How to completely disable sleep mode on your Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s Sleeping Mode is Interfering with Users and When to Turn It Off

Sleep mode on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) is a standard power saving feature that automatically locks the screen after a predetermined period of inactivity. For most users, it is useful: saves battery power and prevents accidental taps. However, there are situations where automatic switching off of the screen becomes a problem.

While reading long articles or recipes, when the screen goes out in the middle of the process.

When using your phone as a navigator in your car, the map suddenly disappears.

While watching a video or streaming, unless there is an automatic screen rotation.

When testing applications or debugging through ADB, when constant display activity is critical.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn off sleep on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI settings, battery optimization, and even developer techniques. It’s important to understand that completely shutting down sleep can increase battery consumption by 15-30% depending on the model, so use these instructions consciously.

Method 1: Standard screen waiting time settings

The easiest method is to change the timer of the automatic screen shutdown via the settings menu.This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI 12-14 shell (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
2. Go to the Display section (or the Screen on some models).
3. Select Sleep Mode (or Screen Timeout).
4. Set the maximum value of 10 minutes or 30 minutes (depending on the version of MIUI).
5. On some devices, the option of Never is available - this is a complete sleep blackout.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) The option can never be hidden. In this case, use method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Disabling Battery Optimization for Individual Applications

If the screen goes out only in certain applications (for example, YouTube, Google Maps or Waze), the problem may be related to battery optimization.The MIUI system aggressively closes the background processes to save charge, which sometimes leads to premature shutdown of the screen.

To fix this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find a problem app (like Google Maps) and tap it.
• ⚡ Choose Battery Optimization (or Energy Consumption).
• 🔄 Set the mode without restrictions.
• 🔙 Go back and enable Auto Start option (if available).

This method does not completely shut down sleep mode, but it prevents it from triggering in critical applications, for example, after these settings, Google Maps will continue to work in the background even when the screen is locked (if navigation mode is enabled).

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If the option “Battery Optimization” is missing, try clearing the cache of the “Security” application (Settings → Apps → All Apps → Security → Clear the cache).

Method 3: Hidden Developer Settings (ADB)

For advanced users willing to work with ADB, there is a way to completely disable sleep mode through developer mode, a method that works for all Xiaomi models but requires a connection to a computer.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

ADB

adb shell settings put global stay_on_while_plugged_in 3

This command will make the screen stay on when connected to charging.

To return the standard settings, use the command:

adb shell settings put global stay_on_while_plugged_in 0

Method 4: Using third-party applications (without ROOT)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Google Play apps that mimic user activity.

⚠️ Warning: Screenholding apps may conflict with battery optimization MIUI. After installation, add them to the list of exceptions (see Method 2).

Method 5: Physical sleep blockage (for older models)

Some older Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1, Mi Max 2) have a hardware feature: Sleep mode can be blocked using the proximity sensor, a technique that is little known but works without additional settings.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open any app where you want to hold the screen (like Google Maps).
• 🖐️ Close the top of the screen (where the proximity sensor is) with your palm or finger.
• 🔄 Hold 2-3 seconds – the system recognizes this as a “phone conversation” and disables the automatic lock.
• 📲 Remove your hand – the screen will remain on until manually switched off.

This trick works because MIUI interprets the sensor closure as the start of a call, which by default cancels sleep mode. Unfortunately, on newer models (Xiaomi 12 and newer), this feature is often disabled.

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Physical sleep blocking is the only method that does not require changes in settings and does not affect battery consumption.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you turn off sleep mode, Xiaomi users may face unexpected problems.

1.The screen goes out despite the settings

Reason: Adaptive Brightness or Read Mode is active, which override the sleep timer. Solution: Turn them off in Settings → Display.

2.Sleep mode returns after restart

Reason: Reset due to a MIUI update or conflict with cleaning applications (like Security or Clean Master). Solution: Repeat settings and disable automatic optimization in Settings → Battery → Battery settings.

3. It's not working. ADB-team

Reason: Outdated version of ADB or no rights. Solution: Update Platform Tools and check if debugging is enabled on USB.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable Some Teams ADB They can be blocked, and then you can use the flashing to MIUI EU (non-official).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions