Activation of Always On Display on Xiaomi smartphones: a step-by-step guide

The feature is Always on Display (AOD) It has become the standard for modern smartphones, allowing you to see time, notifications and other important information without unlocking the device. POCO Often asked how to activate this option, as its location in the menu may vary depending on the version of the shell. MIUI Implementation of this technology on Android devices allows you to save energy due to the features OLED-screens where only individual pixels are illuminated.

Unlike the classics. LCD-matrices where the lighting works throughout the area, AMOLED and OLED The panels are able to turn off the black portions of the image completely, which is why the Always On screen function does not result in critical battery consumption if used correctly. However, not all budget models have the necessary displays, which is an important technical limitation. Before setting up, make sure that your device supports this technology at the hardware level.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the AOD enabler algorithm, customization settings, and the common mistakes users face. You will learn how to make the screen informative and stylish without sacrificing smartphone autonomy. We will also look at the hidden capabilities of the system that allow you to flexibly control the behavior of the display in various use cases.

Compatibility check and device preparation

The first and most important step is to verify the type of matrix on your screen. IPS-It's a big part of the screen, because it requires a constant backlighting layer, if you have a budget model, like some versions of the Redmi Note with a lighting layer. LCD-display, you will not find the corresponding item in the menu, and third-party applications will only simulate AOD, waste-bomb.

Make sure your software is up to date. In the shells MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS, the screen algorithms are constantly being refined. Older versions of the firmware may contain bugs that lead to incorrect display of the watch or a complete lack of response to touch.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party apps from Google Play for emulation AOD on IPS-screens can lead to overheating of the device and accelerated wear of the battery.

It's also worth checking if there's any memory space, and although the style files themselves weigh a little, the system needs space to caching data and keep the background processes running properly, and if the storage is packed, the system can force the visuals to be turned off to improve performance.

Before making changes to the display settings, it is recommended to restart the smartphone, which will clear the RAM and reset possible temporary errors of system interface services that can block the activation of new functions.

Step-by-step activation through system settings

The main way to activate the function may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic remains the same. In most cases, you will need to go to the main settings menu, which is usually indicated by the gear, find the Always on screen and lock section or, in older versions, the Lock Screen item.

Inside the menu, you'll see the switch Always on. Activate it. Immediately after you turn on, the system will suggest you choose the display style. Often the default is an analog or digital clock, but the customization options are much wider. You can choose to display a signature, picture or even an animated character.

After choosing a style, look for additional options below, which adjusts the function time. You can leave the screen on constantly, adjust the schedule (for example, from 8:00 to 23:00) or activate the "On 10 seconds after touch" mode.

Some users may experience a situation where the switch is active but the screen goes out after a few seconds, often due to proximity sensors or power saving settings, in which case check if there is an ultra-energy saving mode that forces all background processes to be turned off.

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For a quick check of AOD, cover the top of your smartphone with your palm (imitating carrying in your pocket), and then remove your hand.The screen should catch fire in a split second.

Set up styles, schedules and personalization

MIUI and HyperOS shells provide a wealth of visual design tools. In the style selection menu, you’ll find not only static images, but also “Live Photos” that respond to the time of day or user actions. Additional styles may require an Internet connection and a Mi Account login.

The signature feature is particularly noteworthy, and you can add text that will be displayed under the clock, which can be a motivational quote, your phone number in case of loss of the device, or just a status "In a meeting." The font and color of the signature can also be edited, which allows you to create a unique design.

The work schedule is a critical balance between functionality and autonomy. If you sleep with your phone nearby, it makes sense to turn off AOD at night (for example, from 23:00 to 07:00) so that the light does not interfere with sleep and consume charge.

• 🕒 Constant: The screen burns all the time until the phone is in your pocket (maximum convenience, average consumption).
• 📅 Schedule: You set the time intervals of the function (optimum option).
• 👆 When touched: The screen lights up for 10 seconds after tapping or lifting the smartphone (maximum savings).
• 📵 Do Not Disturb: Hide the content of notifications, showing only the time.

Also available is the Hide Content option, which is useful for privacy, in which case only the clock will be visible on the screen turned off, and the text of messages or the name of the caller will only appear after unlocking the device.

Work with notifications and interactive elements

One of the key features of AOD is the ability to interact with notifications. The lock screen can display messenger icons, missed calls and alarms. In Settings → Notifications and status bar, you can configure in detail which applications are allowed to display information on the locked screen.

It is important to distinguish between the display of the icon and the content of the message. For instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, you can set up the display of text previews. However, if you are often in crowded places, it is better to turn this feature off to avoid leaking personal information.

Interactivity also depends on the processor model and Android version. New devices running HyperOS support for widgets directly on AOD, which allows, for example, to switch tracks or see the weather without unlocking.

⚠️ Warning: Excess of active notifications on the lock screen can lead to frequent device wakes (wakelocks), which significantly reduces battery life in standby mode.

Optimization of energy consumption and technical nuances

The impact of Always On Display on the battery remains a hot topic. As mentioned earlier, OLED technology allows you to avoid wasting energy on black pixels. However, if you choose a style with a bright, light background or complex animation, the energy consumption will increase many times.

Xiaomi has built-in protection mechanisms. If the battery power drops below a certain level (usually 15-20%), the AOD function can turn off automatically, regardless of your settings, so that you have a charge for an emergency call.

Another nuance is the burning out of pixels, and although modern panels have protective mechanisms (shifting the image by a few pixels every few minutes), static images can leave a mark over months, and it is recommended to periodically change the styles of watches.

Using smart modes like "Brightening when lifting" or "Pocket Mode" helps save energy. The light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the AOD: at night, the clock will barely glow, and the sun will become brighter for better readability.

Solving common problems and errors

Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may encounter a number of problems. It often happens that the function is turned on in the settings, but the screen does not light up. In 80% of cases, this is solved by checking the proximity sensor, clean the top of the screen from contamination and remove the protective glass if it overlaps the sensor.

Another common problem is time desynchronization. If the time on AOD is different from the real time, check the date and time settings. It is recommended to set automatic synchronization over the network (Settings → Additional → Date and Time → Use Network Time).

• 🔋 Quick discharge: Check if any app has "waked up" the phone. Use built-in battery analysis.
• 🌑 Screen not going out: Check if the "Do not turn off screen" mode is on in the menu for developers.
• 🎨 Incorrect colors: In screen settings (Colors and contrast), try switching the color scheme.
• 📉 Brakes Animation: Reduce the number of widgets or animations in styles AOD.

If nothing helps, reset the lock screen settings or reset the phone completely (before making a backup), sometimes the problem lies in a conflict of third-party launchers or themes.

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If AOD stopped working after the system update, try clearing the "Screen Lock" app cache in the "Applications" → "All Apps" section.