Redmi series smartphones have long proven to be reliable devices with excellent value for money, but standard system settings sometimes require manual adjustments to individual user habits. Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 model often face a situation where the screen goes off too quickly, not allowing you to read a message or see the details in the photo, which forces you to constantly touch the display. Increased backlighting time is not just a matter of comfort, but also a necessity for people with visual characteristics or those who use the phone as a navigator or e-book.
In the Android-based MIUI operating system, the power saving settings are set up aggressively to ensure the manufacturer's stated battery life. The standard interval before locking is usually 15 or 30 seconds, but this threshold can be easily changed in the system menu without obtaining superuser rights. It is important to understand that the constant operation of the display at maximum brightness significantly affects the battery discharge rate, so finding a balance between convenience and energy efficiency is a key task when setting up the device.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to extend screen activity, including hidden developer functions and third-party utilities that allow you to bypass standard system limitations. You will learn how to properly set the screen timeout so that it does not go out at the wrong time, and what precautions to follow to avoid the burnout matrix, especially if your device is installed on the device. AMOLED-The screen is more common in Redmi 8. IPS. A deep understanding of these processes will allow you to make the use of your smartphone as comfortable as possible.
Standard timeout settings in MIUI
The easiest and safest way to change the time it takes to go out is in the basic operating system settings, so you have to open the main app menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, then you go to the Lock Screen, which is where you have the basic controls for sleep and lock, and that's where you set the downtime interval, after which the system forces the backlight to go out to save battery power.
In the menu that opens, you will see Spieth in (or “Time Out of Screen”), which will open the list of available time slots. The standard set of options is usually limited to 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes and 10 minutes. The choice of a specific value depends on your personal preferences: it is more convenient to read the text for 2-5 minutes, whereas for ordinary use it is enough 30-60 seconds to keep the battery from running out in your pocket.
It's worth noting that in some versions of MIUI firmware, the maximum standard time may be limited to two minutes, which is sometimes not enough. If the list does not have the value you want, it may mean that the manufacturer has limited the choice for energy saving. However, even within the standard settings, you can achieve the optimal result by choosing the most suitable option from the list, so that the screen does not go out too sharply during the work with the content.
- 📱 Open the Settings app on the main table of your Xiaomi Redmi 8.
- ⚙️ Go to Lock Screen or “Screen Lock and Password».
- ⏱ Find the item “Sleeping through” and select the desired time from the drop-down list.
- ✅ Changes apply instantly, no additional device reboot is required.
Enhanced Opportunities Through Developer Mode
For more advanced users who lack standard options, it is possible to activate the hidden Developer Menu.This section contains many technical parameters that allow you to fine-tune the behavior of the system, including power and display management. To get into this menu, you need to click on the build number several times in a row in the About Phone section, after which a new item will appear in the main settings, where you can find the option not to turn off the screen when charging or other specific timers.
One of the useful features in this section is the ability to leave the screen on while the device is connected to the power source.This is ideal for those who use a smartphone as a desktop clock or information panel. Activation of this feature is done through the switch Do not turn off the screen in the "Developers" menu. However, be careful: prolonged glow of a static image can lead to uneven wear of the pixels, known as burnout, especially in bright colors.
How to activate the developer mode on Redmi 8?
It's important to understand that experimenting with developer settings requires a certain amount of responsibility. Incorrect configuration of some parameters can lead to unstable system operation or increased energy consumption. If you are not sure about the purpose of a particular parameter, it's better to leave it as default. However, the function of preventing sleep while charging is a safe and widely used option that will not harm the device when used wisely.
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone.
- 👆 Press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» before the activation message appears.
- 🔙 Return to the main settings menu and select “More».
- 📟 Open the section “For developers” and find the desired screen settings.
Use the “Always on screen” function
The Redmi 8 is equipped with IPS-matrix, not AMOLED, That technically limits the functionality of the "Always On Display" in its classical sense, there are software solutions that mimic this function. Third-party apps from the Google Play store can support minimal backlighting of certain areas of the display, displaying time, date or notifications even when the phone is in sleep mode. This creates the illusion of a constant glow, although technically it is a cyclical turn on of the screen for fractions of a second.
Using such applications allows you to customize the appearance of a locked smartphone, adding stylish dials or animations. IPS-The screen consumes more energy than the screen. OLED-It's similar to the other widgets, because the backlight works across the entire matrix area, so when you use these widgets, it's recommended to set low brightness and limit the function's running time so you don't drain the battery in a few hours.
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When using emulators Always on Display IPS-In the screens, be sure to enable the “Burnout Protection” function in the application settings, if it is available, so that the image periodically shifts by several pixels.
To activate native or third-party permanent display functions, you need to download the appropriate application, for example, “Always On AMOLED” or analogues that support IPS. After installation, you need to provide the application with the necessary permissions to work in the background and access to the system. In the settings of the application itself, you can choose the display style, brightness and schedule so that the function is activated only at the right time of day, for example, when the phone is lying on the table.
- 📲 Download the emulation app AOD Play Market, which supports IPS.
- ⚙️ Customize the style of the watch and brightness in the program interface.
- 🔋 Set a work schedule to save battery at night.
- 🛡 Make sure the system is allowed not to close the application in the background.
Problems with the proximity sensor and autolock
A common reason for premature screen fading on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is not the timing, but the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. This sensor, located at the top of the case, is designed to turn off the display during a conversation, so that the user’s cheek does not press random buttons. However, if the sensor has accumulated dust, fat or if the sensor is used inappropriate protective glass, the phone can “think” that it is in the pocket or ear, and extinguish the screen at the most inappropriate moment.
To solve this problem, first of all, you need to thoroughly wipe the top of the screen with a soft cloth. If this does not help, it is worth checking whether the protective film or glass covers the area of the sensor. In some cases, calibrating the sensor through an engineering menu, which is called by the code # # #6484## in the phone application, in the test menu, you should select the item "Proximity sensor" and follow the instructions on the screen for recalibration.
⚠️ Note: If after cleaning and calibration, the sensor continues to work incorrectly, there may be a software failure or physical damage to the component. In this case, self-disassembly of the device is not recommended, it is better to contact an authorized service center.
Also worth mentioning is the Pocket Mode feature, which can aggressively lock the screen at the slightest hint of being in a confined space, which can be checked in the “Block Screen” section or through a search for settings. Disabling overly sensitive modes of protection from accidental presses sometimes solves the problem of spontaneously canceling the display while reading or watching videos.
Third-party applications for illumination control
If you don't have enough built-in tools, the app store offers a variety of utilities that allow you to flexibly manage screen lighting. Apps like Screen On Pro or Keep Screen On allow you to create profiles for different situations, such as automatically increasing your timeout when you launch a particular application (browser or reader) and returning standard values at other times, so you don't have to worry about manually reconfiguring each time.
Special attention should be paid to applications that use an accelerometer to control the screen, which can keep the screen on while you hold the phone and move it, and extinguish it when the device is placed on the table. This implements an intelligent approach to power management, which is often more effective than static timers. However, it is worth remembering that constantly questioning motion sensors also consumes battery power, although to a lesser extent than bright backlight.
| Annex | Substantive function | Impact on the battery | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen On Pro | Timer and profiles | Low. | Got it (free) |
| Keep Screen On | Compulsory incorporation | Average. | No. |
| Wakey | Sensor management | High. | There is. |
| Caffeine | Temporary sleep blockage | Low. | No. |
When installing third-party software, always pay attention to the permissions you request. The screen control app doesn't need access to your contacts, microphone, or geolocation. Excessive rights requests may indicate hidden mining or personal data collection. Choose proven utilities with lots of positive reviews and regular updates to keep your data secure on Redmi 8.
Optimization of brightness and burnout of the matrix
When you increase the backlighting time, you inevitably come up with a question of brightness. The Redmi 8 is set to the same lighting. IPS-The panel, which, unlike the AMOLED, It is not at risk of burning out static elements to the same extent, but may still suffer from uneven aging of LEDs under extreme loads. It is recommended not to keep the brightness 100% for a long time, especially if the screen displays a static picture, as this reduces the life of the matrix.
MIUI offers an automatic brightness control feature that uses a light sensor to determine the optimal level of glow. Enabling this feature (Auto-brightness) is the best way to extend the life of the screen and battery. If you increase the timeout of the screen for reading, make sure that the auto-brightness is active so that in the dark the phone does not blind your eyes, and in bright sun the text remains readable without manual intervention.
☑️ Checklist for safe screen use
Also worth mentioning is the Vision Protection or Read Mode feature, which changes the color temperature of the screen to make it warmer, which not only reduces eye strain over long-term use, but can also slightly reduce the power consumption of the blue backlight spectrum, which can be activated through the notification curtain or in the display settings, which is especially true with increased screen time.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged display of static interface elements (navigation panels, status bar) at maximum brightness for many hours daily can lead to the appearance of barely noticeable traces ("ghosts") on the surface of the surface. IPS-matrix after a year or two of operation.
The Effect of Widgets and Live Wallpaper on Energy Consumption
When you increase the time to lock the screen, any active elements on the desktop start to consume energy longer. Live wallpaper and widgets updated in real time (weather, currency rates, news feed) continue to work while the screen is on. On Xiaomi Redmi 8 with its Snapdragon 439 processor, this can lead to noticeable heating of the case and accelerated discharge if the timeout is set for 5-10 minutes.
If you prefer long bedtime intervals, consider using static, optimized dark tone wallpapers. IPS-The screen does not save energy as much as the OLED, But visually reduces perceived brightness, which allows you to use your phone comfortably at lower levels of backlight, and this indirectly helps to extend the device's time between charges.
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The optimal setup for the Redmi 8 is a 1-2 minute timeout combined with autobrightness and static dark wallpaper, which provides a balance between reading comfort and autonomy.
Also, some widgets may have their own activity settings. Check if your widgets are updated too often.Reducing the refresh rate of widgets or eliminating the "heavy" animated elements on the home screen will allow you to keep the screen on longer without critically harming the smartphone's autonomy.