Why Xiaomi’s screen colors are faded and how to fix it
Have you noticed that photos on your Xiaomi look dull, videos lose their juiciness and the interface seems gray? The reason is not always in the screen itself - often the factory color settings that the manufacturer sets "for all occasions" are to blame". AMOLED-displays (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) It's a broad color gamut, but it's sRGB, the default, which is the standard that mutes the colors for accuracy. IPS-matrices (as in POCO X5) They may suffer from inadequate calibration from the factory.
Another common problem is that the automatic color temperature adjusts to the lighting, and in a warm room, the screen can turn yellowish, and in the street, it can get too cold. Fortunately, MIUI has tools for manual adjustment, but they're hidden deep in the menu. Next, we'll look at all the ways, from basic to advanced, including hidden engineering modes, which allow you to calibrate colors more accurately than standard settings.
Method 1: Change the color profile in the MIUI settings
The easiest method is to change the predefined color profile, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12 and later.
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Color Style (in some firmwares it may be called Color Mode or Color Scheme).
- Try alternate options: 🌈 Saturated – the brightest colors (suitable for watching videos and games). 🎨 Standard - balance between precision and juiciness (recommended for everyday use). 📱 sRGB is the most “mutted” mode, but accurate for professional work.
If you AMOLED-screen (for example, in Xiaomi) 12T Black Shark 5, please note the mode. DC Dimming is on the same menu. Turning it on can slightly change the color rendering, especially in dark scenes. The best choice for most users is saturated or standard with disabled. DC Dimming.
Method 2: Manual calibration of color temperature
If you don't like the automatic profiles, MIUI has a tool for fine-tuning the shades, which is especially useful if the screen is yellow or too cold.
- Go to Settings → Display → Color Temperature (or Color Tone in the newer versions).
- Move the slider to the left for warmer tones (yellowish) or to the right for cold (blueish).
- Some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have an extended mode with a separate setting Red, Green and Blue.
For accurate calibration, use a white background (open a blank page in your browser or notes). The optimal value is when white looks neutral, without shades. If the slider does not help, the problem may be the hardware calibration of the matrix (relevant to budget models like the Redmi 10A).
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To quickly assess changes, turn on the Developer Mode and activate the Show Color Profile option in Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode, which will add the current profile indicator to the notification bar.
Method 3: Using a read mode and a blue light filter
Paradoxically, sometimes the fading of colors is due to the blue light filter or reading mode that's designed to reduce eye strain, but also blur the image.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Display. → Reading mode and turn it off if it is active.
- 🌙 In the same menu, find the Blue Light Filter (or Night Mode) and reduce the intensity to a minimum or turn off completely.
- ⏰ Make sure that the schedule does not set automatic activation of the filter in the daytime.
On some models (e.g., POCO F4), the blue light filter can work even during the day if the Vision Protection mode is on. Turn it off if the colors have become dim after the MIUI update. Also check for adaptive brightness, which sometimes reduces saturation in low light.
Method 4: Hidden engineering settings (for experienced ones only)
If standard methods don’t help, you can try the engineering menu, where low-level display settings are available.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect changes to the engineering menu can cause screen crashes.Do this at your own risk, pre-save backup data.
Instructions for entry:
- Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
- Select CIT (or Display in some firmware).
- Find the Color Saturation or Gamma Correction section.
- Carefully change the values of the R/G/B Gain (increase for more saturation) or Saturation parameters.
Recommended values for starters:
- 🔴 R Gain: 255 (maximum)
- 🟢 G Gain: 245–250
- 🔵 B Gain: 240–245
After the changes, reboot your phone. If the colors have become non-natural, reset your settings via Reset in the same menu.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 5: Screen calibration applications (without root)
If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use third-party utilities, which won't replace the hardware calibration, but they can help you adjust the shades.
| Annex | Functions | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Balance | Adjustment of RGB, color temperature, brightness | All Xiaomi models on Android 10+ |
| Night Shift | Finely tuned blue light filter | If the standard night regimen is too aggressive |
| Color Adjustment | Correction of gamma and saturation | For AMOLED-screens (such as Black Shark 4) |
Note that applications run on top of the system and may conflict with MIUI. For example, Screen Balance requires permission to Overlay on top of other applications (includes in Settings → Applications → Special Rights).
Install an app from Google Play
Provide all requested permits
Turn off the standard blue light filter in MIUI
Reboot the phone after setting up
Check the colors on a white background-->
Method 6: Update firmware and reset settings
Sometimes the dull colors are a firmware bug, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, some Xiaomi 11T users complained about the faded screen.
- 🔄 Update to the latest version MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
If the problem has occurred after the update, try to roll back to the previous version. MIUI Instructions for this are available on the official forum Xiaomi (section) MIUI ROM). Remember that rollback will reset all data, so make a backup beforehand.
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Before resetting the settings, write down the current values of the color profile and brightness - this will help to quickly restore the usual picture after the procedure.
Method 7: Hardware Problems and When to Contact the Service
If none of these things worked, it could be because of a physical malfunction in the display.
- 🔳 Colors are dull only in certain areas of the screen (e.g., at the edges of the screen).
- 💡 The brightness does not change when adjusting the slider.
- 🎨 Shades are distorted when the angle of view changes (relevant for cheap ones). IPS-matrix).
- 🔋 The problem arose after falling or getting moisture.
In such cases, diagnostics are required in the service center. For example, in Xiaomi 12 Pro, a malfunction of the display plume can lead to “fading” of colors, and in Redmi Note 11 – to the degradation of the backlight after 1-2 years of use. The cost of screen repair in official Xiaomi services starts from 3 000 rubles (for budget models) and reaches 15 000 rubles (for flagships with AMOLED).
⚠️ Note: If you notice that the colors are distorted only when connected to the charger, the problem may be in the power supply or cable. Try charging the phone with the original adapter - cheap analogs sometimes cause interruptions in the display.