Active screen on Xiaomi Redmi: features, configuration and secrets of use

Have you ever noticed your Xiaomi Redmi screen wake up for a split second when you hold your hand or receive a notification? It's not a fluke or a system glitch - that's how the active screen works (Ambient Display or Always-On Display in other brands). A feature that seems like a trifle actually dramatically changes the experience of interacting with your smartphone: no longer need to press the power button to check the time or missed calls.

But how does this technology work on Redmi devices? Why isn't it on all models, and how do you set it up to keep your battery from running down? In this guide, we'll go through all the nuances of the active screen, from the basics to the hidden chips that aren't even mentioned in the official instructions, how to turn on the feature on your model, what modes of operation exist, and why sometimes the screen doesn't work on gestures. And also, how to get around the limitations of MIUI if your smartphone doesn't support an active display.

What is an Active Screen and Why You Need It

Active screen (in) MIUI It's called Ambient Display, or Rise to Awaken, a technology where the smartphone display is turned on briefly under certain conditions without requiring a physical push of a button, and the primary goal is to access key information instantly without fully waking up the device.

On Xiaomi Redmi, the function is implemented in two ways:

• 🔄 Raise to wake up mode – the screen is activated when you lift the smartphone or change its position in space (thanks to the accelerometer sensor).
• 🔔 Mode "New notifications" - the display lights up when SMS, calls or push notifications from messengers arrive.
• ⏰ Mode "Always on screen» (AOD) — available only AMOLED-displays (e.g., Redmi) K50 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+). Shows time, date and notifications in minimalist form without constant pixel highlighting.

The main difference from the classic Always-On Display (as on the Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel) is that on most Redmi models, the active screen does not work all the time, but only on triggers (gestures, notifications), this is done to save battery power, but creates the illusion of a “smart” display.

⚠️ Note: On budget Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or Redmi 9C) the active screen may be absent due to hardware limitations - the lack of a proximity sensor or AMOLED-You can check support in the Screen settings. → Lockdown and protection → Ambient Display.

What Redmi models support active screen

Ambient Display is not available on all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, and it depends on three factors:

1. Display type: AMOLED (supports all modes, including AOD) or IPS LCD (wake-up by gestures/notifications only).
2. MIUI version: Since MIUI 12, the feature has become standard, but on older firmware it may require manual inclusion.
3. Availability of sensors: accelerometer (for gestures) and proximity sensor (for optimization of work).

Here is the compatibility table of popular models:

How do you check for support on your model? Go to Settings → Screen → Lock and Protect. If there is an Ambient Display or Wake Up feature available. If not, try updating your firmware or using workarounds (discussed below).

How to turn on and configure an active screen

It takes less than a minute to activate the function, but many users don't know where to look for settings. Here's a step-by-step guide for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Screen section.
3. Select Lock and Protection (on some models, the item may be called Screen Lock).
4. Slip on the Ambient Display (or Rise to wake up).
5. Turn the switch on in the on position.
6. Set up the parameters: 🕒 Show at new notifications – the screen will light up for 5-10 seconds when messages arrive. 🤳 Rising to wake up – a reaction to the movement of the smartphone. 🔋 Always on screen (AOD) — available only AMOLED-display.

In the models with AMOLED-screen (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Ambient Display menu will have an additional Style section AOD. There you can choose the design of the watch (digital, analog), color scheme and even upload your own image for the background.

Enable Ambient Display in the settings

Activate the option "Lift to wake up"

Select the time display style (for AOD)

Check the sensors (put your hand to the top of the screen)

Disable unnecessary notifications in the "Applications" section"-->

⚠️ Warning: If the function is not working after activation, check if the power saving mode is blocking it. → Battery and productivity → Power saving mode and turn it off. Also make sure the smartphone is not down screen - the proximity sensor can block activation.

Why the Active Screen is Not Working: Reasons and Solutions

Even if the function is enabled in the settings, it may not work. TOP-7 causes and ways of eliminating them:

• 🔋 Low battery charge (less than 15%). MIUI Automatically disables Ambient Display to save power.Solution: plug charging.
• 📱 The cover or film locks the sensors, and if the top of the screen is closed, the smartphone can't see the gestures. Solution: Check the sensor sensitivity in Settings. → System system → Sensors.
• 🔄 Failure to work MIUI. Sometimes it helps to reset or reset the screen settings. Solution: go to Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Resetting screen settings.
• 🚫 The feature is disabled for specific applications. For example, notifications from Telegram may not wake the screen if the app settings are limited. Solution: check permissions in Settings → Annexes → Management of notifications.
• 🔧 There's no firmware update. MIUI (below 12.5) the active screen may not work stable.Solution: update the software in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ The proximity sensor or accelerometer is damaged, and if the smartphone falls, the sensors may have failed. Solution: check their operation through the engineering menu (code # #6484##).
• 🔒 Third-party applications block the function. Some battery optimizers (e.g. Greenify) can disable Ambient Display. Solution: add the com.android.systemui system application to the exceptions.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting to factory settings (be sure to back up!) and 90% of the time, this is how the problem is solved.

How to reduce battery consumption from an active screen

Many users turn off the Ambient Display for fear that it will quickly drain the battery. IPS-In screens (where the entire matrix is illuminated), the function can eat up to 5-7% of the charge per day, but there are ways to optimize consumption without losing convenience:

• ⏱️ Reduce display time. In the Ambient Display settings, set a minimum value (e.g., 5 seconds instead of 10).
• 📵 Turn off wake-up for unnecessary notifications. Go to Settings → Annexes → Notifications and disable screen awakening for low-value applications (such as games or news services).
• 🌙 Use dark themes. AMOLED-In the screens, black pixels don't consume energy. Turn on dark mode in Settings. → Screen. → Dark subject.
• 🔄 Activate adaptive brightness. → Screen. → Brightness turn on the option Adaptive brightness – the screen will be illuminated weaker in the dark.
• 🔋 Turn it off. AOD In the Ambient Display. → Schedule set up automatic shutdown of the function at night (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).

Nana AMOLED-Displays (for example, in the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) live-screen AOD It consumes no more than 1-2% of the charge in 8 hours, which is comparable to the background cost of synchronizing mail.

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If your Redmi supports AOD but the feature is fast-burning, try setting a minimalist watch style without second hand and animations. For example, select the Digital Watch design with a black background in the Ambient Display settings.

Hidden Active Screen Chips on Xiaomi Redmi

MIUI hides a few non-obvious features that make working with an active screen even more convenient.

1. Double Tap to Wake: The feature allows you to wake up the screen with two quick taps on it, even if the smartphone is lying on the table. Enables in Settings → Screen → Lock and Protection → Double tap to wake up.
2. Weather screening AOD. In the models with AMOLED-display (e.g., Redmi) K60) In the Ambient Display settings, you can add a weather widget next to the clock.
3. Sensor sensitivity setting: If the screen is triggered too often or does not respond to gestures, calibrate the sensors through the engineering menu (code ##6484##).
4. Using live wallpaper. In Ambient Display → AOD style, you can download a gif or video as a background (for example, animation of rain or starry sky).
5. Quick wake-up action: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) can configure swipes over the active screen to trigger the camera or flashlight.

Another little-known feature is Pocket mode, where if you put your smartphone in your pocket with the screen down, the proximity sensor will block random awakenings, which saves charge and prevents tapping in your pocket.

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On models with an infrared sensor (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro), the active screen can fire at the approach of the hand even in complete darkness - this is normal technology, not a failure.

Alternative ways to activate the screen without a power button

If your Redmi model does not support Ambient Display, or the function is unstable, you can use workarounds:

• 🤖 Apps from Google Play. Utilities like Always On AMOLED Or AcDisplay emulates the active screen on any display, down from increased battery consumption.
• 🔧 Customization through ADB. For power users: connect your smartphone to your PC and follow the command: adb shell settings put global double_tap_to_wake 1 This will include double tapping to wake up even on unofficially supported models.
• 📱 Gestures in MIUI. B Settings → Additional functions → Gestures can be activated by Waking Up or Swipe on the screen to unlock.
• 🔄 Automation through MacroDroid. Create a rule: If the motion sensor detects a change in position → turn on the screen for 3 seconds».

Important: Third-party active screen apps can conflict with MIUI and cause lags. Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands and engineering menus can lead to a reset of the warranty or unstable system. If you are not sure of your actions, you should contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the active screen on Xiaomi Redmi