Xiaomi smartphone users often face a situation where the display goes off too quickly, literally after a few seconds of inactivity.This can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you read long articles, study recipes in the kitchen or just browse the information without touching the screen constantly. Standard system settings sometimes set an aggressive timer to save battery power, which goes against the comfort of use.
Fortunately, the MIUI or HyperOS Android operating system provides flexible tools to manage this setting. Changing the waiting interval is a simple procedure that does not require superuser rights or complex code manipulation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available customization methods, including hidden engineering menus that can be useful in non-standard situations.
Before we start to make changes, it's worth noting that increasing display time directly affects energy consumption. The screen is one of the main consumers of charge in a modern smartphone. So it's important to find a balance between the ease of reading and the autonomy of your device so that by the end of the day the phone doesn't run out critically.
In this article, we will look not only at the standard way through settings, but also at alternative methods that can be useful if the standard menu does not work correctly or is hidden by the manufacturer in a particular firmware version.
Standard method of setting up through the system menu
The easiest and safest way to change the time before locking is to use the built-in settings menu, which works on the vast majority of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models, regardless of the version of the shell installed. The interface may differ slightly visually, but the logic of actions remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
First, you need to unlock the device and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. In the list of options that opens, you should scroll down to the section responsible for the appearance and screen. In different versions of MIUI, this item may be called simply "Screen" or be part of the "Additional" section.
Inside the menu, you need to find Sleep Mode or screen timeout, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of available time slots, and the system will tell you to choose a value from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, and the choice of a specific value is instantaneous, and the phone will immediately start working on the new algorithm.
- 📱 15 seconds – Standard value for maximum energy savings.
- ⏱️ 1 minute is the optimal balance for most use cases.
- 🔋 5 minutes – easy to read, but consumes a battery.
- ∞ Not to turn off – not available on all models, requires caution.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep the "Do not turn off" mode active unless you use your phone as a navigator or information board. This can lead to overheating of the matrix and the appearance of burnt out pixels, especially on the Internet. AMOLED-screen.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Settings
Sometimes the standard settings menu doesn’t have the right options or doesn’t work properly because of software failures, and in such cases, the CIT (Customer Information Test) engineering menu is embedded in Xiaomi’s firmware, a tool designed to diagnose, but also allows you to control some system parameters, including display behavior.
To get into this menu, you need to open the Phone app and dial a special combination of characters. The code may vary depending on the model, but the most versatile is ##6484## or ##4636#. Once you enter the last digit, the menu should open automatically, without having to press the call button.
The list that opens up is very careful. Incorrectly changing the parameters in the partitions associated with the radio module or sensor calibration can disrupt the device, we are only interested in the partition associated with the display, which is often called Display or Version, there may be an option to manually control the timer.
☑️ Check before entering the engineering menu
It’s worth noting that in newer versions of HyperOS, access to some of the engineering menu features can be limited or changed. If the code doesn’t work, it’s possible that your firmware version requires PC-specific software like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, but this is the advanced user level.
Setup through the Developer Menu
Another powerful tool in the Android smartphone owner’s arsenal is the developer menu, which is hidden by default so that inexperienced users don’t accidentally change critical settings, but it’s where you find the settings that affect how the screen behaves when charging or in certain modes of operation.
To activate this mode, you need to go to Settings → About the phone and find the line Version MIUI (or OS). You need to press this line quickly. 7-10 Once in a row, until you notice that you have become a developer, and then a new item will appear in the main settings menu. → For developers.
Inside this section, you should look for the option Don't turn off the screen. It's usually at the top of the list. If you activate this switch, the smartphone screen will burn continuously while the device is connected to the power source. This is the perfect setting for those who use the phone as a desktop clock or a smart home control panel.
| Parameter | Location. | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeping mode. | Settings → Screen | Average. | Use it all the time |
| Keep the screen down. | For developers | High (only when charging) | Only when connected to the network |
| Brightness | Notification curtain | Critical | Regulate on lighting |
| Dark subject matter | Settings → Screen | Low (saves on AMOLED) | Recommended for the night |
It’s important to understand the difference between a regular timeout and a developer mode: A regular timer counts the time from the last touch, and the option in the developer menu ignores the timer completely, but only if the charger is connected.
What to do if the developer menu is missing?
Problems with the proximity sensor and autolock
A common problem that users mistake for misconfiguring lock times is the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. If that sensor is contaminated, closed with a protective film or malfunctioning, the phone can turn off the screen instantly as soon as you hold it to your face or put it on the table, ignoring the 2 or 5 minutes you set.
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often use the approximation sensor calibration via the engineering menu, such as entering code ##64663## (or similar for your model), selecting the Proximity sensor test, and following the on-screen instructions (usually you need to close the top of the phone with your hand and then remove it).
You should also check your pocket settings. In the Settings → Lock and Protection (or Lock Screen) menu, there is Mode in your pocket. If it's on, the phone locks faster when the sensor "feels" something. Try turning off this feature if the phone locks itself at inappropriate times.
- 🧼 Clean: Wipe the top of the screen with a microfiber, removing fat and dust.
- 🛡️ Protection: Make sure the protective glass does not cover the sensor.
- ⚙️ Calibration: Conduct a sensor test through the engineering menu.
- 🚫 Disconnect: Turn off "Mode in your pocket" to check.
If calibration doesn't help, it's probably hardware-related, and in such cases, software-based extensions of lock time won't solve the problem, because the screen will be forced to go out by the security system.
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Use the function "Advanced settings" → "Special. capabilities" → "Remote control" to check the operation of sensors without touching the screen if the touch layer is unstable.
The impact of third-party applications and design themes
MIUI is known for its deep customization, which users often add with third-party themes and launchers. Some themes may have their own, hard-to-find timeout settings that override system settings. If you set a new theme and lock time changes, it's probably the problem.
In addition, various energy-saving applications such as memory cleaners or antiviruses can aggressively control the screen. Apps like Clean Master or built-in optimizers can force the screen to be turned off, believing that you have moved away from the device based on accelerometer data or lack of network activity.
To rule out the impact of third-party software, try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme through the Themes app. Also check the list of recently installed apps. If a problem occurs immediately after installing a utility, delete it and check the system behavior.
⚠️ Note: Apps that require the right to "Overlay Other Windows" or "Access to Device Use" may intercept screen control. Carefully review the permissions requested when installing questionable software.
In rare cases, a weather widget or Mi Vision newsfeed can cause conflict if they are not working properly, and disabling these features during diagnosis will help identify the culprit.
Automation of processes through scenarios
For advanced users who want full control, Xiaomi’s shell offers a built-in Scripts app (called Automation in some versions or available through the Mi Home app).
For example, you can create a scenario: "If you're connected to your home Wi-Fi and the time is 20:00 to 8:00, you can set the screen lock time to 10 minutes." Or vice versa: "If you're running a YouTube app, don't lock the screen." This allows you to not change the settings manually all the time.
The implementation of such scenarios may vary depending on the version of MIUI. In new versions, scripting functionality has been ported or integrated deeper into the system. If standard tools do not create the desired scenario, you can use third-party automation applications such as MacroDroid or Tasker, which have deep access rights to the system.
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Automation is the best way to have different lock time settings for different situations (at night, at work, while reading), without interfering with the settings manually each time.
Using macros requires carefully adjusting the startup conditions so that the phone doesn’t behave unpredictably. Start with simple conditions, such as attaching to a particular application, before creating complex chains of action.