Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi smartphone screen remains slightly lit even when it's off? It's not a system glitch or a firmware bug -- it's a feature of Always On Display (AOD), It's become the standard for flagship models and many of the mid-range models of the brand, but what it does in practice, whether it's worth incorporating and how to customize it to suit your needs?
In this article, we will discuss AOD Xiaomi from a technical and user point of view: from the principles of the display to hidden settings MIUI, And you'll learn which models support a function, how it affects autonomy, and why it's sometimes better to give it up. AOD Xiaomi and competitors like Samsung and Apple have to figure out who offers the most convenient solution.
What is it? AOD on Xiaomi smartphones
Always On Display (AOD) — It's a technology where part of the screen stays active even when the smartphone is locked, and instead of completely shutting down the display, the system displays minimal information: time, notifications, battery power or custom widgets. The main feature is that the power consumption of this mode is several times lower than that of a full-fledged screen on, thanks to the use of AMOLED-matrix.
The Xiaomi feature debuted in 2019 with the release of the Mi 9 and Mi 9 Pro, and today is available on most models with the same name. AMOLED-Displays (from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) AOD into MIUI peculiarities:
- 🔹 Support for dynamic wallpapers for AOD (starting MIUI 12.5)
- 🔹 The ability to set a work schedule (for example, only at night)
- 🔹 Integration with Super Wallpapers (animated background images)
- 🔹 Support for Side-Site Themes from the Topic → AOD
It is important to understand that AOD works only AMOLED-screens, because LCD-matrices (e.g., in Redmi 9 or POCO M3) They can't physically display information on a display that's turned off without a lot of power. AOD In the settings - most likely, the matrix is to blame.
How it works AOD: technical
The Always On Display technology is based on two key features. AMOLED-display:
- Self-Illumination of pixels: Each pixel is individually illuminated, so the black areas of the screen are completely turned off and do not consume energy.
- Low refresh rate: in mode AOD screen is updated with frequency 1 Hz (1 once per second) instead of standard 60/90/120 Hz, which reduces the load on the processor and battery.
There are two types of Xiaomi AOD:
- 📱 Static: shows fixed information (time, date, charge) and works on all supported models.
- 🎨 Dynamic: Supports animations (e.g. falling snow in winter or moving clouds) available only on flagships with a high-speed MIUI 13+.
| Parameter | Static AOD | Dynamic AOD |
|---|---|---|
| Supported models | All AMOLED (Starting with Mi 9) | Flagships (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mix 4/5) |
| Energy consumption | ~0.5-1% per hour | ~1-1.5% per hour |
| Tweaking topics | Yeah (from the theme store) | Yes + animations |
| Frequency of update | 1 Hz | 1–10 Hz (depending on animation) |
Interesting fact: Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 implemented technology LTPO 3.0, which allows you to dynamically reduce the refresh rate AOD up to 0.5 Hz at night, saving an additional 10-15% charge. This chip works automatically and does not require manual adjustment.
Why? AOD It doesn’t work for some Xiaomi models?
How to turn on and set up AOD Xiaomi
There are two ways to activate Always On Display: through standard settings or through hidden commands for power users. Let's look at both.
Method 1: Through the settings menu
- Open the Settings → Screen.
- Select Always On Display (on some firmware - Screensaver or Lock Screen).
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Customize the information displayed: time, date, notifications, battery charge.
Method 2: Through hidden settings (for MIUI 14+)
If the standard section AOD missing, try it out:
adb shell settings put global aod_mode_enabled 1Note
ADB
☑️ Setting up AOD for maximum autonomy
For customization of appearance:
- 🎨 Get into Themes. → AOD Choose one of the predefined topics.
- 🖼️ For dynamic AOD Download Super Wallpapers from the official theme store.
- ⚙️ B Additional settings AOD You can turn on the weather, steps or music.
⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU or custom builds) have an option AOD It may interfere with the up to wake function. If the screen doesn't turn on when you lift the phone, turn it off. AOD or update the firmware.
Impact AOD Autonomous: Myths and Reality
The main fear users have when you activate Always On Display is that the battery will run out quickly, and let's see if it's justified.
According to laboratory tests (conducted on Xiaomi 13 Pro with the MIUI 14):
- 🔋 Static AOD consumer ~0.7% charge per hour (or ~17% in 24 hours).
- 🔋 Dynamic AOD — up to 1.2% per hour (up to 29% per day).
- 🔋 For comparison, the screen is turned off. ~0.2% per hour due to background processes.
This means that when using a smartphone (calls, instant messengers, games) the influence of the smartphone is AOD It's a minimum of 1 to 3 percent of the total cost of battery life, but if you leave your phone lying around (for example, overnight), you'll have a static 8-hour period. AOD "will eat about 5-6% of the charge.
| Use case scenario | Expenditure without AOD | Static expenditure AOD | Dynamic expenditure AOD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night (8 hours downtime) | ~2% | ~7% | ~10% |
| Working day (episodic use) | ~15% | ~17% | ~19% |
| Intensive use (games, videos) | ~40% | ~41% | ~42% |
Tips for saving money: if you use Xiaomi with AMOLED-screen-screen MIUI 13+, Turn on the Adaptive function. AOD It automatically reduces the brightness of the display in the dark and turns off animations when the charge level is low.
💡
Check the actual battery consumption from AOD, Close all background applications, turn on the aircraft mode and leave the phone for 2-3 hours with activated AOD. Then compare the percentage of the discharge with the same test, but with the switched off. AOD.
AOD Ambient Display: What’s the difference and what’s better
Many people confuse Always on Display (AOD) It's called Ambient Display, or Double Tap to Wake:
Ambient Display:
- 🔄 The screen is turned on only when interacting (phone lifting, double touching, notification).
- ⚡ Consumes energy only at the time of activation (0.01-0.05% per switch on).
- ⏱️ Shows information for 5-10 seconds, then goes out.
Always On Display (AOD):
- 🔦 The screen is constantly active (even without interaction).
- ⚡ Consumes energy continuously (~0.5–1.5% per hour).
- ⏱️ Shows information 24/7 (or on schedule).
Which one do you choose? It depends on your habits.
- 📵 If you frequently check the time or notifications, AOD It is easier to take your phone in hand every time.
- 🔋 If autonomy is critical (for example, when traveling), it is better to leave only Ambient Display.
- ⚖️ Best option: combine both functions, configure AOD work only at night (when the phone is on the nightstand), and use Ambient Display during the day.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F4 GT Black Shark 5: Ambient Display may conflict with AOD, It causes the lock screen to freeze, so you have to choose one or update the firmware.
Hidden chips AOD Xiaomi that you didn’t know about
MIUI It hides a few useful options for Always On Display that are not obvious at first glance:
1. Watch only mode
If you don't need notifications or weather, you can only leave the time and date on the screen.
- Go to Settings → Screen → Always On Display
- Select Display Style → Minimalist.
- Turn off all options except Time and Date.
This will reduce energy consumption by ~20% compared to the standard mode.
2. Geolocation Schedule Setup
Nana MIUI 14+ tune in AOD So that it is automatically turned on only at home or at work:
- 📍 Go to Settings. → Always On Display → Schedule.
- 🏠 Select by location and add the desired addresses.
- ⏰ Set a range (e.g. 500 meters).
3. Hidden topics AOD
Xiaomi Theme Store has hidden collections for AOD, They don't show up in the main directory:
- Open the Topic app.
- In the search box, enter AOD hidden or always on secret.
- Download your favorite theme and apply it to the settings AOD.
💡
On models with support IR Blaster (e.g. Xiaomi 13) in the settings AOD You can turn on the remote control on the lock screen, so you can control the hardware without unlocking the phone.
4. Animations of the event
On flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro) AOD may react:
- 🎵 Music: Display the album cover and track progress.
- 📦 Delivery: show the animation of the mailbox when receiving a notification from the courier service.
- 🌦️ Weather: change background depending on temperature (snow, rain, sun).
To activate this feature, go to Settings AOD → Dynamic effects.
Problems with AOD Xiaomi and how to solve them
Despite the obvious benefits, Always On Display sometimes fails, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
1. AOD left out
- 🔧 Check if your model supports the function (the list is at the beginning of the article).
- 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes resetting temporary data helps.
- 📱 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12.5) AOD It may not be available even on supported models.
- 🛠️ If nothing helps, reset your screen settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting screen settings.
2. Fast battery discharge
After inclusion AOD The phone is discharged too quickly:
- ⚡ Turn off dynamic wallpaper and animations.
- 🌙 Set a dark topic. AOD (Light themes consume 30% more energy).
- ⏰ Set up a work schedule (for example, only from 20:00 to 8:00).
- 🔍 Check if there is an app in the background that interferes with the AOD Optimize your energy consumption (e.g. Facebook or TikTok).
3. AOD flashing
This is a typical problem on custom firmware or after updates.
- 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (If the problem has occurred after the update).
- 🛠️ Enable Hardware Acceleration in Developer Settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
- 📵 If flashing occurs when notifications are made, turn off the notifications display in AOD.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) K50 Ultra) after manual disconnection AOD through ADB (adb shell settings put global aod_mode_enabled 0) The function may disappear from the settings menu. To return it, reset the screen settings or re-flash the device.
4. AOD Notices not showing notices
If only the time is displayed on the screen, but no notifications are received:
- 🔔 Check notification settings for specific applications: Settings → Notifications → Application settings.
- 🔕 Make sure that the mode is not activated Do not disturb.
- 📋 In the settings AOD Turn on the option to Show notifications (sometimes it is reset after updates).