The function “Wake up when picking up” on Xiaomi: the principle of operation, setting up and solving problems

Have you ever noticed how your Xiaomi or Redmi screen suddenly wakes up when you touch it or pick up your smartphone? It's not a fluke or a glitch of the system -- that's how Raise to Wake or Lift to Wake works. It's become standard on most of the brand's devices today, but not all users understand its purpose, working principles and hidden settings.

The function appeared as part of the ecosystem. MIUI It's been doing this since 2016, but with each update, its algorithms have gotten smarter, and today it's not just responding to movement, but also analyzing angle of inclination, gesture intensity, and even context of use (for example, it won't work in your pocket). Why doesn't the screen turn on when you lift your phone? How do you turn it off if it's in the way? And can you fine-tune it to your habits? The answers are in this guide.

We’ll take a look at not only basic settings, but also little-known features like how to make a feature work faster or why it might conflict with Always-On Display gestures (AOD). You will also learn which Xiaomi models support this option and how it differs in different versions. MIUI hyperos.

What is “waking up when picking up” and why it is necessary

The “wake up when you pick up” function (in Xiaomi’s original terminology – Raise to Wake or Lift to Wake) is a mechanism for automatically turning on the screen when you change the position of the smartphone, and it works thanks to a combination of an accelerometer, a gyroscope and software algorithms that analyze:

• 📱 Inclination angle – the screen is turned on only at a certain angle (usually 30-60)° horizontally).
• ⏱️ Speed of movement – a sharp lift works faster than a smooth one.
• 🔄 Context – the function ignores random movements in a pocket or bag.
• 🔋 Battery state – at low charge can be turned off to save energy.

The main purpose of the feature is to make it easier to access notifications and basic actions (such as unlocking) without pressing buttons. This is especially convenient when the phone is lying on the table with the screen down or you wear it in a case with the screen closed. Compared to the classic double tap on the screen (Double Tap to Wake), “waking up when you lift” works more intuitively and faster.

However, the function has side effects:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (up to 3-5% per day with active use).
• 🤯 False positives in transport or walking.
• 🔒 Conflicts with other gestures (such as Always-On Display or Ambient Display).

What Xiaomi models support the function

The “wake up when picking up” feature is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO, issued after 2018, but its implementation depends on the:

1. Hardware platform - the presence of an accelerometer and a gyroscope with sufficient sensitivity.
2. Versions MIUI/HyperOS — In older firmware, the function may not work smoothly.
3. Regional firmware – on the global and Chinese versions, the settings may differ.

The table below is a list of popular models with support for the function and features of its operation:

If your model is not listed, check for the function manually:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen. → Awakening when you take up your hands.
2. If there is no item, try updating the firmware or installing it. EU-version MIUI (unofficial firmware with extended settings).

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Smartphones with Always-On Display (AOD) The function “wake up when picking up” can work differently: instead of turning on the screen, it simply updates the information on the screen. AOD (time, notices).

How to turn on or off the function

The “wake up when picking up” setting takes less than a minute, but the path to it may vary depending on the version. MIUI Or HyperOS. Here's the general instruction manual:

Go to Settings|Select the Screen section|Find the item Awake when picking up (or Raise to Wake)|Switch the slider to the position On/Off.-->

If the item is not in the screen menu, try alternative ways:

• 🔍 Settings → Additionally. → Gestures (on some firmware).
• 🔍 Settings → System system → Movements and gestures (for HyperOS).
• 🔍 Use the search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type “wake up».

In some models (for example, POCO X3 Or Redmi Note 10, the function can be hidden to activate it:

1. Install a launcher with gesture support (like Nova Launcher).
2. Use it. ADB-commands (unlocked bootloader required): adb shell settings put global raise_to_wake 1 (where 1 — insert, 0 — disconnect).

⚠️ Warning: On Always-On Display devices, turning off "wake up when picking up" may cause the screen to only turn on on a double tap or power button. AOD post-mortem.

Why the function doesn’t work: common problems and solutions

If the screen does not turn on when lifting the smartphone, the reasons can be both software and hardware.

1. function is enabled, but not working

• 🔋 Low battery power - on some models, the function shuts down when the charge is below 15%.Plug in the charge and check again.
• 📱 Case or protective glass -- thick cases can block the sensors.
• 🔄 Conflict with other gestures – disable Double Tap to Wake or Always-On Display in screen settings.
• 🛠️ Sensor failure – restart your phone or calibrate the sensors through the engineering menu (#6484##).

2. false positives (screen is turned on in the pocket)

This is one of the most common complaints.

• 📉 Reduce sensitivity – some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13) have a sensitivity slider in their settings.
• 🔒 Use the lock in your pocket – enable the “Block in your pocket” option in Settings → Screen. → Locking in your pocket.
• 🔄 Turn off the function when walking – HyperOS has a setting “Ignore movement when walking».

3.The function disappeared after the update

After the update MIUI HyperOS item "wake up when you take in hand" disappeared:

1. Check if it is hidden in another section (e.g., “Movements and gestures”).
2. Reset the screen settings to factory (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting screen settings).
3. Install custom restoration (for example, TWRP) and swipe the Xiaomi.eu module to return the function.

Hidden settings and fine optimization

Few people know, but you can set up the "wake up when you pick up" function in a deeper way than the standard menu offers. Here are some advanced techniques:

1. Change in sensitivity through ADB

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) The sensitivity of the gesture is regulated by ADB-For this, for this:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number).
2. Enter the command: adb shell settings put global raise_to_wake_sensitivity [wherein the number of the 1 (minimum sensitivity) to 5 (maximum).

2. disabling a function in certain applications

If the screen is inappropriately turned on while playing or watching videos, use Do Not Disturb mode with exceptions:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb.
2. Select "Allow exceptions» → «Gestures».
3. Turn off “Wake up when picking up” for selected applications.

3. Screen response acceleration

If the screen is delayed, try:

• 🔋 Disable battery optimization for system applications (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🔄 Enable performance mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Performance mode).
• 📱 Update sensor drivers via Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocked bootloader).

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On smartphones with HyperOS, the function “wake up when you take in hand” works more stable than on the smartphone. MIUI 12–14, thanks to optimized motion recognition algorithms.

Alternative ways to wake up the screen

If “waking up when picking up” doesn’t work for you, consider alternatives:

1. Double Tap to Wake (Double tap on screen)

The function is included in the Settings → Screen. → Double touch to wake up:

• ✅ It works even with motion sensors turned off.
• ✅ Fewer false positives.
• ❌ Requires free screen space (does not work with covers).

2. Always-On Display (AOD)

Shows time, notifications and other data on the screen off. → Screen. → Always-On Display, features:

• ✅ More economical than constantly waking up the screen.
• ✅ Supports display style adjustment.
• ❌ Increases battery consumption (up to 1-2% per hour) AMOLED-screen).

3. Gestures in the Air (for flagships)

Some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have gestures in the air – just swipe your hand above the screen to wake it up. → Movements and gestures → Gestures in the air.

4.Voice awakening

If you have Google Assistant or Xiao setup AI, You can turn on the screen with a voice command (for example, "OK, Google:

1. Go to Settings. → Google → Voice settings.
2. Activate "Voice Unlocking."

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, using both “wake up when you pick up” and Always-On Display at the same time can cause the processor to overheat when you’re in the sun for a long time. → The phone. → Status of the system.

Comparison with peers on other brands

Not only is Xiaomi’s “wake up when picking up” feature, but let’s look at how it’s implemented by competitors:

A unique feature of Xiaomi: on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the “wake up when picking up” function can work together with Always-On Display, updating information on the screen without fully waking up. This saves up to 30% of energy compared to fully turning on the display.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the function