Introduction

Among the many useful features available in MIUI, Xiaomi’s custom Android skin, there’s one small but incredibly practical option — the double-tap feature. This function allows you to wake or turn off your Xiaomi phone’s screen by simply tapping twice on it.

It’s a fast, convenient alternative to pressing the power button every time you want to check notifications or lock your phone. It’s also helpful if your power button is damaged or not responding well.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to enable or disable the double-tap to wake or sleep feature on your Xiaomi device, step by step.

What Is the Double Tap Feature on Xiaomi Phones?

The Double Tap to Wake and Double Tap to Sleep options in MIUI let you control your phone’s display using simple gestures.

  • Double Tap to Wake: Turn on the screen by tapping twice when it’s off.

  • Double Tap to Sleep: Turn off the screen by tapping twice on an empty area of the home screen.

This feature not only saves you time but also extends the life of your power button — since you’ll use it less frequently.

How to Enable Double Tap to Wake on Xiaomi Phones

Follow these easy steps to activate the double-tap feature from MIUI settings:

  1. Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi device.

  2. Scroll down and tap Always-on display & Lock screen.

  3. Look for the option Double tap to wake or turn off screen (or in some versions, Double tap to wake screen).

  4. Toggle the switch to enable it.

✅ Once enabled, you can wake your phone simply by tapping twice on the screen when it’s off.

Testing the Feature

Now, lock your screen and try tapping twice. The display should light up instantly — no need to press the power button.

If your phone supports it, you can also double-tap on an empty area of the Home screen to turn it off again.

How to Turn Off the Double Tap Feature

If you find that your screen wakes up accidentally while in your pocket or bag, you can easily disable this feature.

To turn it off:

  1. Go to Settings → Always-on display & Lock screen.

  2. Find Double tap to wake or turn off screen.

  3. Toggle the switch off.

Now your device will behave normally, requiring the power button to wake or sleep.

When to Use Double Tap on Xiaomi Phones

This small feature can be surprisingly powerful in everyday use. Here are a few scenarios where it’s especially handy:

  • 🔋 When your power button is broken or unresponsive

  • 🙌 For faster screen access when your phone is on a table or mount

  • 🌙 To quickly lock your device without pressing any buttons

  • ⚡ To reduce wear and tear on physical buttons over time

Troubleshooting: Double Tap Not Working?

If the double-tap function isn’t working properly on your Xiaomi phone, try these solutions:

  1. Restart your phone – simple but often effective.

  2. Make sure you’re using MIUI’s default launcher (custom launchers may block the gesture).

  3. Update MIUI – go to Settings → About phone → System update.

  4. Check screen sensitivity – under Settings → Display → Touch sensitivity.

  5. Ensure no battery saver mode is disabling gestures.

If it still doesn’t work, the feature might not be available on older Xiaomi models or specific MIUI versions.

Enable Double Tap from MIUI Gestures (Alternative Method)

Some MIUI versions also include gesture control options under Additional Settings. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Gesture shortcuts.

  2. Look for Double tap to wake or Screen off gestures.

  3. Toggle the switch on.

This achieves the same effect as the lock screen option and may offer extra gesture controls depending on your phone model.

How to Use Double Tap Alongside Fingerprint Unlock

Many Xiaomi devices allow you to use both fingerprint unlock and double-tap wake at the same time.

To set it up:

  1. Enable Double tap to wake as shown above.

  2. Go to Settings → Passwords & security → Fingerprint unlock.

  3. Add your fingerprint if you haven’t already.

Now, simply double-tap your screen to wake it, then use your fingerprint to unlock instantly — no button presses needed.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Does every Xiaomi phone support double tap to wake?

Most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices running MIUI 12 or later support it, but some older or budget models might not.

2. Can I use double tap to turn off the screen too?

Yes, if your launcher supports it. MIUI’s default launcher includes Double tap to sleep on the home screen.

3. Will enabling double tap drain my battery?

Barely. The feature uses minimal resources and has almost no effect on battery life.

4. Why doesn’t my double tap to wake work after updating MIUI?

Sometimes updates reset gesture settings. Just re-enable it under Settings → Lock screen → Double tap to wake.

Conclusion

The Double Tap to Wake and Sleep feature on Xiaomi phones is a small but incredibly convenient tool. It lets you interact with your screen faster, extends your power button’s lifespan, and makes daily use smoother — especially if your button isn’t working properly.

By following the simple steps in this guide, you can easily enable or disable it anytime. Once activated, you’ll wonder how you ever used your phone without it!

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