How to turn off the limitless screen on Xiaomi: instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, offer users a variety of visual effects to expand functionality. One of these features is a “limitless screen” that allows application windows to go beyond standard frameworks, creating the effect of depth and multitasking. However, not all users like this approach to organizing the workspace, as it can distract or consume excess system resources.

Often, device owners are faced with a situation where the interface becomes too congested and navigation is confused due to various animations and advanced display modes. The natural question is: how to return the classic interface or force to disable specific display modes? In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for managing this parameter.

It should be understood that the term “limitless screen” in the context of the Xiaomi ecosystem can be interpreted in two ways: it can be either a software feature of multitasking, or a feature of the hardware associated with the notch under the camera. We will consider both aspects so that you can customize your device as conveniently as possible for yourself.

What is a limitless screen in MIUI and HyperOS?

The term “limitless screen” in Xiaomi devices is most often understood as a software implementation of the interface, allowing applications to occupy the entire available display area, ignoring standard indentations. This is achieved thanks to interface adaptation algorithms that stretch content across the entire LCD or AMOLED matrix.

The second aspect is the hardware feature associated with the front camera: In models with a crashed camera or mechanical retractable module, the system offers various options for hiding the black island. Users often refer to the setting of this area as “limitless screen control”, since this directly affects the visible area of the usable space.

Importantly, it may be necessary to turn off these features completely for aesthetic reasons, as some older applications are not properly displayed on the entire screen, which can cause control buttons to overlap with interface elements or the “bang” of the camera, in which cases, the forced restriction of the display area becomes a necessity for comfortable operation.

⚠️ Warning: Changing display settings through an engineering menu or hidden settings may cause some applications to malfunction.

It’s also worth mentioning that menu items may have different names in different versions of the firmware, so if you’re using the global version of MIUI, the terminology will be the same, and in the Chinese version it will be completely different, which creates additional confusion, which we’ll try to eliminate in the next sections.

Software disabling through interface settings

The safest and easiest way to change the display mode is to use the system’s regular tools. In most cases, users do not need to get into the jungle of system files, since Xiaomi developers have provided flexible settings for controlling the appearance.

To start, you need to go to the settings menu of your device, find the section that deals with the appearance and display of information. The path may vary depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic remains the same: look for items related to Full-screen mode or Camera Cutout.

In the menu that opens, you'll be offered a few options for how you're going to interact with your applications: you can choose to hide the notch, which will visually turn the top of the screen into a black bar, or you can allow the apps to use the entire area. To turn off the limitless effect in the context of the cutout, select the concealment option. This will return the classic status bar look.

• 📱 Hide the cutout: The top of the screen is darkened, hiding the camera and creating the illusion of a standard screen.
• 📱 Show notch: App content is displayed around the camera using the entire matrix area.
• 📱 Individually: allows you to set the behavior for each specific application separately.

If you’re talking about turning off full-screen mode for specific applications (when they stretch to the full screen, ignoring navigation), you need to look for compatibility settings. In some versions of MIUI, this is in the Advanced Settings section -> Full-screen mode. Here you can uncheck the programs you want to see in a classic window format with black fields on the sides.

Using Developer Mode for Fine Customization

For more advanced users who lack standard options, there is access to hidden features through developer mode, which allows you to manage the zoom and display parameters of elements that are hidden from the average user. Be careful, as improper configuration can make the interface unreadable.

To activate the developer mode, you need to click on the build number several times in the About section, and then a new option will appear in the settings menu "Additional" or "Extended settings", where the desired section is hidden, and we are interested in the block related to drawing and size of elements.

Inside the developer menu, you can find parameters that affect pixel density (DPI) and interface scale. By changing these values, you can get the effect that applications will not stretch over the entire area, but have clear boundaries. But this is a global change that will affect all elements of the system, including fonts and icons.

Also in developer mode, there may be a Forced Scaling or Similar option that makes applications run in compatibility mode. This is a useful tool if a particular program is not behaving correctly on a widescreen display. By enabling this feature, you will force the system to apply black fields at the edges of the application, effectively turning off stretching.

⚠️ Attention: Do not change the values DPI It's random. If you're too high or too low, you can't get through the interface buttons and you have to reset your settings.

Remember, the developer mode is a debugging tool, not a daily decorator. Use it only if you understand what each setting is for, otherwise you'd better limit yourself to standard interface settings.

Managing full-screen mode for individual applications

Often users want to disable “limitless” not for the entire system, but only for specific programs. For example, a reading app or a bank client may not display correctly when a status bar or navigation bar overlaps important content.

To set up, you need to go to Full Screen Mode in the main settings, where you will see a list of all the apps installed, when you tick off the right programs, you prevent them from occupying the entire screen, and as you run such an application, black bars will appear on the top and bottom (or sides), and the controls will shift to the safe zone.

This is especially true for older games or applications that are not optimized for modern 18:9 or 20:9 screen proportions. Without this limitation, the image may stretch, distorting the proportions of objects, or important buttons may go beyond the visible area.

• 🎮 Games: often require a full screen, but sometimes a keyboard or notifications access is needed.
• 📺 Video players: can conflict with camera cutout, requiring hand-holding.
• 📄 Office applications: Need clear boundaries for proper document formatting.

The changes take effect immediately. You don't have to reboot the device, you just have to fold and reopen the application to see the result. If the effect doesn't appear, try to force the application to close through the menu of running tasks.

💡

If the app still behaves strangely after changing its settings, try clearing its cache.This will help to reset temporary files that may store old display options.

Problems with the cutout under the camera and their solution

One of the most common problems faced by Xiaomi owners is the incorrect display of the area around the front camera. In some cases, a black island can block the time or notification icons, and in others, the opposite, create visual noise.

There's always a cutout clause in the screen settings, and if standard methods don't work, you can try using third-party apps from Google Play that allow you to cover that area in a software-based way, and these tools create a black bar on top of the matrix, hiding the display defects.

However, most often the problem is solved by updating the system or a particular application. Developers regularly release patches that improve compatibility with different models of smartphones. Make sure that your version of MIUI is relevant, as in new builds the algorithms for working with the cutout are often refined.

It’s also worth checking whether zoom in or magnifier mode is included in the special features, and sometimes users accidentally activate features for the visually impaired that change the scale and boundaries of the content being displayed, creating the illusion of downed screen settings.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party applications to mask the cutout may consume extra battery power as they run in the background constantly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Competent display settings allow not only to improve visual comfort, but also to extend battery life, prohibiting unnecessary rendering of elements outside the useful area.