Owners of wearable devices from Xiaomi and Amazfit often wonder about the visual customization of the gadget, especially in the context of saving charge. AMOLED-The screens that are used in popular models like the Mi Band or Watch S have a unique feature: the black pixel is completely off, which means that black is not just displayed, but does not physically consume energy, unlike white or bright elements.
Turning the watch interface into predominantly black is not only an aesthetic choice for minimalist lovers, but also a pragmatic step to increase autonomy. Deep black allows you to hide the boundaries of the display, creating an infinity effect when the main content is not active. Users often confuse simple dimming with full deactivation of pixels, so it is important to understand the difference between a dark interface theme and a real black background.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to achieve the perfect black color on the screen of your device, we will touch on the selection of dials, setting system parameters and using hidden features that not all owners know about. AMOLED-In matrices, black means a complete absence of glow, which is critical for energy saving.
The principle of AMOLED operation and energy saving
To effectively manage the look of a watch, you need to understand the physical nature of its display. IPS-In a screen where the backlight is constantly lit throughout the area, Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode technology involves the individual glow of each subpixel. When you see black on that screen, the LED at that point simply doesn't burn.
This creates unique opportunities for optimization: If you use a watch with a constantly on screen (Always On Display), then choosing a black background can extend the device by a day or more. White text on a black background consumes significantly less energy than black text on a white background, since in the latter case 100% of the screen area is lit.
However, it is worth considering that not all dark themes are truly black. Many developers use dark gray (#121212) to avoid the scrolling effect that is typical of some matrices. True black (#000000) gives maximum savings, but requires a high-quality dial.
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To check your screen type, turn on any black background and look at the watch in total darkness at an angle. If you see a gray glow or backlight, it's an IPS or an LCD. If the screen looks like a piece of glass is off, you have AMOLED.
Understanding this principle helps you choose the right dials. Instead of looking for just dark wallpapers, look for those that are labeled AMOLED optimized or have a completely black background without gray gradients. This will ensure maximum contrast and minimal consumption.
Selection and installation of a black dial
The easiest and most effective way to make a watch black is to set the appropriate dial. There are thousands of options in the ecosystem of Xiaomi Wear (formerly Mi Fit) and Zepp tersedia, but finding the perfect one requires attention to detail. Not all dark-themed dials use pure black.
To find the right option, open the app on your smartphone and go to the dial store. Use filters or search for keywords: "Black", "Dark", "AMOLED", "Minimal". The official store often marks optimized dials with a special label or they are the first to appear in recommendations for your model.
When installing third-party dials from unverified sources, be careful.Some files may not be optimized for your model's screen resolution, resulting in artifacts or gray bars instead of black.Always check ratings and reviews before downloading.
If the standard set doesn't work, you can create your own dial, and in Zepp or through Amazfit Watch Faces, you can draw a background with a color code #000000 and place the necessary complications on your PC, ensuring that the background is completely black.
Always on Display (AOD)
Always On Display allows you to see time without lifting your wrist, but it's also the main energy consumer. To make the watch standby black, you need to adjust your AOD settings correctly. Many models have a bright dial by default, negating the benefits of AMOLED.
Go to the device profile settings in the app and find dial settings or Always On Display. Here you can choose the display style. For maximum black screen effect, select the option where only hours and minutes are displayed and the background remains off.
☑️ Setting up AOD economy
Importantly, on some models, such as the early Mi Band, AOD may be limited or absent, and in such cases the main dial is the black screen, which is activated by tap or raising the hand, and setting the backlight timer is key here.
⚠️ Attention: Continuous activation AOD Even with a black background, it consumes charge faster than a full screen shutdown. AOD At night or in the mode "Do not disturb".
You also have to experiment with the schedule, and you have to set the active black AOD for work hours only, and in the evening, you have to switch to the full screen-dampening mode, which is a balance between convenience and autonomy.
System settings and dark interface theme
In addition to the dial, it is important to configure the system menu of the watch. HyperOS Watch or MIUI for Watch interface supports switching between light and dark themes. However, "dark theme" in the system often means dark gray rather than black.
To activate the theme, go to Settings → Display → Theme. If your model supports True Dark Mode, select it. In some firmware versions, this option is hidden and only available through third-party utilities or modified versions of applications.
| Model clock | Support for True Black | Setting up on the menu | Requires AOD. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 8 | Yes (dial) | No (only dial) | Optionally. |
| Watch S1 Active | Yes. | Settings → Display | Yes. |
| Redmi Watch 3 | Partially. | Theme of the design | No. |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | Yes. | Profile → AOD | Yes. |
It’s worth remembering that system notifications and menus can have their own display rules. Even with a dark theme turned on, some pop-ups can be light gray, depending on the version of the operating system and the specific application calling the notification.
Hidden settings through ADB
Use of "Do Not Disturb" and Sleep
One of the most effective ways to get a black screen is to use sleep and Do Not Disturb. In these modes, the watch automatically turns off the wrist lift and often changes the dial to a minimalistic black.
Set up an app's sleep schedule. When the time is set, the clock will go into a mode where the screen stays black until you press a button or touch the display, perfect for the night when any extra light can interfere.
In some models, you can set a separate dial for Do Not Disturb. Choose the simplest black dial as a priority for this state, then when you activate the mode, the watch will instantly turn black, regardless of which dial was before.
⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse flight mode with sleep mode. Flight mode disables communication, but does not necessarily change visual style to black. For visual blackness, use the profiles "Sleep" or "Night".
Automating this process eliminates the need to manually change settings every evening, and the smartwatch will know for itself that it is time for energy savings and darkness based on your biorhythms and schedule settings.
Third-party applications and customization
If standard tools are not enough, third-party solutions come to the rescue: the Amazfit Store (built into the watch) or third-party downloaders on Android allow you to expand the functionality, and there are applications that force you to change the interface palette.
One popular method is to use dial builders such as Notify for Amazfit & Mi Band, which can be used to implement scripts that change the dial under certain conditions, such as low battery power or at night, providing a black background.
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Using third-party dial designers gives maximum control over the color of each pixel, allowing you to create a perfect black background where standard settings offer only dark gray.
However, untested applications can cause the device to run in an unstable manner. Third-party software can conflict with system synchronization processes. Always back up your settings before installing new utilities.
And you can also mention the possibility of using Gallery to set up a photo, and if you upload a black image to a gallery and set it as a background, you get a 100 percent black screen, and it's a simple life hack that works on all models that support photo dials.