Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones support a variety of accessories that not only protect the case, but also expand the functionality of the device. One of the most popular additions is the Smart Cover, which allows you to control the phone without opening the lid. Users often face difficulties in the initial activation of the accessory, since the Android system on the shell of the MIUI or HyperOS requires the correct setting for the correct operation of the magnetic sensor.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to install and configure a smart case on different Xiaomi smartphone models. You will learn how to activate the automatic on and off screen, how to configure the display of widgets on a closed display, and what to do if the phone has stopped responding to the lid closing. Correct calibration of the Hall sensor is a key point that is often overlooked.
Before you start setting up the software part, you need to make sure that the accessory is physically compatible. The magnetic sensor built into the case must exactly match the location of the sensor in the case of your gadget. Shifting even a few millimeters can lead to incorrect operation of the lock function or permanent battery discharge due to the fact that the phone will consider the lid open.
Compatibility check and physical installation
The first step is to choose the right accessory model.The market is crowded with copies that may not have the necessary magnets or a quality data plume if it is designed. Original Mi Smart Cover cases or certified counterparts usually have a label with the model code that should match your version of the smartphone.
The physical installation process is simple, but requires care. When putting on a case, make sure that the bottom of the smartphone fits tightly against the inner wall of the accessory. If the case has a rigid plastic base, insert the phone into it first, and then snap the side faces. It is important not to exert excessive effort so as not to damage the volume or on buttons.
⚠️ Note: If after installing the case, the smartphone screen stopped responding to touches in certain areas or image artifacts appeared, immediately remove the accessory. This may indicate a strong magnetic interference or production defect that can damage the display matrix.
For models with a side fingerprint scanner, it is critical to check that the notch in the case matches the sensor perfectly.Incomplete opening of the scanner will lead to unlock errors and constant false positives. In some cases, it may take a small effort to roll out the hinge of the case so that it fits tighter to the body.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Activation of Smart Cover function in the system
Once the accessory is on, you need to activate support for the smart case in the operating system settings. By default, this feature can be disabled on some global firmware versions or, conversely, enabled on Chinese builds. To access the settings, go to the Settings menu and select Special Features or Additional Settings, depending on the version of MIUI.
Inside the menu, find a item called Smart Cover or Smart Case. Switch the slider to the active position. Immediately after that, the smartphone screen should go out if the cover is closed, and light up when it is opened. This is a basic test of the performance of the magnetic Hall sensor.
If the slider switching fails, try rebooting the device with the case already worn. Android will survey the equipment when booting and may only detect the new magnetic controller after restart. In rare cases, it will require reopening and closing the cover 3-4 times in a row to calibrate the sensitivity of the sensor.
It’s worth noting that new versions of the HyperOS shell have changed the logic of closed-screen widgets, and now use Always-On Display (AOD) to display information rather than a separate Smart Cover interface, as was the case with older versions of MIUI. So activating the feature might simply allow the phone to use a magnet to control sleep patterns, without displaying specific menus.
Configure the display of information and widgets
One of the main features of smart cases is the ability to see the time, notifications and weather without opening the lid. To adjust these parameters, go to Settings → Wallpaper and personalization → Always on screen. This is where the behavior of the display in sleep mode is adjusted, which is activated by the smart case.
The settings menu AOD Choose a display style that you can see through the window of the case (if any) or on the entire screen surface with the lid closed. There are various formats available: analog watch, digital format, calendar or just the brand logo. To save battery power, it is recommended to set a screen switch off timer through 10-30 seconds after the cover.
- 🕒 Time format: Choose a 12- or 24-hour format for ease of reading.
- 🔔 Notifications: Allow display of messenger icons and missed calls.
- 🔋 Battery Charge: Turn on the Charge Percent Display to Control Energy Levels.
Some users prefer to turn off animations when opening the case to speed up work, this can be done in the Special Features section by removing the tick from the "Animation Smart Cover" item. However, the visual effect of opening the "curtain" or the appearance of a widget adds a pleasant tactile sensation from using the device.
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If you use a case with a transparent window, turn on the “Enlarged View” function in the Always-On Display settings to make time clearer.
Solving problems with Hall's sensor
The most common problem faced by Xiaomi Redmi owners is the incorrect operation of the Hall sensor. The phone may not turn off the screen when the lid is closed or, conversely, constantly blink the screen, believing that the lid is constantly opened and closed, this often happens when using unoriginal accessories, where the strength of the magnet does not correspond to the calibration data of the system.
To diagnose the problem, you can use an engineering menu or special applications from Google Play, such as Sensor Test or Ampere. Run a magnetic field test and hold the magnetic part of the case to the top of the smartphone. If the readings change sharply and clearly, the sensor is good. If the graph jumps or changes, the problem is in the hardware part of the case.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to strengthen the magnets of the case by gluing additional magnets. This can lead to magnetization of the internal components of the smartphone, which will adversely affect the operation of the compass, navigation and camera stabilizer.
Software-wise, you can try to clear the cache of the system application responsible for blocking. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find system processes related to screen lock or Smart Cover, and choose Clear cache. Don't confuse it with the Clear Data button, as this will reset all your personalizations.
If the problem is only in a certain position (for example, when the phone is lying on a metal surface), then external magnetic fields interfere with the sensor, in which case the use of the case on metal surfaces or near powerful sources of magnetic radiation (columns, MagSafe magnet chargers) should be limited.
Compatibility table of functions and models
The functionality of the smart case depends on the model of the smartphone and the version of the installed operating system. Below is a table showing the differences in support for the functions of the popular Redmi lines.
| Smartphone model | Support for Smart Cover | Always-On Display | Auto-answer calls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Complete. | Got it (AMOLED) | Supported |
| Redmi 10/11/12 (LCD) | Basic | No (only when lifted) | Limited. |
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 | Expanded | Got it (with widgets) | Supported |
| Poco X3/X4/X5 | Complete. | There is. | Supported |
As you can see from the table, devices with AMOLED-matrixes have a significant advantage in implementing smart case functions thanks to the technology Always-On Display. On LCD-screens, the functionality is often limited to simply turning off the backlight, since the constant burning of pixels to display time is not advisable from the point of view of power consumption.
Poco owners may notice that their settings menus are sometimes different from those of the classic Redmis, due to different firmware localizations. If you don't find the right settings, try changing the region of the device to China or India in the settings menu, checking for a item, and then returning your region, often unlocking hidden features.
Hidden codes for checking sensors
Advanced settings and automation
For advanced users who don't have the standard functionality, there are ways to automate when they close their case. Using automation applications like MacroDroid or Tasker, you can create complex scenarios. For example, when you close your case at night, the phone can go into "Do Not Disturb" mode and turn on the alarm.
To create this scenario, use the Cover Closed trigger, which can be used to change the sound profile, launch an app, or send a geolocation, which is especially useful for parents who want to monitor their children's phone use, or for those who want to be guaranteed not to miss an important call by changing their operating modes.
- 🌙 Night mode: automatic silence from 23:00 to 07:00 when closing the case.
- 🚗 Driver mode: when closing the cover during movement (determined by the GPS) auto-response SMS.
- 🔒 Security: blocking access to the gallery when opening the case, unless a pin code is entered (requires root rights).
If you notice that the smartphone began to discharge faster after installing such macros, review the conditions for their launch or the frequency of checking the sensors.
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Using third-party automation applications allows you to turn a simple magnetic case into a powerful smartphone management tool, going far beyond the standard MIUI settings.