Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with smart sensors that automatically adjust the level of display illumination depending on the ambient lighting. Although this feature is designed to save battery power and save vision, in reality, algorithms often work incorrectly, making the screen too dim in the bright sun or too bright in the dark. Many users face a situation when the phone will change the settings, which causes irritation and prevents comfortable use of the gadget.
Turning off automatic adjustment is a simple process, but in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, it has its own nuances that are not always obvious at first glance. The standard slider in the notification curtain is only the tip of the iceberg. To achieve complete control of the display, you need to delve into the system settings, and sometimes use hidden engineering menus. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to control the backlight.
You will learn not only to completely disable autobrightness, but also to calibrate the sensor if it is not working correctly. We will look at the differences between versions of the Android operating system and MIUI shells of different generations, and will also discuss the use of third-party software for fine-tuning, which can be useful for advanced users who want to get the most out of it.
Standard way through the notification curtain
The fastest and most affordable method of controlling backlighting is in what's called the "" (Control Center) -- the first place to look if you need to quickly change the screen settings without diving deep into the menu -- but many users confuse manual adjustment of the slider with a complete shutdown of automation, which leads to the feature being turned on again after a while.
To properly disable automatic mode, you need to do a sequence of things. Just lower the curtain is not enough, you need to switch the sensor mode. In some versions of the firmware, this switch can be hidden or have a non-standard location, depending on the regional version of the software.
Follow the instructions below to complete the task:
- 📱 Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
- ☀️ Find the horizontal brightness slider and move it to the right position.
- ⚙️ Click on the gear icon or the letter "A" next to the slider to activate or deactivate auto mode.
- 🔍 Make sure the car indicator is gone or changed color, signaling the transition to manual mode.
Importantly, the HyperOS shell has changed the logic of this interface element a little bit, so the switch can be directly in the adjustment band, and it requires a short press to activate it. If the A slider remains active after adjustment, the system will continue to make adjustments, ignoring your preferences.
Deep setting in the screen menu
If the fast method didn't work, or if the switch is constantly returning to its original state, you need to go to the basic settings of the system. This is where the fundamental parameters of the display, which take priority over the temporary settings of the curtain, are located. This section allows you to consolidate the user's choice and prevent the system from changing its configuration on its own.
Access to advanced settings requires several menu levels. The interface may vary slightly depending on whether you are using the global firmware version or the Chinese version. In the latest updates to MIUI 14 and HyperOS, some items have been renamed to unify with Android 13/14.
Follow the following steps to completely shut down:
- 🚀 Open the Settings app and go to the Screen section".
- 🌗 Find the item "Brightness level" or "Adaptive brightness".
- 🚫 Transfer the switch to the "Off" position, completely deaktivating the light sensor.
- ✅ Click “OK” or “Apply” if the system requests confirmation of actions.
⚠️ Warning: After turning off autobrightness in the settings menu, be sure to also check the Read or Vision Protection settings, as they may have their own color temperature and brightness algorithms that will conflict with your manual settings.
Within the same menu, Adaptive Reading is often hidden, which also uses a light sensor. If you have disabled the main autobrightness, but the screen still changes the shade or intensity of the glow in certain applications (for example, in a browser or reader), the problem may be in this subitem.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Features of working in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells are known for their deep customization, as well as for display control. Different versions of MIUI have significantly different logic for the brightness algorithms. For example, in older versions (MIUI 11-12), there was a problem when the phone suddenly dropped brightness when unlocked, even if the autobrightness was turned off. Newer versions of HyperOS have made this process smoother, but new features like Sunlight Display have appeared that can interfere.
Sunlight Display is a separate technology that forcefully raises brightness above the standard maximum when the sensor detects very bright light. Even when the autobrightness is turned off, this mechanism can work, creating the illusion of a malfunction. Understanding the difference between conventional autobrightness and readability improvement modes is critical.
Comparison of system behavior in different modes:
| Parameter | Auto-brightness of the TCL | Autobrightness OFF | Sunlight Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reaction to light | Instant. | Absent. | Only in very bright light. |
| Impact on the battery | Medium/High | Depends on the user. | Short-term surge |
| Stability | Low (frequent horse racing) | Tall. | Medium |
| Availability | Basic function | Basic function | Flagship models |
HyperOS users should also pay attention to the Adaptive Colors feature, which does not directly change brightness, but adjusts color temperature based on time of day and light, which can subjectively be perceived as a change in brightness, and turning off this option is located in the same screen menu and often solves the problem of discomfort.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Calibration
In cases where software shutdowns don't work or the sensor isn't working properly (e.g., it's covered with a safety glass or it's factory defective), you can use the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system that's designed to test hardware components, and you can not only check the sensor's performance, but also reset its calibration data.
To enter the engineering menu, you use a special code in the Phone app. Dial ##6484## or ##4636##. The interface may vary depending on the device model. You will need to find the section associated with "Sensor" or "Light Sensor".
Procedure for resetting calibration:
- 🔢 Enter the engineering code in the dialer.
- 📡 Select the "Single Item Test" ->"Light Sensor".
- 📉 Click the "Get Data" button to view the current readings.
- 🔄 Use the "Calibration" or "Clear Data" option to reset sensor settings.
What if the code doesn't work?
Once the calibration is reset, the system will learn to detect light levels again, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour of active use of the phone in different lights, and completely resetting the sensor calibration in the engineering menu is a radical method that helps in 90% of cases when the software settings do not work.
Third-party applications for brightness control
When built-in tools aren't enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue, allowing you to create complex scenarios that ignore system constraints, which can force you to set the backlight level, block changes from the system, and even add sliders over any window.
One of the most popular and functional tools is the Screen Brightness Controller app, which requires special permissions through ADB or root rights for full functionality, but also works in the basic mode.
Advantages of using third-party software:
- 🛡️ Full control: the ability to prohibit any applications to change the brightness.
- 📊 Flexibility: creating profiles for different applications (e.g. brighter for games, dimmer for books).
- 🌙 Night mode: finer blue spectrum reduction setting than standard.
⚠️ Note: Brightness control applications running on top of the system may consume additional battery power. 5-10% Every day, so use them only when you need them.
When installing these applications, be careful about the permissions you request, require access over other apps and, in some cases, access to data, and do not give you unnecessary permissions unless you clearly need them for basic functionality.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Even after completing all the settings, users may find that the brightness continues to “walk.” Often the cause is conflicting applications, such as video players or readers, which have their own screen settings, and the problem can be caused by the “Adaptive Brightness” feature in Google services, which synchronizes preferences through the account.
If nothing works, check for system updates. MIUI and HyperOS often come out with patches that fix sensor errors. Sometimes it helps to simply reset application access settings: go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Settings (or Services & Feedback) → Memory → Clear data.
💡
If the sensor is closed with a low-quality protective glass, it may not be able to read the light correctly. Try gently wipe the top of the screen or temporarily remove the glass for inspection.
In extreme cases, if the problem is hardware (the sensor is flooded or damaged), software methods will not help, in such cases, only using blocking applications or contacting a service center to replace the plume or sensor module, but most often the problem is solved by competently adjusting the software parameters.
💡
Comprehensive approach: the combination of disabling system autobrightness, checking read modes and using verified third-party ulets gives 100% result in screen control.