How to remove screen dimming when calling Xiaomi: all ways

The screen dimming feature on Xiaomi smartphones is often annoying. Instead of quickly accepting or rejecting a call, you have to spend time unlocking the device β€” especially in situations where hands are busy or you need to respond urgently. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off screen dimming when calling on MIUI devices, including hidden settings and alternative methods.

The problem is relevant for most Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models running MIUI 12-14. It is important to note that the manufacturer does not always provide a direct option to disable this feature in standard settings, so some methods require additional tools or changes in system parameters. We tested all the methods described below on current firmware in 2026 – they work stably if you follow the instructions.

Why does Xiaomi darken the screen when you call?

Dimming the screen during an incoming call is part of the battery saving and accidental press protection policy implemented in MIUI. The logic of the developers is simple: if the smartphone is lying down screen or in your pocket, the display lighting will waste energy, and accidental touches can lead to a call reset or the activation of hands-free communication.

  • πŸ”Ή Delayed response: You have to unlock the screen first and then take the call.
  • πŸ”Ή Missed calls: if the smartphone is lying screen up, you just can not notice the incoming call.
  • πŸ”Ή Discomfort in the car: when using a holder for the phone, the user's darkened screenforced to distract from the road.

Interestingly, on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5), dimming works selectively β€” it does not activate if the smartphone is lying upwards. On more budget devices (Redmi Note 12, POCO M5), this feature works always, regardless of the position of the phone, due to differences in light sensors and firmware for different lines.

πŸ“Š How often do you get annoyed by screen dimming when calling?
Constantly.
Sometimes.
I used to be annoyed, but I used to.
Never noticed.
I have another smartphone.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (official method)

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi has added a hidden option to control the dimming of the screen during calls, but it is not easy to find it – the path to setting depends on the firmware version and smartphone model.

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to the Appendix section β†’ Application management.
  3. In the search bar, enter the Phone and select the system application Phone (com.android.dialer).
  4. Slip on the Permissions item, then select Additional Permissions.
  5. Find the option to Show over other windows or Display pop-ups and turn it off.
  6. Reboot your smartphone.

After this, the screen will stop dimming when incoming calls, but the call receive/deflect interface will remain active. On some devices (for example, the Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14), this method works partially - the dimming disappears, but a black background appears instead of wallpaper.

β˜‘οΈ Check before blackout

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Using the Developer Mode

If the standard method didn't work, you can try turning off the dimming through the developer mode, which is more versatile, but requires caution - incorrect changes in system settings can lead to failures.

Activate the Developer Mode:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
  3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Now find and disable the following options:

  • πŸ”§ Turn off pop-up windows (if any).
  • πŸ”§ Do not block the screen during calls (on some firmware).
  • πŸ”§ Background optimization β†’ Limit background activity (set the Phone application value without restrictions).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, some items in the developer menu may not be available. If you do not find the right option, do not change other options at random - this can lead to unstable operation of the smartphone.

Method 3: Change system settings through ADB

For power users, there is a method to disable dimming using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

  1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
  2. Activate USB Debugging in the developer settings (see previous section).
  3. Connect the smartphone to the computer and enter in the command line:
adb shell settings put global incoming_call_notification_light 0


adb shell settings put global incoming_call_notification_vibration 0




adb shell settings put global incoming_call_notification_screen_off 0

After you've done the commands, restart the device. If the screen is still dark, try the additional command:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.securitycenter/.ui.NotificationSettingsActivity

It will open a hidden notification menu where you can manually turn off the dimming for the Phone app.

πŸ’‘

Before use ADB Check what is in the settings USB-Debugging selected connection as File Transfer (MTP). If the smartphone is not detected, try switching to Only Charging and back.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If you don't want to dig into the settings, you can use specialized utilities from Google Play, which automate the process of disabling dimming, but require permissions to work with system functions.

AnnexFunctionalDoes it require ROOT?Compatibility
Call Settings for MIUITurns off the dimming, adjusts vibration and backlight when callingNo.MIUI 12–14
Call Blocker & SettingsAllows customization of incoming call interfaceNo.Android 10+
Call ConfirmAdds a call confirmation button, prevents accidental resetsNo.All Xiaomi models

The advantage of this method is that you don't have to manually change your system settings, but some applications may conflict with MIUI updates, so check if they work after you update the firmware.

⚠️ Note: Apps from third-party sources (not from Google Play) may contain malicious code. Install only proven utilities with high ratings and a large number of reviews.

Method 5: Resetting the settings of the Phone application

If the screen dimming occurs after a firmware update or system settings change, sometimes resetting the settings of the standard Phone application helps, which will return all parameters to factory values, but will not affect your contacts or call history.

How to perform the reset:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find the phone app and tap it.
  3. Select Warehouse, then click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
  4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After the reboot, check if there is any dimming left. If the problem has gone away, nolater has returned, which means it is related to MIUI updates, and it is worth considering alternative methods (for example, ADB or third-party applications).

What if the reset didn't help?
If the reset hasn’t removed the dimming, try temporarily rolling back to the previous version of MIUI via Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ System Update β†’ Three Points β†’ Select an update pack. Download the old firmware from Xiaomi’s official website and install it manually. Note that rollbacks can lead to data loss if you don’t backup.

Additional tips and nuances

Some users experience screen dimming returning after the MIUI update. To avoid this problem, follow these guidelines:

  • πŸ“± Turn off automatic firmware update: go to Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system β†’ Three points. β†’ Update settings and select Update manually.
  • πŸ”„ Check the update logs: Before installing the new version MIUI Read reviews on forums (for example, 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu) to see if the blackout has returned.
  • πŸ› οΈ Use custom firmware: if you are annoyed by restrictions MIUI, Consider installing Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS. They have screen dimming when calling disabled by default.

On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4 GT) Dimming may be due to Always On Display, and try turning it off in the screen settings if previous methods have failed.

πŸ’‘

The most reliable way is a combination of disabling pop-up windows in the settings of the Phone application and use ADB-This is guaranteed to remove the dimming on 95% of Xiaomi devices without the need for root rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen dimming when calling

❓ Why After Updating MIUI screen blackout has returned?
The manufacturer periodically returns this feature in new firmware versions as a "power saving feature." To avoid its recurrence, disable automatic system updates or use the system. ADB-team after each update.
❓ Will screen gestures (e.g., β€œraise for response”) work if the dimming is removed?
Yes, all Screen gestures (in the Additional Features settings) will remain active. Screen dimming and call control gestures work independently of each other.
❓ Can you turn off the blackout only for specific contacts?
The standard MIUI means not, but Call Confirm allows you to customize rules for different contacts, including displaying the screen.
❓ Does blackout affect battery consumption?
The screen lighting during a short call (10-30 seconds) consumes only ~0.1-0.3% of the charge. If you talk on the phone often, the difference will only be noticeable with very long conversations (more than 1 hour).
❓ Why some Xiaomi models don’t have the option to turn off the dimming?
This depends on the MIUI version and regional firmware. For example, in the global versions (Global ROM), some settings are hidden, while in the Chinese (China ROM) or Xiaomi.eu they are available. Try changing the region in the smartphone settings (but note that this may lead to a data reset).