The feature is Always on Display (AOD), The “Always on screen” has become the standard for modern day OLED-While this feature can be useful on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, it can also be intrusive, especially if you’re used to the classic black screen in standby mode. Many users wonder how to turn off this mode to save battery power or just get rid of excess glow in the dark.
The process of deactivating in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS may vary depending on the firmware version and the specific model of the gadget. Sometimes the settings are hidden in non-obvious menus, and sometimes the function is blocked by system restrictions or power saving mode enabled. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to control AOD, from the standard switch to deep system settings, so you can fully control the behavior of your screen.
Not only does a complete shutdown of the feature return the classic look of a locked screen, but it can also significantly extend the battery life of the device in standby mode. Let's figure out what steps you need to take to adjust the screen to your habits.
Basic settings through the screen menu
The easiest and most obvious way to disable the feature is to find the appropriate switch in the main settings of the system. In most current versions of Xiaomi firmware, this option is displayed prominently, you will need to open the Settings application and go to the section responsible for the visual design and operation of the display.
The path is usually: Settings → Screen and brightness → Always On Display. If you use an older version of the shell, the menu may simply be called the Lock Screen. Inside, you'll see a main switch that activates or deactivates the mode. Disabling this slider instantly removes the image from the screen when you lock.
- 📱 Open the main menu of your smartphone settings.
- 🔍 Find the "Screen and brightness" or "Block screen" section».
- ⚙️ Go to the sub-menus "Always on Display».
- 🚫 Transfer the main switch to the "Off" position».
In some cases, even after the main switch is turned off, the screen may continue to light up when notifications are received.This is a separate setting that is often confused with the constant AOD mode. Make sure you turn off the constant lighting, rather than just changing the style of the watch.
Scheduling and working hours
Often users don't want to completely remove the feature, but only to limit its time, and MIUI offers flexible tools to do this, so instead of completely shutting down, you can set a schedule so that the screen only lights up during active hours or, conversely, goes out at night.
From the AOD settings menu, select the option “Tune Activity” and there are three main options available: “Always”, “Specified Time” and “Sunrise to Sunset”. Selecting the option “Specified Time” allows you to manually specify the start and end hours of the function, which is the perfect compromise for those who do not want to see a glowing screen while sleeping.
☑️ Checking schedule settings
You should also pay attention to the Pocket Mode feature, which, if it's active, will turn off the screen when the phone is in the bag, preventing battery drain, but sometimes the sensor may not work properly and the screen will be on fire, so you'd better turn off the AOD completely or double-check the sensors.
⚠️ Note: If you have set a schedule but the screen still burns at night, check if Do Not Disturb mode is on with exceptions, which can force the screen to activate when calling.
Use of energy saving regime
One of the hidden reasons Always On Display can shut down automatically is the activation of the power saving mode.The Xiaomi system prioritizes battery life, so with low charge or manually powering the economy mode, visual effects are often limited.
When you go into power saving mode (usually at less than 20 percent or 10 percent charge), the system forcibly shuts down the AOD to save power for calls and messages, which is a standard behavior that can't be considered a mistake. If you want the screen to burn even at low charge, you have to turn off the power saving mode, but this will lead to a quick discharge.
- 🔋 Open the Safety app (green lightning icon).
- ⚡ Click on the Battery button in the lower menu.
- 📉 Check the current operating mode (Balanced, Energy Saving, Ultra).
- 🔄 Switch to Balanced if you want to take back control of the system AOD manually.
There's also Ultra Mode, which leaves only the basic functions of the phone. In this state, Always On Display doesn't work fundamentally. Getting out of this mode will bring back all the visual features, but remember that using AOD in normal mode still consumes battery life.
The secret to ultra-mode
Specifics of different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The interface and settings can vary significantly depending on the operating system version. Owners of Android 13 and MIUI 14 devices can observe one menu structure, while users of the latest HyperOS (based on Android 14) will face a modified logic.
In HyperOS, settings are often grouped more compactly. The path can look like Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display, bypassing the brightness section. In addition, new versions have the ability to set different AOD styles for different profiles or use cases, which adds another layer of control.
| System version | Location of settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Screen always on. | Basic timers and styles |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Screen and brightness → AOD | Characters and animations added |
| HyperOS | Settings → Lock screen | Deep integration with widgets |
If you've recently updated and can't find your switch, search by settings. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings menu and type in "Always" or "Always on." The system will redirect you to the desired section, regardless of the firmware version.
Problems with OLED and pixel burnout
OLED technology, used in most Xiaomi smartphones, implies that each pixel glows independently, which gives a perfect black color, but carries the risk of burning out static elements of the image during prolonged display, which is why the AOD feature often has built-in protection mechanisms.
The system periodically shifts the image by several pixels to allow the load to be evenly distributed. However, if you plan to use the phone for years, shut down completely. AOD This can be a preventive measure to save the matrix life, especially for models that are not flagship and can use the matrix. OLED-pre-panel
their generations.
- 🔥 A static image in one place for more than 1,000 hours can leave a mark.
- 🔄 The pixel shift occurs automatically every 4 minutes.
- 🛡️ Shutdown AOD 100% protection against burnout of static interface elements.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice that you can see faint clock or icon contours on a black background even after you turn off the screen, it's a sign that you're starting to burn out. AOD necessarily.
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To minimize the risk of burnout, use dark themes and avoid maximum screen brightness when working indoors.
Third-party applications and alternatives
If standard system tools fail to disable the function (for example, due to firmware bugs) or, conversely, require more complex functionality that was removed from MIUI, you can resort to the help of third-party software. There are many applications in the Google Play store that simulate or control Always On Display.
Apps like Always On AMOLED or Screen Always On can intercept screen control, but it’s worth remembering that such programs consume significantly more power than native implementations, since they don’t have the same deep access to display optimization as Xiaomi’s system components.
Third-party apps are not usually required to completely disable, but they may be needed if you want to replace standard AOD with custom, and then turn off the system one to avoid conflicts. In this case, you need to select “No” or “Off” in the screen settings, and run the desired style through a third-party launcher or application.
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Xiaomi’s native AOD feature is optimized better than any other Play Market counterparts – use it by simply setting up your schedule instead of installing third-party software.