Owners of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often wonder how to activate the function "Always On Display" (Always On Display) to display time, date and notifications without the need to unlock the device. This option not only adds aesthetics to the interface, but also significantly improves the usability of the gadget in everyday life, allowing one look at the situation. However, despite the popularity of the technology, the activation menu can be hidden or called differently depending on the version of the firmware MIUI or HyperOS.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible ways to include this mode, consider the nuances of working with the AMOLED-We will use screens to answer frequent questions that users have when setting up. It is important to understand that the correct function depends on the type of matrix of your display and the regional version of the software installed on the device.
Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone technically supports this technology. If you haven't found the menu items below, your device may be equipped with the technology. IPS-a matrix that physically cannot display individual pixels when the screen is off, or a feature is blocked by the manufacturer for your region.
Technical requirements and compatibility of matrices
The fundamental condition of the mode "Always on screen" is the presence of a display built on technology AMOLED super AMOLED. Unlike in the IPS-panels where the lighting is evenly lit throughout the area, AMOLED-The matrices are able to highlight only individual pixels, which provides a deep black color and minimal power consumption when displaying a static picture.
If you try to enable this feature on an IPS-screen device, you will find that the entire display will burn white or black, which will lead to rapid battery discharge and possible burnout of the matrix, which is why the “Active Screen” option is either completely absent or blocked by the system in the settings menu of such smartphones.
Beyond the matrix type, the operating system version matters. In the new HyperOS shells and the latest MIUI 14, energy saving algorithms can automatically shut down a function when the battery is low, even if you haven’t set these limits manually.
⚠️ Warning: Constant operation of bright static elements at maximum brightness can lead to uneven wear of organic diodes (burnout).Use dark themes and reduced brightness to extend the life of the screen.
You can check the type of your screen in the specifications on the official website or using special applications from Google Play, such as "Device Info HW". If it specifies IPS or TFT, then software methods will not be able to activate the real Always On Display.
Standard activation path through settings
The most common way to enable the feature is through the standard system settings menu.The path to the desired switch may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same for most devices of the brand.
To start, open the main settings menu and find the section that handles the look and lock. In current firmware versions, this path often looks like this: go to Settings → The screen is always on and lock the screen. In some older versions of MIUI, this item may be inside the screen and brightness menu.
Once you log in to the appropriate menu, you'll see the "Screen is always on" switch, activate it to start the process. The system can alert you to additional battery consumption, confirm the action if you're happy with the compromise between functionality and autonomy.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
Once the basic function is enabled, a detailed setting menu will open, where you can select display style, schedule and response to notifications, and don’t ignore these settings, as they help optimize your power consumption.
Set up styles, schedules and formats
The Active Screen interface in Xiaomi smartphones is flexible, allowing users to choose between digital and analog watches, add images from the gallery, or use animated themes from the Themes store.
You can set the function to work only at certain times of the day (e.g. 8:00 to 23:00) or only when you receive new notifications, which allows you to save significantly on charge at night.
The following options are available in the style menu:
- 🕒 Time format: Selecting a 12- or 24-hour format, displaying seconds or dates.
- 🖼️ Background image: the ability to set your own photo, which will be displayed in darkened form.
- 🔔 Notifications: Displaying app icons, missed calls or messages.
- 🎨 Online Topics: Download dynamic wallpaper and fonts from the catalog.
For minimalist lovers, it is recommended to choose a classic style with a black background, as it consumes the least energy. If aesthetics is important to you, the theme store will offer hundreds of options, including anime, landscapes and abstractions.
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Use dark wallpaper for Always On Display. AMOLED-The screen is completely turned off and does not consume energy, which prolongs the smartphone’s life.
Hidden settings and regional restrictions
A common problem for users is the absence of the item "Active screen" in the menu, despite the presence of the AMOLED-This is often due to regional firmware restrictions (e.g., in the Russian or European versions, some features may be hidden compared to the Chinese version).
In such cases, changing the region in settings can help. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select a country where the functionality is exactly present, such as India, Singapore or the United States. After changing the region, the interface can reboot, and the desired item will appear.
If the region change didn't work, you can try using MIUI Hidden Settings (requires special permissions or installation via ADB), which opens up the hidden menu of the engineering test environment, but it's a method for power users.
⚠️ Note: Change system settings through third-party applications or ADB-commands can cause system instability.
It’s also worth checking for system updates. Often Xiaomi adds Always On Display support for certain models with the next security patch or major MIUI update.
How to activate via ADB (for advanced)
Effect of function on battery consumption
One of the main fears of users is the fast discharge of the battery. It is true that the Active Screen consumes energy, but modern optimization algorithms minimize this consumption.
On average, the Always On Display turned on increases battery consumption by 1-3% per hour, depending on the brightness and number of pixels burning.If you use a simple black and white dial, the flow rate will be closer to the lower limit.
To compare the impact of different parameters on autonomy, see the table below:
| Setup parameter | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness 100% | High (up to 5% per hour) | Use auto-brightness |
| Animated themes | Medium/High | Use only when charging |
| Permanent regime | Average. | Set up a work schedule |
| Scheduled mode | Low. | The best option for saving |
The system can also automatically shut down the function if the battery power drops below 20% or 15% to keep the emergency calls open, a routine behavior that cannot be considered a mistake.
Problem Solving: The function is gone or not working
If a previously working function stopped turning on or disappeared from the menu, the cause may be a failure in the system application "Themes" or "Screen Lock". First of all, try to clear the cache of these applications through the application management menu.
Another common reason is conflict with installed third-party launchers or screen lock apps. uninstall any programs that replace the standard lock screen, as they can block the system's Always On Display.
In case the problem occurs after a firmware update, a complete reset (with pre-saving data) may be required. Sometimes configuration files are updated incorrectly and a clean installation solves the problem.
Also check if the "Energy Saving" or "Ultra-Energy Saving" mode is activated, and in these modes all background processes and beautiful effects, including the active screen, are forcibly disabled by the system.
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If the feature is lost after the update, check the region settings and clear the theme app cache – this solves the problem in 80% of cases.