Screen calibration on Xiaomi: a detailed guide to adjusting colors and brightness

The screen of Xiaomi smartphone is not just a display, but a key element of interaction with the device. AMOLED-Matrixes in Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Xiaomi 14 Ultra can display distorted colors if not tuned correctly, problems like excessive blue, dull shades or blurred gradients are often solved by simple calibration, a procedure many users do not even know about.

In this article, weโ€™ll explore how to calibrate the screen on any Xiaomi smartphone (including models on MIUI 14/15 and older versions), why factory settings are not always optimal, and what tools will help achieve perfect color reproduction. Youโ€™ll learn how to fix unnatural skin tones, over-lit white or dull black โ€” without root rights and third-party firmware.

Why do you need to calibrate the screen on Xiaomi?

Smartphone manufacturers (including Xiaomi) often customize displays to the โ€œaverageโ€ user, which means:

  • ๐Ÿ”ต Higher color temperature (screens look โ€œcoldโ€) for better readability in the sun.
  • ๐ŸŸข Increased saturation โ€“ to make the picture seem โ€œjuicierโ€ in the store.
  • ๐ŸŸก Nonlinear gamma (incorrect ratio of brightness of dark and light tones).

As a result, gallery photos can look different than other devices, and videos can lose detail in the shadows. AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi) 13T, POCO F5), where each pixel is individually illuminated, and the slightest calibration errors are striking.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of screen does your Xiaomi have?
AMOLED
IPS LCD
I don't know.
Other

Calibration solves these problems by bringing color reproduction closer to sRGB or DCIP3, which is what professional photographers and film studios use, but it's important to understand that setting "to yourself" and setting "to standards" are different things. One depends on your preferences, the other depends on the technical requirements.

Preparation for calibration: what you need to know

Before you start setting up, check:

  1. MIUI Version: Setup Path โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI Version. Instructions for MIUI 12 and MIUI 15 may differ.
  2. Screen type: AMOLED (deep black, high contrast) or IPS (more natural colors, but backlit) can be found in the characteristics of the model or through the AIDA64 application.
  3. Current color profile: Xiaomiโ€™s default is often โ€œsaturatedโ€ or โ€œautoโ€, which distorts the real shades.

Also prepare:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Test images with a known color palette (e.g. Lagom) LCD Test).
  • ๐Ÿ” Screen Testing (Screen Test, Display Tester).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Write down the current settings to return them if the result doesn't like.

Find out the MIUI version and screen type

Download test images

Install an application for analysis (Screen Test)

Record the current color settings

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

โš ๏ธ Note: If your Xiaomi supports HDR (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Black Shark 5, turn it off in the screen settings before calibrating. HDR Uses an extended color range, which will distort the test results.

Method 1: Calibration through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and flagships like Xiaomi 14.

Steps:

  1. Open the Settings โ†’ Display.
  2. Choose the Color Scheme (or Color Style in older versions).
  3. Try pre-profiles: Saturated - bright but unnatural colors; Standard - closer to sRGB (recommended for most tasks); Gentle - warm colors, less eye strain.

Customized

In user mode, you can adjust:

ParameterWhat regulatesRecommended values
Color temperatureBalance of cold/warm tones6500K (neutral white)
ContrastDifference between Light and Dark Areas50-70% (depending on the matrix)
SaturationIntensity of flowers40-60% (for natural shades)
The shadeShift towards green/purple0 (neutral)

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Use gradient test images to assess the smoothness of transitions. If you see bands on the screen, reduce contrast.

๐Ÿ’ก

To check the color rendering, open the Photo Finish Calibration website in your browser - there are special tests to adjust the gamut and white balance.

Method 2: Applications for accurate calibration

If built-in MIUI tools aren't enough, use third-party apps that offer advanced tests and more flexible settings.

Top.-3 calibration:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Screen Balance โ€“ analyzes color temperature and offers optimal values.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Color Calibration โ€“ Manual setting RGB-channels with preliminary testing.
  • ๐Ÿ” Display Tester โ€“ Checks the screen for broken pixels, gradients and color distortions.

Instructions for Screen Balance:

  1. Download the app from Google Play.
  2. Run a white balance test and the program will show the current color temperature.
  3. Follow the tips to adjust the settings manually or automatically.
  4. Apply the changes through the MIUI screen settings.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some apps (e.g. Color Calibration) require permission to overlay over other windows. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Special access โ†’ Overlay.

What if the app doesnโ€™t see the change?
If the colors on the screen have not changed after setting up in a third-party application, check: 1. Does another application (for example, Night Mode or Read) override your settings. 2. Is the firmware updated - in older versions of MIUI, some parameters may not apply. 3. Does your model support manual calibration (on budget Xiaomi, only preliminary profiles are sometimes available).

Method 3: Calibration through the engineering menu (for advanced)

The engineering menu (#36446337##) allows fine-tuning screen settings, but requires caution, a method suitable for power users, as incorrect values can degrade image quality.

How to open and use:

  1. Enter the code ##36446337## in the Phone app.
  2. Go to the Display or Screen section.
  3. Find the parameters: Color Temperature (color temperature 1 to 100), Gamma Correction (color temperature) (color temperature), RGB Balance (red/green/blue balance).

Make changes one by one by checking the result on the test images.

๐Ÿ“Œ Example of values AMOLED-Xiaomi screen 12T:

Color Temperature: 65 (Neutral White)


Gamma: 2.2 (standard for most content)




RGB Balance: R=255, G=250, B=245 (light decrease in blue)

โš ๏ธ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are not reset after rebooting. If the screen starts to look worse, return the values to the factory or reset the settings through Settings โ†’ System system โ†’ Resetting settings (select "Reset screen settings").

Problems after calibration and their solutions

Even after careful adjustment, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The colors have become dull.Too low saturation or gammaIncrease saturation to 50-60% or return the Standard profile
The screen flickers at low brightnessIncorrect gamma or PWM regulationIncrease brightness to 30% or turn off adaptive brightness
White color gives pink/greenImbalances RGB-channelReturn your RGB balance to 255/255/255 or use the Standard profile
YouTube video looks darkConflict with HDR or application settingsTurn off HDR in screen settings or reset YouTube settings

If the problems persist, try:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the screen settings to factory.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ Update the firmware (sometimes color reproduction bugs are fixed in new versions) MIUI).
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Contact the service center - a physical defect of the matrix is possible.

Calibration for specific tasks: games, photography, reading

The best screen settings depend on how you use your smartphone, and here are recommendations for different scenarios:

For games (MOBA, shooters):

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Profile: "Saturated" (for better visibility of details).
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Brightness: 80-100% (to avoid missing the enemy in the shadows).
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Color temperature: 7000K (Cold shade reduces eye fatigue during long sessions).

For photo processing (Lightroom, Snapseed):

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Profile: "Standard" or "sRGB" (for accurate color reproduction).
  • ๐Ÿ” Contrast: 50% (to avoid losing detail in shadows and lights).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Saturation: 40% (natural colors without distortion).

For reading and working with the text:

  • ๐Ÿ“– Profile: "Tender" or "Warm" (less strains the eyes).
  • ๐ŸŒ™ Brightness: 30-50% (depending on the lighting).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Adaptive brightness: turn on (for automatic adjustment).

๐Ÿ’ก

For professional color work (design, photography) use an external calibrator, such as the X-Rite i1Display Pro. A smartphone cannot provide 100% accuracy without specialized equipment.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi screen calibration

Can I reset the screen if I miss the calibration?
Yes, there are two ways: through settings: โ†’ Display. โ†’ Color scheme โ†’ Reset. Through resetting all settings: Settings โ†’ System system โ†’ Resetting settings โ†’ Resetting the screen. If you've changed the settings in the engineering menu, resetting through the settings may not help, but you'll have to enter the factory values manually.
Why did the colors remain the same in some applications after calibration?
Some apps (e.g. Netflix, YouTube) ignore the system color settings and use their own profiles. To fix this, turn off HDR in the screen settings. Check the app settings (sometimes there is an option to "Use system colors"). Update the app - newer versions often fix these bugs.
How to check if the screen is properly calibrated?
Use these tests: Black test -- you should see all shades of gray. White test should not give blue/pink. Gradient test -- transitions should be smooth, no stripes. If you see artifacts on the tests, adjust the gamma or RGB balance settings.
Does calibration affect battery life?
Yes, but not much. For example: Increased brightness and saturation increases battery consumption (especially on AMOLED); Warm tones (below 6500K) reduce consumption, as blue pixels consume more energy; Adaptive brightness can save charge if it works correctly. For maximum battery life, use the Energy Saving profile (if any) or manually reduce brightness to 40-50%.
Can I calibrate the screen on Xiaomi without root rights?
Yes, in 90% of cases root is not required. You can: Use the built-in MIUI settings. Apply third-party applications (most work without root). Configure through the engineering menu (available by code). Root will only be required for deep calibration at the kernel level (for example, editing files in /sys/class/leds/lcd-backlight/), but this is risky and not recommended for ordinary users.