How to permanently remove lock screen refreshment on Xiaomi: working methods 2026

Why Xiaomi’s lock screen is itself updated and how to fix it

Have you noticed that the lock screen on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO periodically “twitches”, flashes or spontaneously updates? This is not a random bug, but a feature of auto-refreshing the lock screen, which is enabled by default in the MIUI firmware. The manufacturer added it to update time, notifications and widgets, but in practice it often annoys users – eats up the battery charge, always interferes when viewing photos or using On Display.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off auto-refreshing – from standard settings to hidden parameters and commands through ADB. The methods are tested on MIUI 12/13/14 and are relevant for models of 2020-2026 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5). If you are looking for a solution for your model, please note the compatibility table at the end of the article.

Before you start settings, note that some methods require developer rights or PC connection, and we have marked these methods with special icons so that you can choose the most convenient option.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for most MIUI 13/14 devices and does not require additional manipulation.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Always on screen and lock (on some models – Lock screen).
3. Slip on the lock screen settings item.
4. Find the option Auto Update the lock screen (or Refresh content) and move the slider to the position “Off”.

If you don't have that option, your firmware version doesn't support it, so move on to the next one.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO F4, Redmi K50) The option of auto-refreshing is hidden behind the optional menu. To see it, pre-activate the developer mode (7 times tap the version). MIUI in the section About the telephone).

Method 2: Using hidden settings through code #

If the standard method didn’t work, try the engineering menu, which is suitable for Qualcomm Snapdragon-based devices (most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO 2020-2023).

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Testing).
3. Scroll down to the Other block and find the Lock screen refresh rate.
4. Set a value of 0 (off) or 1 (minimum frequency).
5. Save the changes and restart the device.

If the command doesn’t work, try the alternative code for MediaTek devices:

##36446337##

From the Engineer Mode menu, go to Display → Lock Screen → Auto Refresh and deactivate the option.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods failed, the ADB debugging bridge remains unplugged. This is universal, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge, the advantage of which is that it works even on locked firmware (e.g., Xiaomi.eu or global versions of MIUI).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot) on PC.
2. Activate USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_refresh_rate 0
6. Reset the device.

To get the refresher back, replace the 0 with the 1 on the last command. If the command didn't work, try the alternative:

adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_refresh_enabled 0

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Before using ADB, check to see if you have blocked access to the settings on your firmware. Some versions of MIUI for China (CN ROM) require unlocking the bootloader, even for harmless commands.

Method 4: Applications for lock screen control

If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use third-party utilities, which don't always give you 100% results, but they often help where standard methods are powerless.

• 🔧 Lock Screen Refresh Disabler is a specialized application to turn off auto-refreshing. MIUI 12-14, but requires rights ADB certain functions.
• 🛠️ MIUI Hidden Settings - reveals hidden system options, including lock screen settings. Supports Xiaomi 11/12/13 Redmi Note 10/11.
• 📱 Always on Display Off – not only disables auto-refreshing, but also AOD, which saves battery power.

How to use:

1. Download the app from APKMirror (Google Play can block such utilities).
2. Launch and provide the necessary permissions (access to settings, debugging via USB).
3. Find the Lock Screen or Display section and deactivate the Auto Refresh option.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Applications from unverified sources may contain malicious code. Check forum reviews before installing (4PDA, XDA Developers) and scan APK via VirusTotal.

Method 5: Reset the lock screen settings (last resort)

If none of these things work, you have to reset your lock screen to factory settings, which is a radical solution, but it often helps with system failures, and minus you have to reconfigure wallpaper, widgets and security settings.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Always on screen and lock → Lock screen settings.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).
4. After the reboot, the auto-refreshing will be turned off, but you will need to re-set the wallpaper and settings Always On Display.

On some devices (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5 Pro), resetting the lock screen settings also resets Face Unlock and fingerprint settings. Save backups in advance to Settings → Google → Backup.

Compatibility table with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work equally well across devices, and below is the compatibility table for popular models (data up to June 2026):

If your model is not in the table, focus on the MIUI version:

MIUI 14: All methods work except the engineering menu on flagships.

MIUI 12.5–13: Standard settings + ADB

MIUI below 12.5: ADB only or third-party utilities.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)

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If neither method worked, check if the auto-refreshing is related to the work of a particular app (e.g. Mi Fit or Google Assistant).