Modern. OLED-screens allow smartphone makers to implement features that previously seemed impossible without seriously compromising autonomy (AOD), Or "Always screen on." Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Many people wonder how to activate this option to see the time, notifications and battery power without touching the screen.It's not just an aesthetic decoration, but also a useful tool for quick interaction with the gadget.
However, the introduction of this feature in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS is not evenly distributed. While flagship models receive AOD support immediately or with the first updates, budget and mid-budget devices can remain without this option officially. The technical limitations of LCD panels, which are used in many models, do not physically allow to implement a full Always On Display in the way that AMOLED matrixes do.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to activate the function in detail. We will look at the regular system settings, hidden features of the engineering menu and third-party applications that mimic the work of AOD. It is important to understand that on IPS (LCD) screens, the classic Always On Display is impossible due to the lack of individual pixel highlighting, so software emulators are used. You will learn how to adjust the schedule, choose the style of the clock and minimize the impact on battery life.
Technical requirements and compatibility of displays
Before you look for an on button, you need to make sure that your device is technically capable of maintaining a constant display mode. The key factor here is the type of screen array. The Always On Display technology relies on the ability of individual AMOLED or OLED screen pixels to glow independently of each other. In such displays, black is a turned off pixel that consumes no power.
If you have an LCD or IPS panel on your smartphone, you can't implement a classic AOD. In these screens, the lighting is a common backlight layer that burns across the entire matrix area. Trying to turn on a black screen with white digits on the LCD will cause the backlight to work 100 percent and black to look dark gray, which will cause excessive charge consumption and can lead to overheating of the device.
Xiaomi segments its devices clearly. The flagship Mi series (now Xiaomi), Mix, and many Redmi Note and POCO F/X series models are equipped with AMOLED matrices. Budget lines such as Redmi (base models) and POCO M/C (some versions) are often equipped with IPS screens. You can check the type of display in the specifications on the official website or through applications like AIDA64.
⚠️ Attention: Attempting to activate AOD device-wise IPS-screen through third-party applications will lead to rapid battery discharge and possible burnout of a static image (although on the other hand, the battery will be damaged). IPS It's less likely than on OLED, The risk of degradation of lighting remains).
You also need to consider the age of the device. Even if you have an AMOLED screen, but the model was released a few years ago, the manufacturer may not have added support for the feature to the software. In such cases, the hardware allows AOD to work, but the software ban blocks the option in the settings menu.
Activate Always On Display through system settings
If your device supports the function at the firmware level, activation will take only a few minutes. The configuration interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. First, you need to get to the main settings menu of the system.
To do this, open the Settings app and find the Always On and Lock (or just Lock Screen) section. In some versions of the shell, this item may be inside the Wallpaper and Personalization menu. If you don't see a separate "Always On" item, it may be hidden inside the Lock Style subsection.
Once you go to the desired partition, you will see the Always On Display switch, activate it, the system will warn you about possible increase in battery consumption, and after activation, a menu of detailed settings will open, where the following options are available:
- 🕒 Style: choice of dial shape, clock font, date and percentage display.
- 📅 Schedule: setting up work hours (always on schedule or only upon notification).
- 🖼️ Background: the ability to set a static image or change pictures.
- 🔋 Energy savings: limiting brightness or shutting down when charged low.
The "Show" option has three basic work strategies available: "Always" keeps the screen active 24/7 (with overnight breaks if configured); "10 seconds after touch" saves energy by only showing information when you pick up your phone or press a button; and "When you receive a notification" only activates the screen when a message or call arrives.
☑️ Setting up AOD
Customization of personalization and display styles
The standard set of dials in MIUI is rather sparse, but the system allows you to download new themes. To do this, click on the AOD settings menu to Download More or go to the Themes app. Search for "Always On" or "AOD" to find thousands of free and paid options for your design.
Third-party themes can contain not only clocks, but also animated elements, steps, weather and even mini-games. However, it is worth remembering that complex animation on a permanent screen significantly increases the load on the GPU and battery. Static black wallpaper with white text is the most energy-efficient option.
Newer versions of HyperOS have the ability to create custom designs through Wallpaper Designer. You can choose font, color, element layout, and even add your photo (although for AOD photos it is better not to use so as not to burn out pixels). There is also a Smart Mode setting that analyzes your habits and turns off the screen when the phone is in your pocket or bag using a proximity sensor.
Hidden possibilities of the designer
Problem Solving: Why It Doesn't Work Always On Display
Often, users are faced with a situation where the switch is active, but the screen does not light up, or the function disappears after the update. The most common reason is aggressive battery optimization. Xiaomi is known for its tight control of background processes. If the process responsible for AOD is “sleeped”, the screen will go out.
To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find the system application responsible for the lock screen (often called Wallpaper, System Interface, or MIUI Home). Go to Saving Charge and select No Limits. This will prevent the system from turning off the AOD process.
The second reason is conflicting themes. If you have a third-party theme installed, it can block the system lock settings. Try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme and checking the function. Also make sure that the screen settings do not activate Pocket mode with erroneous sensitivity parameters, which can block the display from turning on.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| AOD is not included | IPS/LCD screen | Use emulators (see below) |
| The screen goes out in 5 seconds. | Timer settings | Change the AOD menu to “Always” |
| High battery consumption | Bright animation. | Choose a static black style |
| The function disappeared after the update | Firmware error | Reset screen settings or wait for a patch |
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The feature is missing on the supported device, it can be a temporary bug of the regional version of the firmware (Global vs China), in which case it helps to change the region in the settings or wait for an update.
Alternative methods for devices without AOD support
What if you have an LCD screen or an old model where the manufacturer didn't add AOD support? The emulator apps from Google Play Market come to the rescue, and they mimic the Always On Display, periodically waking up the screen or using minimal brightness.
One of the most popular solutions is Always On AMOLED, which creates a layer on top of the screen locker, requires special permissions to work properly, including access to "Above Other Windows" and disabling battery optimization, and allows you to adjust schedules, brightness, and even response to notifications.
Another option is to use lock widgets or black-backed live wallpapers that trigger a screen wake-up script when a message is received, but these methods have a significant drawback: They cannot operate in a completely off screen state without significant energy consumption, because LCD-matrix requires lighting of the entire area.
- 📱 Always On AMOLED: powerful tool with flexible settings, paid full version.
- ⏰ Screen Always On: Simple app, keeps screen on but can warm phone.
- 🎨 Custom AOD: It allows you to create your own designs, but requires Root rights for full integration.
💡
For LCD screen owners, it is better to use the Lift to Wake function to see the time without draining the phone with the constant glow of the screen.
The Impact of Always On Display on Autonomy and Lifetime
The main fear of users is rapid discharge. Indeed, even on AMOLED screens, burning pixels consume energy. However, modern power controllers in Xiaomi smartphones are quite effective. Turning on AOD increases battery consumption by about 1-3% per hour depending on the brightness and number of active pixels.
A more serious problem is the risk of burn-in. If a static image (such as an operator logo or watch) is kept on the screen for thousands of hours, organic LEDs can degrade unevenly. To prevent this, the system automatically shifts the image by a few pixels every few minutes.
To minimize harm, it is recommended:
- Use the “Schedule” mode (for example, from 8:00 to 23:00).
- Choose the minimum required brightness.
- Turn off AOD when the phone is down (the proximity sensor usually tracks this).
- Periodically change the style of the dial.
⚠️ Attention: Continuous use of maximum brightness in mode AOD It can reduce the screen life of the 15-20% faster than normal smartphone use.
💡
Competent schedule settings and the use of dark static styles minimize the negative impact of AOD on the battery and screen, making the feature safe for daily use.