Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have bright displays that provide excellent color reproduction during the day. However, in the evening or in poor light conditions, such a screen can become a source of discomfort for the eyes. The blue spectrum of radiation characteristic of LED-matrixes can disrupt the production of melatonin, which negatively affects the quality of sleep and overall well-being of the user after prolonged use of the gadget.
Fortunately, in the MIUI and the new HyperOS, developers have implemented a powerful tool called Read Mode or Night Mode, which not only reduces brightness, but also adjusts color temperature to make the image warmer and more pleasant to perceive in the dark.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can activate your eye protection, from basic settings to advanced automation scenarios, and learn how to make your phone switch to sparing mode at a certain time or when you run specific applications, providing maximum comfort at any time of the day.
The basics of vision protection in MIUI and HyperOS
Often referred to as “night mode” by users, Xiaomi’s system settings officially call “Read Mode” and use a software-based shift of the display’s color gamut to yellow and orange to effectively filter out the short-wavelength blue spectrum, which is most aggressive for the retina in the dark.
Unlike a simple dimming that can make text unreadable, the read mode keeps the characters contrasting. The system offers two main options: the classic one, which simply changes colors, and the Paper mode. The second option adds a barely noticeable texture to the screen that mimics the printed sheet, which further reduces fatigue when reading long articles or books.
It's important to understand that activating this feature affects color reproduction in all applications. If you're a professional graphics or photo artist, you may need to temporarily turn off mode to display colors correctly. However, for everyday use, surfing the Internet and browsing text information, this is the optimal solution for maintaining eye health.
- 📱 Reduces blue light radiation, reducing the risk of circadian rhythm disturbance.
- 🎨 Keeps the text readable even with minimal brightness of backlight.
- ⚙️ Allows you to flexibly adjust the degree of "warmth" of the screen to individual preferences.
- 📚 Paper mode adds a texture layer to simulate reading from paper.
⚠️ Note: Reading mode is not intended for use in the daytime in bright sunlight, as in such conditions the screen may appear too dull and faded, which will make you strain your eyesight.
In newer versions of firmware, the algorithms are smarter: the system can analyze ambient lighting through a sensor and suggest that the mode be turned on automatically, which saves the user from having to manually switch settings every evening.
Step-by-step activation through the settings menu
To enable the feature, you need to go to your device's system menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. Open the Settings app and find the section responsible for the display.
Inside the Screen or Display section, you'll need to find Read Mode, and in some versions of MIUI, it can be entered under "Advanced" or "Eye Safety," and after you go, you'll see a master switch that activates the function immediately.
Once the base mode is turned on, the system will tell you to choose the type of mode, so you can either stay on the standard mode or switch to the paper mode. Below is a slider scale that allows you to adjust the intensity of the effect. When you move the slider, you see the changes in real time, which allows you to find the perfect balance between comfort and color reproduction.
☑️ Verification of mode activation
Remember, the settings are global, which means that the heat level you choose will be active in all applications as long as the function is active. If you're used to cold shades, the screen may seem unnaturally yellow at first, but the eyes will adapt in 10-15 minutes.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Screen to find the right item.
- 🎚️ Use a slider to fine-tune color temperature.
- 📖 Switch between normal mode and paper mode for comparison.
⚠️ Note: If you can’t find “Read Mode” in the specified places, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu by typing in a “read” or “eye” request».
Automation: schedule and scenarios
Manually turning the feature on and off each time can be uncomfortable. Xiaomi’s system provides powerful automation tools that allow the smartphone to go into gentle mode at the right time, especially for those who like to read the news before bed.
The Read Mode option is available, and when you activate it, you can set a time interval, for example, from 21:00 to 07:00, during which time the screen will automatically turn warm, and immediately after the period, return to normal color reproduction.
And you can also attach the mode to specific applications, so if you only read in certain programs (like the Kindle or the browser), you can set up the launch function only when you open it, so you can watch videos or play games during the day without distorting colors, but you can keep your eyes protected when you read.
Hidden schedule settings
Automatic settings can also depend on the level of illumination. The light sensor analyzes the environment, and if the room becomes dark, the system can either suggest turning on the mode or force it if the option is activated in the advanced settings.
- ⏰ Set the exact on and off times for daily use.
- 📲 Set up the start function only for selected applications from the list.
- 💡 Use adaptive settings that depend on the light sensor.
⚠️ Note: When setting your schedule, keep your time zone in mind. If you are traveling, automatic switching may not work on time unless network time synchronization is enabled.
Display mode comparison: Normal vs. Paper
Users often wonder which mode to use, and to make a smart decision, it’s worth considering the technical and visual differences between standard reading and paper mode, each with its own advantages depending on the use case.
Normal mode simply shifts color temperature, and it's perfect for short sessions or situations where it's important to see not just text, but interface elements in their usual, albeit warm, way, and it's less of a performance driver.
Paper mode adds a noise-cancellation layer that mimics the texture of the paper, which makes the fonts less sharp, which reduces contrasting eye loads on long-term reading. AMOLED-In low-resolution screens, this effect may look like a slight ripple.
| Characteristics | Regular regime | Paper mode. |
|---|---|---|
| Color rendering | Warm but full. | Muffled, monochrome |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | slightly higher due to processing |
| Readability of text | Tall. | Maximum (imitation of printing) |
| Best application | Web surfing, social media | Reading books, articles |
Choosing between these modes is a matter of taste. Some users prefer a pure yellow hue, others like the effect of an e-book, and try to use each of them for a few days to see which option is more comfortable for your eyesight.
Management through the Control Center and widgets
You don't have to go deep every time you access the night mode quickly. Xiaomi's system allows you to put the switch on a prominent screen. In newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS, this is done through the Control Center.
Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the notification curtain and switches. Find a button with an eye icon or reading mode. If it's not on the first page, swipe left or tap on a pencil (edit) to add the desired shortcut to the active zone.
Pressing this switch in the curtain for a long time often opens up a direct quick setup menu where you can change the schedule immediately or switch to Paper mode, saving time and allowing you to respond to light changes instantly.
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For even faster access, add the Read Mode widget to your desktop. Press and hold the blank space on the screen, select "Widgets" and find the appropriate control.
Also worth mentioning is the voice assistant. You can just say, "C, turn on the read mode" (or a similar command for Google Assistant), and the phone will perform the action without touching the screen, which is convenient when hands are busy.
- 👆 Add a switch to the notification curtain to access one tap.
- ✏️ Edit a set of shortcuts to find the right button.
- 🗣️ Use voice commands to activate without hands.
⚠️ Note: In some third-party design themes, the curtain reading icon may not be displayed correctly or replaced with a standard Android icon.
Decision and additional advice
Despite the simplicity of the feature, users sometimes encounter nuances of its operation, for example, the mode may not turn on in some games or video players, because the system defines them as content that requires accurate color reproduction. This is standard behavior, but it can be bypassed through application settings.
Sometimes, after updating the firmware settings are reset, in which case, check if the Bright or Classic mode is activated in the main screen settings, which can conflict with the night mode. Also make sure that the DC Dimming feature, which controls the screen flicker and can visually overlap with the reading settings, is not enabled.
For owners. AMOLED-It is important to remember the width of use (WWM) night mode, reducing the brightness, can make the flicker more noticeable to sensitive eyes. In such cases, it is recommended not to minimize the brightness to a minimum programmatically, but rather to use software brightness reduction in combination with the reading mode.
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The optimal setting for the night is a combination of low brightness, the “Paper” mode on, and a schedule that is activated an hour before bedtime.
If you use your smartphone to work with documents at night, make sure that the font settings are large and clear, combined with a warm filter, this will give the best result for the eyes.