Brand smartphones Realme have gained popularity due to their excellent price-quality ratio, however, users sometimes encounter incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. This situation often causes irritation: the screen goes dark during a call, not responding to moving the phone away from the ear, or, conversely, does not turn off in the pocket, making accidental clicks.

The problem can be caused either by a software failure in the shell Realme UI, or by physical factors, for example, a protective glass or case. In this article we will look in detail at how to disable the proximity sensor on the realme Android, what hidden settings exist and whether it is worth resorting to radical measures at all.

Sometimes completely disabling the sensor is not required - correct calibration is enough. We will look at all available methods: from standard settings to using the engineering menu and third-party utilities for advanced users.

Reasons for incorrect operation of the sensor

Before proceeding to disabling the function, you need to understand the nature of the failure. Proximity sensor usually located at the top of the screen, next to the earpiece. Its task is to record the distance to an object and block the touchscreen when you bring the phone to your face.

A frequent cause of false alarms is poor-quality protective glass, which blocks part of the sensor or creates optical distortions. The problem may also lie in accumulated dust or greasy stains on the surface of the display.

Software errors in the system Android or conflicts after a firmware update can also lead to the sensor not working correctly. In such cases, the system may incorrectly interpret data from the infrared sensor.

⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations with the settings, make sure that the top of the screen is clean and the protective film is glued evenly, without covering the sensor area.

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Try wiping the top of the screen with microfiber and removing the case - in 40% of cases this solves the problem of false positives without disabling the function.

Checking functionality through the engineering menu

To diagnose the state of the sensor in smartphones Realme a special engineering menu is provided. It allows you to check whether the sensor sees objects and transmits data to the system correctly.

To get to the testing menu, open the “Phone” application and enter a special combination of characters. The interface may differ depending on the version Realme UI, but the basic principle remains the same for most models.

In the list that opens, select the item responsible for checking sensors. You will be asked to move your hand to the top of the screen. If the values ​​change from 0 to 1 (or from Far to Near), then the hardware is working properly, and the problem lies in the software.

##8376##

If nothing happens after entering the code, this menu may be blocked by the manufacturer on your model. In this case, you can use third-party applications from the store Play Market, such as "Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix".

Alternative codes for different firmware versions

If the code ##8376## does not work, try entering #800# or ##4636##*. On some Realme models, access to the engineering menu can only be accessed through the "Engineering Mode" application, downloaded separately.

Disable via standard system settings

In the latest versions of the shell Realme UI developers often remove the direct option to disable the sensor from the regular menu settings. However, in some models this option is still available.

You need to go to the call settings and find the corresponding switch. If you don't find it right away, try using the settings search by entering the query "sensor" or "proximity".

The action algorithm usually looks like this:

  • 📱 Open the application Settings on the main screen.
  • 📞 Go to the section Applications or find the item System applications.
  • ☎️ Select Phone and click on Using data or Additional.
  • ⚙️ Look for the item Proximity sensor and turn off the toggle switch.

If there is no such option in the phone settings menu, this means that the manufacturer has hardwired the operation of the sensor into the call logic, and it is impossible to disable it using standard methods.

📊 Did you manage to find the sensor setting in the menu?
Found it right away/Found it with difficulty/No such thing settings/Not sure

Using assistant applications

When system settings do not allow you to control the sensor, third-party utilities come to the rescue. These applications can intercept control of the sensor or programmatically block its operation during calls.

One ​​of the popular solutions is the application Proximity Service. It allows you to flexibly adjust sensitivity or completely ignore sensor readings in certain usage scenarios.

There are also launchers and call managers that have their own settings for processing incoming calls. Installing such an application can be an alternative to changing system parameters.

Application name Main function Requires Root Compatibility
Proximity Fix Calibration and reset No All models
Sensor Test Sensor diagnostics No Android 8+
True Phone Replacement of standard dialer No All models

When using third-party software, it is important to be aware of the permissions you grant. Some utilities may require access to the contact list or call log for correct operation.

Calibrating the sensor without disconnecting

Often the problem is solved not by disconnecting, but by correct calibration. If the smartphone believes that an object is nearby, although this is not the case, resetting the calibration data can return the device to factory settings.

To perform calibration through the engineering menu, select item Proximity Sensor Calibration. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually you need to cover the sensor with your hand and then remove it.

After completing the procedure, the system will save the new values. Reboot your device for the changes to take effect. This method is safe and does not require superuser rights.

☑️ Calibration algorithm

Done: 0 / 1

⚠️ Attention: If the problem persists after calibration, the sensor may be physically faulty or the cable inside the case has come loose. In this case, software methods are powerless.

Radical methods: ADB and root access

For experienced users who are willing to take risks, there are methods to disable the sensor at the system level using USB debugging (ADB) or receiving root access.

Using ADB allows you to send commands directly to the Android system, bypassing the graphical interface. This requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and installing drivers.

adb shell settings put secure proximity_sensor_enabled 0

This command may work on some versions of Android, disabling the system sensor event handler. However, on modern shells Realme UI this setting may be protected or absent.

Obtaining root access gives complete control over the system, allowing you to delete or freeze system applications responsible for the operation of the sensor. But this voids the warranty and can lead to the device being “bricked” if handled improperly.

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Using ADB and root access is a last resort. It is recommended to use only if other methods have not helped and you are confident in your actions.

Possible consequences of disabling the function

When disabling proximity sensor, you must be aware of the consequences. The main function of the sensor is to save battery power and prevent accidental pressing of the cheek during a call.

Without the sensor, the screen will be on during the entire call, which will lead to increased energy consumption. You also run the risk of accidentally pressing the end call, volume, or speakerphone buttons just by holding the phone to your ear.

In some cases, disabling the sensor may affect the Raise to Show feature or automatic locking when you put the phone in your pocket.

If you decide to disable the sensor, get used to controlling the screen manually or using a headset. This minimizes the inconvenience of not having the display automatically locked.

Is it possible to temporarily disable the sensor for just one application?

This cannot be done using standard Android tools. The proximity sensor is a system resource. However, some third-party callers (for example, True Phone) have their own event processing algorithms and can ignore sensor readings in their settings without affecting the system as a whole.

Why does the sensor not work after replacing the screen?

When replacing the display module with a non-original one or due to poor-quality assembly, the sensor cable may be damaged or not connected. Also, in cheap copies of screens, the sensor itself may be absent or of poor quality. In this case, only re-disassembling and checking the connection will help.

Does updating Realme UI affect the operation of the sensor?

⚠️ Attention: After major system updates, sensor settings may be reset or the algorithms of their operation may be changed. If the problem appears after the update, try resetting your network settings or performing a hard reset of your phone (while saving data).

Yes, firmware updates often contain driver fixes. Sometimes new software improves the performance of the sensor, and in rare cases it can introduce new bugs. Follow the official comments for updates on the Realme support forum.

How to check if the sensor is working without calling?

You can use applications like "Sensor Test" or "AIDA64". In the sensors section, find "Proximity Sensor". Raise your hand to the top of the phone: the value should change from 0.0 to 5.0 (or similar depending on the application). If the values ​​do not change, the sensor does not function.

Is it safe to use the code ##8376##?

Yes, using the engineering menu to view parameters and calibrate is safe. It does not erase data or change critical system settings unless you press whole device reset buttons or memory write tests. Be careful only with items containing the words “Write”, “Format” or “Reset”.