How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi: a complete guide

Brand smartphones Xiaomi are famous for their functionality and value for money, but even they have specific software features. One of the most annoying problems for many device owners is the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. This manifests itself in the fact that the screen turns off before you bring the phone to your ear, or, conversely, does not turn off at all, which is why you accidentally touch the answer or reset buttons with your cheek during a call. Redmi And POCO is incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. This results in the screen going dark before you even lift the phone to your ear, or not turning off at all, causing you to accidentally brush your cheek against the answer or reset buttons during a call.

The standard MIUI or HyperOS settings menu often lacks a simple button to completely turn off this sensor, which forces users to look for workarounds. However, there are several proven methods to solve this problem. You can use the engineering menu, hidden features of the developer mode, or install specialized software. The choice of a specific method depends on the version of your firmware and device model.

Before taking radical actions, it is worth noting that the proximity sensor is an important element of safety and convenience that prevents accidental clicks. Disabling it may result in the screen remaining active during a call, and you risk accidentally pressing the volume or ending the call with your cheek. However, if the sensor does not work correctly due to a manufacturing defect or a software glitch, temporarily disabling it becomes the only way to comfortably use the phone.

Reasons for the sensor not working correctly on Xiaomi

Understanding the problem often helps to choose the right solution. In most cases, the culprit is not a physical breakdown, but a software conflict or design feature. Many modern smartphones Xiaomi use a virtual proximity sensor, which works based on accelerometer and gyroscope data, rather than a separate infrared emitter. This makes the system more sensitive to calibration.

Often the problem occurs after a firmware update, when new drivers do not interact correctly with the hardware of a particular phone. Protective glass or a case that covers the top of the display, where the sensor is usually located, can also have an impact. Dust and greasy deposits on the screen in the speaker area can also distort the readings, causing the system to think that the phone is near the ear.

• 📱 Virtual sensor: lack of a physical sensor and reliance on data from other modules.
• 🛡️ Protective accessories: thick glass or a case covers the sensor operating area.
• 🔄 Software failure: errors after updating MIUI or installing third-party launchers.
• 🧹 Contamination: dirt sticking to the top frame of the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone has recently been dropped or exposed to moisture, the problem may be physical. In this case, software methods will not help, and the module will need to be replaced at a service center.

Sometimes users themselves accidentally change the sensitivity settings in hidden menus, trying to “improve” the phone’s performance, which leads to the opposite effect.

Calibrating the sensor through the CIT engineering menu

The very first and safest step that must be taken before attempting to turn off is calibration Smartphones Xiaomi have a special engineering menu CIT (Customer Integration Test), designed for hardware diagnostics. Through it, you can not only check the functionality of the sensor, but also reset its settings to factory values.

To enter the diagnostic menu, you will need to enter a special USSD code in the “Phone” application. After entering the combination, a list of all available tests will open. You need to find the item associated with the proximity sensor (usually called Proximity Sensor). After starting the test, follow the instructions on the screen: cover the top of the phone with your palm and remove it.

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If the test shows that the sensor responds correctly, but the problem with calls persists, try resetting the calibration inside the same menu. Often there is a Calibrate or Passbutton that overwrites the current response thresholds. This action can eliminate a software glitch in which the phone believed that it was constantly at the ear.

In some firmware versions, access to CIT may be limited or the code may not work. In this case, you can try an alternative code ##4636##that opens the testing menu, although the functionality there may differ depending on the regional version of the software. If none of the codes work, proceed to the following methods.

Disable via Developer Mode

One ​​of the most effective ways to disable the proximity sensor on Redmi i POCO devices is to use the hidden Developer Mode settings. This method does not require root access and works on most current versions of Android. The essence of the method is to activate a special debugging flag, which forcibly ignores sensor readings during calls.

First you need to activate the developer mode itself. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the item MIUI Version (or OS Version) about 7-10 times until a message appears stating that you have become a developer. After this, a new section “Advanced” or “Advanced settings” will appear in the main settings, where you need to find the “For Developers” item.

Option	Default value	Required value	Impact on the system
Disable proximity sensor	Off	On	The screen does not go dark during a call
Window animation	1x	Any	Does not affect the sensor
Do not turn off the screen	Off	On	Screen lights up when charging
USB debugging	Off	On	Allows connection to PC

Inside the developer menu, scroll down to the Network or Input section. There you will find the "Disable proximity sensor" (Disable Proximity Sensor) switch. Activate it. After this, restart your smartphone. Now, during calls, the screen will remain on, and you will have to manually lock it with the power button or through the call interface to avoid accidental presses.

⚠️ Attention: Enabling the mode developer allows access to many system settings. Be careful and do not change other parameters if you are not sure of their purpose, so as not to disrupt the stability of the system.

Using third-party applications

If the built-in system tools do not give the desired result or the option in the developer mode is missing (which happens on some global firmware), applications from Google Play come to the rescue. There are a number of utilities designed specifically for managing sensors on Android. They work on top of the system and intercept sensor signals.

One ​​of the popular solutions is an application Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix or analogues with names like Less Call Volume. These apps allow you not only to calibrate, but also to programmatically block the operation of the sensor. The principle of their operation is based on creating a service that constantly monitors the state of the sensor and, if necessary, ignores its signals during an active call.

To use such software, you will need to give it permission to work on top of other windows and access to the phone. After installation, launch the application and find the button Disable Sensor or similar switch. Some applications require root access to function fully, but most basic functions are available on regular devices.

Risks of using third-party software

Crutch applications can consume additional battery power as they constantly run in the background. In addition, they may conflict with system updates, so when changing the Android version, they may need to be reinstalled or replaced with analogues.

It is worth considering that the effectiveness of such applications varies from model to model. On some smartphones they work perfectly, on others they can cause delays in the screen response when unlocking. It is recommended to test several options to find the most stable solution for your specific model Xiaomi.

Solving the problem by resetting the settings

When software methods seem too complicated or do not bring results, you can resort to a more radical but effective method - resetting the phone to factory settings. This action will remove all user data, applications and settings, returning the system to its out-of-the-box state. This often eliminates deep software conflicts that affect the operation of sensor drivers.

Before performing this procedure, it is critical to make a backup copy of all important data: photos, contacts, instant messenger conversations. The reset is irreversible, and it will be impossible to restore deleted information without a backup. Go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings and select “Delete all data.”

After rebooting, the phone will offer the initial settings. Do not immediately restore a full copy from the cloud if you suspect that the problem may have been introduced with the old configuration. Test the operation of the sensor in a “clean” system. If the problem disappears, it means that some third-party application or a glitch in the configuration files was to blame.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the settings will not help if the problem is caused by physical damage to the sensor cable or moisture getting inside the case. In such cases, hardware repair will be required.

Physical methods and checking accessories

Sometimes the solution to the problem lies on the surface and does not require intervention in the software. Virtual proximity sensors used in many models are extremely sensitive to any obstacles at the top of the screen. Check to see if the protective glass is blocking the sensor operating area. Redmi Note And POCO, are extremely sensitive to any obstacles at the top of the screen. Check that the protective glass does not block the sensor operating area.

Poor-quality protective glass often has a too thick frame or a black border that extends into the area above the speaker. Try temporarily removing the glass and checking the phone's ringing functionality. Also make sure that the case does not put pressure on the top end of the device, where microphones or auxiliary sensors that affect the logic of the system may be located.

Regularly wipe the top of the screen with a soft cloth. Oily fingerprints or dust can cause optical interference for infrared sensors (if they are physical) or distort data for capacitive sensors. A clean surface is the key to the correct operation of the object proximity recognition system.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why did the sensor begin to work worse after the MIUI update?

Firmware updates often change the algorithms for processing data from sensors. The new version may be less optimized for your specific model or contain bugs. In such cases, waiting for a patch from the manufacturer or rolling back to a previous version of the software, if possible, helps.

Does disabling the sensor affect the auto-rotate screen?

No, these are different sensors. The proximity sensor is only responsible for turning off the screen when brought to the ear. The accelerometer and gyroscope are responsible for image rotation. Disabling one does not affect the operation of the other.

Is it possible to replace the proximity sensor yourself?

Theoretically, yes, but on modern smartphones Xiaomi the sensor is often soldered into the board or integrated into the display module. Self-replacement requires special equipment and soldering skills. It’s better to contact a service center.

Will flashing the phone to the global version help?

In some cases, yes. Chinese versions of firmware may have differences in drivers compared to global ones (Global ROM). However, flashing carries the risk of losing the warranty and getting a “brick” if there is an error, so it is recommended only for experienced users.

What to do if the screen goes out in your pocket?

This is a classic symptom of a false positive. In addition to disabling the sensor, try turning on the “In your pocket” mode in the screen settings (if any), which blocks the touch buttons when the cover of the case is closed, or use a case with a magnetic cover that turns off the screen in hardware.