Always On Display (AOD) has long been the standard feature for modern smartphones, allowing you to see time and notifications without turning on the screen. However, owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often encounter unusual behavior of this feature, which has been called “Always on edge” or simply “blinking screen”, this phenomenon can annoy users waiting for a static picture, or, conversely, be a desired effect for those who want to attract attention to incoming messages.
The problem or feature is that instead of constantly glowing, the screen periodically lights up, showing information, and then goes out to save energy. In the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, the logic of this component may differ from stock Android, which causes confusion. Key point: most budget and mid-budget models Xiaomi uses software AOD, which physically cannot burn constantly without the risk of burning out the matrix, so the edge or flashing mode is a standard protection.
In this guide, we will take a look at how to manage this behavior, where hidden settings are hidden, how to activate pocket mode, and what to do when the screen is unpredictable, and understanding AMOLED arrays and energy saving algorithms will help you customize your device to suit your needs.
Differences between permanent and periodic regimes
Before you start settings, you need to clearly understand the technical difference between the modes of operation of the display. Xiaomi smartphones implemented two main approaches. The first is the classic Always On Display, which is available mainly on flagship models with support for LTPO technology or special screen drivers, in which the pixels can really stay active for a long time without significant harm.
The second option, often called "Always on edge" or "Pulsing AOD," is common in most mid- and low-end devices, where the screen lights up for 10 seconds after receiving a notification or on a schedule, and then completely goes out. This is done not for harm, but to save the life of organic LEDs. If you try to make the budget screen burn constantly through third-party applications, this can lead to uneven burnout.
⚠️ Warning: Forced activation of permanent glow on models without hardware support (usually devices with IPS screen-and-cheap AMOLED) will lead to accelerated wear of the matrix and a sharp drop in battery charge.
Users often confuse these modes, thinking that their smartphone malfunctions when the screen goes out after a few seconds, in fact, this is the standard behavior of the MIUI system to optimize power consumption. In settings, you can choose whether the screen will respond only to notifications or run on a timer.
Always on Display in MIUI and HyperOS
To get started with the function, you need to go to the basic system parameters. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general logic remains the same. Open the Settings app and find the Wallpaper and Personalization section (in older versions of MIUI it can just be the Lock Screen section). This is where all the tools for managing static and dynamic interface elements are concentrated.
Inside the menu, find Always On Display and Lock Screen, and you'll be asked to choose a display style. The system offers a variety of options, from simple digital watches to animated characters. However, we're not interested in design, but in the logic of the work. Click on the gear or Settings in the corner of the screen to reveal additional parameters.
- 🕒 Schedule: Allows you to set time intervals when the function is active (for example, from 8:00 to 23:00) so as not to wake up household members at night.
- 📱 In your pocket: A critical option to prevent the screen from turning on when the phone is in your bag or pocket, saving you charge.
- 🔋 Power saving mode: Automatically switches off AOD, When the battery is below 20% or 10%.
Special attention should be paid to the "Show after lock" switch. If it is turned off, the screen will only light up when a new notification is received. If it is on, you will see the clock immediately after the screen is turned off. For the "Always on edge" scenario, it is recommended to leave this item active, but set the timer.
☑️ Checking settings AOD
How to set up flashing mode and notifications
Many users want the screen to light up when a message arrives, creating a “pulsation” or “edge” effect. In Xiaomi terminology, this is often associated with the “Lighting Effects” function or specific themes. To achieve behavior when the screen flashes on notification and goes out, make sure that the Always On Display settings activate the “Show Notifications” option.
There's also a hidden or less prominent option called "Show within 10 seconds," which, if you activate it, after any interaction with the lock screen or notification, the image will hang for a short time and disappear, and that's the safe "edge" mode, and if you want the screen to light up on its own periodically (simulated constant burning), it's hard to do this with regular means without using themes.
Themes in Themes can dramatically change the behavior of AOD, and some authors create themes where watches appear and disappear at certain intervals to find solutions like this:
- Open the Topic app.
- In the search, type in the query "AOD" or "Always on".
- Pay attention to the preview: if the picture shows animation of the appearance and disappearance - the topic is suitable.
⚠️ Note: Third-party themes may contain ad modules or work incorrectly with your version of Android.
Also worth mentioning is the Light Effects feature in Settings → Notifications and Status Bar. While this is not exactly AOD, some Redmi and POCO models may briefly light up the screen frame or indicator when notified, which visually resembles the desired effect.
Use of third-party applications for extended control
MIUI's regular functionality is sometimes limited, and users are looking for more flexible solutions. Google Play offers a number of apps that can emulate Always On Display with unique settings. The leader in this niche is Always On AMOLED. It allows you to create your own watch, add weather widgets and, most importantly, adjust the exact time of the screen on and burnout.
However, using third-party software on the MIUI shell requires additional training. The system aggressively unloads the background processes to save battery. To ensure that the application is stable and not “killed” by the system after 10 minutes, you need to perform a series of actions to exclude from optimization.
Instructions for setting access rights:
- 🚀 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the installed application for AOD.
- ⚡ Click Battery Savings and select No Limitations.
- 🔒 Enable auto-start and work in the background.
Another popular solution is Screen Always On. It allows you to turn the screen into an information panel with minimal energy consumption using a black background. The application can respond to the proximity sensor, go out when you put the phone in your pocket, and light up when you pick it up.
Why are third-party apps planting a battery?
Solving the problem: why the battery is not working or running down quickly
The most common complaint users have is that the device is discharged quickly after AOD is turned on. Even in the "edge" mode, when the screen lights up rarely, the energy consumption can be noticeable. This is due to the fact that each pixel on the AMOLED matrix emits light, consuming electricity. Thousands of switches a day together give a tangible result.
If the function has stopped working or is acting strangely (the screen does not go out, colors are distorted, artifacts appear), try the following steps:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen won't light up. | Power saving mode is on | Check battery power (>20%) and AOD settings |
| Flickering or artifacts | The conflict of the subject of design | Return the standard theme in the Topic app |
| Quick discharge. | Continuous sensor survey | Turn off “In your pocket” or set your schedule |
| No notifications coming. | Limitations of background activity | Allow auto-run for messengers |
It’s also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that fix display-controlled bugs. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the MIUI version to check for new versions.
⚠️ Warning: If static spots or “ghost” images appear on the screen after long use AOD, This could be a sign of a die burnout, so you need to shut it down immediately.
Hidden opportunities and frequent questions
Finally, you can create your own AOD style through the Always On Display app (official from Xiaomi, if available in your area, or through the theme). You can upload your photo, and the system automatically creates a mask, darkening the background and leaving bright objects, which allows you to personalize the edge effect, making it unique.
Always on edge is about balancing aesthetics with practicality. Overuse of animations and frequent screen switching on not only puts the battery on, but can be distracting at night. Use a timetable and light sensor to keep the phone intelligent.
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Use dark wallpaper with red or orange elements for AOD. On AMOLED screens, these colors consume less energy than white or blue, which will prolong battery life.
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The optimal setup for Xiaomi is to use the staffing schedule (only during the day) combined with a dark theme and a blackout in your pocket.