Modern. AMOLED-The screens that power Xiaomi’s flagship and mid-range devices enable the always-on display feature without critically impairing autonomy (AOD), Turns a smartphone’s black screen into an informative widget that displays the time, date, notifications and charge level while the device is in sleep mode. Users often look for ways to activate this option so they don’t wake the phone up with a touch every time they just look at the clock.
However, despite the popularity of the feature, owners of Redmi and POCO often face a situation where the cherished item in the settings menu simply does not exist, this may be due to regional firmware limitations, features of a particular model, or simply hidden settings of the MIUI and HyperOS system. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways of activation, including standard methods and workarounds for advanced users.
Before you start setting up, you have to understand how the technology works. LCD-And in the matrix, where the lights are constantly on, only individual pixels are active. AMOLED-In the case of screens, black means that there is no pixel glow at all, which provides tremendous energy savings compared to the usual standby mode. AOD It has become the de facto standard for the industry, and Xiaomi is actively implementing these solutions in its shells.
Compatibility check and device preparation
The first step before looking for settings is to verify the specifications of your gadget. the Always On Display feature is hardware supported only by devices equipped with matrices of the type AMOLED super AMOLED. If you have a cheaper device installed in your device IPS-The panel, software methods to activate a full-fledged AOD This technology requires individual control of each pixel, which is impossible for the user. LCD-screen.
It is also important to consider the operating system version. The MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS shells all have slightly different menu interfaces, although the logic remains similar. Make sure your device is updated to the latest available version of the software, as the feature may be unstable or absent from global firmware for certain regions in older builds.
To check the screen type and version of the software, perform the following steps:
- 📱 Open the Settings app and go to About Phone section.
- 🔍 Find the line with the model name and quickly click on the version logo several times. MIUI, To see the hidden parameters (if necessary).
- 💡 Pay attention to the screen resolution in the Screen section – often it indicates the type of matrix or its characteristics.
It is worth noting that even if there is AMOLED-In some budget models of the Redmi Note series, the manufacturer may software restrict the functionality for market segmentation. In such cases, the standard menu will not offer the option of inclusion, and you will need to use third-party solutions or change the region.
Standard activation through system settings
If your device technically supports the feature, the easiest way to enable it is to use a regular shell interface. The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the MIUI layer, but the overall logic remains the same.
To activate, go to the main settings menu and select Always on and Lock (sometimes inside the Lock Screen section). Here you will see the switch that needs to be switched to the active position. Once turned on, the selected watch style or logo will instantly appear on the screen.
In the same menu, additional fine-tuning options are available:
- 🎨 Style: Choice of clock font, date format and background images.
- ⏱️ Schedule: setting the turn-on time (for example, only at night or from 8:00 to 23:00).
- 🔋 Energy savings: the option to turn off AOD Low battery charge (usually below 20% or 10%).
Note the "Show by" option, where you can choose "10 seconds after touch" or "Always." The first option saves a lot of charge by activating the display only when you interact with the phone or receive a notification, while the second one keeps the pixels burning constantly within the chosen schedule.
☑️ Checking settings AOD
Addressing the problem of missing a menu item
A frequent situation is the presence of AMOLED-It's got a screen and a fresh firmware, but it's not always on, but it's not on the settings menu. It's a classic sign of regional locking. Xiaomi global firmware for some countries (e.g. Russia, Ukraine, CIS countries) may not contain this functionality due to licensing restrictions or marketing policies, while in the Chinese or European version of the same model this option is present.
The safest and most effective way to solve this problem without flashing is to change the region of the device, which does not require root permissions, does not erase user data, and takes only a couple of minutes, the essence of the method is that the phone "thinks" that it is in another country where the feature is allowed, and unlocks the corresponding sections in the menu.
Algorithm for changing the region:
- Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
- In the list of countries, select India, Nepal or Singapore.
- The system will restart some services, after which you need to return to the lock screen settings.
⚠️ Note: If you change region to some countries (for example, India), the phone may have pre-installed apps and advertising services specific to this market. This is not a virus, but a feature of regional firmware, but you can remove unnecessary applications manually.
When you change region, the "Always on" option usually appears on the Lock screen menu. If that doesn't happen right away, try rebooting the device. It's important to understand that this method works on most Redmi and POCO models, but the Mi flagship series are less restrictive.
What if the change in the region did not help?
Customization and personalization through Mi Themes
The MIUI's regular features offer a basic set of dials, but the variety lies in the Mi Themes store. Many users are unaware that third-party themes can completely replace the system interface Always On Display, adding animation, interactive elements and unique graphics not available in the standard menu.
To access the advanced functionality, open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search box, type in "AOD" or "Always On." You'll see thousands of design options, from minimalist Casio-style watches to complex anime wallpapers with live graphics. When choosing a theme, pay attention to the preview — if the picture shows a working screen with a clock on a black background, then the theme supports AOD.
The process of installing a custom style:
- 📥 Download your favorite theme and click the Apply button.
- ⚙️ The system will automatically prompt you to configure Always On Display settings for a new theme.
- 🔄 If no automatic settings have occurred, go to Settings. → Wallpaper and choose the applied style AOD.
Using themes allows you to bypass the limitations of the standard interface, for example, some themes allow you to display steps, weather or battery status in more detail, but it is worth remembering that complex graphics and animation consume more power than static white digits.
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Use black wallpaper in combination with dark interface theme. It doesn't just improve visual perception. AOD, It also saves battery life on AMOLED-screens, because black pixels do not consume energy.
Impact on battery autonomy and consumption
One of the big questions that users are concerned about is how much the Always On Display affects your smartphone's life, and the answer depends on a lot of factors: the brightness of the screen, the number of active pixels, the frequency of updating information, and of course, the battery capacity of your device. OLED technology is effective, but physics is physics — burning pixels are burning pixels.
On average, the “Always” mode (24/7) can increase daily battery consumption by 5-10%. For a modern smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery, this means a loss of about 250-500 mAh per day, which is equivalent to 3-5 hours of screen life in normal mode. If you use the “10 seconds after touch” mode, the consumption is reduced to a minimum of 1-2%, which is almost imperceptible in everyday use.
Factors that affect AOD energy consumption:
| Parameter | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | High. | Use auto-brightness or manually reduce |
| Type of content | Average. | Prefer static animation numbers |
| Mode of work | Critical | Choose a 10 sec or schedule at night |
| Permission | Low. | Full HD consumes more than HD+ |
For maximum savings, it is recommended to set a schedule. For example, it is logical to turn off AOD during sleep (from 23:00 to 07:00) when you are not looking at the phone anyway, or while working when the device is in your pocket or bag. Xiaomi's smart algorithms can also automatically turn off the function if the phone is lying down the screen or in your pocket, thanks to the proximity sensor.
⚠️ Attention: Prolonged display of static images at high brightness can theoretically cause burn-in pixels after several years of operation. Although modern Xiaomi panels have protection against this, it is not recommended to set maximum brightness for the display of a high brightness. AOD permanently.
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The optimal balance between functionality and autonomy is achieved by using the “10 seconds after touch” mode or setting up a night schedule.
Alternative solutions and third-party applications
If the normal methods to activate the function fails (for example, on devices with IPS-And then, with screens or older models, apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. They emulate work. AOD, It's not really Always On Display, because the pixels don't always burn in the standby mode, but the visual effect is similar.
A popular solution is the Always On app. AMOLED. It uses a black background and bright elements, minimizing energy consumption even on the ground. IPS-It allows you to adjust your operating time, select widgets, and even display battery power.
Advantages of third-party solutions:
- 🚀 Available on all Android models, including older Redmi and POCO.
- 🎨 A huge selection of dials, often richer than in Mi Themes.
- ⚙️ Flexible setting of triggers of inclusion (shaking, sound, time).
However, these applications also have disadvantages: they require permanent permits to work in the background, which can lead to more aggressive battery consumption than system AOD. In addition, the MIUI system is known for its aggressive memory management and can "kill" the application process, so you will need to manually configure autostart and remove battery restrictions for the selected application in the Application → Permissions section.
In conclusion, setting Always On Display on Xiaomi is a process that can range from simply switching the tumbler to changing the region or setting theme. Understanding the principles of your screen and properly setting the schedule will allow you to enjoy the convenience of the function without compromising the time of your smartphone.