How to display the lock button on the screen Xiaomi: all the ways

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have huge displays, which makes one-handed control not always convenient, especially when you need to instantly lock the device. The standard location of the side power key sometimes does not allow you to quickly turn off the screen if the gadget is lying on the table or in the other hand.

This is possible thanks to the flexibility of the MIUI shell and the Android operating system, which allow you to create action shortcuts and widgets for quick access to system functions. There are several proven methods, ranging from built-in system tools to using third-party utilities to create shortcuts. The choice of the specific method depends on the version of your firmware and personal preferences in the interface.

In this article, we will discuss how to create your own lock button that will always be at hand. We will look at creating widgets, setting up double tapping on the screen and using special applications to emulate system commands, which will help you make using your smartphone more comfortable and ergonomic.

Use of the "Tagline" widget in MIUI

The simplest and most native way, which does not require the installation of additional software, lies in the standard set of widgets of the MIUI shell. The system provides a special tool for creating action shortcuts that allows you to put on the desktop a button to lock the screen, turn on the flashlight or start the camera.

To start, you need to go to desktop editing mode. Make a long tap on the free area of the screen or pinch with two fingers to open the widget menu. At the top of the screen, find the "Widgets" tab and scroll through the list to the "Tools" or "Systems" section, where the item called "Tags" is located.

After dragging the widget to the desktop, the system will suggest selecting the action that will be performed when you press. In the list that opens, find the item "Block the screen" or "Switch off the screen." After selecting the icon will appear on the desktop, and one tap will instantly extinguish the display.

  • 📱 Open the widget menu with a long press on empty space.
  • 🔍 Find the Tools section and select the shortcut widget».
  • ⚙️ In the action list, specify “Screen locking».
  • 🏠 Place the ready button in a convenient place of the desktop.
What to do if the widget doesn’t work?
Sometimes, after updating the firmware, the widget may stop responding to the presses, in which case delete it and recreate it. If the problem persists, check the permissions for the system application "Security" or "Settings" in the Battery Management section, preventing them from optimizing.

It is important to note that this method works consistently on most versions of MIUI, but the widget menu interface may vary slightly depending on the device model. If you do not find the right item at once, carefully examine all categories of available tools.

Creating a button through the “Security” application

In some firmware versions, the quick access functionality is integrated directly into the system application Security, which is the control center of the smartphone, a method that is often overlooked, but it provides convenient access to memory cleaning and locking without the use of third-party solutions.

Go to the Security app and find the Cleanup or Accelerate section. In the settings of this section (usually the gear button in the corner), you can find the option "Floating button" or "Add widget." Activating this feature adds a floating element or shortcut to the screen, which also knows how to lock the screen.

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Use the floating button function only if you need access to lock on top of other applications. For normal use, a static widget on the desktop is better, since it does not overlap the content.

This is especially useful for those who are used to regularly clear RAM, the combination button allows you to first close the background processes, and then immediately lock the device, saving battery power.

Consider that deep integration with Android in newer versions may limit the capabilities of system applications in the background. If the button has stopped responding, check if the background process of the application was limited in the battery settings.

MethodDifficultyRequires installationStability
The "Tag" widget.Low.No.Tall.
Security annexMediumNo.Medium
Third-party launchersTall.Yes.Depends on the launcher.
ADB scriptsTall.PCTall.
📊 Which way to put the button you like better?
Standard MIUI widget
Security Annex
Third-party programmes
I'm getting a physical button.

Use of third-party shortcut applications

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools are not available or do not meet your design requirements, Google Play will come to the rescue. Programs like Quick Shortcut Maker or Shortcut Creator allow you to create shortcuts for any hidden actions of the system.

The principle of such utilities is to create a shortcut that sends system.intent to lock the device. After installing the application, you will need to find the command in the action list. lock_screen Or similar, create a shortcut for it and place it on the desktop.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party shortcuts, Android may request permission to “Draw on top of other apps” or “Access to use.” Without granting these rights, the button may not work or display correctly.

The advantage of this method is that you can customize it, you can pick any icon from the gallery, you can resize the label, you can even assign it a certain action with a long press, and you can have complete freedom in organizing the desktop space.

But remember resource consumption, because while these apps weigh a little, they are still an extra process in the system, and on older models of smartphones with low RAM, this can be noticeable.

Set up a double tap to lock

One of the most convenient alternatives to the software button is the Double Tap Lock feature, which allows you to turn off the screen by simply tapping your finger on an empty space on your desktop, which is often faster than finding an icon.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → Always On Screen and Lock Screen (the path may differ in different versions of MIUI).Look for the Double Tap to Turn on/off screen switch and activate it.

Now that the screen is active, you just need to touch any free area of the desktop twice to turn off the display. This action works at the touchscreen level and does not require running additional applications, which makes it very responsive.

  • 👆 Go to the main settings of the system.
  • 🔓 Find the section "Block screen».
  • ✅ Turn on the double tap option.
  • 🖐️ Check the work by touching the desktop twice.

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The dual tap function is a native touchscreen feature that does not load the processor and works even with a lack of RAM.

Note that in some launchers or when using certain live wallpapers, this feature may not work correctly or be disabled by default, in which case you should try to change the theme or launcher to the standard one.

Adding a button to the notification curtain

Another popular place to place the lock button is the control panel or notification curtain, which allows you to quickly lock your phone without going back to the desktop and looking for widgets among the application icons.

To add a button, lower the notification curtain down to the end to open all the switches. Click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots in the corner). In the list of available buttons, find "Screen Lock" and drag it to the active zone.

Now, when swiping down, you'll always have access to the screen switch off, which is especially handy when the phone is in Pocket mode or when you need to quickly turn off the display while watching a video.

On some versions of MIUI, this button may be called "Finish" or have a lock icon. If a standard button is not listed, it can be added through interface tuner applications such as Control Center for MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse the lock button with the power switch. Pressing the power switch may cause the device to restart or an emergency call menu to appear, which is not always necessary.

Advanced Methods: ADB and Scripts

For users who want to gain full control of the device, there is a method of creating a shortcut through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging, which allows you to create a shortcut that will work at the system level, regardless of the shell.

This requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, enabling debugging mode in the Developer Menu, and executing a command that creates a shortcut on your desktop.

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DeviceAdminSettings

However, for simple screen locking, a more frequent intent command is used, which can be implemented through macro applications that support ADB, such as MacroDroid or Tasker. In these applications, you can create a macro that, upon clicking the widget, performs the action “Block the device”.

Tasker offers the most flexibility: you can set your screen lock on a schedule, when you approach a specific location, or when you connect to a Wi-Fi network, and it turns a simple button into a powerful automation tool.

☑️ Checklist for Tasker setup

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did the lock widget disappear after the MIUI update?
After major firmware updates, Xiaomi sometimes resets widget settings or changes their IDs. Try removing the old widget and adding it again through the widget menu. If the problem is not solved, the new version of MIUI may have changed the path to system locking.
Does the software lock button affect battery consumption?
The widget or shortcut itself doesn't consume power, because it's in sleep mode until you click on it. However, if you use a third-party app to emulate a button, it can run in the background and consume resources. Native MIUI widgets are absolutely battery-safe.
Can I change the lock button icon?
Xiaomi’s standard means of changing the system widget icon are not possible, however, if you create a shortcut through a third-party app (like Shortcut Maker), you can select any image from the gallery or icon sets to display the lock button.
Does this button lock the phone as securely as the physical one?
Yes, the software button sends the same system signal to turn off the display and go to sleep as the physical power button, and the security level and lock interface remain identical.