Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, are equipped with intelligent energy saving systems that automatically extinguish the display after a period of inactivity to save battery power. However, in some situations, the user may need to keep the screen on constantly or work according to a personal scenario.
The need to keep the display active often arises when reading long texts, navigating in the car, using a smartphone as a desktop watch or monitoring video surveillance systems. Standard settings allow you to flexibly manage latency, but to completely disable the lock requires a deeper knowledge of the interface.
It is worth noting that completely ignoring the sleep timer without special applications is impossible through the standard menu, as this contradicts the logic of Android. However, there are effective workarounds that allow you to achieve the desired result without obtaining root access rights. We will consider the staff tools, hidden engineering menus and third-party utilities.
Setting up a regular sleep timer in MIUI and HyperOS
The first and most obvious step is to maximize the time to lock automatically, and owners of Redmi and Poco devices can find this option in the basic settings of the system, which will not disable the screen canceling completely, but will significantly extend the time of its active operation.
To access the menu, you need to go to Settings, then select Screen and brightness (in some versions of the firmware it can be called simply Screen), which is the option Sleep Mode or Sleep Timer, which is usually set to a value of 30 seconds to 2 minutes by default.
Choose the maximum value available, which is often 10 minutes, so you can read or view information without the fingerprint sensor being turned on constantly, but for scenarios where constant activity is required (such as a navigator), this will not be enough.
- 📱 Go to the settings of your smartphone.
- 🔆 Find the screen and brightness section in the list of parameters.
- ⏱️ Select Sleep Mode and set the maximum time.
⚠️ Attention: Setting a maximum sleep timer speeds up battery drain significantly. If the phone is in your pocket, the screen may accidentally turn on and discharge the device if the proximity sensor is not working.
Use of the Always On Screen (AOD) mode
Xiaomi’s flagship and many mid-range models support Always On Display (AOD), which prevents the screen from completely fading by displaying time, date and notifications on the switched-off matrix. While this is not a full-fledged interface, for some users it is an acceptable alternative to completely shutting down.
You can activate the function through the Settings menu. → Lock screen → Always On Display and lock screen. There are different styles available. AOD work OLED-Matrices, where only individual pixels burn, which saves energy compared to the usual mode.
Why does AOD not work on some models?
Advanced users can access the advanced functionality through the Engineering Menu, and once you get there, you can customize the display behavior in more detail, although the risk of changing system parameters is higher here.
- 🕰️ AOD Shows time and notifications without the main interface.
- 🔋 The regime is economical only on AMOLED-screen.
- ⚙️ You can set up in the section Lock screen.
Applications to disable screen lock
Since standard Android tools cannot completely prohibit turning off the screen, the most effective solution is to use specialized applications that emulate taps or create a layer on top of the system, preventing the smartphone from going to sleep.
One of the most popular and easy solutions is Keep Screen On, or its analogues like Caffeine, which is simple: it adds a button to the notification curtain, which blocks the sleep timer, which allows you to turn the function on and off as needed.
Another option is widgets, and many launchers and utilities allow you to put the "Do not turn off the screen" button directly on your desktop, which is especially useful if you use your smartphone as a stationary device, for example, to display information in the kitchen or in the office.
When choosing an app from Google Play, pay attention to the permissions you request. There are enough rights to display over other windows to work. If a program requires access to contacts or a microphone, it is a reason to think about its security.
Developer Mode and Debugging by USB
There is an option in the Android developer hidden menu that allows the screen to stay on while charging, a feature that is standard for testers, but it’s also great for regular users using the phone in stationary mode.
To activate the developer menu, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version (or OS Version) 7 times. After that, a new section Additional → For Developers will appear in the settings menu.
Inside this section, you need to find a Do Not Turn Off (or Stay Awaken) switch, which activates this feature to ensure that the display will burn as long as the device is connected to the power source, which is ideal for using the smartphone as a navigator in the car.
Path to function: Settings → Additional → For developers → Do not turn off the screen☑️ Activation of the developer mode
⚠️ Attention: Do not turn off the screen only when the charger is connected. Without power, the screen will go out according to the sleep timer settings.
Comparison of methods of preserving the activity of the screen
The right way to choose depends on your specific goals and model of the smartphone. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before setting up. Below is a table that helps to determine the best solution.
| Method | Requires software installation | It works without charging. | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep timer (10 min) | No. | Yes. | Average. |
| Apps (Keep Screen On) | Yes. | Yes. | High. |
| Developer mode | No. | No (requires charging) | Low (when charging) |
| Always On Display | No. | Yes. | Low (on AMOLED) |
As you can see from the chart, the best way to navigate in the car is to use a developer mode in conjunction with charging, to read documents in bed, to use third-party apps with a timer, and to have aesthetics and a quick look at time, to use AOD.
💡
Developer mode is the only standard solution that guarantees the screen operation without installing third-party software, but only if there is power.
Problems with the proximity sensor and their solution
Users often confuse automatic screen shutdown with proximity sensor operation. If the screen goes out during a conversation or when you bring the phone to your face, it's not a sleep timer, but a protection against accidental taps. On Xiaomi smartphones, this sensor sometimes gets calibrated incorrectly.
There's a test on the engineering menu to check and calibrate it. Type ##6484## in your phone to get into the CIT menu. Find the Proximity sensor test and follow the instructions on the screen. Stick your finger around the sensor and remove it so that the system can record the values.
If calibration doesn't work, the problem may be in the protective glass or case that covers the sensor, in which case it is recommended to remove the accessory and check the screen again, and check whether the "In pocket" mode is included in the locking settings.
- 📞 The screen goes out when talking - the proximity sensor works.
- 🛠️ Calibration is available via code ##6484##.
- 🧐 Check the protective glass for contamination.