Read Mode on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

Have you ever noticed how your eyes get tired after reading from a smartphone screen for a long time? Especially in the evening when the bright blue light of the display seems too aggressive? Xiaomi has long implemented a special reading mode in its MIUI shell, a feature that transforms the screen to make it more comfortable to read text. But many users still do not know about its existence or do not understand how to use it correctly.

In this article, we will explore in detail what the read mode on Xiaomi phones is, how it differs from the standard night filter, what models support this feature, and how to customize it to your needs. You will learn not only basic settings, but also hidden mode features that are not written about in the official instructions. And we will answer frequent questions: does reading mode affect autonomy, can it be used in any application, and how it is combined with other screen functions, for example, with adaptive brightness.

What is Xiaomi Reading Mode and Why You Need It

Reading Mode is a special screen setting that optimizes the display of text, reducing the load on the eyes. Unlike a regular night filter, which simply reduces the amount of blue light, the reading mode works comprehensively:

  • πŸ“± Changes the color temperature of the screen, making it warmer and more natural to perceive.
  • πŸ‘οΈ Reduces contrast so that the text does not β€œcut” the eyes during long reading.
  • πŸ”„ Adapts brightness to ambient lighting, avoiding sharp changes.
  • πŸ“– Optimizes fonts (in some versions) MIUI), sharpen.

The main difference from night mode is that reading mode does not just filter blue light, but completely reconfigures the display of content, imitating a paper book, which is especially useful for those who read a lot from the screen: e-books, long articles, documents or even correspondence in instant messengers, according to studies, using such modes reduces eye fatigue by 30-40% when reading for more than 30 minutes in a row.

It is important to understand that the reading mode does not replace glasses for working at the computer or specialized programs like f.lux, but it significantly improves the comfort when using a smartphone in everyday tasks. AMOLED-screens where the brightness and contrast are higher by default than on IPS-display.

πŸ“Š How often do you read long texts from your smartphone?
Every day.
Several times a week
Less than once a week.
Never.

What Xiaomi phones support reading mode

Reading Mode is available on most modern Xiaomi smartphones, but there are nuances depending on the model and version of MIUI.

  • πŸ“± All flagships since Mi 9 (2019) and newer support read mode in full version.
  • πŸ“± Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5) It also has this feature, but with limited settings.
  • πŸ“± Budget models (Redmi) 9A/10A) It can have a simplified version without fine-tuning.
  • ⚠️ On older smartphones (until 2018), the reading mode may be absent or work unstable.

To find out if your Xiaomi has a read mode, check out the MIUI version:

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Find the line MIUI version.
  3. If MIUI 12 or newer, you can read it.

It also depends on the type of screen. AMOLED-displays (e.g. Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K50) The mode works better, since each pixel is controlled separately, which allows you to more accurately adjust the color temperature. IPS-On screens (such as the Redmi Note 11) the effect may be less noticeable, but still useful.

Full list of models with reading mode
Starting with MIUI 11, the read mode is officially supported on the following series: - Xiaomi Mi 9/10/11/12/13 - Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12 - POCO F3/F4/F5, X3/X4/X5 - Black Shark 3/4/5 - Xiaomi Civi 1/2/3 On older models (for example, Mi 8 or Redmi Note 7) the function may be present, but without the possibility of fine tuning.

How to turn on the read mode on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

There are a number of ways to turn on the read mode, and consider the most versatile method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-15:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to the Screen section.
  3. Find Read Mode (on some models it may be called Reading Mode or Reading Mode).
  4. Activate the switch to the position VL.

After turning on, the screen will immediately change the color gamut. If you need to quickly turn on or off the mode without going into the settings, add the corresponding button to the Quick Settings panel:

  1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
  2. Click on the pencil icon (Edit).
  3. Find Read Mode in the list and drag it to the active area.

Now you can turn on and off mode with a single touch, and note that on some models (e.g., the POCO F4), the reading mode may conflict with the night filter, in which case the mode that was last turned on will take precedence.

Enable mode in screen settings

Add a button to the Quick Settings panel

Adjust the intensity of the filter

Check compatibility with night mode

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Reading Mode Settings: How to Make the Screen Perfect

The basic reading mode is often not enough for maximum comfort. MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to fine-tune the display.

  • 🌑️ Color temperature: from cold to warm (it is recommended to set at the level of the temperature). 60-70% minimally load the eyes).
  • ⚑ Brightness in Read Mode: You Can Make the Screen Dimmer Than Normal.
  • πŸ”„ Automatic turn on on schedule (for example, from 20:00 to 8:00).
  • πŸ“± Application Exceptions: Some programs (such as games or graphics editors) can be excluded from the mode.

To access these settings:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Reading Mode.
  2. Click on Additional or Mode Settings (the name may vary).
  3. Adjust the sliders Color Temperature and Brightness.
  4. Turn on the option Automatically if you want the mode to be activated over time.

The exceptions feature is especially useful for apps, for example, you can leave reading mode enabled for Chrome or Kindle, but turn it off for Instagram or YouTube, where proper color reproduction is important.

  1. In the reading mode settings, find the Exception clause.
  2. Select applications for which the mode will not work.

πŸ’‘

If the color on the screen looks too yellow after reading, try to reduce the temperature to 50-60%, which will reduce the strain on the eyes, but will retain the natural shades.

Read Mode vs Night Filter: What’s the Difference and What’s Better

Many users confuse reading mode and night filter (or Night Light) as the same thing, but the functions are different.

ParameterReading modeNight filter
Main objectiveOptimizing text for long-term readingReducing blue light for better sleep
Impact on coloursChanges the entire color scheme, reduces contrastIt only reduces the blue spectrum.
Time of useAny, but especially useful during the day in bright lightEvening and night
Brightness settingCan be regulated separatelyDepends on the overall brightness of the screen
Support for applicationsYou can set exceptions.Works in all applications

So what's better? It depends on your task.

  • πŸ“– If you read a lot (books, articles, documents) – use the reading mode.
  • πŸŒ™ If you need to reduce the strain on your eyes before bedtime, turn on the night filter.
  • πŸ”„ Ideally, you can combine both functions: during the day – reading mode, in the evening – night filter.

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), these modes can be configured to automatically change each other depending on the time of day.

  1. Activate both modes in the settings.
  2. Set up a schedule for the night filter (for example, from 21:00 to 7:00).
  3. Use manual reading mode during the day.

πŸ’‘

Reading mode is better for text, and night filter is better for sleep protection, and can and should be used together for maximum comfort.

Does reading mode affect autonomy and performance?

One of the common questions is, does reading mode drain the battery faster? The answer depends on the type of screen your Xiaomi has:

  • πŸ”‹ Nana AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K60) Reading mode, on the contrary, saves charge, since dark pixels do not consume energy.
  • πŸ”‹ Nana IPS-The difference in consumption is minimal for screens (for example, Redmi Note 11), but there may be a slight increase in consumption due to the operation of the color filter.

According to the tests, AMOLED-Reading mode reduces battery consumption on the 5-10% When you read text, compared to normal mode, this is because warm colors require less energy to display than cold colors. IPS the difference usually does not exceed 1-2%, which is within the margin of error.

In terms of performance, the read mode does not affect the speed of the smartphone, as it is processed at the display level, not the processor. However, on very old models (for example, Redmi 5) there may be a slight delay in turning on / off mode due to weak iron.

⚠️ Warning: If you notice that after turning on the read mode, the smartphone began to warm or brake, check if it conflicts with other screen functions (for example, adaptive brightness or always on the display). MIUI last-minute.

Reading problems on Xiaomi and how to solve them

While the reading mode is usually stable, some users are experiencing problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

  • πŸ”„ Mode spontaneously shuts down Cause: Conflict with night filter or battery saving Solution: Turn off automatic brightness control in Settings β†’ Screen. β†’ Adaptive brightness.
  • 🎨 Colors look too yellow or dim Reason: Too high color temperature Solution: Reduce the intensity in mode settings to 50-60%.
  • πŸ“± Mode does not work in some applications Reason: The application ignores the system settings of the screen. Solution: Add it to the exceptions or use the built-in reading settings in the application itself (for example, Chrome has its own dark mode).
  • ⚑ The battery is fast running down. IPS-Solution: Turn off mode when you don't need it, or reduce the brightness of the screen.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the screen settings to factory:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Screen.
  2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Settings.
  3. Confirm the action.

Problems can also arise from an outdated version of MIUI. Check for updates in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ System Update. If your model is no longer supported (like Redmi Note 8), consider installing custom firmware with the current version of MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 NFC) Reading mode may conflict with function DC Dimming (removing screen flickering) If you notice a flicker after the mode is turned on, turn off DC Dimming in screen settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Reading Mode on Xiaomi

Can I use reading mode in games or videos?
Technically, it doesn't make sense. Reading is optimized for text, and in games or videos, it's only going to distort colors, so it's better to add the game to exceptions or turn off the mode before you start.
Why is the reading mode not saved after the reboot?
This is a known problem with some versions of MIUI. Solution: turn on the mode via the Quick Settings Panel after rebooting or update the firmware. Also check if settings are reset due to battery optimization (in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization turn off restrictions for system applications).
Is there a read mode on Xiaomi tablets (like Pad 6)?
Yes, there is a read mode on the Xiaomi Pad 5 and Pad 6, with advanced settings including support for e-Ink mode. To turn it on, go to Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Read Mode and select E-Paper.
Can I set up automatic activation when opening certain applications?
There is no such feature in standard MIUI, but you can use third-party apps like Tasker or MacroDroid to create automatic rules, such as setting up read mode when you open Google Books or Kindle.
Is reading mode harmful to the screen?
No, the reading mode doesn't hurt the screen, because it just changes the color gamut without affecting the physical pixels. AMOLED-Long-term use of warm colors can accelerate pixel burnout, but this effect is minimal compared to normal screen operation.