How to disable device lock in 15 seconds on Xiaomi

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often encountered intrusive function, which puts the gadget into sleep mode just 15 seconds after the last touch. This can be extremely uncomfortable when reading books, browsing recipes or working with documents, when you need constant concentration on the screen without frequent unlocks. MIUI HyperOS is set to maximize energy savings, but sometimes this optimization brings more discomfort than good.

The solution is not a single button, but a set of settings that include a sleep timer, proximity sensors, and specific screen functions, in some cases, software failure or conflicting availability settings, and we'll look at all the possible ways to fix this problem, from basic system settings to hidden engineering menus.

Before you start a deep reconfiguration, it is worth checking the standard options, as in the latest firmware updates, the location of some items may have changed. It is critical to first eliminate hardware problems with the proximity sensor, since it is often the one that mistakenly signals the system that the phone is in your pocket, forcibly extinguishing the display.

Basic setting of the screen lock timer

The first step to solving the problem is to change the standard time interval after which the display goes out. By default, the system offers a short period, but it can be increased to 5 or 10 minutes, which completely solves the problem with a 15-second wait, you need to go to the main settings of the device through the gear in the notification curtain or application menu.

In the menu that opens, you'll find the look and lock section, and depending on the version of the MIUI shell, it might be called "lock screen" or just "screen," and that's where the slider or the time list before going to sleep hides.

If standard options don't suit you or are unavailable (dark), this may indicate an on-line power saving mode. Energy savings often forcefully limit the display time to extend battery life.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
• ⏱ Find the item "Sleeping mode" or "screen timeout».
• ⚡ Select the maximum value available (usually 2, 5 or 10 minutes).
• 🔋 Check if the Ultra-Savings mode is activated».

Approximate sensor and false alarms

One of the most common causes of instant locking is a malfunctioning or calibration of the proximity sensor. If the system “thinks” you’ve brought your phone to your ear while you’re talking, it instantly turns off the screen. On Xiaomi devices with a virtual sensor (located below the screen), this often happens due to protective glasses or contamination.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a thick protective glass or a case with high sides, the sensor may not work properly.

You can use an engineering menu to test the sensors' response, and you can type a special code in the Phone app to get into the test mode, and you can select Proximity Sensor and close the top of the screen with your hand.

If the sensor is stuck in the closed state, the screen will go out immediately after unlocking, in which case calibration through the same engineering menu or cleaning the area at the top of the display will help, sometimes just turning off and on the phone, which restarts the sensor drivers.

• 🔍 Enter the code ##6484## in the login call CIT-menu.
• 🖐 Select the Proximity Sensor test).
• 🔄 Follow the instructions on the screen for calibration (close/open).
• 🧹 Wipe the top of the screen with a soft cloth.

The function "Pocket" and the mode in the pocket

There's a separate feature in the MIUI shell designed to prevent accidental tapping when the phone is in your pocket, it uses the same sensors as a call reset, and can mistakenly lock the screen when the phone is just lying on a desk or in a bag, a feature called "Mode in your pocket."

Disabling this option often solves the problem with a 15-second lock, which is usually located in the section of the lock settings of the screen. If the function is active, the phone aggressively reacts to any changes in lighting near the top speaker.

It’s worth noting that completely disabling this feature can lead to random dials if you wear a phone without a cover in tight pants.However, if the priority is stable screen operation, this setting is better deactivated.

Availability settings and screen retention

The Android system that HyperOS is based on offers special features for people with limited features that can be useful to ordinary users, and Screen Attention allows the display to stay on while the front camera sees your face.

You can find this setting in the Advanced Settings or Advanced Settings section, then in the "Special Opportunities" section, where you need to find the item related to holding the screen on, which bypasses the system timer of 15 seconds, since the priority is given to having the user in front of the screen.

This feature requires a constant front camera operation, which can slightly increase battery consumption, but for scenarios where you want the screen to burn for a long time (such as navigation or reading), this is the perfect trade-off.

• 👁 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Special opportunities.
• 📹 Find the “Attention” or “Screenhold” section».
• ✅ Activate the switch “Do not turn off the screen while I look at it».
• 🔋 Keep an eye on the charge for long-term use.

Impact of energy saving and optimization

The aggressive power saving policy on Xiaomi smartphones can force the time to lock down by ignoring user settings, especially in Battery or Ultra-Saving mode, which often turn on automatically when charged below 20%.

Also, some “optimizers” and memory cleaners can reset display settings to save resources.If you use third-party apps to speed up your phone, try removing them or adding them to exceptions.

It's also worth checking the settings of the particular app you're using. MIUI has an Advanced Settings feature for each app, and if it's power saving enabled, the system can restrict screen performance in that particular app.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system optimization completely through ADB, If you're not sure what you're doing, it can lead to unstable interfaces and battery drains.

Resetting settings and engineering solutions

If none of the software methods worked, it could have accumulated software debris or configuration files, in which case the effective method is to reset all settings to factory settings, but without deleting personal data.

It is important not to confuse this with a full reset (Hard Reset), which deletes photos and contacts. We only need to reset the system settings (Settings → About phone → Reset → Erase all data – read carefully what exactly is erased, choose Reset System settings).

For advanced users, there is the possibility of changing system parameters through ADB-The command to change the screen timeout looks complicated and depends on the version of Android, so it is safer to use a GUI.

adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 60000

This command, when entered into a computer with a connected phone, will set the screen timeout to 60,000 milliseconds (1 minute), you can change the number to the value you want, but after rebooting, the settings can return to the original settings if they are rigidly set by firmware.

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Before any reset, be sure to back up important data to the Mi Cloud cloud or your computer so you don’t lose contacts and photos.

Possible causes and solutions (FAQ)

Users often ask similar questions in an effort to find a quick solution, and here are some of the most popular ones that will save time on finding information.

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In most cases, the problem is solved by turning off the “In the pocket” mode and increasing the sleep timer in the main screen settings.

To sum up, the 15-second lock on Xiaomi is often a feature of the sensors, not a breakdown. Proper sensitivity setting and avoiding false positives will return the comfort of using the smartphone. Remember to periodically check the system updates, as in new versions of MIUI manufacturers often correct such logical errors.