Modern Xiaomi smartphones, based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, by default set to the maximum user information. The system seeks to instantly notify the owner of new emails, messages in messengers and system events, even when the device is in sleep mode. For many, this is convenient, as it allows you to quickly assess the importance of the incoming signal without unlocking the gadget.
But there's a downside to this: a screen that keeps on lighting consumes battery power, and displaying the contents of notifications on a black background can cause sensitive information to leak on public transport or the office. Unauthorized people can read the text of a message or see the sender's name just by looking at the phone lying down, which is why the question of how to turn off this functionality remains one of the most pressing questions for users who value privacy.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods of hiding notifications, not only the standard system settings, but also specific features such as Pocket Mode and customization for each application, and understanding these mechanisms will allow you to flexibly manage the behavior of your Redmi or POCO, ensuring a balance between convenience and security of personal data.
Global Notification Management in the System
The first and most effective step is to address the central settings of the operating system. In the shells from Xiaomi, there is a single control center that dictates the rules of behavior for all applications at once. Disabling the feature here ensures that no application can light up the screen without your knowledge, unless you create exceptions.
You first need to go to the Settings menu and find the Notifications and Status section. Depending on the firmware version, this item may be simply called "Notifications." Inside you're interested in the Lock Screen subsection, and that's where the master switch that's responsible for displaying content on the display is hidden.
- 📱 Find the Notification Format option and select the option “Do not show notifications” if you want to hide their presence completely.
- 🔒 Select the Hide Content option to see only the app icon, not the message text.
- ⚙️ Turn off the switchboard "Show on the lock screen" to completely ignore incoming signals in sleep mode.
Importantly, newer versions of HyperOS may have slightly different algorithms, and the system may offer smart displays by analyzing your habits. If you notice that the screen is selectively lit, check for activated automation scenarios or Do Not Disturb modes that may have their priorities.
⚠️ Warning: After you turn off the global notification display, you will stop seeing missed calls and messages until you unlock the device.
Individual setting for each application
Often users don't have to completely jam all the signals, and you might find that a SMS or a bank call doesn't have to light up, but instead, you have to see instant notifications from messengers, and for those cases, MIUI and HyperOS have a flexible personal control system.
To adjust the behavior of a particular application, go back to the main Settings menu and select Notifications and status bar, and then go to Notification Management. You will see a list of all installed programs that have permission to send signals.
Inside the app menu, you'll see the detailed settings. We're interested in the section On the lock screen. Here you can set priority. If you choose "Do not show," even with active global resolution, this particular app will be silent when the phone is lying up.
☑️ Setting up the privacy of applications
Special attention should be paid to system applications such as "Security" or "bootloader", sometimes they can issue advertising notifications or cleanup reports, which will also glow on the locked screen.
Pocket prevention mode and sensors
A separate and often overlooked feature is the so-called Pocket Mode, which uses a proximity sensor located next to the front camera to detect where the smartphone is in a confined space, such as a bag or pocket.
The logic is simple: if the sensor is closed, the system thinks the phone is in your pocket, and locks the screen to avoid accidental taps. However, if this feature is not working correctly or is set up too aggressively, it can conflict with the desire to see notifications. In some scenarios, users want the screen not to light up if the phone is lying down on the table, but the light sensor can interpret this as being in the dark.
| Parameter | Screen impact | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Approximation sensor | Blocks the switching on in your pocket | Included. |
| Light sensor | Adjusts brightness when lifted | Automobile |
| Lifting for activation | Turns on the screen when moving | Turned off (for savings) |
| Double tap. | Wakes up the screen by tapping | To the user's taste. |
To control these functions, go to Settings → The screen is always on and the lock screen. Here you can find the Mode in your pocket switch. If your goal is to completely eliminate random switches, make sure that this item is active. This will prevent situations where the phone in a narrow pocket of jeans constantly vibrates and glows from each notification.
Why does the sensor work wrong?
Always on Display (AOD)
Owners AMOLED-Xiaomi smartphones often use the Always On Display feature, which allows you to display the time, date and notification icons on the display off without lighting up the entire matrix, AOD It could be a source of data leakage.
Unlike the classic lock screen, AOD has its own display settings. Even if you have banned content from the main settings, these settings can be duplicated or prioritized in the AOD menu. Go to Settings → Wallpaper → Always on screen.
Here you'll find style settings. Some styles only show hours, others only watches and notifications. You need to choose a style that doesn't contain app icons, or you need to turn off the feature completely through the top switch. Also, pay attention to the schedule: you can set the AOD to work only during the day, and at night, when the phone is on the nightstand, the screen is completely black.
- 🌑 Choose the "Empty" or "Time Only" style without additional widgets.
- 🕒 Set up a work schedule to keep the screen going off during sleep hours.
- 🔋 Use the "Energy Saving" mode that shuts down AOD battery charge below 20%.
⚠️ Always on Display, even in economical mode, increases battery consumption by about one 1-3% per hour, depending on the brightness and complexity of the animation.
Specificity of the work of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
Messengers often have their own internal settings that overlap the system settings, which are designed for user convenience but can create confusion, such as WhatsApp or Telegram, which can prevent previews of messages (text) from showing even if the system allows notifications to be displayed.
Take WhatsApp. Open an app, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings → Notifications. Find Show Notifications (in preview context) or Pop-up Notifications. Disabling here will only result in a locked screen that says "New Message" without the sender name or text.
Telegram has the same situation: Settings → Notifications and sounds, where you can flexibly customize your behavior for private chats, groups and channels separately, which is especially useful if you are on public channels whose names you do not want to be shown on the screen.
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Use the Incognito mode in the settings of messenger notifications if you want to completely hide the fact of receiving a message before unlocking the phone.
Remember that changes in the settings of the application itself take effect immediately. However, if the system ban on Xiaomi is higher, then the internal settings of the messenger may not matter - the message will still not pass.
Do Not Disturb and User Profiles
For temporary solutions, such as during a meeting, movie or sleep, Do Not Disturb mode is ideal. Unlike a simple turn off of the sound, this mode can completely prohibit the screen from turning on when incoming calls and messages.
You can activate it through the notification curtain (moon icon) or in the Sound and Vibration settings. In the advanced mode settings, you can create a schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 07:00) and set exceptions. It is important to check that exceptions do not add repetitive calls or favorite contacts if you want complete silence and darkness.
There are also "Scenarios" or "Profiles" in MIUI, and you can create a "Work" script that automatically switches your phone to "Do Not Disturb" mode and turns off data when you connect to your working Wi-Fi, which automates the process of protecting your privacy.
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Do Not Disturb mode is a temporary solution, while the settings in the Notifications menu are permanent. Use the constant system settings to completely turn off the glow.
There's also a Digital Wellbeing feature that allows you to turn off distracting apps, so if you add messengers to your distraction list and turn on focus mode, their notifications will stop coming and will show up on the lock screen.