Have you ever forgotten to turn off your phone at night and found a dead battery in the morning? Or wanted to limit the time spent on your child? The automatic timer shutdown feature on Xiaomi smartphones solves these problems — but not all users know how to set it up correctly. In this article, we will examine all the available methods, from standard MIUI tools to hidden commands and third-party applications.
It’s important to understand that the timer’s capabilities depend on the firmware version and device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the algorithm is different from what works on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. We tested each method on current devices (May 2026 data) and identified key nuances that are not written in the official instructions.
1. Standard MIUI shutdown timer: where to look and how to set up
The most obvious way to do this is to use the built-in Sleep Timer feature that has been present in most versions of MIUI since the 11th, but its location has changed: in the old firmware, the option was hidden in the Settings → Additional menu, and in the new ones, it moved to the Screen and Brightness section.
To activate the timer:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Screen (or Screen and Brightness).
- ⏰ Find the item "Sleep Timer" (on some models - "Switch off»).
- ⏳ Set a time (15 minutes to 12 hours) and confirm the action.
- 🔔 Turn on the “Show Notification” switch to remember the active timer.
Make sure the battery is over 20% charged |Close all background apps |Disable Power Saving mode |Check that the device is not active boots-->
Note that some devices (e.g., POCO F5) may not have the function on the menu, in which case try alternative methods in the following sections.
⚠️ Note: If the phone doesn't turn off after setting the timer, check if the Security app blocks the process. There's an AutoRun section in its settings where you can add the com.android.settings system app to exceptions.
2. Hidden command for forced shutdown (for experienced)
Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden command for delayed shutdown via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that works on all models but requires a connection to a computer or using a terminal on the phone itself.
Instructions:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.ACTION_SHUTDOWN --es delay {time in milliseconds} For example, to turn off through 30 minute (1800000 MS): adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.ACTION_SHUTDOWN --es delay 1800000
- Turn off the phone, the timer will start counting.
The advantage of this method is that it bypasses the limitations of MIUI and works even if there is no standard timer, but there is a risk of resetting commands when the system restarts.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
3.Apps for automatic shutdown: TOP-3 proven utilities
If the built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party apps, and we tested 10 tools and selected the three most reliable ones:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shutdown Timer | Simple interface, support for cycles (e.g., turn off every day at 23:00) | Advertising in the free version | Google Play |
| Auto Shutdown | It works without root, there is a widget for quick access | Requires permission to access Usage Access | Google Play |
| Tasker | Maximum flexibility (you can link the shutdown to geolocation, charge level, etc.) | Difficult for beginners, paid version | Google Play |
For most users, Shutdown Timer is enough – it does not require special knowledge and works steadily on MIUI. If you need automation on a schedule (for example, turn off your phone on weekdays at 22:00), you should choose Tasker.
Standard timer in MIUI|ADB-team|Third-party annexes|I don't use a timer.-->
Scheduled shutdown via Sleep Mode (for MIUI 13+)
MIUI 13 and later has a "Sleep Mode" that not only turns off the screen, but can also shut down the device completely, a feature originally designed to limit phone use before bedtime, but it can be adapted to suit our needs.
How to set up:
- 🌙 Go to Settings. → Digital well-being → Sleep regimen.
- ⏰ Set the start and end times of the mode (for example, 23:00 to 07:00).
- 🔄 Enable the Automatic Shutdown option (may be called Disable Device»).
- ⚡ Select the action: “Switch off” or “Reboot».
An important nuance: in this mode, the phone will turn off daily at a given time. If you need a one-time setting, use the standard timer from the first partition.
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If Auto Shutdown is not available in your MIUI version, upgrade to the latest stable version. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
5. Automatic shutdown with low battery charge
Not everyone knows, but Xiaomi has a hidden feature to turn off the phone at a critical charge level.This is useful if you forget to charge the device and the battery runs down to 0%. However, the default threshold is set at 3%, which may be too late.
To change the threshold:
- Activate Developer Mode (as in the ADB section).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the item "Automatic shutdown at low charge" (in English firmware - Auto shutdown at low battery).
- Set the desired percentage (recommended 10-15%).
⚠️ Note: If you are using custom restoration (e.g, TWRP), This feature may conflict with Magisk modules. Before setting up, back up via Nandroid Backup.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after setting it right, the shutdown timer may not work, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:
- 🔋 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off in Settings → Battery → Power saving mode: It blocks background processes, including system timers.
- 🛡️ Security App: Add Settings (com.android.settings) to AutoRun exceptions (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start).
- 🔄 System Update: After Updating MIUI Reset the timer settings - they can fly.
- 📱 Root rights: If the phone is rooted, check if the timer is blocked by the Magisk module (e.g. Universal SafetyNet Fix).
If nothing helps, try resetting the screen and brightness settings to factory: Settings → System → Resetting → Reset screen settings.
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Before resetting, export the current screen configuration via Settings → Screen → Save screen settings (not available on all models).
7. Alternative methods: SMS or call switch off
For advanced users, there is a way to turn off the phone SMS-This is useful if you have lost your device or want to remotely disable it (for example, a child).
The setup will require:
- Install the MacroDroid application (link).
- Create a new macro with the trigger “Received SMS” or “Missed call”.
- Select “Power Off” as the action.
- Specify your phone number or key phrase in SMS (e.g. shutdown123).
Important: This method requires permission to access SMS and administrative rights for the application, and note that an attacker can use this feature if he finds out your “secret” code.