How to keep Xiaomi’s screen from going out: time out and Always On

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to leave the display on for a long time, which may be required when reading recipes in the kitchen, viewing schemes during repairs or using the device as a navigator. Standard settings MIUI and HyperOS seek to save energy by forcefully darkening or blocking the interface after a certain period of time.

Understanding how to keep the screen on the shaomi opens up access to more flexible control of the device, but it is important to realize that the constant operation of the matrix at maximum brightness significantly reduces battery life and can lead to burnout of pixels on the device. OLED-panel.

In this guide, we will look at the standard methods of setting timeout, hidden developer functions and specific display modes that allow you to bypass the limitations of the system.

Basic screen timeout setting

The easiest and safest way to increase display time is to use standard system settings. The MIUI or HyperOS interface provides the user with a limited but sufficient set of options for most home scenarios.

To change the settings, go to the Settings menu, then select the Screen and Brightness section. At the bottom of the list is Sleep Mode (or Screen Time Out), and there are intervals from 15 seconds to 10 minutes available.

• ⏱️ 15 seconds – standard for battery saving
• ⏱️ 1 minute is the best time to read a text
• ⏱️ 5 minutes – suitable for watching video without a sensor
• ⏱️ 10 minutes – maximum for regular settings

The choice of the “Never” option on this menu is unfortunately often absent from Xiaomi stock firmware for energy efficiency reasons. If you need to keep the screen on for longer than 10 minutes, you will have to resort to other methods described below. Remember that setting the maximum timeout increases the risk of burning out static interface elements on the computer. AMOLED-matrix.

Use of the “For Developers” mode

Android’s hidden menu of engineering settings allows you to access functions hidden from the average user, and this is often the answer to the question of how to make the screen not go out at all, without installing third-party software.

To activate the developer menu, go to Settings → About Phone. Find the MIUI Version (or OS Version) string and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row before the message “You became a developer” appears.

Then go back to the main settings menu, scroll down to the Additional section and select Developer For. In the list that opens, you need to find the option “Stay awake” and activate this switch prevents the system from going to sleep while charging the device.

⚠️ Warning: This function only works when the charger is connected. If you turn off the cable, the screen will go out according to the timeout settings.

This method is ideal for using a smartphone as a desktop watch, monitoring panel or terminal, but be careful with overheating, since simultaneous charging and high-brightness displays put heat stress on the battery.

Always on Display and its settings

Owners of smartphones with AMOLED-The screens have a unique opportunity to use the technology Always on Display (AOD). Unlike in the LCD-In panels, only individual pixels glow here, which allows you to display time and notifications with almost no energy consumption.

While AOD doesn’t leave the screen fully on with content, it solves the fading display problem for those who just need to see the time.Tune in is along the Settings path → Wallpaper and personalization → Always on screen.

The system offers several modes of operation:

• 🔋 Scheduled – switched on and off at a given time
• 👆 When touched, it lights up 10 seconds after tapa
• 📅 All day long – working continuously (not recommended)
• 📱 Smart mode – activated when receiving notification

Using AOD avoids the full inclusion of the main matrix, while maintaining the user interface’s informativeness, a compromise solution for those who want to see information but are afraid of damaging the screen or draining the phone.

Specialized applications for screen retention

If there is not enough regular funds and the developer mode is not suitable (for example, you need to keep the screen from going out without charging), Google Play apps come to the rescue. They create a software “wedge” that prevents the system from going to sleep.

Popular utilities like Keep Screen On or Caffeine add a handy switch to the notification curtain, allowing you to turn on and off the lock ban in one click without digging into the deep menus each time.

The way these applications work is simple: they send a signal to the system that the user is active by resetting the countdown timer, and it is important to choose programs with minimal permissions so as not to compromise data security.

Using third-party software is the most flexible option for ordinary users, and you can set rules such as “Do not turn off the screen only if you have a YouTube or Google Maps app running.”

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When installing screen retention apps, be sure to check the MIUI power saving settings. Add the app to the No Limits list, otherwise the system will force it to close after a few minutes of operation in the background.

Features of operation in navigation mode

Special attention should be paid to the scenario of using a smartphone as a navigator: in the applications Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps or 2GIS often built-in its own function “Do not turn off the screen”.

This option is usually found in the navigation settings, such as Yandex.Navigator, where you open the menu, select Settings → Screen, and activate “Do not turn off the screen,” a priority requirement that overrides the system settings of the timeout.

When using navigation, it is also recommended:

• 🚗 Enable the “Driving” mode to simplify the interface
• 🔋 Connect the phone to a charger or powered holder
• ☀️ Reduce brightness to a comfortable minimum to avoid overheating

If the navigator goes out anyway, check if the restriction in Digital Balance or Sleep Mode is worth it, which can force you to block apps for a certain time.

⚠️ Attention: Long-term operation of the navigator at maximum brightness under direct sunlight can lead to critical overheating of the processor and trottling (decreased performance), which will cause the card to slow down.

Effect on battery and matrix burnout

A constantly on screen is the main energy consumer in a smartphone. Xiaomi's lithium polymer batteries are sensitive to discharge cycles, and a deep discharge to zero when used actively can shorten battery life.

A particular danger is a static image on the OLED-If the display displays the same elements (icons, navigation bars, logos) for hours, there can be uneven wear of organic LEDs, a phenomenon called burn-in).

Symptoms of burnout:

1. The appearance of phantom interface contours on a white background.
2. Change in the color of individual sections of the screen (the appearance of yellow or pink shade).
3. Reduce maximum brightness in certain areas.

To minimize the risks, use dark themes, dynamic wallpapers and try not to leave the screen on a static picture longer than it really needs.

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The optimal strategy is to use the developer mode for stationary use with charging and a timeout of 2-5 minutes for mobile work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)