If you are the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone, you probably encountered the term “active screen” – one of the signature chips MIUI, It's a feature that makes it easier to interact with the device, but what exactly is behind this feature? Why is it so important to users, and how to customize it to suit your needs?
In this article, we will discuss in detail what is an active screen on Xiaomi, how it differs from the standard Always On Display (AOD) And you'll learn how to turn it on or off, which models support it to the fullest, and how to avoid common setup errors, and you'll also learn some life hacks that aren't even mentioned in the official manuals.
Whether you’re using Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 13, the information will be helpful. Even if your model doesn’t support an active screen out of the box, we’ll show you how to get around this restriction in legal ways.
What is an Active Screen on Xiaomi and Why You Need It
Active Display is a technology that allows key information to be displayed on a smartphone screen in low power mode, even when the device is locked (AOD), It simply shows the time and notifications, the active screen on Xiaomi is integrated deeper into the system. MIUI It offers more opportunities for customization.
Main tasks of the function:
- 🕒 Quick access to time without unlocking your phone.
- 📱 Display notifications (calls, messages, mail) in minimalist form.
- 🔋 Saving battery power by using only a portion of the screen pixels (on the screen) AMOLED-display).
- 🎨 Personalization: Choosing styles, colors, animations and even your own wallpaper.
For example, on Xiaomi. 13T Pro active screen can show not only the time, but also the weather forecast, battery level, steps from the fitness bracelet Mi Band, and also control the playback of music - all without fully activating the display. POCO F5 There is a unique “Breathing Light” mode that pulses in time to notifications.
It is important to understand that the active screen works differently on devices with AMOLED- and LCD-It actually saves charge on the first one (because it only highlights the right pixels), and on the other, it can land the battery faster because of the full screen lighting.
Xiaomi's Active Screen Display Differences from Always On Display (AOD) brand
Many users confuse Xiaomi’s active screen with the classic Always On Display that is on Samsung, Google Pixel or OnePlus smartphones.
| Function | Xiaomi's Active Screen (MIUI) | Always On Display (AOD) brand-wise |
|---|---|---|
| Support LCD-display | Yes (but with increased power consumption) | Usually. AMOLED |
| Customization of styles | More than 20 embedded themes + side-support | Limited set (3-5 options) |
| Interactivity | You can interact with notifications (swipes, taps) | Just watching, no control. |
| Integration with MIUI | Deep (weather, footsteps, music, fast action) | Minimum (time, date, notification icons) |
| Energy consumption | Configured (you can limit the time of work) | Fixed (often no flexible settings) |
A unique feature of Xiaomi: the active screen can work in Raise to Wake mode, when the display is activated when you bring the phone to your face - without pressing buttons - a feature that is absent from most competitors and is especially convenient in everyday use.
Another advantage is that it supports dynamic wallpaper, for example, on the Xiaomi 14 you can set an animated background for an active screen, which will vary depending on the time of day or the weather. K70 There is a mode "Energy saving", which automatically turns off the active screen when the battery is low.
What Xiaomi models support an active screen
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with an active screen. MIUI, This is the current list of models (for 2026) that support the function fully (from the beginning of the year). AMOLED-display and all settings):
- 📱 Flagships: Xiaomi 14/14 Pro/14 Ultra, Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13T/13T Pro, Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12S Ultra.
- 📱 Series POCO: POCO F5 Pro, POCO X6 Pro, POCO F4 GT (only MIUI 14+).
- 📱 The Redmi: Redmi series K70/K70 Pro, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (s AMOLED), Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
- 📱 Folding devices: Xiaomi MIX Fold 3, Xiaomi MIX Fold 2.
On devices with LCD-screens (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO M6 Pro) the active screen may also be available, but it will work differently:
- 🔋 Higher battery consumption (up to 5–7% per night).
- 🎨 Limited Styles (no animations and no transparency).
- ⏱️ Fixed display time (usually 10 seconds after blocking).
How to check the screen type on your Xiaomi?
If your model is not on the list, it works on MIUI 14/15, Try updating your firmware -- sometimes active screen support is added to new versions. 11 Pro+ This function was only updated before MIUI 13.5.
How to turn on and configure the active screen on Xiaomi
The function can be activated through standard settings. MIUI. This is suitable for most supported models:
- Open the Settings → Screen.
- Select Active Screen (or Always-on display on global firmware).
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Set up the parameters: 🕖 Schedule: Choose when the screen should work (always at night, on schedule). 🎨 Style: Change the design (digital/analog watches, minimalism, neon, etc.). 🔔 Notifications: Enable the display of app icons. 🔄 Sensors: Activate the option to “Raise to wake up».
Enable the function in Settings → Screen.
Selecting a time display style
Set up a work schedule
Check the operation of the proximity sensor (Raise to Wake)
Disable unnecessary notifications to save battery-->
Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have additional options:
- 🌈 Color schemes: adaptation to wallpaper or theme MIUI.
- 📊 Usage statistics: shows how much battery is spent on an active screen.
- 🔒 Safe Mode: Hiding notifications on a locked screen.
If the active screen does not work after activation:
⚠️ Warning: Check if the power saving mode is turned off in Settings → Battery → Battery mode: When SuperSaving or UltraSaving is activated, the active screen can automatically deactivate.
Hidden Active Screen Features You Didn't Know About
In addition to the basic settings, the MIUI Hidden a few “chips” that make the active screen even more useful:
- Double touch to unlock on some models (e.g, POCO F5 Pro) you can set up double-pressing of the active screen for instant unlocking. → Screen. → Active screen → Additionally. → Double touch to unlock
- Display QR-In the active screen can be shown QR-Quick payment or contact exchange code activated via: Settings → Screen. → Active screen → Style. → QR-Code Useful for Business Users.
- On Xiaomi 14 and the latest models, the active screen can show charging animations (percentage, time to full charge). → Battery → Charging settings → Animation on the lock screen
Another little-known possibility is to set up transparency. AMOLED-You can make the active screen semi-transparent in the screens so that it doesn't distract you in the dark:
- Choose the Minimalism or Neon style.
- Press Set up. → Transparency.
- Move the slider 30-50% for the optimal balance of visibility and power consumption.
💡
If the active screen is too bright at night, turn on the Dark Theme mode separately for it, which will save charge and reduce eye strain.
On Redmi devices with MIUI 15 has a Smart Active Screen feature that automatically adjusts brightness depending on the lighting. To activate it, go to the:
Settings → Screen → Active screen → Smart brightnessHow to turn off the active screen and whether it is worth it
Despite all the benefits, some users prefer to turn off the active screen.
- 🔋 Battery consumption (especially for the LCD-screen).
- 👀 Distracting notifications (e.g. at night).
- 🛡️ Privacy (outsiders may see notifications).
To disable the function:
- Go to Settings. → Screen. → Active screen.
- Deactivate the main switch.
- Confirm the action (some models will need to enter a password).
💡
On devices with AMOLED Turning off the active screen can save up to 2-3% of charge per night. LCD-The savings of displays reach 5-8%.
If you don’t want to turn off the function completely, but want to reduce battery consumption, use these tips:
- ⏰ Set a schedule (for example, only from 8:00 to 22:00).
- 📵 Turn off notifications for unnecessary applications.
- 🌙 Activate the “Raise to Wake” mode only).
- 🎨 Choose a minimalist style without animations.
⚠️ Note: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) When you turn off the active screen, the "Raise to wake up" setting may be lost. To fix this, reboot the device or reset the screen settings in Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting screen settings.
Common Active Screen Problems and Solutions
Even on Xiaomi’s flagship models, users sometimes encounter active screen bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Active screen not activated | Conflict with the energy saving regime | Turn off "Supersaving" in Settings → Battery |
| The screen blinks or twitches | Animation glitch MIUI | Reset the screen settings or update the firmware |
| Notices not shown | Restrictions on applications | Check the permissions in Settings → Notifications |
| Fast battery discharge | Too bright active screen on the LCD | Reduce brightness or turn off function at night |
| Raise to Wake doesn't work | Contaminated proximity sensor | Wipe the top of the screen with an alcohol napkin |
If none of these methods worked, try resetting the screen settings:
- Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
- Select Reset screen settings.
- Confirm the action (data will not be deleted, only display parameters will be reset).
On Xiaomi, root access allows you to manually edit the active screen configuration files, such as changing display times or adding informal styles, but this requires technical skills and can cause crashes. For most users, standard settings are enough.