How to Enable Always On Display on Android

Always On Display (AOD) is one of those features that, once you try it, you never want to live without. Seeing the time, notifications, and events without turning on the screen is incredibly convenient. I’ve been using it since the Samsung Galaxy S7 and now it feels impossible to use a phone without AOD. In this article I’ll explain how to enable and configure it on major Android brands.

Table of contents

What is Always On Display and how does it work

Always On Display is a feature that shows limited information on the screen when your phone is “off.” Instead of a completely black screen, AOD shows the time, date, battery level, and notification icons with minimal energy consumption.

It works thanks to OLED/AMOLED technology, where each pixel lights up individually. By showing only a few pixels lit on a black background, battery consumption is minimal. Black pixels are literally turned off, consuming zero energy.

On LCD screens, AOD isn’t as efficient because the backlight is always on. That’s why most phones with AOD have OLED screens. If your phone has an LCD screen, it probably doesn’t have this feature natively.

AOD battery consumption is generally 1-3% per hour, which over a full day adds up to about 5-10% extra. For most users, this consumption is acceptable given the convenience it offers.

Pro-tip: If you’re worried about battery drain, schedule AOD to turn off at night (when your phone is on the nightstand) and during hours you know you won’t be looking at it.

How to enable Always On Display on Samsung

Samsung pioneered AOD and has the best implementation on the market:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Display.
3. Look for “Always On Display” or “Lock screen” > “Always On Display.”
4. Toggle the switch on.

To configure options:

1. Tap “Always On Display” to see the options.
2. Select the display mode: Tap to show, Show always, or Schedule.
3. Choose the clock style: Analog, digital, with image, or custom.
4. Configure which notifications to show (icons or full content).
5. Adjust AOD brightness (auto or manual).

Samsung allows incredible AOD customization. You can use GIFs, custom images, different clock styles, and even animated stickers. On Samsung phones with S Pen, you can draw your own AOD design.

How to enable Always On Display on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO

Xiaomi implemented AOD in MIUI/HyperOS progressively:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Display > Lock screen.
3. Look for “Always-on display & Lock screen” or “Always on display.”
4. Enable the feature.
5. Configure the display schedule (always, scheduled, or on tap).

On Xiaomi, AOD has fewer customization options than Samsung, but the basics are there:

• Different clock styles.
• Custom colors.
• Background image for AOD.
• Show/notify app icons.

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have the AOD option natively, it may be because your model has an LCD screen. Only AMOLED screen models support AOD on Xiaomi.

How to enable it on other brands

Google Pixel

1. Settings > Display > Lock screen.
2. Toggle “Always show time and info” on.
3. Configure additional options.

Pixels have a simple but elegant AOD, with weather information and calendar events.

OnePlus/OxygenOS

1. Settings > Personalization > Ambient clock or AOD.
2. Enable and customize.

OnePlus offers good clock designs and the ability to use custom images.

OPPO/Realme (ColorOS)

1. Settings > Display & brightness > Off-screen display.
2. Toggle “Always-on display” on.

ColorOS has AOD with many clock styles and the option to show custom text.

Comparison table by brand

Battery saving tricks with AOD enabled

AOD does consume battery, but with these tricks you can minimize the impact:

Schedule the hours

Instead of having it always on, schedule AOD to turn on only when you need it. For example, 8 AM to 11 PM. That way it doesn’t drain battery while you sleep.

Use dark mode

AOD consumes less in dark mode. Make sure the AOD background is pure black to take advantage of the turned-off pixels on OLED screens.

Reduce brightness

If your phone lets you adjust AOD brightness, lower it to the minimum comfortable level. Brightness is the main consumption factor.

Hide notifications

Showing notification icons consumes more than just showing the time. If you want minimum consumption, show only the time and date.

Use “Tap to show” mode

Instead of having AOD always visible, configure it to appear only when you tap the screen. Consumption drops dramatically.

Warning: On phones with LCD screens, there’s no real AOD. Third-party apps that promise AOD on LCD simply keep the screen on at low brightness, which drains a lot of battery and can cause burn-in.

AOD and health: more mindful notifications

A lesser-known advantage of Always On Display is that it can help reduce phone addiction. Think about it: instead of turning on the screen every time you want to check the time or see if you have notifications, you just need a quick glance.

This has an interesting psychological effect. By being able to see information without fully “activating” the phone, you reduce the likelihood of falling into the loop of opening one app, checking another, and another. It’s like checking the time on a wristwatch: you get the information without entering the digital world.

Some users report that since using AOD, they unlock their phone 20-30% less per day. It’s not that AOD cures phone addiction, but it does reduce the friction between “I want to see the time” and “I’ve spent 20 minutes on Instagram.”

Pro-tip: If you combine AOD with scheduled Do Not Disturb mode, you can have a phone that informs you without interrupting. You’ll see the time and accumulated notifications on AOD, but without sounds or vibrations.

The future of Always On Display

AOD is evolving rapidly. In 2026 we’re already seeing interesting trends that will make it even more useful:

Widgets on AOD: Some manufacturers are starting to allow interactive widgets on the Always On Display. Imagine being able to control music or check the weather forecast directly on AOD without turning on the screen.

E-ink AOD: Some prototypes use secondary e-ink displays (like a Kindle) on the back of the phone to always show information without draining the main screen’s battery.

Smarter AOD: Artificial intelligence is coming to AOD. Future models will show the most relevant information based on context: calendar events before a meeting, package tracking when delivery is approaching, or flight status if you have a ticket in your email.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Always On Display drain a lot of battery?

On OLED screens, consumption is moderate: about 5-10% extra per day. On LCD screens there’s no efficient AOD and consumption would be much higher.

Does AOD cause screen burn-in?

It’s possible long-term if it always shows the same design in the same position. Manufacturers know this and slightly move the content every minute to prevent it. Risk is minimal with normal use.

Can I use Always On Display with a flip case?

It depends. Some cases with a window let you see AOD through the window. Full flip cases that cover the entire screen aren’t compatible with AOD.

Are there alternatives if my phone doesn’t have native AOD?

You can use apps like “Always On AMOLED” from the Play Store, but they’re only effective on OLED screens. On LCD, I don’t recommend these apps due to high battery consumption.

Conclusion

Always On Display is one of those features that makes a real difference in daily phone use. Seeing the time and notifications without turning on the screen is convenient, fast, and saves time. Enable it today, schedule it according to your needs, and adjust brightness to minimize battery drain. Once you try it, you won’t be able to go back.