Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI and HyperOS shells, have many features designed to improve the user experience but are sometimes uncomfortable. One of them is to automatically turn on the display when an incoming message or call arrives. This option, often called “Lift to turn on” or “Ambient Display”, can significantly consume battery power and interfere with the night.
Device owners often face a situation where the phone is lying on the table and lights up from each notification, attracting unnecessary attention. To regain control of the gadget and save energy, you need to understand the settings of the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to disable this feature, including hidden settings.
It is worth noting that the layout of the menu may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific modification of the MIUI shell. However, the general logic of the system remains the same for most models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi Mi.
The main setup of Ambient Display in the system
The first and most obvious place where the feature is hidden is the locker settings menu, and that's where the switch is, which is the way the display responds to external stimuli, and you have to open the main menu and find the partition associated with the lock screen.
Find Settings → Lock or Settings → Always on screen and lock screen. In this section, you will need to find an option that can be called “Raise to turn on” or “Enable when you receive notifications.” Disabling this slider will solve the problem in 90% of cases.
Sometimes the system offers more flexible settings, allowing you to choose which apps can wake the screen. This is useful if you want to see notifications only from messengers, but not from games or news.
⚠️ Warning: On some firmware versions, changing the Ambient Display settings may temporarily affect the proximity sensor. If the screen stops going out during a conversation, just restart the device.
Control via the “Always on screen” menu
The feature is always on display (AOD), It's often intertwined with notification settings. AMOLED-This technology allows you to display time and message icons without fully waking the matrix.
To adjust the settings, go to Settings → Screen → Always on. Here you will see several modes of operation. You need a mode that activates the display for only 10 seconds or on a schedule. Select the option “Off” or set a schedule so that the screen does not burn at night.
It's important to understand the difference between pixel smoldering and full backlighting. If your goal is to save energy, it's better to completely deactivate the AOD function, leaving only the standard lock, which is especially true for older models where battery life is limited.
- 📱 10 Seconds Mode: The screen lights up when touched or notified and goes out at a predetermined interval.
- 🕒 Scheduled mode: The function only works at a specified time, for example, from 9:00 to 21:00.
- 🚫 Off mode: Full shutdown of the function, the screen does not light up without your direct participation.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Specifics of settings for messenger applications
Often, users are unaware that a particular app may have its own notification priorities that ignore system settings. Messengers like Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber can require constant attention, causing the screen to flash.
Go to the settings of a particular app, look for the Notifications section, and see if it ticks “Enable Screen” or “Pop-up Notification.” Android also has notification channels where you can customize the behavior of each type of message in detail.
For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. Select the app you want and make sure notification priority is not set to Urgent or No Sound and Vibration with the screen on, which will fine-tune the system behavior.
Why does WhatsApp wake up the screen even after it’s turned off?
Use of the menu of special features and the developer
If standard methods have not helped, special features designed for people with disabilities, but hindering the average user, may be activated. In the "Special features" menu, check the "Improving visibility" or "Gestural control" section.
You should also look at the developer menu. To get there, you need to click on the version number 7 times in Settings → About your phone. In the developer menu, find the "Stay awake" item, which should be turned off. Also check the animation settings, sometimes they cause false positives.
In some cases, resetting special features helps, which doesn't affect your personal data, but returns the system settings for accessing the screen to factory values, and it's an effective way to combat software glitches.
| Function | Where to find out. | Recommended condition | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient Display | Lock screen | Off. | High. |
| Lifting up for inclusion | Lock screen | Off. | Average. |
| Always On Display | Screen settings | Scheduled. | Average. |
| Pop-up notifications | Application settings | No screen. | Low. |
Problems with sensors and protective film
The physical aspect of the problem is that the light and proximity sensor at the top of the smartphone can be closed with a poor-quality protective film or case, and if the sensor “thinks” that the phone is in the dark or, conversely, in the light, it may not be operating the screen properly.
Try to gently wipe the top of the screen with microfiber, if you have a thick film with a cutout that covers the sensor, it's better to replace it, and the cleanness of the sensors is the key to the proper operation of automatic functions.
Also check to see if Pocket Mode is enabled, which is designed to prevent accidental taps in your pocket, but sometimes it doesn't work properly, causing the screen to light up at the slightest movement, and you can turn it off in the lock screen settings.
⚠️ Note: When using full Coverage glasses (covering the entire screen), the proximity sensor may not work properly, in which case it is recommended that the sensors be calibrated through the engineering menu.
💡
To calibrate the proximity sensor, type ##6484## (engineering menu) in your phone, select Proximity Sensor, and follow the instructions on the screen to close and open the top of the phone.
The impact of third-party launchers and themes
Installing third-party shells (launchers) or themes from the MIUI Themes store can conflict with standard system settings. Some themes have their own scripts for displaying notifications that ignore system bans.
If the problem occurs after you install a new theme, try returning the standard design. Go to the Themes app, select the Classic or Standard profile and apply it. Rebooting the device after changing the theme is mandatory for resetting the interface cache.
Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher can also have their own notification settings. Check the widget settings if you have them installed on your desktop. The weather or news widget can be a source of constant screen awakenings.
- 🎨 Check the active theme for the presence of built-in scripts of the blocker.
- 🔄 Reset the default launcher settings if you use a third-party.
- 📲 Remove widgets that may update in the background too often.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the screen light up even when the phone is down?
Can I set up the screen for calls only, but not for messages?
Does disabling this feature affect the performance of Xiaomi’s smart home?
What if the “Lift to Turn” slider is grey and not active?
💡
The main reason for turning on the screen is the conflict between the Ambient Display system function and the settings of specific applications, and a comprehensive check of both sections guarantees a solution to the problem.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the screen continues to light up on its own, this may indicate a malfunction of the display plume or a sticking of the power button.
In conclusion, screen management on Xiaomi gives the user a wide range of customization options. Competent setting will find a balance between information content and autonomy of the device. Don’t be afraid to experiment with settings, but always check the result after each change.
Remember that regularly updating your system to the latest version of MIUI or HyperOS often includes bug fixes related to sensors and screen performance. Keep an eye out for updates in Settings → About your phone to keep your device running smoothly.