The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but many users are facing a problem: how to turn on the Active Screen (Always On Display, AOD) feature, which displays time, notifications and other data even when turned off. Unlike Xiaomi’s flagship models, where AOD is available out of the box, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this option is often hidden or requires additional manipulation.
In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to activate the active screen: from standard settings. MIUI You will also learn why the feature may not work, how to check the compatibility of your device and what settings will help save battery power when using it. AOD. It is important to note that the Redmi Note 8 Pro AMOLED-The screen function is implemented differently than on devices with LCD — We'll talk about that, too.
If you've tried to turn on the active screen and you've failed, don't get upset. You may have missed one of the key steps or your device needs a firmware update. Next are step-by-step instructions explaining each method.
What is Always On Display and Why is it Not on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Always On Display (AOD) — It's a feature that allows you to display minimal information (time, date, notifications, battery power) on a smartphone screen when it's off. AMOLED- or OLED-It's a little bit more power-efficient than the Redmi Note 8 Pro. IPS LCD-A display that does not support partial pixel illumination is the main reason for the lack of a native" AOD.
However, there are workarounds:
- 🔹 Emulation AOD System settings (available on some versions) MIUI).
- 🔹 Third-party apps that mimic an active screen (e.g. Always On) AMOLED or Glance Plus).
- 🔹 Raise to Wake Up as an Alternative (not Fully Full) AOD, It is convenient for quick viewing of notifications).
It is important to understand that any emulation AOD on LCD-The screen will consume more energy than the AMOLED. If your Redmi Note 8 Pro’s battery is running out quickly, it’s worth weighing the need to use this feature.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially custom) attempt to include AOD It can cause the screen to overheat or the battery to run faster. If the smartphone starts to heat up after activation, turn off the function immediately.
Method 1: Enable active screen through standard MIUI settings
On some versions of MIUI 12-14 for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the AOD function may be hidden, but is available via the Lock Screen menu.
- Open the Settings → Lock screen.
- Scroll down to the Additional or Advanced Settings section.
- Find Always On Display or Active Screen (in Russian firmware may be called Permanent Screen).
- Activate the switch and configure the information displayed (time, date, notifications).
If there is no such item, then your version of MIUI does not support AOD for that model, in which case move on to the next method.
Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)
Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged.
Turn off the power saving mode
Reboot your smartphone before setting up-->
On some firmware, the feature may be called Ambient Display (e.g., in global versions of MIUI). If you don't find an item on the menu, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner of Settings).
Method 2: Using third-party AOD emulation applications
If the standard settings didn’t help, you can use third-party apps from Google Play.
- 📱 Always On AMOLED — It supports setting times, dates, notifications, even animations. LCD, But it uses more battery.
Instructions for Always On AMOLED:
- Download and install the app from Google Play.
- Run it and provide all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, auto-start, display on top of other windows).
- In the application settings, select the display style (analog/digital clock, color, brightness).
- Activate the Always On option and add the app to the battery optimization exception list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
⚠️ Attention: Emulation applications AOD They may conflict with system services. MIUI, Especially if you have custom firmware or root access installed.
How to reduce battery consumption when using third-party AOD?
Method 3: Activate through developer modes (for power users)
If you’re ready to experiment, you can try enabling hidden options through developer mode, which is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader or root rights, as it requires changing system files.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the USB debugging option and turn it on.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and use it ADB-A command to activate hidden functions: adb shell settings put global always_on_display_enabled 1
- Reset the device.
If the feature doesn't appear after the reboot, then your firmware doesn't support AOD at the software level, in which case you just have to use third-party apps or accept the lack of feature.
Yes, through MIUI settings.
Yes, with a third-party app.
No, I didn't know it was possible.
I tried it, but it didn't work out.-->
| Method of activation of AOD | Need root? | Battery consumption | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings of MIUI | ❌ No. | Low (if maintained) | ⭐⭐ (simple) |
| Third-party annexes | ❌ No. | Medium/high | ⭐⭐ (simple) |
| ADB-team | ⚠️ Sometimes. | Low (if it works) | ⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) |
| Custom firmware | ✅ Yes. | Depends on the firmware. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) |
Why the Active Screen May Not Work: Common Problems
Even if you did all the steps right, the Always On Display feature may not work.
- 🔋 Low battery (less than 15-20%). Recharge the device and try again.
- 📱 An outdated version MIUI. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔒 Energy saving restrictions. Add an appendix. AOD Exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
- 🛠️ Castom firmware without support AOD. Install an official European or global version MIUI.
- 📵 Conflict with other applications (such as launchers or optimizers) Try to disable them temporarily.
Redmi Note 8 Pro with older firmware MIUI 12.5 Always On Display is not officially supported due to hardware limitations LCD-All the methods available are workarounds that can work in an unstable way.
💡
If the AOD screen flickers or displays artifacts after activating, try to reduce the brightness in the app settings or turn off the function completely. Prolonged flickering can cause pixels to burn out (even on LCDs).
Always On Display for Redmi Note 8 Pro
If you can’t turn on a full AOD, consider alternative ways to quickly access information:
- 🔔 Mode "Rise to wake up" (Settings) → Lock screen → Raise to wake up.The screen will turn on when the device is lifted.
- 📲 Double touch to wake up (Settings) → Lock screen → Double touch to wake up).
- 🔍 Widgets on the lock screen. Add time, weather or notification widgets through Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
- 🎵 Voice assistant. Set up Google Assistant or Alice to voice notifications on command.
These methods will not replace the full Always On Display, but will allow you to quickly get the necessary information without unlocking your smartphone. For example, the “Raise to wake up” mode consumes minimal amount of energy and works steadily on all versions of MIUI.
How to Save Battery When Using an Active Screen
If you’ve managed to turn on AOD (or emulation of it), follow these tips to minimize battery consumption:
- Set the minimum brightness of the screen in the AOD settings.
- Turn off notifications – they update the screen more often.
- Use dark themes (black background reduces the load on the LCD).
- Set up an AOD work schedule (for example, only at night or on weekdays).
- Turn off AOD when the battery is low (less than 20%).
It is also recommended to disable the background processes of unnecessary applications (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autostart) and use the “Easy Energy Saving” mode (Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode).
💡
On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with LCD-Always on Display will always consume more energy than on the screen. AMOLED. If the battery is running out too quickly, it is best to give up. AOD alternative methods (e.g., "Raise to awaken").