Automatic screen shutdown on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO โ It's a useful feature to save battery life, but standard settings don't always suit users, so some people want to increase the time to turn off for comfortable reading, and some people want to minimize it so that the screen goes out immediately after inactivity. In this article, we will analyze all available ways to change the screen timeout, including hidden settings and solutions for problem situations.
Many users are faced with the fact that after the update MIUI We've tested all the methods on current versions of firmware. MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and put together working solutions. It's important to understand that on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F5) The manufacturerโs restrictions may apply โ we will also explain this in detail.
If you're looking for a way to turn off your screen completely (for example, to use your phone as a navigator), we've got to warn you beforehand that on most devices, this is impossible without root rights, but we'll show you how to maximize timeout and circumvent restrictions by legal means.
Standard method: through display settings
The easiest method is to use built-in settings MIUI. It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO regardless of the firmware version (with rare exceptions, which we will discuss later).
To change the time of the screen switching off:
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Display section (or the Screen on some models).
- Select Sleep Mode (can be called Screen Timeout or Screen Auto Shutdown).
- Set the desired value from the available options.
On most devices, the following options are available:
- ๐ 15 seconds โ minimum value, suitable for battery saving.
- โณ 30 seconds is the standard option for most users.
- โฐ 1 minute is the best time to read or watch content.
- โฑ๏ธ 2 minutes โ maximum value in standard settings.
- ๐ซ It is available only on some models (e.g. Xiaomi Pad 6).
โ ๏ธ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and HyperOS, Sleep mode can be hidden in the submenu Additional screen settings. If you don't find it right away, scroll through the display settings list to the end.
If your phone does not have a sleep mode, it can mean:
- ๐ฑ The device is running a lightweight version MIUI (for example, MIUI Lite for budget models).
- ๐ The manufacturer has limited the functionality for a particular model (often found on the POCO M-series).
- ๐ ๏ธ There is no support for changing the timeout (relevant for some regional versions).
Advanced settings through Developers
If standard options arenโt enough, you can try changing the timeout through the developer menu, which doesnโt work on all devices, but often allows you to set non-standard time values (e.g., 5 or 10 minutes).
To activate the developer mode:
- Go to Settings. โ The phone.
- Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times in a row.
- Enter a pattern lock or password if required.
- You will see a notice that you have become a developer.
Now go back to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
- ๐ Waiting time for illumination - the main screen timeout.
- ๐ Sleep mode when connected to charging - a separate setting for charging mode.
The following values are available in the developer menu:
| Parameter | Available values | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting time for lighting | 15 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min | On some models, 10 and 30 minutes may be absent. |
| Sleeping mode during charging | Always, Never, Like in the screen settings | Allows you to turn off timeout when connecting to the network |
โ ๏ธ Warning: Change of the setting Sleep mode when charging on Never can cause the screen to overheat with prolonged use. We recommend setting this value only when necessary (for example, for video editing or streaming).
If the menu for developers does not have the option Waiting time backlight, try the following steps:
|Check that the developer mode is actually activated (reboot the phone)
|Update the firmware to the latest version
|Try resetting your settings through Settings โ System system โ Resetting settings โ Reset all settings
|Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that can provide additional options-->
Changing the timeout through ADB (power-user)
If none of the previous methods worked, you can try changing the screen off time through the ADB-This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.
First, make sure that you have:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ ADB Fastboot Tools (you can download from the official website of Android Developers).
- ๐ Drivers for your Xiaomi device (usually installed automatically when you first connect).
- ๐ฑ Debugging mode by USB on the phone (included in the menu for developers).
Instructions for changing the timeout through ADB:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Set a new timeout (for example, 5 minute = 300000 milliseconds: adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 300000
- Restart your phone to apply the changes.
Available values for screen_off_timeout (milliseconds):
- ๐ 15 seconds - 15,000
- โณ 30 seconds - 30,000
- โฐ 1 minute - 60,000
- โฑ๏ธ 5 minutes - 300,000
- ๐ 10 minutes - 600,000
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If, after the execution, ADB-Timeout commands have not changed, try to reset the current value with the command adb shell settings delete system. screen_off_timeout, Then install a new one.
Limitations of the method:
- ๐ On some Xiaomi devices, changing the timeout through ADB blocked by the manufacturer.
- ๐ After resetting settings or updating the firmware, the parameter may return to the standard setting.
- โ ๏ธ Misuse ADB This can lead to unstable system operation.
Applications for screen timeout management
If the built-in settings and ADB They don't require root rights, but their functionality depends on the Android version and Xiaomi policy.
Top.-3 Proven applications for managing screen switch-off time:
| Annex | Functionality | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Keep Screen On | Keeps the screen on when select applications are running | Not working in the background on MIUI 14+ |
| Caffeine | Adds a button to the notification panel for quick timeout management | Requires overlay permission (may not work on HyperOS) |
| Screen Timeout Settings | Allows you to set custom time (up to 1 hour) | On some models, Xiaomi is not stable. |
Instructions for setting up Keep Screen On:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open it and provide all the permissions requested.
- In the settings, select the apps for which you want to turn off timeout (for example, YouTube or Google Maps).
- Activate the function Keep the screen on.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Applications for screen control on MIUI Often faced with power saving restrictions. If the application stops working after locking the screen, add it to the exceptions: โ Battery โ Optimizing the battery โ All applications โ Find your app. โ Select "No restrictions".
The alternative is to use automation through MacroDroid or Tasker, and these applications allow you to create rules like:
- ๐ฑ "If the application is launched Navigator โ timeout"
- ๐ "If the phone's charging โ lengthen"
- ๐ต "While listening to music โ keep off"
Problems and Solutions: Why the Shutdown Time Has Not Changed
Sometimes users find that the screen shutdown time is not saved or resets after rebooting. Let's consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them.
Frequent problems and their solutions:
- ๐ Settings reset after update: This is standard behavior MIUI. After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) some parameters are back to factory. Solution: reset the timeout after the update.
- ๐ The item "Sleep mode" is not in the settings: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro for the European market), the manufacturer hides this option. ADB or annexes from the previous section.
- โก Screen turns off immediately despite settings: Battery ultra-saving mode may be activated. Check: Settings โ Battery โ Battery mode. Turn it off or add exceptions.
- ๐ ๏ธ ADB-commands not applied: HyperOS devices may be blocked from accessing system settings. Solution: try executing a command on behalf of a superuser (root required).
If none of these methods worked, you may have hardware limitations on your device, like some models. POCO s AMOLED-The manufacturer artificially limits the maximum display time to prevent pixel burnout.
How to check if your device supports timeout change?
For devices with MIUI For Russia (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite) can help change the region of the firmware:
- Install Global. ROM or EEA ROM via Fastboot.
- Use the official Mi Unlock Tool app to unlock the bootloader.
- Use the Mi Flash Tool to run the firmware.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Changing the firmware region may result in loss of warranty and unstable performance of certain features (e.g, NFC or 5G). Before the procedure, make a full data backup via Settings โ System system โ Backup.
Optimal timeout settings for different scenarios
The timing of the screen shutdown depends on how you use your smartphone, and we tested different scenarios and made recommendations for setting up.
Recommended timeout values:
| Use case scenario | Recommended time | Additional settings |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ Reading books/articles | 5-10 minutes | Use a dark theme for AMOLED-screen |
| ๐ฎ Games | 2-5 minutes | Turn off auto-rotation in horizontal orientation games |
| ๐ Navigation (Google) Maps/Yandex Navi) | Always (via app or charging) | Connect your phone to charge during your trip |
| ๐ธ Photo/video | 3-5 minutes | Turn off sleep mode in camera settings |
| ๐ผ Office work (documents, post office work) | 1-2 minutes | Use gestures to wake up quickly |
For users who often use the phone in different scenarios, we recommend setting up automatic rules via MacroDroid or Tasker.
- ๐ When connected to charging โ time-out.
- ๐ถ When walking (according to the accelerometer) โ shorten time to 15 seconds.
- ๐ At night โ Reduce brightness and timeout to save battery.
If you use your smartphone as a remote for a smart home (for example, with Xiaomi Home), set the maximum time or turn off the timeout altogether through the Keep Screen On app. This will eliminate the need to constantly unlock the screen when managing devices.
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On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F4) If you have to keep your screen on all the time, reduce the brightness to 30-50% and use dark themes.