How to turn off the screen when calling Xiaomi: all ways

Have you ever missed an important call because Xiaomi's screen went out at the wrong time? or tried dialing a number but the display suddenly shut down, interrupting the dial? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - standard MIUI power saving settings aggressively turn off the screen during calls, even if you are actively interacting with the phone.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to turn off the screen automatically when calling, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer settings. You’ll learn how to set up a screen timeout separately for calls, which apps will help bypass system limitations, and what to do if settings are reset after an update. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12–14 and Android 10–14, including the latest Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6 models.

Important: Some methods require developer rights or third-party utilities, and we have marked them with special warnings — read carefully so that you don't disrupt the system.

Why does Xiaomi’s screen turn off when you call?

The problem lies in the MIUI's power saving policy. By default, the system assumes that the user is not interacting with the screen during the call - for example, talking on speakerphone or using a headset. To save battery power, MIUI forcibly turns off the display 3-10 seconds after the call begins, regardless of your actions.

In practice, this leads to inconveniences:

• 📞 It is not possible to dial additional numbers (for example, for the voice menu of the bank)
• 🔄 Dialing is interrupted if the screen is gone before the input is completed.
• 📱 No call interface is visible (timer, hands-free/microphone buttons)
• 🔋 The battery is quickly down due to constant on / off screen

Standard screen latency settings (Settings → Display → Sleep mode) do not affect the behavior during calls.

Method 1: Configure screen timeout in the developer parameters

The most reliable method is to change the hidden parameter. screen_off_timeout It works on all versions of the developer menu. MIUI and does not require root rights.

Instructions:

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

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Turning off the screen when inactivity

Screen off timeout

Never.

30 minutes.

Do not turn off the screen during charging

Important! After these changes, the screen will not turn off at all - neither during calls nor in other situations. If it is inconvenient, use Method 3 (Keep Screen On app).

Developer mode activated

Backup setups made

Battery charge > 30%

Disabled. VPN/Proxies (can block access to settings)-->

Method 2: Use the "Keep Screen On" app

If you only need to turn off the screen when making calls, install Keep Screen On (available on Google Play) which automatically blocks sleep when an active call is detected.

How to set up:

1. Download and install Keep Screen On
2. Launch the application and grant permissions: 🔓 Access to notifications (to track calls) 📱 Permission to change system settings (for screen control)

During the calls

Set up exceptions (for example, disable the utility in games)

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without root rights.
• ✅ Does not affect the normal screen time
• ✅ Supports MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14

💡

If the app doesn't work, check if MIUI Optimization blocks it in the battery settings. Add Keep Screen On to the list of autoruns allowed.

Method 3: Change settings through ADB (for advanced)

For users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a way to change system settings without root permissions.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on PC
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell settings put global screen_off_timeout_during_call 0 adb shell settings put global screen_off_timeout 2147483647 The first team turns off the timeout during calls, the second sets the maximum waiting time.
4. Reset the device

Once these commands are executed, the screen will not turn off during calls, but may remain on longer than usual in other scenarios. To return standard settings, use the command adb shell settings delete global settings. screen_off_timeout_during_call.

Method 4: Configure with MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Menu)

MIUI firmware has a hidden menu with additional options that are not displayed in the standard interface, one of which is to control the screen during calls.

How to open it:

1. Open the phone app and dial the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Battery Information (or Battery Information)
3. Scroll down and find the Screen off timeout during call setting
4. Set the value of Disabled or 0

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support this code. Some devices may not have menus or other options. If nothing happens after you enter the code, your firmware does not support this method.

Method 5: Disable MIUI optimization for the Phone application

MIUI aggressively optimizes the background of applications, including the standard Phone, which can force the screen to shut down.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find your phone and open its settings.
3. Choose the Battery. → Optimizing the battery
4. Install No Limits
5. Go back and turn on Autostart and Background Activity

It is also recommended that:

• 🔋 Turn off Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Display.
• 📵 Add the Phone app to the Power Saving Mode exceptions
• 🔄 Reboot the device after changes

💡

Disabling optimization for the Phone app may slightly increase battery consumption, but will solve the problem with arbitrary switching off of the screen.

What to do if the settings are reset after the update?

Many users find that after updating MIUI or resetting the problem returns.

• 🔄 System parameters (screen_off_timeout_during_call) drop off
• 📱 Key Screen On applications require re-granting permissions
• 🔧 Developer settings can be turned off automatically

Decisions:

1. Create backup settings: Use Settings → Additional → Backup Save file to the Mi Cloud cloud or on PC
2. Automate Recovery: Install MacroDroid and create a macro that, after the update: Enables Developer Mode Installs screen_off_timeout_during_call=0 through ADB

Take a look at the old version of MIUI:

• If the problem has occurred after the update, download the old firmware from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com
• Install it through Settings → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file

⚠️ The latter method requires an unlocked bootloader and may disrupt the work OTA-update.