Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shells MIUI and HyperOS, offer users a wide range of personalization options, among which one of the most noticeable is the Always On Display (AOD) feature. This technology allows the device screen to display useful information such as time, date, battery level or notifications, even when the smartphone is locked. Unlike the constant glow of the entire matrix, which would lead to rapid battery depletion and pixel burnout, AOD uses a specific panel mode, activating only the minimum number of points.
This function is based on the OLED and AMOLED matrix, where each pixel is illuminated independently. When you activate Always On Display, the system puts the screen in low brightness and low refresh rate mode, making only those subpixels that form the desired characters or images glow. Black background on these screens means completely turning off the pixels, which saves energy. For the owner, this means the possibility of a glance interaction: looking at the phone, you can instantly get the necessary data without unlocking the device or running the application.
But the introduction of AOD into Xiaomi’s ecosystem has its technical nuances, which are important to understand for proper operation: The system intelligently manages power, often using separate display controllers to maintain a static image without waking the main processor. This allows you to balance between the aesthetics of the interface and the autonomy of operation. In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to set up AOD, what formats are available and how to minimize the impact on battery life.
Technological basis of AOD on AMOLED screens
The basic condition of the work Always on Display is the presence of AMOLED or OLED The matrices in your Redmi smartphone or POCO. Unlike in the IPS-In screens where the backlight is common to the entire field and cannot be turned off locally, organic LEDs are able to glow independently. AOD, The vast majority of pixels (those that are supposed to be black) simply don't get power, which is a key point, since energy consumption occurs only for colored or white areas of the image.
MIUI and the new HyperOS optimize this process using a low frame rate. Normally, the screen is updated 60 or 120 times per second, but for a static image of a watch, a much lower frequency is enough. The display controller takes on the task of maintaining the glow without requiring constant CPU intervention, which reduces the overall load on the system. However, it is worth considering that even in this mode there is a microcycle of update to prevent pixels from sticking.
It’s important to note the difference between “always on” and “on schedule.” Technically, “always” on Xiaomi often means working during the day with automatic shutdown at night to save charge unless otherwise specified. System algorithms analyze your usage habits and can suggest optimal time intervals. Understanding how your particular device manages power helps avoid unexpected discharge situations.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged display of static images at high brightness can lead to uneven wear of organic LEDs, known as "burnout." Although modern Xiaomi panels have protection and pixel shift function, abuse of maximum brightness AOD not recommended.
Configuring and activating a function in the system
The process of enabling Always On Display on Xiaomi smartphones is standardized, but may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell. To activate the feature, you need to go to the device settings menu. Find a section that can be called "Ecran is always on", "Always-on display" or "Block and protect", depending on the localization and version of MIUI. This is where the main controls of this subsystem.
Inside the menu, you can choose to activate your smartphone, you can choose to display continuously, schedule or activate an event (such as when you receive a notification or pick up your phone), and the flexibility of the display settings allows you to adapt your smartphone behavior to your rhythm of life. For example, Schedule mode is ideal for those who do not want the screen to glow while sleeping.
☑️ Pre-insertion check AOD
The system also offers a brightness adjustment. Automatic brightness of AOD is usually adjusted to indoor lighting, but you can also set fixed values. This is an important parameter, because manual adjustment can significantly affect the final power consumption. Remember that even on AMOLED screens, white cells consume the most energy.
Customization: Styles, Images and Notifications
One of the strengths of the Xiaomi ecosystem is the depth of customization. Themes app and AOD system settings offer a huge selection of preset styles. These can be classic dials, animated characters, minimalist numbers or even live wallpaper adapted for Always On mode. The user can choose a static image or dynamic animation that will be played when interacting with the screen.
The functionality allows you to display notifications on the lock screen. You can configure the display of application icons, text messages or missed calls. This turns the locked screen into an information bar. However, be careful with confidentiality: displaying the content of messages on AOD may not be desirable in a public place.
Hidden opportunities for customization
Creative users can set their own image as the AOD background. The system will automatically darken the photo and apply the necessary filters to ensure that the time is readable and the matrix is safe. You can use personal photos, abstract textures or logos. It is important that the image does not contain too many bright white spots, so as not to provoke accelerated wear of the pixels.
The Impact of Always On Display on Device Autonomy
The impact of AOD on battery life remains the most talked-about issue. Energy consumption is directly dependent on the type of style used. Simple black and white dials with a minimum of glowing pixels consume significantly less energy than color animated themes with bright elements. On average, using standard AOD can reduce autonomy by 1-3% per hour, but these figures vary greatly.
Compare the impact of different types of content on battery consumption in AOD mode (average data for a 4500 mAh battery):
| Type of AOD Content | Approximate intake per hour | Impact on day of work |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Style (Minimalism) | 0.4% - 0.6% | Low (up to 5% per day) |
| Analog clock (arrows) | 0.6% - 0.9% | Average (up to 8% per day) |
| Castom photo (dark) | 0.8% - 1.2% | Medium/High |
| Animated character | 1.5% - 2.5%+ | High (up to 20% per day) |
The frequency of smartphone use is also a significant factor: if you constantly pick up your phone, the screen lights up completely and the AOD shuts down, which effectively puts the device in active use. In scenarios where the phone is on the table all day, the consumption will be determined solely by the efficiency of the standby mode and the style of the watch you choose.
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The most energy-efficient option is to use simple black and white dials and a “scheduled” or “10 seconds after touch” mode.
Schedule and smart work modes
To balance functionality and savings, Xiaomi offers flexible scheduling tools. You can set up AOD to only work at certain times of the day, such as 8:00 to 23:00. This eliminates the need to see the hours in the middle of the night and saves battery power while you sleep. Customization is done through the Settings menu → Screen is always on → Scheduled.
There's also a smart mode that analyzes your habits, which can detect when you're usually sleeping or in your pocket, and turn off AOD during those periods, and there's an "Energy Saving" mode that automatically turns off Always On Display when your battery level drops below a certain threshold (usually 10-15%).
Another useful option is activation only when notifications arrive, in which case the screen remains black until a message or call arrives, a perfect compromise for those who want to see missed events but are not willing to sacrifice autonomy for the sake of constantly burning hours, an approach that minimizes charge cycles and prolongs battery life.
Solution and optimization
Users may experience a situation where AOD is not working or is not behaving in a stable way. Often the problem lies in the power saving mode on, which forcibly disables background processes and display services to extend the device. Check if the ultra-saving mode is activated, and add AOD system services to exceptions if this is available in your version of the software.
Another common problem is the incompatibility of some third-party themes. If after installing a new theme, the watch stops displaying or works with errors, try to return to standard design. Also, make sure that the screen settings do not include the feature "Increase text" or other accessibility options that may conflict with the rendering of AOD elements.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the image on the screen is “strained” or left a faint trace after turning off AOD, Turn off the function immediately for a few days and set a minimum brightness, which could be a sign of the matrix starting to burn out.
In some cases, cleaning the Themes app cache or resetting the screen to factory values helps, and make sure your MIUI/HyperOS software is updated to the latest version, as developers regularly release patches that correct errors in the display driver.
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For maximum power savings at night, use Do Not Disturb mode in conjunction with the AOD schedule. This will prevent the screen from turning on notifications and save the battery until the morning.