Many smartphone users are faced with an annoying situation when the device screen suddenly goes dark at the most inopportune moment. This happens during a conversation, watching a video, or reading an article while the phone is in your hands or lying on a surface. The culprit for this behavior is often a function protection from accidental touchesdesigned to save battery power and prevent unwanted actions.
However, sometimes this system works too aggressively, blocking the screen even with a light touch or the device is in a pocket without complete darkness. Touch screen stops responding to your commands, which causes natural irritation. In this article, we will look in detail at how to find and disable this option on different versions of Android and in shells from different manufacturers.
The disabling process may vary depending on the model of your gadget. We'll look at universal ways, as well as specific settings for popular brands, so you can take back full control of your device. Remember that disabling this feature requires understanding the principles of operation proximity sensor.
The principle of operation of the proximity sensor and screen lock
Before making changes to the settings, it is important to understand how exactly the locking mechanism works. At the top of the smartphone, usually next to the front camera or in the speaker, there is a special infrared sensor. It constantly emits invisible light and analyzes its reflection from nearby objects.
When you bring the phone to your ear during a call, the sensor detects the proximity of the object and sends a signal to the system to turn off the display. This prevents your cheek from pressing on the answer or end call buttons. A similar algorithm also works in standby mode if the phone is face down or in a tight pocket.
Problems begin when the sensor becomes dirty, covered with a low-quality protective glass, or does not work correctly due to a software glitch. In such cases Android system erroneously believes that the phone is in your pocket and blocks input, even if you are actively using the device.
Disabling this protection deprives you of automatically locking the screen when you bring it to your face. You will have to press the display off button yourself after each call to avoid accidental clicks in your pocket.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling the feature completely increases the risk of accidentally unlocking the phone in your pocket or bag, which can lead to unintentional calls or rapid battery drain.
Before disabling the feature, wipe the top of the screen with an alcohol pad napkin. Often the problem is solved by simply cleaning the sensor from grease and dust, rather than changing the settings.
Universal way to disable it through standard settings
In most modern versions of Android, the setting is located in a single control center for display parameters. Manufacturers are trying to unify interfaces, so the path to the desired item often lies through the menu Settings. First, find the gear icon in the notification shade or in the list of applications.
Next you need to go to the section responsible for the operation of the screen. It can be called differently: Screen, Display or Display. Inside this menu, look for a subsection with advanced options. Often the required option is hidden in the item Additional settings or Special features.
The switch you are looking for usually has name “Protection against accidental clicks”, “Pocket mode” or “Lock against accidental touches”. If you find such an item, simply move the toggle switch to the inactive position. The interface may require confirmation of the action.
In some cases, the option may be hidden in the lock menu. Check the section Lock screen and password. There may be a setting that prevents the screen from turning on when the cover is closed or in the dark.
Specific settings on Samsung Galaxy devices
Smartphones of the South Korean company use their own shell One UIwhich has a unique menu structure. Here, the function of protection against accidental touches is placed in a separate, quite noticeable section of the display settings. This is done for the convenience of users, since this problem occurs frequently.
To disable the function, open Settings and select Display. Scroll down to the very bottom of the list. There you will see a switch called “Accidental Touch Protection”. Make sure it is turned off.
However, on some Samsung models, especially older or budget series Galaxy A and Galaxy J, this setting may be duplicated in the accessibility menu. If there is no switch in the display section, go to Accessibility → Improving visibility.
It is also worth checking the blocking settings. In the section Lock screen the “Double click to turn on” function may be active. Sometimes a conflict between these functions causes false lock activations.
| Samsung model | Path to settings | Function name |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21-S24 | Settings → Display | Protection against accidental touches |
| Galaxy A50-A73 | Settings → Display | Protection against accidental touches |
| Galaxy Note 10/20 | Settings → Display | Protection against accidental touches |
| Budget series | Settings → Special. features | Mode in your pocket |
⚠️ Attention: The One UI interface is updated regularly. If you do not find the item in the indicated location, use the search in the settings by entering the word “touch.”
On Samsung devices, the function is most often located in the “Display” menu, and not in the general system settings, which distinguishes them from other brands.
Disabling the function on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones
Shell MIUI (and new HyperOS) from Xiaomi is famous for its deep customization, but sometimes this leads to the fact that the necessary settings are difficult to find. The function of preventing accidental clicks here is often disguised as “Pocket Mode.”
Go to Settings and find the section Lock screen. It is here, and not in the display menu, that the desired switch is usually hidden. Find the "Pocket Mode" option and turn it off. This action will allow the screen to turn on even if there are obstacles near the sensor.
On some Xiaomi devices with outdated software versions, the path may be different. Try going to Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility. The “Physical Devices” or “Input” tab may contain the required option.
Users often confuse this feature with “Gestures and speed dialing”. Make sure you turn off touch protection and not convenient controls. Disabling “Pocket Mode” can make the phone more responsive, but less secure in a bag.
Hidden setting for advanced users
In some versions of MIUI, you can calibrate the proximity sensor through the engineering menu. To do this, enter the code ##6484## in your phone, select “Proximity Sensor” and follow the instructions on the screen to check the operation of the sensor.
Solving problems on Huawei and Honor
Chinese brand devices Huawei i Honor use shell EMUI or Magic UI. The logic for placing settings here is similar to Xiaomi, but has its own characteristics. The locking function is often tied to intelligent screen operation algorithms.
Go to Settings and select the section Smart Help or Accessibility. Depending on the firmware version, the required item may be called “Preventing accidental clicks” or “Pocket mode”. Switch the slider to the “Off” position.
If the standard path does not lead to results, check the lock screen settings. In the section Security and privacy → Screen lock sometimes there are additional sensor sensitivity parameters.
It is worth noting that on new models without a headphone jack, the proximity sensor can be virtual, working based on artificial intelligence algorithms. In such cases, a software shutdown may not be available and a factory reset or software update is required.
- 📱 Check for system updates in the
System and updatesection, as new patches often correct sensor errors. - 🧼 Clear the area around the front camera and speaker from dirt that may interfere with the operation of the sensors.
- 🛡️ Remove the protective glass if it covers the proximity sensor or has a thick frame around the edges.
⚠️ Attention: On some Huawei models, the function may be hardwired into the security system and not have a switch in the user interface. In this case, only resetting to factory settings will help.
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with the sensor
Using third-party applications and safe mode
If the built-in system tools fail to disable the protection, you can resort to the help of third-party software. In the store Google Play there are utilities that allow you to control the operation of the proximity sensor with elevated privileges. One of the popular solutions is the application Proximity Sensor Reset.
Such apps can forcefully calibrate the sensor or completely ignore its signals. However, using third-party software requires granting permissions to access system functions, which can reduce the overall security of the device.
It is also worth checking whether a third-party application is causing the problem. Load your phone into Safe Mode. To do this, you usually need to hold down the power button, and then hold down the “Shutdown” item on the screen for a long time until the prompt to reboot into safe mode appears.
If the problem disappears in safe mode, then one of the applications you installed is to blame. Start uninstalling recently installed apps, especially those that control the screen, gestures or lock, until you find the culprit.
adb shell settings put system proximity_on_click 0For advanced users with access to USB debugging, there is an option to disable the feature via ADB commands. Enter the above command in the terminal on your computer with your smartphone connected. This will disable the system's response to clicks on the proximity sensor at the system level.
Using ADB commands is the most radical and effective method, but it requires a computer and basic command line skills.
Frequently asked questions and additional recommendations
After completing all the manipulations, users often encounter related questions. Below are the answers to the most popular ones, which will help you finally understand the situation and customize the device for yourself.
Remember that each smartphone is unique, and even within the same model, different batches may have differences in software. If none of the methods help, there may be a hardware malfunction of the sensor that requires a visit to the service center.
Why does the screen only go dark during a call?
This is normal behavior of the proximity sensor. If you have turned off general touch protection, but the screen still turns off when you make a call, it means that it is the telephone module that is triggered. Try walking away from the phone during a call or using a headset to check the sensor's operation away from your face.
Is it possible to disable the sensor permanently without root access?
It is impossible to completely disable the hardware sensor without superuser rights (root), since it is critical for making calls. However, you can minimize its impact by disabling software add-ons in the display and lock settings, as described in the instructions above.
Does the protective glass affect the operation of the function?
Yes, low-quality or incorrectly glued protective glass often blocks the proximity sensor. If the problem disappears after removing the glass, replace the accessory with a thinner one or with a cutout for the sensor.
What should you do if, after disconnecting, the phone turns on in your pocket?
In this case, it is recommended not to disable the function completely, but try to calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu or use a case with a magnetic clasp that will physically block the screen when closing.
Resetting the settings will help solve the problem?
Resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) eliminates all software conflicts. If the problem is caused by a bug in the firmware or settings, a reset will help. Do not forget to back up your data before this procedure.