Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the screen goes out too quickly, preventing them from comfortably reading text or browsing recipes in the kitchen. Standard timeout settings do not always meet individual users' needs, requiring a deeper immersion into the system. Increased non-touch display time is a balance between convenience and power consumption.
Modern. AMOLED-The matrixes that you put in the flagship models are great, but they consume energy even in a static mode, IPS-The system allows you to find the middle ground so that the device does not discharge in a couple of hours, but also does not break down the constant shutdown.
In this guide, we’ll look at not only standard setup methods, but also the hidden features of the MIUI and HyperOS shell that often go unnoticed. You’ll learn how to extend backlight time for specific applications and why the proximity sensor can interfere with normal screen performance. The maximum standard inactivity time in most Xiaomi models settings is limited to 10 minutes, after which the screen goes out forcibly.
Basic screen timeout setting
The most obvious and affordable way to change the screen burning time is in the basic settings of the system. This method works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the version of the firmware installed. First, you need to unlock the device and go to the Settings menu, which is usually indicated by the gear.
Next, you'll find the Screen and Brightness section (or just the Screen in older versions of MIUI) and that's where the slider or time slot list is located, and the system will suggest you to choose one of the options you've chosen, such as 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 minutes.
- 📱 Select Sleep Mode or Screen Timeout in the Display Settings Menu.
- ⏱ Set the maximum value available if standard options are not enough for you.
- 🔋 Remember that setting the maximum time (10 minutes) significantly speeds up battery discharge.
It’s worth noting that choosing too short a time interval, like 15 seconds, can be uncomfortable when reading long articles without scrolling. However, if you often put your phone in your pocket, a short timeout will save you from accidental tapping and loss of charge. The optimal value for most scenarios is 1-2 minutes.
Use the function Always on Display
For owners of smartphones with AMOLED-Xiaomi offers Always On Display, a feature that allows you to display time, date and notifications on the screen off, consuming minimal energy thanks to the matrix features.
Unlike full lighting, AOD only activates a fraction of the pixels, making it safe for battery life when used correctly, and you can set this function up in the same screen and brightness section by selecting the appropriate menu item, and you can find different watch styles and graphics.
It is important to set the function schedule correctly so that it does not work around the clock if this is not necessary, for example, you can only set the activation from 8:00 to 23:00 or within 10 seconds after picking up the phone.
- 🕒 Set up a work schedule so that the function doesn’t work at night.
- 🎨 Choose a minimalist watch style to reduce energy consumption.
- 📉 Turn off the function if the battery level is critically low.
⚠️ Note: Always On Display is only available on devices with AMOLED-On screens, on models with IPS-The matrix (budget segment) will be missing or inactive.
Setting up the backlight for specific applications
One of the most useful but little-known features in MIUI and HyperOS shells is the ability to set individual lighting times for different applications, which solves the problem when it takes 5 minutes to read and 30 seconds for a messenger.
To activate this option, go to Settings → Screen and Brightness → More (or Additional) → Time to Turn Off. Here you will see a list of installed applications. You can choose your own timeout for each of them, ignoring the global settings of the system.
☑️ Set up an individual timeout
This feature is especially useful for navigators, e-books and cooking applications, where the user’s hands can be occupied, and touching the screen is impossible. You can set maximum time for Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator, and leave the standard for social networks, which will positively affect the autonomy of the device.
Solving proximity sensor problems
A common cause of premature screen quenching is a malfunctioning proximity sensor, which is located at the top of the smartphone and is designed to turn off the display during a conversation when the phone is held to the ear.
If the sensor gets dust, dirt, or if you use a wide black-framed protective glass, the phone can "think" what's in your pocket or your ear and turn off the screen ahead of time, and in some cases, calibrating the sensor through an engineering menu helps.
To enter the engineering menu, dial the Phone app code ##6484##. In the CIT menu that opens, find the Proximity Sensor test. Follow the on-screen instructions for checking and calibrating. If the sensor is closed, the system should see this.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| The screen goes out when reading | Sensor contamination | Wipe the top of the screen. | It doesn't. |
| The screen doesn't go out in your pocket. | Sensor failure | Calibration in CIT | High-level |
| Self-inclusions | Touchscreen sensitivity | Pocket mode | Medium grade |
| Dim lighting | Autobrightness | Setting in the curtain | Depends on the brightness. |
After the manipulation, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the sensor in the service center, as this is a hardware malfunction.
Secret code to check sensors
Third-party screen management applications
If standard tools are not enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue to allow flexible control of display behavior, such utilities can keep the screen on while a certain application is open, or turn off the proximity sensor in a software way.
One popular solution is the Screen Keep On app, or analogues, which create an invisible layer over the screen to prevent sleep, but be careful: these applications may conflict with Xiaomi's system optimizers.
- 🛡️ Use only proven high-rated apps in the store.
- 🚫 Avoid programs that require root rights unless you are a power user.
- 🔋 Watch the background activity of such applications so that they do not run out of battery.
⚠️ Note: Installation of applications from unknown sources or use of modified versions of system components may lead to unstable operation. MIUI/HyperOS loss of warranty.
Effect of brightness and refresh rate on operating time
The backlight time is directly dependent not only on the timeout settings, but also on the brightness and hertz parameters.High refresh rate (90 Hz, 120 Hz) and maximum brightness cause the screen to consume significantly more energy, reducing the overall operating time of the device.
In the Screen and Brightness section, you can find refresh rate settings. Switching to Standard (60 Hz) or Default (automatic) mode will save you charge if you don't play demanding games.
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Use the "Paper" or "Read" mode in the screen settings for comfortable content consumption at low brightness levels, which also prolongs the life of the matrix and battery.
Automatic brightness control uses a light sensor to optimize the picture. If the screen goes out too quickly at low brightness, try calibrating the sensor or turning off autobrightness by manually setting a comfortable level that will not provoke frequent lighting.
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A comprehensive approach to screen settings (time-out + brightness + frequency) allows you to increase the useful time of using a smartphone by 15-20% without losing comfort.