Accidental tapping of the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone is a common problem that leads to unwanted actions, from accidental calls to deleting files. This is especially true for users who carry the phone in their pocket, put it down on the table with a screen or use the device with gloves. In this article, we will examine all the available ways to lock the screen from touch, from standard MIUI functions to hidden features and third-party applications.
It's important to understand that blocking touches is not the same as turning off the screen completely. You'll be able to see notifications, time and other data on the display, but random touches won't be recorded by the system. This is especially useful for models with a high-speed screen. AMOLED-It's a screen where you're using Always On Display, and then you've got detailed instructions for different versions. MIUI Xiaomi models, including Redmi and POCO.
1. Built-in "Touch Lock" function in MIUI
Starting with MIUI 12, the firmware has a built-in option to block random touches, which is system-level and doesn't require any additional applications to be installed.
- Open the Settings → Screen.
- Scroll down and find the Touch Lock section (on some models – Random Touch Protection).
- Activate the switch and select the lock period (from 5 seconds to 1 minute).
Once activated, the screen will ignore all touches except unlocking by fingerprint or PIN-On models with an infrared sensor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), the function can conflict with control gestures, in which case you need to turn off the proximity sensor in the screen settings.
It doesn't work on all devices, like the POCO F3 with MIUI 13, which might not be possible because of customized firmware, and one of the solutions below will help.
2.Use of the Pocket Mode (Pocket Mode)
In-pocket mode automatically locks the screen when the proximity sensor detects that the device is closed (for example, lying in a pocket or bag), a feature that is on most Xiaomi models, but it needs to be properly configured:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Display. → Pocket mode.
- 🔄 Turn on the option and set the sensor sensitivity (Average recommended).
- ⏱️ Set up the lock delay (optimally — 2-3 seconds).
- 🔒 Make sure that the Unlock When Removed function is active (if necessary).
On the Redmi Note 10 Pro and similar models, this mode can conflict with Always On Display. If the screen is not locked, check if the Always On screen is on in the battery settings.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI In your pocket, you don't just have to touch, you also have to turn off call notifications. If you're interested in incoming calls, use alternative methods.
3.Gesturals and hidden features to lock the screen
MIUI has hidden gestures that allow you to quickly block the screen from touching without deep settings, such as the Xiaomi 12T and newer, which uses a double-touch gesture across the screen to lock.
- Open the settings → Screen → Gestures.
- Find Double Touch to lock and turn on the option.
- Test: Tap the screen twice (not by icons!) – it should lock.
On older models (e.g. Redmi 9A), this gesture may not be present, and instead you can use the power button triple tap:
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Power button.
- 🔘 Select the action Lock the screen for triple pressing.
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If double-touching doesn't work, check if glove sensitivity is on in the screen settings, and it can conflict with gestures.
4. Third-party applications for touch blocking
If the built-in features don't fit, you can use apps from Google Play, which offer flexible settings, including lock zones, timers and exceptions for certain applications.
| Annex | Features | Cons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touch Lock | Blocking touches on timer, gesture support, work in the background | Free Advertising Can Drain the Battery | MIUI 11+ |
| Screen Off and Lock | Quick screen lock widget support Always on Display | No fine settings of lock zones | All models. |
| Gravity Screen | Automatic lock when stacking the phone with the screen down | Paid version for full functionality | MIUI 12+ |
Check reviews before installing - some apps may conflict with MIUI due to background activity limitations. For example, on the POCO X3 Pro Touch Lock, you may not work without auto-run permissions.
⚠️ Attention: Touch blocking apps require permission to overlay over other windows. This can be used by attackers for phishing. Only install proven high-ranking programs.
5. Touch blocking via ADB (for advanced)
If you need to completely disable the sensor at the system level (for example, for testing or repair), you can use the sensor. ADB-This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting the phone to a PC.
Instructions:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times click to unlock Developer Settings).
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command line and type in: adb shell settings put system touch_block_enabled 1
- To return sensitivity, use: adb shell settings put system touch_block_enabled 0
This method completely disables the sensor before rebooting or manually resetting commands. Some models (such as the Xiaomi 11T) may require additional resolution via su (root access).
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Hardware solutions: covers and films
If the software methods are not suitable, you can use physical touch blocking:
- 📦 Cover cases (e.g. Xiaomi Flip Cover) – automatically lock the screen when closed.
- 🛡️ Protective films with lock zone – some models have an opaque area that does not allow touch.
- 🔌 Magnetic holders – attach the phone to the surface and fix the screen in the off state.
On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, magnetic lock cases can conflict with Always On Display, which will go out when the lid is closed. To avoid this, turn off the option to turn off the screen when the case is closed in the display settings.
Make sure the model case is compatible with your phone | Check the reviews on the quality of magnets | Pay attention to the notch for the camera and sensors | Check whether wireless charging is supported-->
7. Frequent problems and their solutions
When you block touches, Xiaomi users encounter common mistakes. Here's how to fix them:
- 🔄 The screen is not locked in your pocket. → Check the purity of the proximity sensor (wipe it with a soft cloth) or increase sensitivity in the settings.
- ⏳ Delay in unlocking → Turn off animations in Developer Settings (Scale of window animations) = 0.5x).
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge → Close background apps to block touches or add them to the battery optimization exception list.
On the POCO F4 GT and other gaming models, touch locking may not work due to the proprietary Game Turbo mode.To fix this, turn off Game Improvements in battery settings.
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If none of the methods helped, try resetting the screen settings to factory: Settings → System → Resetting → Reset display settings.