Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with bright and high-quality displays that consume a significant amount of energy. By default, the system is set to economical mode, so the screen goes out after a short time of inactivity. This often causes inconvenience when reading long articles, viewing recipes in the kitchen or using navigation.
Changing the timeout setting allows you to adapt the device to your individual usage habits, you can increase the interval to a few minutes or, conversely, reduce it to maximize battery life, and in this article we will discuss in detail where to find the right settings and how to circumvent the limitations of the system.
It’s worth noting that the menu layout may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. However, the overall interface logic remains the same for most models, whether it’s the budget Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi Mi.
Standard path through the settings menu
The easiest and most reliable way to change latency is to use the built-in interface, which does not require third-party software and ensures that the device runs smoothly, and the algorithm is the same for all current firmware versions.
First, you need to unlock your smartphone and find the Settings icon on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear and is located at the top of the screen or in the dock bar. Click on it to open the main system control menu.
Then you scroll down to a section called "Screen and brightness." In some older versions of MIUI, this item may simply be called "Screen," and that's where all the parameters that are responsible for visual display of information are concentrated.
- 📱 Click on “Sleeping Mode” or “Screen Time Out».
- ⏱ Choose the right time from the list (15 seconds to 10 minutes).
- ✅ Confirm the choice by simply going back – settings are saved automatically.
After doing this, your Xiaomi will turn off the display after a selected period of time. If the standard range is not enough, you can consider advanced customization methods, which will be discussed below.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Advanced settings through the engineering menu
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the standard list does not offer the desired values or the interface is not working correctly. In such cases, the engineering menu, a hidden part of the system, designed to test the equipment, comes to the rescue.
To get into this section, open the Phone app and type a special code. For Xiaomi devices, the most common combination is ##6484## or ##4636##. Once you enter the last digit, the menu will open automatically.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change settings on the engineering menu that you do not know the value of, which can cause sensor calibration resets or communication modules to malfunction.
The list that opens will include a display or component testing item, often called Version Information or Single Item Test, where you can find more detailed timer options, but beware: not all options are available for editing on global firmware versions.
If you accidentally change the extra, you can always return the factory settings through the restore menu or a full reset, but for a simple change in the screen timeout, it is better to limit yourself to standard methods or use automation.
Use of the “Do not turn off” mode when charging
Special attention should be paid to the feature that allows you to keep the screen on all the time while the device is connected to the power source, which is especially convenient for those who use a smartphone as a desktop clock, monitoring panel or navigator in the car.
To activate this option, you first need to unlock the hidden section "For developers." Go to Settings → On the phone and press quickly 7-10 once by “Version” MIUI» (or “OS version”) until a notification of successful activation appears.
Now go back to the main settings menu, go to Advanced Settings and select Developer's Forward. Find the Don't Turn Off Screen (or Charge Mode) switch and activate it. Now, when you connect the cable, the display will burn constantly.
Why do you need a developer mode?
It is important to understand that the constant glow of an OLED or IPS matrix can cause pixels to burn out or the battery to overheat, and use this mode only when connected to the network and do not leave a static picture on the screen for an hour.
Automation with the Mi Automation app
The system’s regular tools don’t always allow flexible screenplays, such as requiring a timeout of 30 seconds in the afternoon and 2 minutes in the evening, or keeping the screen from going out while a particular application is running, and a built-in Mi Automation (or Auto Tasks) app exists to do this.
It's a powerful tool built into the MIUI shell that allows you to create chains of action, so you can set the condition "If YouTube is running" and the action "Set screen timeout for 5 minutes," which eliminates the need to constantly climb into settings.
It takes only a few minutes to create a script. Open the application, click Create, select the trigger (condition) and action. As an action, select Screen and specify the desired latency. The system will switch the setting when you start the program.
- 🤖 Open the Auto Tasks app or Mi Automation app».
- ➕ Click the button to add a new script.
- 🎯 Select a startup condition (such as time or application).
- ⚙️ Add the action “Change screen timeout».
Using automation makes interaction with your smartphone more comfortable and smarter, and you no longer have to remember manually adjusting every time you change the type of activity.
Problems with the proximity sensor and screen quenching
Users often confuse the timeout setting with spontaneous screen quenching because of the proximity sensor.If the display turns off as soon as you remove your finger, or vice versa, does not go out in your pocket, the problem may not be the timer, but the contamination or software failure of the sensor.
The sensor is located at the top of the screen, often hidden under a protective glass, and the film, dirt or greasy spots can distort its readings, in which case the system thinks that you have the phone in your ear, and blocks the display.
You can run an engineering test for diagnostics. Dial ##6484##, select Proximity Sensor, and cover the top of the screen with your hand. The indicator should change color from green to red. If there is no reaction, you need to clean or repair.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen goes off instantly. | Contaminated sensor | Wipe the top of the screen. |
| The screen doesn't go out in your pocket. | Calibration failure | Calibration in the engineering menu |
| Timeout not maintained | System error | Resetting or resetting settings |
| The screen blinks. | Low brightness/PWM | Increase brightness or enable DC Dimming |
Regularly checking the sensors helps to avoid many inconveniences in everyday use of the Xiaomi smartphone.
The Impact of Energy Saving on Time Out
Battery optimization systems in MIUI are known for being aggressive. In either Energy Saving or Ultra Saving mode, the system can ignore your timeout settings and force the screen to go out faster to save charge.
If you notice that the set time is not being observed, check the power status. Switch it to Balanced or Performance. It is also worth going to the battery settings and turning off the option "Increased Sleep Time" if it is on, as it may conflict with manual settings.
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If the screen goes out too quickly even after setting up, try turning off the adaptive brightness. Sometimes the light sensor conflicts with the sleep timer.
In addition, some third-party memory cleanup applications can force processes to be terminated or system settings to be “optimized.” Add important system services to the antivirus and optimizer exception list.
Understanding how the energy-saving algorithm works balances the autonomy with the comfort of the device, so don't be afraid to experiment with modes to find the perfect one.
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Power saving mode takes precedence over manual timeout settings. For a long screen burn, always choose Performance or Balanced mode.