How to turn off the screensaver on the Xiaomi phone: 5 working ways

The screensaver on the lock screen Xiaomi is not just decoration, but also a potential source of irritation.Some want to save battery power, some interfere with automatically activated animation, and still others simply prefer a minimalist look. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable the screensaver on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from standard settings to hidden MIUI functions.

It is important to understand that the manufacturer does not always provide a direct option to completely disable the screensaver. Depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or 15) and the phone model (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, etc.), the algorithm of actions may differ. We tested all methods on current firmware in 2026 and collected only working solutions - without outdated tips and dubious workarounds.

Why does the screensaver appear and can it be removed forever?

The screensaver (or ambient display) on Xiaomi performs several functions:

• 🔋 Energy savings – shows time and notifications on AMOLED-screens with minimal battery consumption.
• 📱 Quick access – allows you to see important information without unlocking your phone.
• 🎨 Personalization – users can choose animation styles (digital clock, analog, abstract patterns).

But not everyone likes the screen to wake up spontaneously when you pick up your phone or receive notifications. MIUI There are tools to control this behavior, and you can't completely remove the screensaver on all models, like flagships with a very small number of models. AMOLED-With displays (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3), the manufacturer leaves minimal functionality to protect the matrix from burnout.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system options. It is suitable for most models on MIUI 12-15, including Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 12T.

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Select the Savage (or Ambient display in English firmware).
3. Turn off the slider Show the screensaver.
4. Deactivate the options further: 🔄 When lifting (disables activation when moving) 🔔 At notifications (stops showings with new messages) ⏰ Scheduled (removes automatic activation at a given time)

If you don't have a screensaver on your menu, try the alternative: Settings → Screen lock → Additional settings → Screensaver. On some models (POCO M5, Redmi A2), the option may be called Always-on display - you also need to turn it off.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi) K60 Pro) a complete shutdown of Always-on display may result in time and notifications not being displayed even when the screen is manually turned on.

Method 2: Using the Developer Mode

For advanced users who have not been helped by standard settings, there is an option with the activation of the developer mode, which allows you to disable the screensaver at the system level, but requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt the stability of the phone.

Steps to shut down:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on the MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Do not turn off the screen during charging

turn off

Window animation

Animation of transitions

To completely disable the screensaver via ADB (only for power users!):

adb shell settings put global ambient_display_enabled 0

This command will permanently disable the function, but can cause conflicts with system updates. On models with MIUI 15 and later, this method works unstable - after a reboot, the settings can reset.

Method 3: Disconnection through the "Themes" application

Few people know, but the screensaver on Xiaomi is closely related to the theme of design. If standard methods did not work, try changing the theme to minimalist - this often removes unnecessary animation.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the section My topics → Local.
3. Choose the standard theme Basic or MIUI Default.
4. Use it and reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Installing third-party themes may result in a loss of warranty if they modify system files. Use only official themes from the Xiaomi store or trusted sources (e.g., Xiaomi Themes Store).

Method 4: Bypassing blocking through third-party applications

If the built-in methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested a few apps and selected the most reliable ones.

To use Always On Display Off:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Provide access to Special Features (in Android settings).
3. Activate the Force Disable AOD option.
4. Reboot the phone.

On models with MIUI 15 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 14), this application may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case only manual shutdown through customization or installation of a TWRP is left.

💡

If after installing a third-party application, the screensaver still appears, try clearing the system cache: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points → Clear the cache.

Method 5: Radical Method – Disconnecting via TWRP (for advanced)

This is the last option for those who are willing to sacrifice the warranty for the sake of full control of the device.The method requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom TWRP Recovery. Suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with unlock support (the list of officially unlocked devices can be checked at en.miui.com/unlock).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and device binding).
2. Install TWRP for your model (download the image from the official website twrp.me).
3. Load into the recavery (Power buttons + Volume up).
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Rename the file: /system/priv-app/MiuiAmbientDisplay/
6. Reboot the phone.

After this procedure, the screensaver will be turned off forever, but you will lose the opportunity to receive OTA-There is also a risk of disrupting other features associated with the lock screen (such as a fingerprint or Face Unlock).

💡

Use the method with TWRP only if other methods have not worked. Before the procedure, make a full backup of data through Settings → Additional → Backup.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the shutdown, the screensaver can reappear. Let's look at typical situations and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI — on beta firmware often encountered bugs with a screensaver.
• 🔄 System updates – new versions may have additional settings.
• 🛠️ Reset settings – in extreme cases, reset to factory parameters (don’t forget to make a backup!).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions