Note mode in Xiaomi and Redmi: what it is, how it works and why you need it

If you own a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone and you stumble upon a mysterious note (or "Notch"), don't be too quick to ignore it. This feature directly affects the display of the interface, especially if your device has a cutout in the screen (called "fracks"). But what does it actually do? Why does it turn it on or off? And why do some users not even know it exists?

In this article, we'll break down the terminology, explain how Note mode is related to the design of modern smartphones, and show you how to customize it to suit your needs, and also explain what hidden possibilities it offers - for example, how to hide the screen notch or optimize the display in games and applications.

Let me warn you right away, despite the name, the Note feature has nothing to do with laptops or computers, and it's a purely mobile term, derived from the English word "notch," which is the "bangs" at the top of the screen where the front camera and sensors are usually placed, and that's what this mode is all about.

Interestingly, not all Xiaomi and Redmi models support this feature, such as in low-end devices without a cutout (say, Redmi). 9A) It's not on the menu, but on flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ The laptop settings can be hidden deep within the system settings, and then we'll tell you where to look and how to use it.

What is the “Note” in Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones?

The term “notch” refers to the notch at the top of the screen where the front camera, speaker and sensors are located. At Xiaomi and Redmi, it’s not just a design solution, it’s a technical feature that affects how content is displayed.

The fact is that the cutout takes up part of the screen, and application developers have to adapt their programs to this design, and not everyone is doing it right: sometimes the interface hits the cutout, and sometimes the reverse is left behind, and this is where the Note mode comes to the rescue, which allows you to control the display of content around the cutout.

In practice, the function performs three key tasks:

• 🔹 Hiding the cutout - paints the area of the "fracks" black, making it less noticeable.
• 🔹 Application adaptation – forcibly adjusts games and programs under the cutout so that they do not “cut».
• 🔹 Setting up indicators – manages displaying notification icons around the cutout.

It's important to understand that the laptop is not a hardware function, it's a software setup, and it doesn't affect performance or autonomy, but it can seriously change the visual experience of a smartphone, for example, in games like this. PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact cutout sometimes gets in the way, and hiding it makes gameplay more comfortable.

Which Xiaomi and Redmi models support Note mode?

The Note feature is not available on all Xiaomi and Redmi devices, but only on models that have a physical notch in the screen.

✅ There is a “Note” in the settings, if the smartphone:

• 📱 Drop-shaped cutout (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite).
• 📱 A rectangle-shaped cutout (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50 Gaming).
• 📱 Double neckline (rare but found in some flagships).

❌ There is no “Note” in the settings, if the smartphone:

• 🔘 Frameless screen without a cutout (for example, Xiaomi Mix 4 with a subscreen camera).
• 🔘 Thick frame on top (budget models like Redmi) 9A POCO C31).
• 🔘 Retractable camera (for example, Xiaomi Mi) 9T Pro).

If you're not sure if your smartphone has a cutout, just look at the top of the screen, and if there's a black strip with a camera, then the Note feature is probably available.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) 10T) The laptop function can be hidden in the developer or require activation through the ADB. If you don’t find it in the standard settings, try looking in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to unlock the developer mode).

Where is the "Note" setting in MIUI?

Depending on the version MIUI And the way to get to the laptop settings may be different, and we've gathered all the options where you can find it:

🔧 Standard path (MIUI 12–14):

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the Screen.
3. Select Display Style or Full Screen Mode.
4. Find the item Note (or Notch).

🔧 Alternative path (older versions) MIUI):

1. Settings → Additionally. → Full-screen display.
2. Or settings. → Display. → Screen cutout.

🔧 If there is no item on the menu:

• 🔍 Try using the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top).
• 🛠️ Enable the Developer Mode and check in Settings → For developers → Full screen mode.
• 📱 On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) the feature may be called Hide Notch.

⚠️ Note: If you upgrade your smartphone to MIUI 14 or later, some settings may have moved or merged with other items. For example, in the latest versions, the control of the cutout is sometimes hidden in Settings. → Screen. → Screen resolution → Additionally.

Check the "Screen" section»|Use search by settings|Activate the Developer Mode|Update. MIUI last-minute-->

How to turn on or off the Note mode?

Once you have found the Laptop setting, you just have to choose the right mode, and there are usually 3-4 options available, and each of them affects the display of content in its own way.

🔘 Settings options (depending on the model):

• 🖼️ Show the cutout - the standard mode, where the "bangs" are visible, and the content flows around it.
• 🖤 Hide the cutout (black stripe) – the cutout area is painted over, the screen becomes “whole”, but part of the area is lost.
• 🎮 Game mode – optimizes display in games, sometimes stretching the picture.
• ⚙️ Auto (default) – the system decides how to show content in each application.

📌 Step-by-step instruction for on/off:

1. Open the "Note" settings (see previous section).
2. Select the desired mode (for example, “Hide the cutout”).
3. Confirm the changes, the screen will blink for a second.
4. Check how apps (especially games and videos) are now displayed.

⚠️ Note: In some games (such as Call of Duty Mobile or Free Fire), forced hiding of the cutout can lead to a cropping of the interface. If after changing the settings, some of the buttons became invisible, return to Show Notice or Auto mode».

Why do you need to set up a laptop? Practical application

Many users do not even realize that the Note mode can be used usefully, rather than just turn on / off for the sake of experimentation. Here are some practical scenarios where this feature will come in handy:

🎯 1. Improved gameplay

In dynamic games (e.g, PUBG Or Genshin Impact, or something like that, the cutout can block important information, like a map, health indicators, or control buttons, and the browsing can make the screen more symmetrical and the gameplay more comfortable.

🎯 2. Watching video without cropping

In some video players (for example, YouTube or MX Player) content can be cut off by a cutout. Hide laptop mode stretches the picture, removing the black fields.

🎯 3. Aesthetics and minimalism

If you don't like the cutout, you can disguise it with a black stripe, and the screen will look more solid, especially on the screen. AMOLED-display.

🎯 4. Compatibility with old applications

Some programs (especially banking or corporate) are not optimized for cutouts, and turning on the Note mode helps avoid overlaying the interface on the sensors.

💡 Useful advice:

If you switch between modes frequently, add the Note settings shortcut to the home screen:

1. Hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select "Widgets» → «Settings».
3. Find the Screen or Note and drag it to the screen.

💡

If you often watch videos in landscape orientation (like TikTok or Instagram Reels), Hide Laptop mode will help you avoid cropping content on the sides.

Problems with the Note mode and how to solve them

Although the Note function seems simple, it sometimes doesn't work properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

🚨 Problem 1: After hiding the cutout, part of the screen turned black

✅ Decision:

• Check if the dark mode is on, it can conflict.
• Reboot your smartphone.
• Return the Note settings to Auto.

🚨 Problem 2: In games, you can't see part of the interface.

✅ Decision:

• In the game settings, find the item "Full screen mode" and turn it off.
• Return the notebook to the "Show the cutout" mode.
• Update the game to the latest version.

🚨 Problem 3: Laptop Settings Disappeared After Update MIUI

✅ Decision:

• Check if the item has moved to another menu (for example, to For Developers).
• Reset the screen settings in Settings → Screen. → Reset.
• If nothing helps, reset to factory settings (pre-saving data).

🚨 Problem 4: The cutout is hiding on its own

✅ Decision:

• Check if automatic optimization is included in the battery settings.
• Turn off Adaptive Brightness – sometimes it knocks the settings down.
• Update the firmware to the latest version.

⚠️ Note: If after the changes to the Note, the screen began to flicker or artifacts appeared, this may indicate problems with the display driver.

Alternative Ways to Control the Cutout in Xiaomi

If your model does not have a Note function, or it does not work as you would like, you can use alternative methods:

🔧 1. Use of third-party applications

Google Play has utilities like Nacho Notch or Notch Hider that software hides the cutout, they run on top of the system and don't require root rights, but note that these apps can slow down and don't support all games.

🔧 2. Set-up through ADB (for advanced users)

If you are ready to dig into system files, you can forcibly enable the cover-up of the cutout through the command. ADB:

adb shell settings put global force_fullscreen true

⚠️ Note: This method requires unlocking the bootloader and may cause some applications to work unstable!

🔧 3.Amendment DPI screen

In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tapping) you can change the density of pixels (DPI). Sometimes it helps to shift the interface so it doesn't hit the cutout. The optimal value for most smartphones is 400-440. DPI.

🔧 4. Use of themes and wallpapers with disguise

Some topics for MIUI (For example, Dark Mode Pro or Pure. AMOLED») They visually mask the cutout, making it less visible, and you can also pick up wallpaper with a dark top. AMOLED-It looks very organic on the screen.

💡 Useful lifehack:

If you often take pictures on the front camera, and the cutout spoils the frames, try mirroring the self-selphs in the camera settings (Camera settings) → Front camera. → It's not going to hide the bangs, but it's going to make it less visible in the photo.

💡

Hiding the cutout programmatically (via a laptop or third-party apps) does not increase the physical area of the screen – it simply masks the unnecessary area, sacrificing some of the usable space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Note mode in Xiaomi and Redmi