Xiaomi’s Smart View cases turn a smartphone into a mini-display with notifications, time and music controls — even when the screen is off. But many users face challenges: the case does not respond to touch, shows the wrong time or does not connect to the phone at all. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of settings, from basic synchronization to fine-tuning gestures and eliminating typical errors.
Structurally, Smart View cases are an accessory with an integrated E-Ink or LED-A display that communicates with your phone via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This means that not only does the physical connection of the case require proper operation, but the correct configuration of the software, especially for Xiaomi models. 12/13/14 series, Redmi Note 11/12 Pro+ and POCO F4/F5, where covers support advanced features such as weather display or camera control.
If you just bought a Smart View case and you see an empty screen or flashing indicator on it, don't rush to return it to the store. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by rebooting the phone and re-associating the accessory. And for those who want to make the most of the device, we have unique tips for activating hidden modes, such as displaying notifications from third-party messengers or setting custom gestures.
1. Compatibility: Which Xiaomi models support Smart View cases
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are compatible with smart cases. Official support is limited to flagship and some mid-budget models. Here's the current list for 2026:
- 📱 Flagship series: Xiaomi 12/12S/12T/13/13 Pro/13 Ultra/14, Mix 4/Fold 2/Fold 3
- 📱 Redmi: Note 11 Pro+/12 Pro+/12S Pro, K50/K50 Pro/K60/K60 Pro
- 📱 POCO: F4/F4 GT/F5/F5 Pro, X5 Pro 5G
- 🚫 Not supported: all Redmi Note models 10 below, POCO X3/M3, Redmi A and Redmi series 9
Important: Even if your model is on the list, check the MIUI version. Smart View cases require a MIUI 13 or later. On older versions (e.g. MIUI 12.5), some features may not work properly or even be available.
How do you find out the MIUI version? Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have outdated firmware, update it through Settings → System Update. POCO models may require manual firmware via Fastboot — look for instructions in a separate article.
2. First connection: step-by-step instruction
The process of tying the case to the phone takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires precise execution of the steps.
- Install the case on the phone - make sure that the magnetic contacts on the case match the sensors on the back of the smartphone. On the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Mix Fold 2 models, the contacts are located at the top, and on the Redmi K60 - closer to the center.
- Turn on Bluetooth – the case communicates with the phone over BLE, so without activated Bluetooth connection is impossible. Check status in the notification panel or in Settings → Connected devices.
- Wait for automatic detection - after installing the case on the phone screen, a pop-up window should appear with a suggestion to connect the Smart View Cover. If the window does not appear, proceed to the next step.
- Manual binding – open the Settings app → Connected devices → Add accessory. In the list, find the Smart View Cover and follow the instructions on the screen.
If the cover is not automatically determined, try the following:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone with the case installed.
- 🔋 Make sure the case is charged (some models have a mini battery that charges from the phone when closed).
- 📱 Check if the connection is blocked by third-party software (such as Greenify or Battery Saver).
Charge your phone at least 30% |
Make sure the cover fits tightly on the phone |
Turn off the power saving mode |
Enable Bluetooth and geolocation (for some models)-->
Important! POCO F5 and Redmi K60 models may require additional permission to access notifications. After connecting the case, go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Smart View Cover and turn on the option to Show notifications.
3. Adjustment of the displayed information
The default Smart View case is the time, date and battery level, but it's much more powerful than that, to customize the data that you see.
1. Open Settings → Display → Smart View Cover (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → Connected devices → Smart View Cover → Screen settings).
2. In the section Information on the screen, select what will be displayed:
- ⏰ Clock: Analog or digital, with or without a second hand.
- 📅 Date: format (day/month or month/day), display of the day of the week.
- 🔋 Battery charge: percentage or icon, indicator color (green/yellow/red).
- 📬 Notifications: show app icons (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) or text messages.
- 🌤️ Weather: Current temperature, day forecast or weather icon.
3.In the Gestures section, set up actions when:
- 👆 Double touch – unlocking your phone or launching your camera.
- 👉 Scrolling left/right – switching tracks or turning off the alarm clock.
- 🖐️ Retention – Turning on a flashlight or voice assistant.
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On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Mix Fold 3, the case settings have “Always On” mode, the screen of the case will be constantly turned on, like on a smartwatch. This is convenient, but reduces the battery life of the case to 12-18 hours.
For owners of Redmi K60 Pro and POCO F5 Pro, a unique feature is available to display the status of games. If you are playing Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, the case can show the gamepad charge level or processor temperature. To activate this option, go to Smart View Settings → Additional → Gamer Mode.
4. Resolving typical problems
Even after you set it up properly, the case may not work properly, and here are the most common problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Cover is off. | Battery discharged cover or phone | Connect your phone to charge for 10-15 minutes with your case closed |
| Not showing notices | No permission to access notifications | Go to Settings → Applications → Smart View → Permissions → Notifications and enable the option |
| Time on the cover is not synchronized | Bluetooth communication failure | Disable and reconnect the case in Settings → Connected devices |
| Gestures don't work | Conflict with other applications (e.g. gestures in MIUI) | Turn off gestures in Settings → Additional → Gestures and reboot the phone |
| The case is warming | Long-term work in the "Always On" mode | Turn off the permanent display in the cover settings or lower the brightness |
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The case stopped working, try resetting it. To do this, remove the case from the phone, press and hold the reset button (usually located under a magnetic connector) for 10 seconds, then reconnect.
There is a specific problem with the Xiaomi 12T and Redmi K50 Gaming models: the case can accidentally activate Game Turbo mode, which leads to gesture blocking. To fix this, add the Smart View Cover app to the Game Turbo exceptions via Settings → Special Features → Game Mode.
What to do if the cover shows Chinese characters?
5. Hidden functions and life hacks
Not many people know, but Smart View covers support features that are not documented in the official instructions.
- 🎵 Control music without unlocking: Slick the tracks left/right on the screen of the case when the phone is locked.Works with Spotify, YouTube Music and MIUI Music.
- 📸 Quick camera start: Twice tap the screen case to open the camera right away - even if the phone is in your pocket.Setting up in Smart View Settings → Gestures → Quick launch.
- 🔒 Hidden mode: On Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you can configure the display of false time on the case (for example, 00:00) to hide the real time from outsiders. Activated through Settings → Confidentiality → Hidden Smart View Mode.
- 📊 Health monitoring: Cases for Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 They can show data from the Mi Band. 7/8 — Steps, pulse and stress levels, and you need to synchronize your case and fitness bracelet through Mi Fitness.
Lifehack for photographers: On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and 13 Pro models, the case can be used as a remote for the camera. Set up Double Touch + Hold gesture to start shooting with a timer. This is convenient for selfies or group photos - you do not need to run to the phone after you press the descent.
⚠️ Attention: On covers for POCO F5 redmi K60 The feature that displays notifications from third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) is disabled by default. To activate it, download the Smart View Enabler module from Magisk (root rights required).
6. Optimization of battery consumption
A Smart View case consumes a minimal amount of power (about 1-3% of a phone’s charge per day), but when used actively, this value can rise to 5-7%.
- ⏳ Reduce backlight time: In case settings, set the backlight time after interaction by 5 seconds instead of 10.
- 🌙 Turn off "Always On": Constantly switched on screen covers reduces autonomy on the screen. 30-40%. Use it only when necessary.
- 📵 Limit Notifications: Disable notifications from unnecessary apps (such as games or news services).
- 🔄 Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI Optimized power consumption of the case. Check the updates in Settings → Updating the system.
For owners of Xiaomi 14 and Mix Fold 3, an experimental adaptive brightness feature is available, which automatically adjusts the backlight depending on the lighting.
- Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
- Go to Settings → Additional → Developer → Adaptive Smart View Brightness.
- Turn on the option and restart the phone.
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If the case discharges the phone by more than 10% a day, check it for defects.Power controller or magnetic contacts may be faulty.
7. Alternative firmware and customization
If you don't like the standard features of the case, you can install custom firmware. It's a risky process, but it gives you access to:
- 🎨 Custom themes for the screen case (such as Cyberpunk or Minimalist).
- 📱 Display widgets (calendar, exchange rates, cryptocurrencies).
- 🔧 Extended gestures (for example, running any application by triple touching).
The firmware will require:
- Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader) on the phone.
- Castomic recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
- Firmware file for the case (see XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
Firmware instructions:
- Download the firmware for your cover model (for example, SmartView_X13Pro_global_v3.zip).
- Connect your phone to your PC and go to Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
- Run the case through the command: fastboot flash smartview smartview_img.bin
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Attention: The wrong firmware can make the case go down. If the cover screen stops working after the firmware is done, try returning the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. If that doesn't work, you'll have to replace the case.