minutes. How do you fix it?

This is a typical problem with activated adaptive brightness mode. Turn it off in Settings → Screen → Adaptive Brightness. Also check if Night Mode or Reading is on – they may conflict with AOD. If the problem persists, reset the screen to factory settings (Settings → System → Resettings → Screen Settings Resettings → Screen Resettings).

Will AOD work after replacing the screen with a non-original one?

It depends on the quality of the replacement. AMOLED-Cheap analogues may not support the function due to the lack of drivers for Always On Display. Before replacing, check with the wizard if the panel is certified for the Mi 8. AOD stopped working after repair, try reflashing the device or returning the original screen.