The screen doesn’t have to be black: Always On Display (AOD) It allows you to display time, notifications and even basic graphics without consuming a significant battery charge. Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face the question: why is this option missing from the settings menu or not working correctly? The matter is in the hardware limitations of the model and the features of firmware MIUI.
Unlike Xiaomi flagship devices (such as Mi 10 or Redmi). K40), where AOD It is implemented at the system level, Redmi Note 8 Pro uses the AMOLED-light-up IPS-So that means that the classic Always On Display is not possible here, but there are workarounds. MIUI to third-party applications, and also assess their impact on autonomy.
Why the Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn’t have a standard Always On Display
The main reason for the absence AOD on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is in the type of screen. It's equipped. IPS LCD-light-screen LED, However, it is always required to have a full-fledged display. AMOLED-A matrix where each pixel is illuminated independently. IPS-screens even to display time have to use all the backlight, which leads to a significant battery consumption (up to the time). 10-15% hourly AOD).
Xiaomi also artificially restricts AOD functionality on budget models to emphasize the advantages of flagships. However, in the firmware of MIUI 12.5+, an alternative has appeared - "Clock Screen with a clock", which is activated when you put your hand to the sensor or press the power button. This is not a full-fledged AOD, but partially solves the problem.
- 🔋 Battery consumption: AMOLED mode AOD consumer ~0.5-1% hourly, IPS — into 10-20 more.
- 📱 Hardware limitations: Redmi Note 8 Pro uses IPS LCD from JDI (Japan Display Inc.) without partial lighting.
- 🔧 Software locks: Xiaomi is disabling AOD device-wise IPS-screens through display drivers.
⚠️ Note: Some "instructions" on the network suggest enabling AOD This won't work on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, but it's designed for devices with a high-end design. AMOLED-screens and may cause graphics driver failures.
Method 1: Incorporating a “lock screen with a clock” into MIUI
The safest and most official way to display time on a screen that is off is to activate the "Show Clock When Locked" function, which works on the principle of Raise to Wake, or responds to the touch of the screen.
- Go to Settings → Lock screen.
- Select Lock Style and set any option with a watch (e.g., Digital Clock).
- Activate the "Show at Lock" option (some versions of MIUI call "Always Show the Watch").
- Enable "Raise to wake up" in the Additional screen settings section.
After that, the clock will appear for 5-10 seconds at:
- 👋 Bringing your hand to the top of the screen (approximation sensor).
- 🔘 Pressing the power button or increasing the volume.
- 📩 Receiving notification (if the option "Show notifications on the lock screen" is enabled").
Activated lock style with the clock|The option "Show when blocking" is enabled"|Allowed to "lift to awaken"|Awakening Tested by Gesture-->
The limitations of the method: the screen does not stay on all the time, but only briefly wakes up. Full-fledged AOD will require third-party solutions.
Method 2: Use the application Always On AMOLED (for IPS-screen)
Appendix Always On AMOLED (Available on Google Play, originally developed for devices with AMOLED-displays, but has compatibility modes with IPS. Redmi Note 8 Pro will be suitable for the option with low brightness and black background to minimize battery consumption.
Instructions for setting:
- Download and install Always On AMOLED from Google Play.
- Launch the app and grant permissions to Overlay over other windows and Ignore battery optimization.
- Select in the settings: 🎨 Style: "Digital Clock" or "Minimalist" (without animations). 🔦 Brightness: 10-15% (maximum IPS — 30%). ⏱️ Timeout: "Always on" or "1 minute" (to save charge).
"Run on lockdown"
| Parameter | Recommended value | Reason. |
|---|---|---|
| Background color | Black (#000000) | Reduces the load on the lighting IPS-screen |
| Brightness | 10-15% | Balance between visibility and battery consumption |
| Update of time | Every minute. | Less often – more economical, but less accurately |
| Approximation sensor | Included | Disables AOD when in your pocket |
⚠️ Note: When using Always On AMOLED on the Redmi Note 8 Pro battery consumption will be ~5-8% per hour (tested on the MIUI 13 For comparison, standby mode without Wi-Fi turned off. AOD loses ~0.5% It is recommended to activate the function only when recharging or in critical situations.
Always, it's convenient | Only when I wait for an important notification | There's always a watch near me, I don't need it | Never used this feature-->
Method 3: Activate the hidden mode "Ambient Display" through ADB
In the firmware MIUI Android-based 10/11 There is a hidden function Ambient Display, which is originally intended for devices with a AMOLED. It can be forced to be included through ADB-The team, but it will work with limitations: the screen will be turned on 5 seconds when notifying or moving.
For activation:
- Install. ADB-PC drivers.
- Connect Redmi Note 8 Pro over USB and allow debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings, then enable Debugging over USB).
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global ambient_display_enabled 1
- Reset the device.
2.Always on AMOLED does not work after the screen is locked
Reason: MIUI aggressively closes down background processes, including overlay applications.
Decision:
- Add Always On AMOLED to the optimization exception list: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Always On AMOLED → Battery Optimization → No Limits.
- In the application settings, activate "Start when blocked" and "Show over other windows".
- Restart the device after setting up.
3.The screen is not awakened by the "Raise to wake" gesture.
Reason: An accelerometer sensor or proximity sensor is disabled, or conflicts with other applications (e.g. Greenify or Battery Saver).
Decision:
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Additional settings → Gestures and check if "Raise to wake up" is turned on".
- 🔧 Calibrate the sensors: Adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.SensorCalibrationActivity
- 🚫 Remove or disable applications to save battery.
💡
If none of these methods worked, check the proximity sensor. To do this, dial ##6484## in the phone app and test the sensor for locks.
Alternative solutions: smart watches and external displays
If displaying time on the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s off screen is crucial, but battery consumption is critical, consider alternative devices:
- ⌚ Smart watch Xiaomi Mi Band 6/7 or Amazfit GTS 2: Time is constantly displayed (c) AMOLED-screens, synchronized with the smartphone and are 2 000 ₽. Autonomy - up to 14 days.
- 🖥️ External E-Ink Display: Devices like Dasung Paperlike or Onyx Boox connect to the Internet. USB-C And they show you the time without the battery consumption of your smartphone. It's starting at 10,000. ₽.
- 🔌 Wireless Charging with Display: Some stations (such as Xiaomi Mi Wireless Charging Stand) have built-in clocks and support Qi charging.
The advantage of external solutions is zero battery consumption of the smartphone and additional functionality (stepmer, notifications, music management). For example, Mi Band 7 notifies about calls and messages, and E-Ink display can be used to read books.
⚠️ Warning: When using Mi Band or other wearable devices, turn off duplication of notifications on your smartphone (Settings) → Notifications → Duplicate notifications on wearable devices to avoid unnecessary battery consumption.