Modern Xiaomi smartphones with their bright AMOLED-matrix and high refresh rate of the image consume a significant amount of power. Which is why the MIUI or HyperOS system is set to aggressively save charge by automatically extinguishing the display after a short time of inactivity. However, in some situations, it is vital that the screen remains on constantly or works much longer than the standard 30 seconds.
The need for a constant display glow can arise when reading books, using navigation, showing a presentation or monitoring data in real time. Standard settings allow you to flexibly manage this setting, but often hidden in non-obvious menu sections or require activation of special features for developers. Understanding the logic of the timeout system will help you avoid random locks at the most inopportune time.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can extend backlighting, from basic menu settings to engineering modes, how to configure Always On Display to continuously display information and what are the risks to the matrix when you are under prolonged static load.
Basic Sleep Timer Settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The first and most obvious step is to change the standard time interval after which the screen goes out. In the shells from Xiaomi, this option is in the section dedicated to locking. To access it, you need to go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will see a item that can be called Sleep Mode, Screen Time Out or Autolock.
The system will offer you a choice of several time slots. Usually the range range ranges from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. Choosing a value of "10 minutes" is the maximum staff limit for most models, including the Redmi Note and the flagship Mi. If you need to keep the screen not going out at all, the standard menu will not allow this, and you will have to look for workarounds.
☑️ Checking screen settings
It's important to keep in mind that even if you set the maximum value of 10 minutes, the phone will still go out if you don't touch the display, and this behavior is dictated by energy saving algorithms that prioritize saving battery life over user convenience. Autolocking will inevitably work if you don't use special applications or developer modes.
- 📱 The standard timer range is 15 seconds to 10 minutes.
- ⚙️ Changes take effect instantly, without the need to reboot.
- 🔋 Setting the maximum time significantly speeds up battery discharge.
- 📉 In some models, AMOLED The maximum screen time may be limited 2-5 minutes to protect the matrix.
Using Developer Mode to Turn off Sleep
For users who want the screen to stay on the same level as charging or battery life, there is a hidden feature in the developer menu, which is the most effective way to turn off the timeout completely. To activate this mode, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times.
After activating the engineering menu, go to Settings → For Developers. In the list that opens, you need to find the option “Do not turn off the screen” (or “Stay awake” in the English version), activating this switch prevents the system from going to sleep while the device is connected to the power source.
The risks of the developer regime
It's worth noting that this function works primarily with the charger connected, and if you turn off the cable, the screen can start to go out again according to the timer set, and this is done for safety, so that the user does not accidentally leave the phone on in his pocket, which would lead to overheating and discharge.
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For quick access to the developer menu, add the “Developer Settings” shortcut to your desktop via widgets or use a search by settings by entering the “Developer” query.
Always on Display and its configuration
Smartphone owners with AMOLED-matrixes have a unique ability to use the Always On Display (AOD) feature, which, unlike completely shutting down sleep, uses only a small fraction of the pixels, displaying time, date and notifications on a black background, allowing visual control of information without consuming much energy.
You can set up AOD through the Settings menu → Wallpaper and Personalization → Always On Display. There are different styles of watches, calendars and even the ability to display your own images. Permanent display can be set to schedule, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00, or only turn on when you receive notifications.
| Setup parameter | Description of action | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| The "Always" mode | The screen is on 24 hours a day. | High (up to 15% per day) |
| Scheduled. | Works in a given time period | Average (depending on duration) |
| 10 seconds after touching | Included when lifting or tapping | Minimum |
| On notice | It only lights up when new messages are sent. | Low. |
Using AOD is a trade-off between the desire to see information and the need to save charge. On the new Xiaomi 13, 14 and Redmi Note 12 series, 13 AOD algorithms are optimized to minimize burnout of static interface elements.
Third-party screen management applications
If there's not enough system tools, Google Play apps come to the rescue, and programs like Keep Screen On or Caffeine create an invisible layer on top of the system that mimics the user's actions, preventing the sleep timer from going off, which allows you to keep the screen on even without connecting to a charger.
However, using third-party software has its own nuances: such applications require permission to display on top of other windows and can consume additional CPU resources. In addition, aggressive battery optimization in MIUI can kill the background process of the application, and the screen will still go out.
⚠️ Note: When installing sleep-locking apps, carefully check the permissions you have requested. Some programs may collect data about your activity or display ads.
For a temporary solution, for example, when reading recipes in the kitchen, you can use the “Block orientation” function in the notification curtain, which on some versions of the firmware also prevents accidental shutdown, or run a video with a black screen on repeat.
Problems with the proximity sensor and autolock
A common cause of unwanted screen shutdowns is a faulty or contaminated proximity sensor, located at the top of the smartphone, often next to the speaker. If there is a protective glass on the screen that covers the sensor, or there is dust in the speaker's hole, the phone may "think" it's in your pocket and extinguish the screen.
You can check the sensor through the engineering menu. To do this, dial the code ##64663## (or ##4636## on some models), select the Proximity sensor test and cover the top of the screen with your hand. The indicator should change color to signal the reaction.
- 🧹 Regularly wipe the top face of the smartphone from fat and dust.
- 🛡️ Make sure the protective glass does not cover the sensor area.
- 🔄 Try calibrating the sensor through the engineering menu if it is not working properly.
- 📞 During calls, the screen goes out because of this sensor, this is normal behavior.
If the sensor is stuck in the closed position, the screen will go out immediately after unlocking, in which case it helps to reboot the device or clean the dynamic grid with a soft brush, in rare cases, you need to replace the plume or module in the service center.
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Pollution of the proximity sensor is the most common technical cause of spontaneous screen quenching, which is easy to eliminate by cleaning.
The impact of energy saving on the display
Power saving mode, especially Ultra Mode or Super-Energy Saving, enforces a reduction in the time to autolock. The system does this to extend autonomy by limiting background activity and brightness. If you have this mode on, the timer settings can be ignored in favor of tight limits.
You can turn off restrictions in the Settings → Battery menu. Here it is worth checking whether saving mode is activated, and also look at the settings of specific applications. For some programs, for example, navigators or readers, you can set permission to work in the background without restrictions, which indirectly affects the behavior of the screen.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged high-brightness screen operation in power saving mode can cause the housing to overheat, since the cooling system is not designed to discharge heat with limited processor performance.