Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone users are facing an intrusive power-saving system that extinguishes the display too quickly.This happens when you read long articles, watch recipes in the kitchen, or just hold your phone without touching the panel. Standard settings often offer limited range choices, which is annoying for those who need more time to interact with content without constantly unlocking.
In the operating system MIUI And the new HyperOS has flexible sleep timer management tools, but they can be hidden in different menu sections or limited to software algorithms. Understanding how autolock works will not only increase comfort, but also extend your life. OLED-This article will discuss all the available ways to adjust the timer and bypass standard constraints.
Standard timer settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The first step is always to check the basic parameters of the system, because in most cases the problem is solved by simply changing the value in the menu. You need to go to the Settings section and select the screen and brightness, and this is where the slider or the time list is located, after which the display will go out in the absence of activity.
Usually, the system offers a range of 15 seconds to 10 minutes. However, on some versions of firmware, the maximum value can be strictly limited to two or five minutes. This is done by manufacturers to save battery power, especially on models with capacious batteries, where optimization is the first thing. If you do not have the standard range, you will have to resort to third-party solutions or special modes.
Importantly, settings can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, EU, China). Chinese versions of MIUI often feature more aggressive power saving algorithms that can ignore user installations when battery power is low. So always check if you have an ultra-energy saving mode that forcefully shortens screen life.
- 📱 Open the Settings menu on the main screen.
- 💡 Go to the Screen and Brightness section (or just the Screen).
- ⏱ Find the item Sleeping mode or screen timeout.
- ✅ Choose the maximum time available, such as 5 or 10 minutes.
Using Reading Mode for Permanent Glow
One of the most effective ways to get around the time limit is to use the built-in reading mode, which was originally designed to be a comfortable way to view text information, but users quickly found a way to prevent blockages, and when this mode is activated, the system thinks you are reading a book or document, and turns off the standard sleep timer.
To activate this feature, go to Settings and find Read Mode. In some versions of HyperOS, it can be put into a separate application or be in the notification curtain. Once enabled, you can select applications for which the mode will be activated automatically, or start it manually before the session begins.
A key feature of Xiaomi’s Read Mode is that it completely ignores the system lock timer while the app is active, meaning the screen will burn as long as it takes until you fold the program or hit the off button. However, it’s worth remembering that in this mode the color gamut can be changed to monochrome or sepia to reduce eye strain.
⚠️ Note: With prolonged use of the reading mode at maximum brightness on AMOLED-There is a risk of uneven wear on the subpixels. Do not leave a static image on the clock without interruption.
For those who want to use this method constantly, there is a life hack: you can add a widget to switch the read mode to the desktop or assign a double tapping call to it, which will make the management process more convenient and eliminate the need to climb into the deep settings menu every time.
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Use read mode only in specific applications (such as a browser or reader) to avoid wasting battery in background tasks.
Third-party apps to block timer
If there's not enough built-in tools, Google Play apps that are designed specifically for screen control come to the rescue, and one of the most popular and reliable solutions is Keep Screen On, or its counterparts, such as Caffeine, which works by creating a temporary hibernation ban.
The way these tools work is simple: they create an invisible layer on top of all windows or emulate a light touch that resets an activity timer. Most of them allow you to customize your schedule, such as only enabling a feature at certain hours or when you run specific applications. This gives you flexibility that is often lacking in Xiaomi’s standard shell.
When installing these applications, Android may request special permissions, such as "Above Other Applications" or "Access to Use." Without these permissions, the program will not be able to function properly, and you should be prepared for the fact that an aggressive MIUI task manager may try to unload such an application from memory.
- 📥 Download a proven app, such as Keep Screen On.
- 🔒 Provide all the permissions requested in the system menu.
- ⚙️ Set up a list of apps where the screen should not go out.
- 🔋 Add utility to battery optimization exceptions.
Why does the system close applications to the screen?
Set up exceptions for specific applications
Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14+ allow you to customize screen behavior for each application installed, which means you can leave a standard timer of 30 seconds for the system, but set 10 minutes or "no limit" for a video player or navigator.
To implement this scenario, go to Settings → Screen and Brightness. In some cases, this option is displayed in a separate menu Advanced Settings or is available through long-term clicking on the application icon in the task menu (after opening the swipe up and holding), Here you can see the list of running programs and manage their priorities.
There is also a "Second Space" or "Game Turbo" feature, which has its own timeout settings. If you use your phone for games or media, make sure that the Game Turbo profile does not have a time limit that can override the overall system settings.
| Annex | Recommended time-out | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Video player | No restrictions. | High. |
| Navigator. | 2-5 minutes | Average. |
| Social media. | 30-60 seconds. | Low. |
| System menu | 15-30 seconds. | Minimum |
Remember that customization requires a more careful attention to the background, and if the app you gave permission to stay awake freezes, it can drain your phone overnight, so use this feature consciously.
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Customized application settings allow you to maintain a balance between convenience and energy efficiency without sacrificing one for the other.
Solving proximity sensor and autobrightness problems
Sometimes the screen goes out not because of the timer, but because of false alarms of the proximity sensor or adaptive brightness control. The sensor located at the top of the screen can react to the protective glass, cover or even a finger covering the upper end, and force the backlight to turn off.
To diagnose this problem, try turning off the Avtobrightness function in the notification curtain. If the screen stopped turning off spontaneously, then it is the calibration algorithms. On Xiaomi smartphones, a software proximity sensor is often found that requires calibration through an engineering menu.
To get into the engineering menu, open the Phone app and dial ##6484##. In the CIT menu, find the Proximity sensor test. Stick the top of the screen and sculpt it, and the readings should change from 5.0 to 0.0. If this does not happen, you will need to calibrate or check the case.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use thick protective glass with a black frame overriding the sensors at the top of the case.
It is also worth checking the Pocket Mode settings, which are designed to prevent accidental taps in your pocket, but it may be too sensitive.
Impact of energy saving modes on the screen
Xiaomi’s energy saving modes are a powerful tool, but they often conflict with the user’s desire to keep the screen on.When activated, the system forcibly reduces the time to sleep to a minimum (usually 15 seconds), ignoring other settings.
You can check the active modes from the Battery menu, and if you see a leafy battery icon or Ultra mode burning, that's what causes the screen to quickly quench, and it also limits background activity and brightness, making it impossible to read comfortably.
For users who always need a screen, it is recommended to create a script in the Security app or use automation that will turn off energy saving when running certain applications.This will save charge for the rest of the time, but give freedom of action when necessary.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery.
- 🚫 Turn off the modes Energy Saving and Ultra-Savings.
- ⚙️ Check the optimization settings for specific applications.
- 📉 Watch the temperature of the device, as overheating also provokes a decrease in brightness and timeout.