Screen life on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a matter of convenience, but also an important aspect of energy saving. Incorrectly configured settings can lead to quick battery discharge or, conversely, inconvenience when the display goes off too quickly. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to adjust the screen duration, from basic timeout to advanced features like Always-On Display (AOD).
The feature of MIUI firmware and the new HyperOS is that screen settings can vary depending on the model and version of the software. For example, flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra have advanced options that are not available in budget models like Redmi Note 12.
Basic screen timeout setting
The easiest way to control screen time is to set a timeout, which is the period of inactivity after which the display automatically turns off. Xiaomi usually has 30 seconds on default, but this value can be changed.
To set up a timeout:
- Open the Settings → Screen.
- Select the screen timeout (or Sleep after inactivity in some versions).
- Set the desired time: from 15 seconds to 10 minutes.
On some models (e.g. POCO F5), this option may be in Settings → Display → Additional. If you didn’t find the item right away, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).
⚠️ Note: Set too long a timeout (for example, 10 minutes) significantly reduces battery life. Optimal balance for most users — 30-60 seconds.
Always-On Display (AOD): How to Enable and Configure
The Always-On Display (or AOD) This feature allows you to display time, notifications and other information on the screen even when it is turned off. 13T Pro, Redmi K60 Ultra) and some mid-range devices with AMOLED-screen.
To activate the AOD:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Screen. → Always-On Display.
- 🔄 Turn the switch on to the on position.
- ⚙️ Configure the information displayed: time, date, notifications, battery charge.
- 🎨 Choose the display style (both standard and custom options are available).
In some models (for example, POCO X6 Pro) the function can be called Ambient Display and be in the same partition. If you don't have an option, your device doesn't support it. AOD because of the type of screen (for example, IPS-Matrices cannot operate in this mode).
Why can't AOD work?
For advanced users, if standard AOD doesn't work, you can install third-party apps like Always On AMOLED from Google Play, which offer more customization options, but can increase battery consumption slightly.
Setting screen time through Developer Mode
If standard settings are not enough, you can access hidden settings through Developer Mode, which will allow, for example, to turn off the automatic screen shutdown during charging or change the behavior of the display when connecting via USB.
To enable Developer Mode:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) and tap it 7 times in a row.
- Return to the main settings – a new section for developers will appear.
Now you can set up:
- 🔌 The screen does not turn off when charging (useful for watching video or navigation).
- 🖥️ Time to turn off the screen when connecting to USB (For example, to be used as a media player).
- 🔄 Windows animation (affects the speed of switching between applications).
⚠️ Note: Not all settings in Developer Mode are safe, such as changing values GPU Or background processes can cause the system to run in an unstable way.
Do not turn off the screen when charging | Increase the limit of background processes to 4| Enable debugging over USB (only if necessary) | Turn off window animation to speed up work
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Automatic screen time control with Adaptive Brightness
Adaptive Brightness not only adjusts the brightness of the screen depending on the lighting, but can also indirectly affect the time of its operation, for example, in the dark, the display will automatically dim, which prolongs the autonomy.
To adjust adaptive brightness:
- Open the settings → Screen → Brightness.
- Activate the Adaptive Brightness Switch.
- Press the gear next to the brightness slider to adjust the sensor sensitivity.
On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro), adaptive brightness works in tandem with Reading, which automatically reduces brightness and filters blue light during the dark, not only saving your eyes, but also saving battery life.
| Function | Effect on screen time | Recommended settings |
|---|---|---|
| AOD (Always-On) | Increases battery consumption by 5-10% | Include only when necessary |
| Adaptive brightness | Reduces battery consumption by 3-7% | Turn on and adjust sensitivity |
| Time out 30 seconds | Optimal balance of convenience and economy | Recommended for most users |
| Reading mode | Reduces brightness and filters blue light | Include in the evening or during long reading |
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If your Xiaomi smartphone is quickly discharged due to long screen time, try turning on Battery mode in the power settings. It automatically limits background activity and reduces the brightness of the display.
How to Turn Off Automatic Screen Turnoff During Videos or Games
Many users experience the problem of having the screen go out while watching a video or game despite active interaction, because the system perceives the lack of touch as inactivity.
Method 1: Use Smart Stay
Smart Stay uses a front-facing camera to track whether you're looking at the display, and if so, the screen won't turn off.
- 📷 Go to Settings. → Screen. → Attention to the screen.
- 🔄 Enable the function and give access to the camera.
Method 2: Screen retention applications
If Smart Stay doesn’t work or doesn’t work on your model, you can install third-party utilities, such as:
- 📱 Keep Screen On (holds the screen on for selected applications).
- 🎮 Game Tools (built-in to the MIUI game-solution).
Method 3: Developer mode
As mentioned earlier, in the developer settings, you can turn off the screen when charging or connecting to a USB. This is true if you watch video while charging.
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Smart Stay doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models and can increase battery consumption due to camera usage. If autonomy is critical, it’s best to use third-party manual apps.
Screen time problems and their solutions
Sometimes screen time settings may not work properly, so let's look at some of the most common problems and how to fix them.
Problem 1: The screen turns off too quickly despite the settings
Possible causes:
- 🔋 Battery Super Economy mode is activated (limits screen operation).
- 📱 A third-party power management app is installed (e.g. Greenify).
- 🔄 Failure to work MIUI/HyperOS.
Solution: Check the battery settings, remove conflicting apps, or reset your screen settings.
Problem 2: Always-On Display is not working.
If the AOD is enabled but not displayed:
- 🔋 Make sure your battery is above 15% (on some models) AOD shut off).
- 📱 Check if there is a Dark Mode set – some styles AOD not displayed in this mode.
- 🔄 Restart the device or reset the screen settings.
Problem 3: The screen doesn't turn off at all
If the display is always on:
- 🔧 Check the developer mode settings – it is possible that the screen option is always on.
- 📱 Remove newly installed apps that may block screen shutdown.
- 🔄 Perform a reset to factory settings (pre-reverse the backup).