Your Xiaomi screen goes out too quickly, interrupting reading, watching videos or navigation? Or are you tired of constantly entering a password after every waking device? Auto-locking the screen is a standard MIUI feature designed to save battery power and protect data, but sometimes it interferes with comfortable use. In this article, we will discuss all the legitimate ways to disable or configure lock on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones – from basic settings to hidden system features.
It is important to understand that completely disabling the screen lock increases the risk of accidental tapping and battery discharge by 15-25% (according to Xiaomi tests on Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5). However, in some scenarios – for example, when using the phone as a navigator or during long video calls – this is justified. We will consider options for both temporary bypassing the lock and permanent shutdown with security in mind.
1. Set up Autolock Time in MIUI
The easiest way is to increase the interval to automatically turn off the screen, which will not remove the lock completely, but will make it less intrusive. MIUI 14 and newer (including HyperOS):
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Sleep Mode (or Autolock in older versions).
- Set the desired time: from 15 seconds to 30 minutes.
- For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) Always on screen – it shows the time and notifications when you lock, but does not turn off the display completely.
⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) The maximum time to autolock is limited to 10 minutes, due to Xiaomi’s energy saving policy for budget models. ADB (see section 5).
2. Disabling the password/pattern lock
If locking the screen interferes with the need to constantly enter a password, you can completely remove the protection. Warning: this will make your data vulnerable to theft or loss of your phone.
- 🔓 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security.
- 📱 Select Screen Lock (or Lock Screen Protection in HyperOS).
- 🔄 Enter the current password/pattern lock.
- ❌ Click Delete Password (or No in the Locking Methods section).
And then the phone will be unlocked by swipeing up without entering the code. IR-sensor (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) You can set up face unlocking, which is faster than password entry, but less reliable.
What to do if I forgot my password?
3.Use of Do Not Disturb mode for temporary bypass
The Do Not Disturb (DND) function in MIUI allows you to disable the screen lock for a certain period, which is convenient for watching movies or using the navigator:
- Open Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Do not disturb.
- Activate the switch Enable.
- Select While the screen is turned on in the Rules section.
- Set a timer (for example, 1 hour or Before manually switching off).
In this mode, the screen will not lock while you are actively interacting with the phone, but after 5 minutes of inactivity, the lock will still work (protection against accidental pressing).
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Combine Do Not Disturb mode with MIUI Reading function – it turns off notifications and reduces the brightness of the screen for comfortable reading without locking.
4. Applications for keeping the screen on
If the system settings do not give the necessary flexibility, you can use third-party utilities.
| Annex | Functions | Compatibility | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep Screen On | Keeps the screen turned on when you run selected applications (YouTube, Google Maps, etc.) | MIUI 12+, Android 10–14 | Requires permission Special access |
| Caffeine | Adds a button to the notification panel for quick switching on/off mode | All Xiaomi models | It works unstable on HyperOS. |
| Stay Alive | Advanced Settings: Lock only in certain applications, on schedule | Requires Android 8+ | A complex interface for beginners |
⚠️ Note: Screenholding applications require permission to Overlay over other windows (Settings) → Annexes → Special access. Without it, they won't work. They can also conflict with system optimizations. MIUI, freeze-in.
5. Disable the lock via ADB (for experienced)
If system settings limit the maximum autolock time, you can change the setting via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but gives you complete control:
Install Mi Unlock Tool and Xiaomi Drivers | Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times press) | Connect your phone to your PC via cable | Run ADB on behalf of the administrator-->
adb shell settings put global stay_on_while_plugged_in 3This command causes the screen to stay on while the device is charging. To reverse the effect, use:
adb shell settings put global stay_on_while_plugged_in 0To completely disable the autolock (not recommended!), you can change the system parameter:
adb shell settings put secure sleep_timeout -1⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. For example, the team sleep_timeout -1 on certain devices (Redmi) 9A) It causes a constant overheating of the screen. Before experimenting, back up through Mi Cloud.
6. Hidden MIUI functions for lock management
MIUI contains several non-obvious features for screen lock control that are not documented in the official certificate:
- 🔍 Mode of the cinema: Included in Settings → Display. → Mode of the cinema. Disables autolock when playing video in supported applications (MX Player, VLC).
- 📱 "Rise to wake up" gesture: In Settings → Display. → Screen wake-up can turn off automatic wake-up when you raise your phone – this will reduce the number of random locks.
- 🔋 Adaptive locking: In Settings → Battery. → Power modes select Performance – this will increase the time to autolock by 20-30%.
HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14) have a Smart Lock feature that analyzes your habits, for example, if you use your phone frequently in the subway in the morning, the system can automatically increase the time to lock at this time of day.
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The most reliable way to avoid security risks is to combine increased autolock time (up to 30 minutes) and Do Not Disturb mode for specific applications.
7. Alternative methods: smart watches and accessories
If you need to keep the screen from locking when you’re in active use, but you don’t want to sacrifice security, consider integrating with Xiaomi accessories:
- ⌚ Smart watch Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch: Set up the unlock in proximity via Settings → Connected devices → Unlock smart watch. The screen will unlock while the clock is nearby.
These techniques allow you to keep password protection, but minimize the number of unlocks in everyday scenarios. For example, with the Mi Band 8, the phone will remain unlocked while you wear the watch, and lock when you remove it.