If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone based on MIUI 12-15, you’ve probably noticed the mysterious “Active Screen” item in the settings, which many people confuse with the Always On Display (AOD) feature, but in fact they are two different tools with unique features. In this article, we’ll go into detail what an Active Screen app is, how it works on modern Xiaomi devices, and why it is often overlooked even by experienced users.
Now, the Active Screen isn't just "lighting on when you're notified," it's a whole suite of features that can replace the widgets on the home screen, speed up access to frequently used options, and even save battery power when you set it up properly, but to unlock its potential, you need to understand the nuances of working on models ranging from the budget Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi's 14 Ultra flagships.
Next, you will learn how Active Screen differs from AOD, what hidden chips it offers, and why some users complain about its work (spoiler: most often the problem is in the wrong settings).
What is an Active Screen on Xiaomi and How is it Different from Always On Display?
The main confusion is that both Always On Display (AOD) and Active Screen** display information on a display that is off, but their tasks and mechanics are fundamentally different:
- 📱 AOD (Always On Display – a static screen with a minimum dataset (time, date, notification icons) that works constantly (on the screen). AMOLED-The main purpose is to show basic information without unlocking it.
- ⚡ «Active screen is a dynamic interface that is activated when certain actions are taken (phone lifting, double tapping, new notification). It can show not only the time, but also weather widgets, music control, fast actions (lightlight, camera) and even mini-applications (for example, pedometer).
The key difference: AOD It's always on (hence the name), and Active Screen responds to triggers, which means that the latter is less energy-consuming on devices with a high-powered device. LCD-screens (wherever) AOD It is not possible without constant lighting, but requires additional adjustment.
For example, on Xiaomi. 13T Pro AMOLED-You can use both modes simultaneously: AOD It's designed to display time at night, and Active Screen for fast access to functions during the day. 10C s LCD-matrix AOD It is not available at all, and Active Screen becomes the only way to get information without fully unlocking it.
What features are hidden by the “Active screen” (list of features by model)
The functionality of the Active Screen depends on the version of the MIUI and the smartphone model, and below we have collected a full list of options available, indicating which devices they work on:
| Function | Description | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Quick action | Buttons for flashlight, camera, Google Assistant, screen recordings | All models on MIUI 12+ |
| Weather widgets | Temperature, forecast, humidity (data from Mi Weather) | MIUI 13+ (except for budget series) |
| Managing music | Pause/play, rewind tracks (works with Mi Music, Spotify, YouTube Music) | MIUI 12–15 |
| Mini-applications | Stepmer, timer, stopwatch (requires separate activation) | Flagships (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mix) |
| Customizable gestures | Double touch, swipe up/down for activation | All models. |
Interesting fact: on the POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite, the Active Screen has a hidden option for displaying the pulse chart (if the Mi Band fitness bracelet is connected).
- Go to Settings → Active Screen → More
- Activate the item Show health data.
- Connect Mi Band via Mi Fitness.
On budget models (e.g. Redmi A2+), some of the features can be disabled by the manufacturer, in which case manual activation via ADB will help (instruction below).
How to enable hidden functions through ADB?
How to set up “Active Screen” on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
By default, the function can be disabled or run in minimal mode. To customize it to your needs, follow this instruction:
- Activate function: Go to Settings → Screen → Active screen (on some models, path: Settings → Lock screen → Active screen). Enable the slider in the "On" position.
- Select triggers: In Activation Methods, select what the screen will include: 👆 Lifting the phone 👆👆 Double touch. 🔔 New notifications
💡
If the phone accidentally activates in your pocket, turn off the “Lift” item – this will save you charge.
Configuring the displayed information:
In the Style and Content menu, select what will show:
- ⏰ Time and date (you can change the font and color)
- 📱 Notification icons (WhatsApp, SMS, missed calls)
- 🎵 Managing music
- ☀️ Weather widget
- Energy Saving: In the Additional settings, activate Adaptive Brightness and set a screen shutdown timer (recommended 5-10 seconds).
Turn off "Phone lifting"|Set the timer for 5 seconds|Use a dark theme|Turn off the weather widget (if not necessary)-->
On Xiaomi 14 and new flagships, the option Active screen when charging has appeared - it automatically turns off the function when the phone is connected to the network, so as not to waste resources.
Xiaomi’s Active Screen Issues and How to Fix Them
Despite the convenience, users often encounter bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
⚠️ Note: If the Active Screen does not work after the update MIUI, Try resetting the lock screen settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your lock settings. It will delete all yours. PIN-codes and prints, so keep a backup copy in advance!
- 🔄 Screen not activated when lifting: Check if the proximity sensor is enabled in Settings → Special facilities → If the problem persists, calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu (#6484##).
- 🔋 Strong battery consumption: Turn off unnecessary widgets (especially weather and music) and reduce display time to 5 seconds. LCD-screens (Redmi) 9A, POCO M4 Pro) “Active screen” consumes more energy than on AMOLED.
- 📵 Feature missing after update: This is a known bug MIUI 14.Solution: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Systems, find the Active Screen and clear the cache, restart the phone.