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

The dark screen during an incoming call on Xiaomi is one of the most annoying MIUI features that the manufacturer stubbornly leaves by default. Users are faced with the fact that when a call arrives, the display goes out after 3-5 seconds, which requires you to press the power button or sensor to see who is calling, especially on a bright sunny day or when the phone is lying down.

The problem is relevant for all Xiaomi lines, including Redmi, POCO and flagship models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to disable dimming, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer parameters, and find out why the function even exists and how its behavior depends on the firmware version.

Why does Xiaomi darken the screen when you call?

The automatic dimming feature appeared in early versions of MIUI as part of the energy saving policy, as Xiaomi engineers intended:

• 🔋 Save battery power – the display consumes up to 30% of energy when used actively, and during a conversation it is not necessary.
• 👁️ Reduce eye strain – a bright screen can distract from conversation, especially in the dark.
• 📱 Prevent accidental tapping – when the phone is pressed against the ear, the touch screen can be triggered by touching.

In practice, however, the feature is more likely to interfere than help, such as if you use a headset with a microphone or hold a phone in your hand, the screen goes out even when you need it. Moreover, in some versions of MIUI (especially MIUI 13 and MIUI 14), the dimming works even when you use the camera actively during the call, making it impossible to communicate via WhatsApp or Telegram.

⚠️ Attention: On models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) dimming can lead to artifacts of the image after the call is completed.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the firmware options built in, but the path to doing so depends on the MIUI version and the phone model, and here is a universal algorithm that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the All settings section → Display.
3. Find the option “Steer / Auto Rotate” or “Additional screen settings” (on some models it is hidden under Advanced settings).
4. Activate the option “Do not turn off the screen during calls” (or similar in meaning).

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Phone → Permissions → Additional Permissions → Turn off “Dark Screen”

Make sure the MIUI version is updated to the latest stable version

Check battery power (less than 15% can block changes)

Disable VPN or proxy – they sometimes reset settings

- Restart your phone if the option is inactive-->

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), this option may be called “Extend screen time” or “Call mode.” If you do not find it, move to the next method.

Method 2: Using the Developer Mode

If standard settings don't work, you can use hidden developer settings, which even works on custom firmware, but you need to be careful that you can make incorrect changes to them and they can cause failures.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
3. Enter the unlock password if necessary.

Now, follow the following steps:

Settings → Additional settings → Developer settings → Page search (magnifying glass icon) → “disable screen off during call”

• 🔧 If you find an option, turn it on (the switch should turn blue).
• 🔄 If you don’t have a setting, try to find stay awake during charging and activate it (indirectly affecting screen behavior).
• 📱 On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) You need to turn off force dark mode in the same menu.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14 Global, after the OS reset update, the developer settings can automatically turn off!

MIUI 12|MIUI 13|MIUI 14|Other (specify in the comments)|I don't know-->

Method 3: Modifying system files (for advanced users)

If the software methods don't work, you can tamper with the system files, which is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP or Magisk installed. Without root rights, the method doesn't work!

You will need to:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader.
• 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Backup of data (possible resetting of settings!).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and activate debugging over USB:


Settings → Additional → Developer Parameters → Debugging by USB (VKL)





2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/Mac) and type:




adb shell




su




mount -o rw,remount /system





3. Find the configuration file (the path may be different):




/system/build.prop





4. Add a line to the end of the file:




ro.lcd_brightness_during_call=255





5. Save the changes and restart the device:




reboot

After rebooting, the screen should not go out during calls. If the problem persists, try changing the value of 255 to 200 or 150 (adjusts brightness).

Method 4: Third-party applications for screen control

If you don't want to go through the settings or you're afraid of changing system files, you can use specialized utilities.

For most users, Keep Screen On is the best choice, which is simple and requires no root rights.

1. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested.
2. Enable the option of "During calls" (during calls).
3. Set exceptions for other apps (like YouTube or Google Maps).

💡

If the application doesn’t work, check your battery optimization settings: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Utility Name] → Battery and select “No Limits.”

Method 5: Resetting settings to factory (extreme case)

If none of these methods worked, and if the blackout is critically disturbing, you can reset the settings, and that will bring all MIUI parameters back to factory settings, including those that control the behavior of the screen. All data will be deleted!

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting.


2. Select "Hard Reset" (Erase all data).




3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).




4.After setting up the phone, check if there is still a problem.

In 80% of cases, resetting helps, as the problem is often caused by an update conflict or system files being corrupted.

• 📁 Backup important data (photos, contacts, messages).
• 🔐 After the reset, you will need to re-enter all accounts (Google, Mi Account, etc.).
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T) After reset, it may be necessary to re-unblock the loader.

💡

Resetting is the last chance to fix the problem if all other methods have failed. Use it only as a last resort, as the process is irreversible without backup.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When trying to turn off screen dimming, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If your problem doesn’t make it to the table, check:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version – in new builds MIUI Often fix screen bugs.
• 🛠️ Remove recent applications that may have changed system settings (such as launchers or optimizers).
• 📡 Check out the work with another SIM-Card – sometimes the problem is with the operator.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions