How to increase the brightness of the screen on the smartphone Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s current smartphones are famous for their high-quality AMOLED and IPS arrays that can produce rich color and deep black. However, in some situations, standard backlight adjustment ranges may not be enough, especially in bright sunlight or for visually impaired users.

Lower brightness often causes discomfort and rapid eye fatigue, which can negatively affect the user’s health in the long run. In this article, we will discuss not only basic tuning methods, but also advanced methods, including engineering menus and hidden system settings.

You'll learn how to bypass software constraints, why the screen can dim spontaneously, and what vision protection features to turn off to maximize luminosity. We'll look at current versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells, which have their own features in controlling the display.

Basic display settings and autobrightness

The first thing to do to increase brightness is to check the standard system settings, as many users simply do not notice that they have an aggressive power saving mode. β†’ Screen and brightness, where the main slider adjustment is located.

Notice the Auto Brightness feature, which uses a light sensor to adapt the backlight, which sometimes gets dirty or malfunctions, leaving the screen dim even in a light room.

For manual calibration of autobrightness, perform the following steps:

  • πŸ“± Turn off the autobrightness slider and twist the brightness to maximum by hand.
  • πŸ”„ Turn on autobrightness back and wait a few seconds for the system to remember the current position.
  • β˜€οΈ Go out into a bright light and let the phone raise the brightness yourself, then fix this position.

Also in this section, the Read Mode or Eye Protection switch is often hidden, which can add a yellow filter and visually reduce brightness. Make sure these features are turned off if you want pure white and maximum backlighting returns.

⚠️ Warning: Long-term use of maximum brightness in the dark can lead to retinal burns and headaches, use this mode only when necessary.

Keep in mind that the new versions of HyperOS have redesigned the light sensor algorithms and now the system learns faster, but requires more active actions from the user to properly calibrate.

πŸ“Š How often do you use the autobrightness?
Always, I don't touch the slider.
I manually adjust during the day.
Only at night, turn it off.
I don't use it at all.

Using the Developer Mode for Calibration

If standard sliders aren’t enough, you can use the hidden engineering menu, which gives you access to the more subtle display settings. To enter developer mode, go to Settings β†’ About Phone and quickly press 7 times the MIUI or HyperOS version number.

Once you've become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and select Additional β†’ For Developers. Here we're interested in the section related to color simulation or calibration, although direct brightness slider is rare here, there are important nuances.

Find the Simulation of Color Anomaly and make sure it's "Disconnected" and sometimes activating this mode to test availability can reduce the contrast and brightness of the screen.

Also in some Xiaomi and Redmi models, the developer menu has the option to Show touch or Pointer location, which do not affect brightness, but their inclusion creates an additional load on the GPU, which can indirectly affect the display when overheated.

The dangers of engineering menus
There are sections in the engineering menu that deal with white temperature calibration, and changing the values in the color temp section without understanding the processes can lead to incorrect color reproduction, which is difficult to return to its original state without resetting the settings.

Be careful when changing any settings in the developer menu, as incorrect values can lead to unstable operation of the interface.

Disabling the visual protection and DC Dimming functions

One of the main reasons for the dim screen is DC Dimming technology, or software-based brightness reduction through PWM (pulse-latitudinal modulation). At low brightness levels, many OLED screens start to flicker, which is harmful to the eyes, and the system artificially lowers the luminosity.

To increase brightness, try looking for the screen settings for Eliminate flicker or Anti-flicker. Disabling this feature can visually make the screen brighter, especially at night, as the display will go to work with full amplitude of backlight.

Also, check the Dark Theme settings. In some MIUI shells, the dark theme forcefully reduces the brightness of the white interface elements to reduce the load on the matrix.

There's also Adaptive Brightness in Extended Settings, which can work in conjunction with your schedule, and check if you have a nighttime brightness limit, which is often on by default for eye care.

FunctionImpact on brightnessRecommendation
DC DimmingReduces brightness at low levelsTurn it off for maximum.
Dark subject matterDarkens the background of the interfaceUse a bright theme
Eye protection.Adds a yellow filterTurn off during the day
AutolockingScreens are turned off when liftedCheck the sensor

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection DC Dimming on OLED screens can cause noticeable flickering (PWM), which in sensitive people causes headaches.

The Impact of Temperature and Energy Saving

Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a thermal protection system that automatically reduces the brightness of the screen when the case or processor overheats, a critical mechanism that prevents the matrix from burning out and battery degradation.

If you notice that the screen suddenly became dim while playing or shooting a video, most likely trottling worked, in which case the software brightening is impossible until the device cools down.

Also check the battery operating modes:

  • πŸ”‹ Power saving mode – limits background processes and screen brightness.
  • πŸš€ Performance mode – may increase brightness but increase heating.
  • πŸŒ™ Ultra-energy saving – severely limits the functionality and illumination.

To disable the restrictions, go to Settings β†’ Battery and select Balanced or Performance mode. In Power Saving Mode, the brightness slider is often blocked at 50-60%.

πŸ’‘

If the phone is warm in your hands, remove the case for a period of intensive use – this will improve heat sink and prevent the system from resetting brightness.

Problems with the proximity and illumination sensor

Often the problem is not the settings, but the physical locking of the sensors. The light sensor is usually located at the top of the screen, next to the speaker or under the screen in modern models.

A low-quality protective film, thick glass or contamination at this location can distort readings, making the phone think it is in the dark.

You can check the sensor through the engineering menu. Dial the code ##6484## on your phone to enter CIT testing mode.

Select Light Sensor or Proximity Sensor and cover the top of the phone with your hand.

If the sensor does not respond or shows a constant zero, it may need to be calibrated through the same menu or replaced at the service center.

β˜‘οΈ Sensor diagnostics

Done: 0 / 4

Third-party applications and root rights

For devices with acquired superuser rights (Root), there are ways to program brightness above the hardware limit, but this requires the installation of modified cores or special Magisk modules.

Without root rights, you can use filter applications that work by inversion or layering, and programs like Screen Brightness or Dimmer can artificially brighten, although often it's just a gamut change.

It’s worth remembering that third-party apps can conflict with the MIUI system shell, causing the battery to drain or the appearance of artifacts on the screen.

The use of such methods is justified only in extreme cases, when regular funds are really not enough, and you are aware of the risks to the matrix.

⚠️ Warning: Forced brightness acceleration through software can lead to burn-in pixels on the AMOLED screens in a few months.

πŸ’‘

The safest way to increase brightness is to properly calibrate autobrightness and turn off energy saving, rather than using third-party software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does Xiaomi’s screen get dim on its own?
Most often, this is triggered by a light sensor that responds to shadow from the hand or cover, or the power saving mode is activated when the battery is low, and the cause may be overheating of the device.
Can the screen be made brighter than the factory maximum?
Normal means, no, because maximum brightness is limited by the physical capabilities of the matrix. Software "amplifiers" only distort colors or increase contrast, but not the actual luminosity of the backlight.
Does the protective glass affect the brightness?
Yes, cheap or thick protective glass can reduce brightness by 10-15% and degrade the autobrightness sensor, making the screen appear dimmer.
How to turn off automatic brightness reduction in games?
Go to Settings β†’ Screen and brightness and turn off autobrightness before starting the game. Also make sure that in game mode (Game Turbo) there is no brightness limit.
Does dark theme really save power on all screens?
Dark theme really saves charge only on AMOLED screens where black pixels are turned off. On IPS screens, which are often found in budget Redmi, the savings will be minimal, and the brightness can be reduced programmatically.