Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 lineup has been popular for years due to its excellent price-performance ratio, but its standard MIUI shell doesn’t always provide all the features out of the box. One of the most sought-after options that owners of this device often look for is Active Screen or Always On Display. By default, global firmware versions may have hidden or missing this functionality, which is puzzling for users accustomed to seeing time and notifications on a switched-off display.
The implementation of the permanent display of information on AMOLED-The screen requires a specific approach, since the matrix technology allows you to highlight individual pixels without harming the screen resource, unlike the screen. IPS-Owners of Redmi Note 7 are less fortunate than users of the flagship series Mi, because their device is equipped with exactly the same. IPS-It's a matrix that technically limits the ability of the classic Always On Display, but there are effective workarounds that allow you to simulate this function with minimal energy consumption.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for activating a useful feature, from the built-in features of the theme design and ending with the installation of specialized applications from the Google Play store. You'll learn how to set your screen schedule, choose your display style, and optimize your battery settings so your smartphone is informative but doesn't run out for lunch. Get ready for a detailed dive into your system settings. MIUI.
Technical features of the display Redmi Note 7
Before setting up, it is important to understand the physical difference between matrices, as this directly affects the choice of activation method. AMOLED-The screens used in the more expensive models are able to light individual pixels, leaving the rest of the screen completely black and energy-free.
Redmi Note 7 model is equipped with high-quality IPS-A display from the manufacturer Sharp or Tianma, which requires the entire screen area to be illuminated even to display a single character, and an attempt to implement a classic active screen on such technology would result in catastrophic battery discharge and potential die burnout. That’s why Xiaomi engineers didn’t implement native support. AOD (c) the software of this device.
However, this does not mean that owners are deprived of the ability to see information on a locked phone. There are software solutions that simulate the operation of an active screen, including backlighting for a short time or using special low-energy display modes. Understanding these limitations will help you choose the most suitable configuration option that will not cause damage to the hardware of the gadget.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to install modified system files from models with AMOLED-screens on Redmi Note 7. This can lead to incorrect touch screen operation or complete failure of the display.
Using built-in MIUI themes to simulate AOD
The safest and easiest way to get a visual resemblance to an active screen is to take advantage of the Themes app. MIUI shell allows you to apply deep lock interface changes, which can include animated hours, date and even response to notifications without the need for root rights.
To start, open the standard Themes app on your smartphone. In the search box, type in “Always On”, “AOD” or “Active Display” and you will be offered a list of free and paid designs created by third-party designers specifically for devices without AMOLED. Choose your favorite style and click Download and then Apply.
After applying the theme, lock the screen and check the result. Some themes only activate the display when the phone is raised or double tapped, which saves a lot of charge. Others may require periodic screen turn-on. It is important to note that these themes work as live lock screen wallpapers, not as a system function.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section».
- 🔍 Enter the keyword in search «AOD» Choose a High Ranked Theme.
- ⚙️ After installation, go to Settings → Lock screen for fine-tuning.
- 🔋 Make sure that the theme settings allow work in the background.
Consider that complex animated themes can consume more CPU resources. If you notice that the smartphone has started to heat up faster in your pocket, you better choose a more static design option. Balance between beauty and autonomy is a key point when using such methods on the Redmi Note 7.
Third-party apps for Always On Display
If the built-in features aren't enough, Google Play's specialized apps come to the rescue, designed to emulate the active screen feature on any Android device, including IPS-matrix models, and one of the most popular is Always On AMOLED or its counterparts.
The principle of these programs is to create a black layer on top of the lock image, which displays only the necessary widgets. The application uses the phone's sensors to turn on this layer only when the device is in motion or you take it in your hands, which minimizes the impact on the autonomy of the device.
When you first install it, you'll need to give the app a number of permissions, including access to data, background and sensor access. Without these rights, it won't be able to properly track the smartphone's health, and once set up, you'll be able to select the watch's style, color, and even add a brand logo.
☑️ Set up a third-party application
An important aspect is to configure exceptions in the MIUI energy saving system. The system can aggressively close the background processes, so for the active screen widget to work steadily, you need to prevent it from doing this. Go to the battery settings, find the installed application and select the "No restrictions" mode.
⚠️ Attention: Constant operation of motion sensors and gyroscopes through third-party applications can increase battery consumption 5-10% Keep track of energy consumption statistics.
Always on Display is set up via AON
One of the most functional tools for Redmi Note 7 owners is the AON app - Always On Display. It offers flexible schedule settings that allow you to turn on the feature only during working hours or at night when the phone is lying on the nightstand, a great compromise for those who want to see time at night, but save charge during the day.
In the app interface, you'll find the Schedule section, where you can set time intervals for when the active screen should be active, for example, 23:00 to 7:00 to use the phone as a desktop clock, and the rest of the time the function will be turned off automatically, saving the battery.
The app also allows you to adjust your response to notifications, so you can choose to only light up when you receive messages from certain apps, such as Telegram, WhatsApp or calls, making smartphone use more informative without having to unlock it all the time.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness | Low (20-30%) | Minimum |
| Time out | 10-15 seconds | Average. |
| Sensitivity | Medium | Low. |
| Night mode. | Included | Missing (screen off) |
Don’t forget to check the app updates in the store periodically. Developers often release patches that improve compatibility with new versions of Android and MIUI. The stability of the widget depends on the relevance of the software used.
Optimizing battery and performance
Use of any simulation of the active screen on IPS-The matrix inevitably leads to additional charge consumption, and to minimize the negative effect, you need to properly configure the energy saving system, primarily the function of "Smart backlight" or "Adaptive brightness", which is better to turn off for widgets. AOD, fixing the minimum value.
In Settings → Battery and Performance, find the active screen app installed. Go to its settings and make sure that the AutoStart option is enabled. Also, in the Energy Savings menu, select No Limits, which will prevent the system from forcing the process to close.
Another important tip is to use dark wallpaper. If you use a theme or app that doesn't create a perfect black background, but only darkens the image, make sure the primary colors in the interface are dark. IPS-screens black color is still illuminated, but dark shades require less power backlight than bright and light tones.
Secret codes for diagnosis
If you notice that the phone has started to warm up in standby mode, try to reduce the frequency of the sensors in the settings of the AOD application itself. Sometimes high sensitivity leads to the processor constantly coming out of sleep mode, responding to microvibrations.
Solving and eliminating errors
Despite the ease of customization, users can face a number of problems, the most common of which is that the widget does not appear after unlocking and re-locking, which is usually due to the fact that the MIUI system killed the background process to save memory, the solution is one: fix the application in the list of recent tasks and allow auto-start.
Another common problem is that the screen lights up in your pocket, wasting charge, because the proximity sensor is not working properly or the accelerometer is too sensitive. In the AOD settings, find "Pocket Mode" and activate it. If the problem persists, try calibrating the sensors through the engineering menu.
You can also see time desynchronization on the widget and in the system, this is solved by restarting the application or checking the settings for automatic time synchronization in the Settings → Additional → Date and Time. Make sure that the tick is “Use Network Time”.
- 🔄 Restart your smartphone after setting all settings to apply the changes.
- 🚫 Turn off window animations in the Developer Menu if the interface is slow.
- 🔋 Monitor the temperature of the body during prolonged use of the function.
- 📱 Update theme app to the latest version via Mi Store.
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If the lock screen goes out too quickly, increase the screen timeout in the standard display settings, but do not set the value “Always” to avoid burning out static elements.
In case neither method works well, consider the alternative of home screen widgets, which are always active when you use your phone. It's not full-fledged AOD, but it gives you quick access to important information without unnecessary movements.
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Stable operation of the simulation of AOD on the Redmi Note 7 is possible only with the correct configuration of exceptions in the MIUI energy saving system.