Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but not all users know that it hides useful Always On Display (AOD) mode. This feature allows you to display time, notifications and other data on the screen even when turned off, without draining the battery too quickly. However, by default, AOD is disabled, and in some firmware it needs to be activated through hidden settings.
In this article, you will find 3 proven ways to enable Always On Display on the Redmi Note 7, including the official method through MIUI and alternative options for custom firmware. We will also discuss how to customize the displayed information, optimize battery consumption and eliminate possible errors. If your screen does not support AOD out of the box - no problem: there are workarounds!
What is Always On Display and Why is it Used on Redmi Note 7?
Always On Display (AOD) β It's a technology where part of the screen stays active even when the smartphone is locked. AMOLED-In displays (like the Redmi Note 7), the pixels are individually illuminated, so the power consumption is minimal, AOD show:
- β° Current time and date β without having to unlock your phone
- π³ Notifications - missed calls, SMS, messenger
- π Battery level β not to check it again
- π΅ Media Player β Music Playback Control
The Redmi Note 7 is working on the new feature. AMOLED-It's a matrix that only uses energy to illuminate the active pixels, so for example, a black background doesn't use any charge at all, and a white clock digits less than 1% per hour. AOD 30-40% more economical than constantly turning on the screen to check the time.
β οΈ Attention: On models with IPS-Always On Display will not work, this is a hardware limitation. Check the type of display in the specifications of your device.
Why is it disabled by default? The thing is, Xiaomi often hides AOD in the firmware for budget models to make the interface "simplified," but it can be activated manually -- more on that.
Official method: enable AOD through MIUI settings
If your Redmi Note 7 runs MIUI 12/13/14 (or later), try the standard method. It's the safest and doesn't require superuser rights.
- Open the Settings β Screen.
- Scroll down and find Always On Display and Lock (or just Always On Display in newer versions of MIUI).
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Set up the information displayed: π Clock style β classic, digital or animation π Date - display format (day/month or month/day) π Notifications β Selection of Apps to Show
If the Always On Display item is not on the menu, then your firmware does not support the out-of-the-box function, in which case, move on to the alternative methods below.
Check the version of MIUI (Settings β About the phone)
Update the firmware to the latest stable version
Charge your phone at least 50%
Disconnect power saving modes-->
| MIUI version | Support for AOD | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10β11 | β No. | Manual activation via ADB is required |
| MIUI 12β14 | β Yes. | Function on the screen menu |
| The Pixel Experience (LineageOS) | β Yes. | The settings may differ |
Important: After activating AOD, check your battery consumption during the day. If the discharge exceeds 5-7% per night, turn off animations or reduce the brightness in the screen settings.
Alternative methods: if AOD is not in the settings
If the standard method didn't work, don't despair. There are two reliable workarounds.
Method 1: Activation through ADB (without root)
This is a good way to do MIUI 10-11, where AOD is hidden but technically supported by hardware, and youβll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and an ADB tool.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) β Additional β For Developers β Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put secure doze_always_on 1
- Restart the device. Once activated, AOD will appear in the screen settings.
2. Notification management
To ensure that AOD only shows important alerts:
- Go to Settings β Notifications β Always on Display.
- Select the applications whose notifications are to be displayed.
- Turn off unnecessary (such as games or news feeds).
3. Optimization of battery consumption
To extend the working hours:
- β³ Set a shutdown timer (for example, turn off) AOD after 23:00).
- π¦ Reduce the brightness in the screen settings to 30-50%.
- π« Turn off animations (starry sky, moving elements).
How to check the actual battery consumption from AOD?
Common Problems and Their Solutions
It's not always easy to turn on AOD, but here are the common mistakes and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| AOD is not enabled through settings | Outdated firmware | Update MIUI to the latest version |
| The screen flickers or goes out | Conflict with the shell | Turn off "Adaptive Brightness" in the screen settings |
| Fast battery discharge | Too bright AOD or animations | Set a static clock and reduce brightness |
| Notifications not shown | Restrictions on applications | Check the permissions for each messenger |
If the phone starts to overheat or reboot on its own after activating the AOD, it is likely that the problem is incompatibility with your version of MIUI.
β οΈ Warning: Before resetting the settings to the factory, turn off AOD through ADB Adb shell settings put secure doze_always_on 0 Otherwise, after reset, the function may not work properly.
Always On Display on Redmi Note 7 and other Xiaomi smartphones
The functionality of AOD depends on the model and firmware version. For clarity, compare the Redmi Note 7 with other popular Xiaomi devices:
| Model | Screen type | Support for AOD | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 7 | AMOLED | β Yes (hidden in) MIUI 10β11) | Requires manual activation on old firmware |
| Redmi Note 8 Pro | IPS LCD | β No. | Hardware limitation |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 | AMOLED | β Yes. | Advanced animation settings |
| POCO X3 NFC | IPS LCD | β No. | The alternative is to βraise to wake upβ |
Redmi Note 7 is different from budget models IPS-screens AOD But it's not as functional as flagships like the Mi 11, which are available:
- π¨ Dynamic wallpaper for AOD
- π Automatic shutdown on schedule
- π Detailed statistics on use
π‘
On the Redmi Note 7, Always On Display only works stably on MIUI 12 and later. On older versions of the firmware, there are possible glitches with notifications display or accidental screen shutdowns.