Always On Display on Xiaomi Mi 9T: Detailed Guide to Setup and Optimization

Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20) — One of the most popular smartphones of the brand, combining AMOLED-The screen and the powerful hardware. Always on Display (AOD) It allows you to display time, notifications and other data on a screen that is off without unlocking the device, but many users face problems: the feature does not turn on, quickly puts down the battery or does not work correctly.

In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for setting up AOD on the Mi 9T, including hidden MIUI options, power saving tips, and solutions to typical bugs. We’ll also learn how to bypass firmware limitations and activate advanced display styles that Xiaomi hides by default.

Special attention is paid to the unique feature of the Mi 9T: support for AOD only on custom firmware or through workarounds in the standard MIUI. If you want to use the feature without root rights - we have working methods!

What is Always On Display and Why is it Used on the Mi 9T?

Always On Display (AOD) — technology in which a part of the pixels AMOLED-The screen is still active even when it's off:

• ⏰ Time and date
• 📳 Notifications of missed calls/SMS
• 🔋 Battery level of charge
• 🎵 Information about the music being reproduced
• 📅 Calendar reminders

On Xiaomi Mi. 9T This feature is especially useful for Super AMOLED-It's a Samsung display that uses minimal energy to display static elements. LCD-screens where the backlight is constantly working, here only the necessary pixels glow.

There is a caveat, however: the standard MIUI firmware for the Mi 9T (Davinci model) does not officially feature AOD, due to Xiaomi’s policy that restricts AOD support only for flagship series (Mi 10/11, Mi 12 and newer).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI forced inclusion AOD via adb or third-party applications may result in increased battery consumption (up to a maximum of three years). 10-15% Before setting up, check the battery health in Settings → Battery → Battery status.

Preparation of the smartphone: compatibility check and updates

Before setting up your AOD, make sure your Xiaomi Mi 9T meets the minimum requirements:

To check the MIUI version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have a version below MIUI 11, update the firmware first through Settings → System Update.

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Make a backup of data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50%
• 📱 Disable all background applications in Settings → Battery → Optimization

Method 1: Enabling AOD through hidden MIUI settings (without root)

This method works on most versions of MIUI for the Mi 9T and does not require superuser rights.We will use ADB commands to unlock the hidden feature.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 USB-cable (original)
• 🔧 Google's Platform Tools utility

Steps:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone, tap 7 times on the MIUI Version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate debugging.
2. Connect the Mi 9T to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line (terminal) in the folder with Platform Tools and do:

adb shell settings put global always_on_display_enabled 1


adb shell settings put secure doze_always_on 1

After you execute the commands, restart your phone. The Always On Display option should appear in the screen settings.

USB debugging enabled

Installed Platform Tools on PC

The phone is charged at more than 50%

Selected mode "File transfer" when connecting-->

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware after activation AOD through ADB The screen lock animation may disappear. To return it, follow the command: adb shell settings put global. lockscreen_visualization_enabled 1

Method 2: Using third-party applications (without root)

If teams ADB If you don't work or you don't want to connect your phone to your computer, you can use specialized applications. 9T:

Instructions for Always On AMOLED:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the permissions you request (notifications, auto-start, display over other windows).
3. In the application settings, select the AOD style (e.g. Minimal Clock or Digital).
4. Activate Start on Boot and Persistent Notification.

To save battery in the settings of the application:

• 🔋 Set a shutdown timer (for example, 23:00 to 7:00)
• 🌓 Choose dark themes with minimal active pixels
• ⚡ Turn off animations and unnecessary widgets

💡

If AOD does not turn on after installing the application, go to Settings → Applications → Autostart Management and allow auto-run for the selected application.

Method 3: Install custom firmware with AOD support

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will give full-fledged AOD support without workarounds, a method that requires unlocking the bootloader and can be unwarranted.

Advantages of custom firmware for Mi 9T:

• 🔄 Native support AOD lagless
• 🎨 More styles and settings
• 🔋 Optimized energy consumption
• 📱 Regular security updates

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Davinci (model Mi 9T).
3. Download the firmware (we recommend LineageOS 19 or Pixel Experience).
4. Go to TWRP, make a wipe (Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) and run the firmware.

Once installed, AOD will be available in Settings → Display → Always On Display. Custom firmware usually provides additional options:

• 🕒 Scheduling
• 🎨 Choice of color schemes
• 🔔 Notification filtering
• 🔄 Automatic shutdown at low charge

⚠️ Attention: Custom firmware installation resets all data on the phone. TWRP Also note that some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) can block work on uncertified firmware.

Optimizing battery consumption when using AOD

AOD on AMOLED-The screen consumes minimal energy, but if the settings are wrong, it can reduce battery life on the screen. 10-20%. Here's how to optimize consumption:

The main savings settings:

• ⏳ Set a work timer: for example, only from 8:00 to 22:00.
• 🌑 Use dark themes with a minimum of white pixels.
• 🔔 Turn off notifications for unnecessary applications.
• 🔋 Activate adaptive brightness in screen settings.

Additional advice:

• 📵 In the bad signal zone of the network AOD Turn off the phone – it spends more energy searching for a connection.
• ❄️ Temperatures below 0°C AMOLED-The screen may be unstable. AOD.
• 🔄 Once a month, reboot your phone – it resets background processes that can interfere with proper operation. AOD.

To check the actual battery consumption:

1. Charge the phone to 100%.
2. Activate AOD and leave your phone on standby for 8 hours.
3. Check the consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery use.

Normal flow rate for AOD:

• 🟢 Up to 5% in 8 hours, great.
• 🟡 5-10% — Normal (can be optimized)
• 🔴 More than 10% – needs adjustment

💡

The most effective way to save money is to use a black background and minimalist styles (for example, only watches without a date and notifications).

Typical Always On Display Problems with Mi 9T

Even after setting up properly, AOD may not work properly. Consider the most common problems and solutions:

If the AOD has stopped working after the MIUI update:

1. Check if your ADB settings have reset (repeat the commands from Method 1).
2. Clear the system cache: Settings → Applications → Application management → Three points → Clear the cache.
3. If nothing helps, try to roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.

To diagnose problems, use the log of system events:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Follow the command:

adb logcat | grep -i "aod\|always\|display"

This will show errors related to the work of Always On Display.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Always On Display on Xiaomi Mi 9T