Residual image on Xiaomi phone: why appears and how to get rid of

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi screen is left with icons, notification panels, or keyboards even after they have disappeared?This phenomenon is called residual image (or burn-in for AMOLED- screens) — one of the most common problems for owners of smartphones with organic arrays. Unlike physical damage, such defects can often be fixed software or prevented from appearing.

In this article, we will explain why the residual image on Xiaomi Redmi, POCO and other models of the brand, how it differs from the burnout of pixels on AMOLED and how to deal with it.

• 🔍 Reasons for the appearance of traces on the screen (including the specifics of the Samsung E4 and BOE matrixes that Xiaomi uses).
• 📱 7 working methods for removing residual images, from color calibration to hardware repair.
• ⚠️ What can't be done to avoid making the problem worse (spoiler: "Accelerate" the screen to maximum brightness is a bad idea).
• 🛡️ Prevention: How to prolong screen life and avoid burn-in in the future

Importantly, if you see permanent colored spots (red, green, blue) that don't disappear after the reboot, they're already burned out pixels, not residual images. The treatments will be different.

What is a residual image and why does it appear on Xiaomi?

Image persistence is the temporary imprinting of static elements (such as a navigation bar or a game logo) into a screen matrix, manifesting as subtle shadows that disappear after a few seconds or minutes. Unlike pixel burnout (when parts of the screen permanently lose the ability to display colors), the residual image is reversible.

On Xiaomi smartphones, the problem is more common on AMOLED- screen devices (e.g., Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F4 GT, Redmi K50), but it can also occur on LCD (e.g., Redmi Note 10 with IPS-matrix).

Xiaomi uses AMOLED-matrixes from different manufacturers - Samsung (series E4/E5) and BOE. BOE screens (installed, for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) are more likely to suffer from residual image due to less advanced pixel management technology.

⚠️ Warning: If a residual image appears after a phone drop or moisture is injected, it may indicate damage to the screen plume, in which case software methods will not help - a diagnosis is required at the service center.

How to distinguish residual image from burnt-out pixels

Before you start "treatment", it is important to correctly diagnose the problem. Residual image and burnt pixels are often confused, but these are different defects:

• 👻 Residual image: It appears as faint shadows from icons, text, or interfaces, disappears after a few seconds/minutes or after a change in the image on the screen, and is better visible on a gray or white background.
• 🔥 Burnt pixels: Persistent colored spots (red, green, blue) that don't disappear. You can see them clearly on any background, including black. More often appear on AMOLED- screens after 2+ years of heavy use.

You can check the type of defect using the screen uniformity test:

1. Open the Settings → About Phone → All settings → Screen Test (or use a third-party app like Screen Test).
2. Select the Black Screen test, then the White Screen, Red, Green, Blue.
3. If the defect is visible in all colors, it is the pixels that have been burned out, unless some (usually gray/white) have the residual image.

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To better define the problem, take a picture of the screen on another phone at maximum magnification, and the defects are often seen better in the photo than with the naked eye.

7 Ways to Remove Residual Images on Xiaomi

If you're sure that the screen is a residual image, not a physical defect, try these methods, from the simplest to the most radical. Start with the first point and move on to the next one if the problem persists.

1. Phone reboot

Sometimes the residual image is caused by a malfunction of the screen driver.A simple reboot can reset the GPU cache and eliminate artifacts.

• 🔄 Press the power button and select Reboot.
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 minutes after switching on — sometimes the tracks don't disappear immediately.

Screen colour calibration

On the AMOLED- screens Xiaomi has a hidden feature reset color profile, which can help with minor artifacts:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Color mode.
2. Select Standard (if saturated or Vivid).
3. Activate the Automatic Color Temperature option (if available).
4. Turn on Adaptive Brightness and set manual brightness to 40-50%.

Select standard color profile |Switch off saturated colors |Set brightness to 40-50% |Activate adaptive brightness-->

Use of the “Safe Mode” regime

If the residual image is caused by a conflict with the application (such as a launcher or game), Safe Mode will help to check for:

1. Press the power button, then hold the “Switch off” option with your finger until a request to go to Safe Mode appears.
2. Check the screen for artifacts for 10-15 minutes.
3. If the tracks are gone, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

4. Software resetting pixels (for AMOLED)

Some Xiaomi models support a hidden pixel reset function that helps eliminate the residual image.

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After entering the code:

1. Choose Pixel Refresh or Screen Burn-in Fix (name depends on the model).
2. Confirm the start of the process (may take 5-10 minutes).
3. Do not interrupt the operation – this can lead to deterioration of the defect.

⚠️ Warning: Code ##36446337### doesn't work on all devices. On some models (e.g., POCO F3), it can cause a network reset instead of a screen repair. Before using, check for compatibility on forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

5. Firmware update

Manufacturers regularly release patches to improve the management of the matrix. Updating MIUI or firmware can fix bugs that cause the residual image:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Install the latest version of MIUI (even if it is beta).
3. After the update, reset the screen settings (see paragraph 2).

6 Manual "treatment" via video

For AMOLED- screens, you can use special videos that accelerate pixels and eliminate traces.

1. Download YouTube videos (see AMOLED burn-in fix).
2. Turn the video on full screen and set the brightness to 100%.
3. Leave your phone for 1-2 hours (do not overheat!).

This method works by cycling color changes, which “discharges” stuck pixels.

7 Hardware repairs

If nothing worked, the residual image could be a symptom of matrix damage.

• 🔧 Contact Xiaomi Service Center (the warranty may cover the defect if the phone is under 2 years old).
• 💰 The cost of replacing the screen on Xiaomi varies from 3,000 to 15,000 rubles depending on the model.
• ⚠️ Avoid informal workshops – poor replacements can lead to sensor or backlight problems.

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On AMOLED- screens, the residual image often disappears after 24-48 hours of phone non-use. If the defect is not critical, let the device rest.

What not to do with a residual image

Some folk methods not only don't help, but they make the problem worse.

• ☀️ Prolonged use of the phone at maximum brightness is what accelerates the degradation of the AMOLED- matrix.
• 🔥 Heating the screen (e.g., with a hair dryer or on a battery) – can damage the adhesive layers of the matrix.
• 🛠️ Self-disassembly of the phone without experience - the risk of damage to the plumes or display.
• 🎮 Ignoring the problem – if the residual image is left untreated, it can develop into irreversible burnout.

Also not worth it:

• Install screen repair applications from unverified sources – many contain viruses.
• Using a “heavy” screen test (such as the Dead Pixel Test) for longer than 5 minutes creates an additional strain on the matrix.

Preventing: How to Prevent Residual Images on Xiaomi

The best way to fight burn-in is to prevent it from happening.

For AMOLED-screen

• ⏱️ Limit the display time of static elements: Use Hiding the Notice in the screen settings (for models with "brows"). Enable Auto Hiding the navigation bar in Settings → System → Gestures.
• 🌓 Adjust brightness: Do not exceed 60% brightness in everyday use. Turn off Adaptive brightness if it often raises brightness above 70%.
• 🎨 Color profiles: Use Standard or sRGB instead of Saturated. Turn off Contrast Improvement in screen settings.

For LCD- screens

• 🔋 Avoid overheating: Do not play heavy games while charging. Do not leave your phone in direct sunlight (e.g., on a car torpedo).
• 🔄 Regularly update the software – manufacturers release patches to control the backlight.

Universal advice

• 📵 Turn off the screen when you are not using your phone (e.g. while listening to music).
• 🔄 Change the wallpaper every 1-2 months to avoid imprinting static elements.
• 🛡️ Use a protective screen (e.g. Always On Display) with minimal brightness and alternating elements.

For owners of POCO and Black Shark (gaming smartphones), it is especially important to monitor the temperature of the screen. These devices often use aggressive performance modes that accelerate the degradation of the matrix.

• Turn off the game performance mode if you don’t need it.
• Use a cooler or keep your phone horizontal for better cooling.

Frequent Questions About Residual Image on Xiaomi