How to change the lock screen time on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users a wide range of customization options, allowing them to customize the device to suit their individual needs. One of the basic but critical settings is the duration of the screen burning before it is automatically turned off. Many owners face a situation where the display goes off too quickly during reading or, conversely, burns for too long, consuming precious battery power.

With MIUI and the new HyperOS, this is called "Time Out" or "Dormant Time." Changing this setting doesn't require root rights or third-party software, because all the tools are already built into the system. Understanding where to look for this option and how it interacts with other power-saving features will allow you to significantly improve the comfort of your gadget.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions to change the lock interval on various models of smartphones Redmi and Poco. You will learn about the hidden nuances of the approximation sensor, the influence of dark theme on the timing and why the standard list can be limited without activating special modes.

Standard path through the settings menu

The most common way to change screen latency is through the standard system configuration menu, which is common for most current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS shells. The user does not need to be an expert in Android, just follow the steps of navigation through the interface.

First, you need to unlock the device and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, and inside the menu, you need to scroll down to the section that displays the information, and depending on the firmware version, it can be called Screen and Brightness or just Screen, and that's where the basic display controls are.

In the options list that opens, you'll find a item called "Sleep Mode" or "Screen Time Out." Clicking on it will open a list of available time slots. The system will suggest you choose a value from 15 seconds to 5 or 10 minutes. Once you select a new setting, the changes will take effect instantly, without the need to restart the device.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking screen settings

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It is worth noting that in some models with AMOLED-The list of available values may differ from devices with IPS-This is due to the power consumption of different types of arrays and the manufacturer's policies to optimize autonomy. If you can't find the right item, maybe it's hidden in the submenus or renamed in your version of the firmware.

Advanced settings via engineering menu and ADB

In situations where standard time set is not enough, advanced users can resort to more complex customization methods. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to change system parameters that are not output in the GUI, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having basic command-line skills.

Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer mode. This should be done seven times quickly click on the build number in the "About Phone" section. After the notification "You became a developer" will appear in the settings menu a new item "Additional" or "Advanced Settings", where you need to enable debugging over USB.

To change the timeout through the console, you use a command that changes the value of the system variable. When you connect the phone to the PC and start the terminal, enter a command to set the time in milliseconds. For example, to set a value of 60 seconds, the command will look like this:

adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 60000

โš ๏ธ Attention: Use of teams ADB Introducing incorrect values may cause system malfunction or the inability to turn off the screen correctly.

An alternative to manual commands is to use specialized assistant applications that generate the necessary commands. ADB-But even then, the risk of misconfiguring is still there, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better limit yourself to standard methods or consult a specialist.

What is Screen Off Timeout?
This system variable controls the number of milliseconds a device waits for after the last touch of the screen before it turns off. Standard values are limited by the manufacturer for a balance between convenience and battery.

The Impact of Energy Savings on Time Out

One of the common reasons why users cannot set the desired lock time is the activated power saving mode. MIUI aggressively optimizes power consumption, forcibly reducing the display time when the battery is low or the "Energy Saving" function is turned on.

When the charge level falls below a certain threshold (usually 20% or 10%), the smartphone automatically goes into background and brightness limiting mode, in which the "Sleep Mode" option may become unavailable for editing or be forced to set to a minimum value, for example, 15 seconds, regardless of the user's previous settings.

To regain the ability to control timeout, you need to turn off the savings mode or connect the device to the charger, and you can add frequently used applications to the exception list so that the system does not apply to them rigid restrictions, although this does not always affect the global screen setting.

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Use Do Not Disturb while reading.It often prevents the screen from automatically dimming, even if the timeout is set for a short time, which is convenient for viewing long texts without touching.

Features of settings on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The interface and layout of the controls can vary significantly depending on the version of the firmware installed. Owners of devices with MIUI 11 and earlier can observe the classic layout of the items, whereas in MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the menu structure has been redesigned to improve ergonomics.

In newer versions of the shells, Xiaomi is implementing smart algorithms that analyze user behavior. If the system notices that you constantly unlock your phone immediately after it has gone out, it may suggest increasing latency. These suggestions appear as pop-up notifications or in the recommendations section.

Below is a table showing the differences in ways to set up timeouts across different versions of the software:

Shell versionThe path to adjustmentMaximum time.Features
MIUI 11Settings -> Screen5 minutes.Classic menu
MIUI 12/13Settings -> Screen and brightness10 minutes.Added reading mode
MIUI 14Settings -> Screen and brightness -> Sleeping mode10 minutes.Improved animation
HyperOSSettings -> Screen and brightnessDepends on the model.Adaptive time-out

It is important to note that regional firmware versions (Global, China, EEA) may also have differences in translation and feature availability. If you canโ€™t find the item described, try searching by settings by entering the keyword โ€œsleepingโ€ or โ€œscreenโ€.

๐Ÿ“Š What's your version of the shell? MIUI/HyperOS?
MIUI 11 and below
MIUI 12-13
MIUI 14
HyperOS
I don't know.

Problems with the proximity sensor and autolock

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the screen goes out on its own, even if a long waiting time is set, often the cause of this behavior is a malfunction or incorrect calibration of the proximity sensor, which is located at the top of the smartphone and is designed to turn off the screen during a conversation.

If the sensor gets dust, dirt or it is covered with a thick protective glass or case, the system may mistakenly think that the phone is held to the ear, and extinguish the display.

To diagnose the problem, you can run a special engineering menu by dialing the code ##6484### in the Phone app. In the test list, select the Proximity sensor and check its operation by closing and opening the top of the screen with your hand. If the sensor responds incorrectly, it may need to be calibrated or replaced.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Frequent false screen locking may be a sign of hardware failure.If the software reset does not help, it is recommended to contact an authorized service center for hardware diagnostics.

In addition, some applications can intercept the proximity sensor control. If the problem only occurs in a particular program, try updating it or cache. In rare cases, the culprit is a driver conflict after a system update.

Using third-party applications to control the screen

If the built-in tools of the system can not achieve the desired result, the help comes from the Google Play store. There are many utilities that allow you to flexibly configure screen timeout, create profiles for different situations and even use motion sensors to control the backlight.

One of the popular categories of apps is "Keep Screen On," which is to force the screen to keep it from going out while a particular app is running or while the phone is horizontal, which is convenient when watching videos, navigating or reading recipes in the kitchen.

When installing third-party software, it is important to pay attention to the permissions requested. Screen management applications require special access rights, which in modern versions of Android are issued through the โ€œSpecial Featuresโ€ menu. Without this permission, the program will not be able to perform its functions effectively.

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Third-party apps are a great solution for scenarios where a standard 5 or 10 minutes isnโ€™t enough, but they can consume extra battery power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is there no โ€œNeverโ€ option on my Xiaomi to turn off the screen?
The "Never" function (infinite screen burning) is usually hidden in standard settings to prevent the matrix from burning out and fast battery discharge. It can only be available in special modes such as Developer Mode or through third-party applications. In some custom firmware, this option is explicitly displayed.
Are screen time settings reset after system updates?
In most cases, when updating the firmware MIUI or HyperOS user settings, including screen timeout, are saved. However, if the update is major (for example, with Android 11 on 12) or accompanied by a reset, the settings can return to factory values.
Does a dark theme affect screen time?
The dark theme itself doesn't change the settings of the timeout. AMOLED-In screens, the use of a dark theme significantly reduces power consumption, since the black pixels do not glow, which allows you to set a longer latency without critically affecting the autonomy of the device compared to the light theme.
Can I set different lock times for different applications?
This cannot be done with standard Xiaomi tools. Global customization applies to all applications at once. To implement a โ€œlonger in the navigator, less in the menuโ€ scenario, you need to use third-party automation applications such as Tasker or MacroDroid, which can change system parameters depending on the application you run.
Why does the screen go out faster than the set time?
This may be due to the proximity sensor being covered by a hand or a case, and it may also be due to the activated energy saving mode, which ignores user settings in favor of saving charge, check for contamination on the top of the screen and the status of the energy saving mode.