Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter visual artifacts or interface display features, which are commonly referred to as a “semi-circle.” Most often, we are talking about software masking the cutout as a front camera, which in the shells of MIUI and HyperOS can look like a black stripe or a drop-shaped element at the top of the display. However, sometimes this term means sticking pixels, shadow from the protective glass or even traces of burnout of the AMOLED matrix. Understanding the nature of this phenomenon is the first step to solving the problem.
Depending on your device’s model, whether it’s a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 13, the methods for eliminating this visual noise will be different. Some cases require a simple reconfiguration of the system interface, while others may indicate a need to replace the display module. It’s important not to panic ahead of time and consistently check the software settings, as 80% of the time the problem is solved without going to the service center.
This guide will help you understand how to change the style of the cutout, remove black bars at the edges of the screen or eliminate software errors in graphics rendering. We will look at the regular system tools, hidden engineering menus and calibration methods that will return your gadget to the perfect appearance.
What is a “semi-circle” on the display Xiaomi
Before you start to act, you need to identify exactly what you're facing. In Xiaomi terminology, the "semi-circle" is often referred to as the software curtain that hides the physical cutout in the matrix. The system darkens the area around the camera, creating the illusion of a solid black stripe. It's not a defect, but a stylistic solution of the shell that can be changed or disable. However, if you see a rainbow spot, a glowing circle or a distortion of colors, this is a sign of physical damage to the matrix.
On devices with AMOLED-Sometimes, the effect of a "steel" or residual image is seen in screens, which users can also describe as a semicircular shadow, which occurs when a static interface element has been on the screen for a long time. Unlike burnout, this artifact often goes away on its own after rebooting or changing the image. It is important to distinguish between software rendering bugs and the physical wear and tear of organic LEDs.
In rare cases, a semicircle appears after a firmware update due to a conflict of display drivers. The system may incorrectly determine the resolution or density of pixels by creating black fields or distorting the edges of the image. HyperOS and newer versions of MIUI have improved compensation algorithms, but on older models, failures are still encountered. If the defect appeared abruptly after the update, there is a high probability of a software error.
⚠️ Note: If the semicircle on the screen is purple or green and does not change position when the screen is rotated, it is most likely a physical damage to the matrix (a tear of the plume or impact.
Customization of the cutout style under the camera in MIUI and HyperOS
The most common scenario is that the user wants to change the appearance of the black area around the front camera. Xiaomi shells allow you to flexibly adjust this setting, turning the cutout into a neat strip or, conversely, making it less noticeable. You do not need root rights to access these settings, just log into the standard settings menu.
The change process starts with going to the display section. The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the shell, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item related to the notch status. Here you can choose the mode "Hide the cutout", "Show the cutout" or "Automatically." In the cover mode, the system programmatically crops the image, creating the same black stripe that many people call a semicircle.
☑️ Checking the cutout settings
If the standard path doesn't work, you can search by settings, type the word "cut" or "notch" into the search box, and the system will provide the desired section. In some versions of MIUI for the global market, this item is hidden in the About Phone menu, where you need to click on the MIUI version several times, but this is rare for modern models. Most often, the setting is available immediately.
Changing the style of the cutout affects the operation of applications. In Hide mode, some programs may not display the content at the top correctly, because they believe that the screen is smaller than it really is. Show mode uses the entire area of the matrix, but the camera will be visible, interrupting the image.
Removing artifacts and shadows through the engineering menu
In more complex cases, where the semicircle is a result of a color calibration or touchscreen malfunction, it may require intervention in the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system designed to test the equipment, where you can diagnose the display and, in some cases, reset the color reproduction settings, which eliminates visual artifacts.
To enter the engineering menu, a special code is used in the Phone app. The combination set ##6484## opens the CIT menu. Here is a list of all the components of the smartphone. You need to find the item associated with the display (usually called Display or Screen).
Is the engineering menu dangerous?
If the tests show color issues, reset the display settings. Some POCO and Redmi models have a hidden calibration option available through code ##3646633# (powered by MediaTek processors). Going to Hardware Testing → Display → Color Temperature allows you to reset the settings to factory settings. This can remove strange color spots or "semicircles" that have arisen due to a software glitch.
It's worth noting that on Qualcomm processors, access to deep display settings through codes is often closed, so the only software solution is to completely reset or flash it. The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but it requires care. You don't have to change the refresh rate or the resolution manually if you don't understand the consequences.
⚠️ Note: Entering the engineering menu by entering codes may be blocked by the carrier or manufacturer in new versions of firmware. If the code does not work, do not try to download third-party applications to unlock it - this is a risk of viruses.
Fighting pixel burnout and sticking
If the "semi-circle" on your Xiaomi screen is a footprint from a frequently used app or interface element, you're facing a residual image effect or burnout. AMOLED-In the matrices that most modern Xiaomi devices have, organic LEDs lose their brightness unevenly over time. Static elements, such as volume sliders or navigation buttons, can leave a barely noticeable trace.
In the early stages, this process is reversible. There is a pixel massage method that helps restore the uniformity of the glow, and the essence of the method is to quickly change colors throughout the screen, which “accelerates” stuck subpixels, and you can use special YouTube videos that request “screen fix” or “dead pixel fix”, which play fast-changing colors for 10-20 minutes.
Also in the settings of some Xiaomi models, there is a function called Anti-burn-in, which periodically and unobtrusively shifts the image by several pixels to ensure that the load on the matrix is evenly distributed. Make sure that this function is activated in the Settings → Screen. If the traces of the interface do not disappear after an hour of working with dynamic content, the situation can be serious.
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To prevent burnout, reduce the brightness of the screen to a comfortable minimum and use a dark theme. This significantly prolongs the life of AMOLED-matrixes and reduces the risk of residual images.
In the case of physical burnout, when the pixels have already degraded and glow dimmer than others, the software methods are powerless. The dark spot semicircle will remain forever. The only solution in this situation is to replace the display module. Modern Xiaomi screens have protective layers, but intensive use at maximum brightness accelerates their wear.
Effect of protective glasses and films on perception
Often, the iridescent semicircle, glare or distortion around the edges of the screen are caused by poor-quality protective accessories. Cheap hydrogel films or thick glass with a black frame can improperly fit to the curved edges of the display (2.5D or 3D glass).
This is especially true for curved-screen models like the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro or Xiaomi 12S Ultra. If the protective glass is unstuck at the edges or has a defect in the adhesive layer, a semicircular contour will be visible in that place. The solution is trivial: remove the accessory and check the clean screen. 90% of the time, the matrix defect turns out to be a sticker defect.
When choosing protection for Xiaomi, pay attention to the type of adhesive. Full glue glass is preferable, as they do not create rainbow effects on the edges. Films are better applied in special frames to avoid bubbles, which can also look like semicircular distortions. Don’t skimp on expensive accessories AMOLED-screen.
| Type of defect | Appearance | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software cutout | Black stripe/drop | MIUI/HyperOS settings | Modify the Settings → Screen. |
| Burnout | Dim spot/contour | Wear of AMOLED matrix | Screen replacement or prevention |
| Sticking | Color trail | Static picture | Video pixel recovery |
| Accessory | Rainbow/Glitter on the edge | film or glass | Remove and replace the protection |
Diagnostics and resetting of display settings
If none of the above methods helped to remove the semicircle, it is possible that the system has accumulated errors in the GPU cache or conflicts with zoom settings. In this case, an effective solution can be to reset the screen settings or completely reset the device.
First, try resetting only the display settings. Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Reserves and discharges → Please note that this item may be called “Reset Phone Settings”, but some versions have the option “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings”, which is not suitable for us. It is necessary to reset the system settings, but without deleting personal data (if such an option is available in your version). MIUI). If there is no such option, you will have to make a complete reset.
After reset, the phone will return to factory display parameters. Black bars should disappear if they were caused by a configuration failure. If the artifact is left even on the boot screen (the Mi logo), when the operating system is not yet running, it is 100% a sign of hardware failure. Software reset can not fix the physical rupture of the plume or damage to the screen controller.
In situations where the semicircle only appears in certain applications (e.g., only in YouTube or only in the game), the problem lies in optimizing a particular application for the screen cutout. Go to the settings of this application and look for options for Full-screen mode or Hide the cutout. Also in the global MIUI settings there is a section Full-screen applications where you can force the display mode for each program.
⚠️ WARNING: A full Wipe Data reset will delete all your photos, contacts and apps. Be sure to back up your Mi Cloud or your computer before starting the procedure.
When it is necessary to replace the display module
Unfortunately, not all semicircles can be removed software-based, and if purple or green patches appear on the screen that grow over time, or black circles that look like ink blots (especially after a fall), these are signs of a breakdown in the internal structure. OLED-In such cases, no settings, no codes, no reboots will help.
Symptoms requiring access to the service:
- 🔴 The appearance of an ink spot that increases in size when pressed.
- 🟢 Vertical or horizontal stripes running across the entire screen.
- 🟣 Screen flickering or complete absence of image when backlighting is working.
- 🟡 «Semi-circle" in the form of a rainbow, which is visible even on the screen turned off at an angle (damage to the polarization filter).
Replacing the display with modern Xiaomi is expensive, as the entire module is often changed with a frame. The original screens retain color quality and the work of the fingerprint scanner under the screen. Installing cheap analogues (copies) can lead to the fact that the “semi-circle” in the form of uneven backlighting remains, and the brightness will be lower than the factory.
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If you see the artifact on the Mi logo when you turn on your phone, it's a hardware breakdown, and software treatments are useless and waste time.
To extend the life of a new screen, avoid extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses. Don't leave your phone in the sun and put it in your pocket with your keys. Careful attitude is the best way to prevent future image defects.