Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains a popular smartphone even years after its release, but many users are faced with a problem: the manufacturer has not officially provided the Always On Display (AOD) feature for this model. While Xiaomi flagship devices have long supported displaying time, notifications and other widgets on the off screen, owners of the Redmi Note 8 Pro have to look for workarounds.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods for activating the active screen on your device - from hidden settings. MIUI You will learn how to enable continuous time display without loss of autonomy, what risks exist when using informal solutions, and how to configure AOD We will pay special attention to compatibility with the latest versions. MIUI 12–14 and optimize battery consumption.
What is Always On Display and Why is it Not on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Always On Display (AOD) — This is a feature where part of the screen remains active even when it's off, showing the time, date, notifications or custom widgets. AMOLED-The black pixels are powerless and the color pixels are minimal. IPS-It's a screen that creates two key problems:
- 🔋 High battery consumption: IPS-The panels use energy to illuminate the entire screen, even if only part of it is involved.
- 📱 Lack of hardware support: The manufacturer has not optimized the firmware for AOD This model is based on technical limitations.
- ⚙️ Software locks: B MIUI The appropriate settings for devices without AMOLED.
However, there are ways to get around these restrictions, and then we'll look at formal and informal methods, starting with the safest ones.
Method 1: Hidden MIUI settings (without root)
Some versions of MIUI (especially MIUI 12.5-14) have hidden options for activating AOD, despite the lack of support on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the Screen. → Additionally.
- Tap 5 times on the MIUI version (bottom of the screen) until you become a developer!
- Return to the main Settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
- Find the Always On Display option (always called the Screen is on).
If it doesn't, your firmware version doesn't support it, so move on to the next one.
Enable the developer mode (5 taps according to MIUI)
Check the MIUI version (not lower than 12.5)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Disable battery optimization for system applications-->
⚠️ Attention: Even if you have managed to turn on AOD through hidden settings, IPS-The screen will consume up to 10-15% charge per hour in constant lighting mode. Use the function only when connected to charging or in critical situations.
Method 2: Third-party applications for emulation of AOD
If the official methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities.The best options for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:
| Annex | Features | Battery consumption | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always On AMOLED | AOD simulation with color, font and animations. It works on IPS, but it puts a lot of battery life on. | 8-12%/hour | Google Play |
| Glance Plus | It shows the time, the notifications and the weather, and it supports gestures. | 5-10%/hour | Google Play |
| AcDisplay | Minimalist interface with support for Android 10+. You can set the screen timeout. | 3-7%/hour | Google Play |
For installation:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Provide all necessary permissions (Overlaying over other windows, Auto Run, Notifications).
- In the application settings, select the display style and activate the Always On mode.
- Add the app to the battery optimization exception list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
How to reduce battery consumption when using third-party AOD?
Method 3: Modification of system files (requires unlocking the bootloader)
For advanced users, there is a method of activating AOD through system file editing, which requires an unlocked bootloader and superuser rights (root), and if you're not familiar with these concepts, skip this section.
Instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi utility).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- Download Always On Display Enabler for Magisk:
- Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the device.
- After the reboot, the Always On Display option will appear in the screen settings.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect modification of system files can lead to a device blink (complete failure). TWRP Make sure the module version is compatible with your firmware (MIUI 12–14).
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If the screen doesn’t turn on after installing the module, try rolling back changes via Magisk or reflashing the device using the Mi Flash Tool.
Method 4: Using live wallpaper with low energy consumption
The alternative is to set up a live wallpaper with an AOD simulation, which is less functional, but it's safe and doesn't require root rights.
- 🌌 KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker – allows you to create a widget with time and date, which will be displayed on a locked screen.
- ⏱️ Chrono Live Wallpaper – Minimalist watch with style and color setting.
- 📱 Wallpaper Engine – Supports low-battery animations.
How to set up:
- Install one of the applications from the list.
- Create or download a preset with a watch.
- Apply the wallpaper to the lock screen.
- In the screen settings, enable the option to Show wallpaper on the locked screen.
The downside is that the screen will turn on completely every time you wake up, which still consumes the battery, but the consumption will be lower than with a full AOD.
Optimizing battery consumption when using AOD
Even if you were able to activate Always On Display, the main problem is that the battery is running fast, to minimize the loss:
- 🔋 Use it. AOD Charging only – many apps allow you to enable the feature automatically when the phone is connected to the network.
- ⏳ Set a timer – for example, displaying time only from 20:00 to 8:00.
- 🌑 Choose the minimum brightness – even 10% of the backlight is enough to read time in the dark.
- ⚡ Disable unnecessary widgets – weather, pedometer and notifications increase the load on the processor.
It is also recommended that:
- 📵 Disable mobile data in sleep mode (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Background data transmission).
- 🔄 Reduce the screen refresh rate to 60Hz (if you have a Redmi Note 8 Pro with 90Hz).
- 🛡️ Add an annex AOD Except for battery optimization.
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Nana IPS-Redmi Note 8 Pro screens are even minimal. AOD Reduces battery life by 30-50%, only use the function in extreme cases or when connected to a charger.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When you activate Always On Display, users experience common errors.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| AOD does not turn on after setting up | Battery optimization conflict or lack of permits | Add the app to battery exceptions and check permissions (Open, Auto Run) |
| The screen flickers or spontaneously turns off | Incompatibility with current firmware | Update MIUI to the latest version or roll back to a stable build |
| Severe phone overheating | Constant load on the processor due to AOD | Turn off the feature and check the phone for viruses (other background processes may be working) |
| Notifications are not displayed | Application restrictions in notification settings | Allow notifications to be accessed in Settings → Apps → Permissions |
If none of these methods worked, your version of MIUI may be too old or modified by the manufacturer, so you can either accept the lack of AOD or consider switching to custom firmware (like LineageOS) where the function can be implemented better.