Why do you need a watch on a screen that is turned off?
Xiaomi’s Always On Display (AOD) feature on smartphones allows you to see the time, date, and notifications even when the screen is off. Not only is it convenient — you no longer have to press the power button to check the time — it’s aesthetically pleasing: modern models support animated styles and personalization. However, not all users know how to properly configure this option or why it may not work on their device.
In this article, we will learn how to activate AOD on different models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, Consider hardware limitations (e.g., availability of AMOLED-We will also give recommendations on saving battery power when using the function. We will separately focus on the typical errors that cause the watch to not display, and how to fix them.
What Xiaomi models support is always on display
The Always On Display feature is not available on all Xiaomi devices. AMOLED- super AMOLED-The screen, as technology LCD It doesn't support partial pixel highlighting. Here are the key series and models where you can see the lights. AOD out-of-box":
- 📱 Xiaomi 11/12/13 Series (including Pro, Ultra, Lite)
- 📱 Redmi K40/K50/K60 and their modifications (Pro, Pro)+, Gaming)
- 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5, X3 Pro, X5 Pro
- 📱 Mi 10/10T/10S and newer flagships
On devices with LCD-displays (e.g., Redmi Note) 10/11 s IPS-matrix AOD It's not available, but some users find workarounds through third-party apps, as we'll explain in a separate section.
If you are not sure about the type of screen of your device, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or use the application. AIDA64 (You can also target the price segment: budget models (< 15 000 ₽) more frequently equipped LCD.
Step-by-step: how to turn on AOD on Xiaomi
Activate the function in less than a minute. Follow the instructions for MIUI 12/13/14 (on older versions, the path may be different):
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Screen section (or Display on some firmware).
- Select Always On Display (can be called a Locked Screen Watch).
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Set up the display style (classic, digital, animated) and additional elements (date, notifications, battery charge).
Once activated, the watch will appear on the screen in 5-10 seconds. If this does not happen, check the energy saving settings - some modes (for example, Ultra-Economic) can block AOD.
Make sure the screen is AMOLED|Update. MIUI last-minute|Turn off the power saving modes|Check that the function is not hidden in "Additional settings"-->
On some devices (e.g. POCO F3), the Always On Display option may be hidden.
- Go to Settings → Special features → Additional features.
- Find the Clock on the lock screen and activate it.
Setting the style and appearance of the watch
Xiaomi offers several AOD design options, including static and dynamic styles.
- Go to Settings → Screen → Always On Display
- Slip on the item "Style of watches".
- Choose one of the proposed options: 🕒 Classic – analog clock with minute and hour hand. 🕐 Digital time in the format HH:MM large-print. 🎨 Animated – dynamic effects (e.g., snowfall or cloud movement). 📱 Minimalistic – only time without additional elements.
White
Black.
Colored
On devices with MIUI 14, it became possible to download custom styles through themes.
- Open the Topic app.
- Go to the AOD section.
- Choose your favorite design and apply it.
💡
If an animated watch drains the battery quickly, choose a static style – it consumes 20-30% less energy.
Note that on some models (such as the Xiaomi 12 Lite), AOD color styles may not work properly due to firmware features, in which case it is recommended to use monochrome themes.
Why the clock on the screen is not working: typical problems
If the watch does not appear after setting Always On Display, the reasons may be as follows:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| AOD is not included | LCD screen (not supported) | Use third-party apps (such as Always On AMOLED) |
| The clock goes missing in seconds. | Power saving mode activated | Turn off the ultra-economic mode in the battery settings |
| Incorrect time-representation | Time synchronization failure | Go to Settings → System → Date and time and enable Autodetermination |
| AOD only works when charging. | Limitation in battery settings | Turn off the option only when charging in the AOD menu |
If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the screen settings:
- Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
- Select Reset screen settings (does not affect user data).
What if the AOD disappeared after the MIUI update?
Important: On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50 Ultra) after upgrading to MIUI 14, you may need to manually reinstall AOD themes through the Themes app.
Always on Display on the LCD-screens: workarounds
If your Xiaomi smartphone is equipped with LCD-display, official AOD But there are alternative ways to display time on a locked screen:
- 📱 Third-party apps: Always On AMOLED (work-on LCD, but consumes more battery. Glance Plus (for devices with a battery) MIUI). AcDisplay (shows notifications and time when you put your hand up).
- ⚙️ Set up lock wallpaper: Create long-term wallpapers (like in Canva) and set them on the lock screen. Use live clock wallpaper (apps) KWGT or Zooper Widget).
Note that third-party solutions will discharge the battery much faster, as LCD-The screen is fully illuminated, not partially as AMOLED. To save energy:
- Set the minimum brightness of the screen.
- Set up an automatic shutdown timer (for example, after 10 seconds of inactivity).
- Turn off animations and unnecessary widgets.
💡
Third-party annexes for AOD on LCD-The screens can reduce battery life by 15 to 25 percent, and use them only when necessary.
How to Save Battery Charges Using AOD
Always On Display consumes energy, but you can minimize it.
- 🔋 Choose a monochrome style: Black and white watches spend 30% less charge than color watches.
- ⏱️ Set up a schedule: activate AOD only during working hours (for example, from 8:00 to 22:00).
- 📵 Turn off unnecessary items: Remove the date, notifications or battery indicator from the screen.
- 🔄 Use adaptive brightness: in the dark the screen will be illuminated weaker.
On devices with MIUI 14, the Adaptive AOD option has been introduced, which automatically adjusts brightness depending on the lighting, to enable it:
- Go to Settings → Screen → Always On Display
- Activate the Adaptive Brightness Switch.
- Adjust the sensitivity of the light sensor (sensor settings option).
To check the actual battery consumption:
- Charge the phone to 100%.
- Activate AOD and leave the device on standby for 1 hour.
- Check the discharge percentage in Settings → Battery → Battery use.
Normal consumption is up to 1-2% per hour, and if the value is higher, try changing the style or turning off additional items.