How to turn off the screen on Android during a call: a complete guide

Have you ever encountered a situation where during a telephone conversation Do you accidentally press buttons on your smartphone screen? Or does the screen continue to glow, draining the battery and distracting the other person? Turning off the display during a call is a useful feature that saves battery power, prevents false presses and makes the conversation more comfortable. However, not all users know how to do this correctly.

In this article we will look at all the possible ways to turn off the screen on Androiddevices during a call: from standard settings to hidden functions and third-party applications. You will learn how it works on different versions Android (from Android 10 to Android 14), as well as on popular brands - Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, OnePlus and others. We will pay special attention to nuances that may affect the stability of the connection or the operation of the sensors.

Why does the screen not turn off automatically during a call?

On many smartphones, the screen remains on by default during a call. This is due to several factors:

• 🔋 Energy saving is not a priority: manufacturers often give preference to convenience (quick access to speakerphone buttons, keyboard, call recording) instead of saving battery.
• 👆 The proximity sensor: on some models it is disabled or does not work correctly, which is why the screen does not turn off when you bring the phone to your ear.
• 📱 Firmware and manufacturer settings: Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands modify Android, sometimes removing or hiding useful functions.
• 🔄 OS updates: after updates Android the settings may be reset screen, including behavior during a call.

If your smartphone behaves differently than before, check Settings → System → Software update. Perhaps, after the last update, the logic of the sensors has changed.

Method 1: Using a proximity sensor (standard method)

Most modern smartphones are equipped with proximity sensorthat automatically turns off the screen when you bring the phone to your ear. If this function does not work, it can be enabled or reconfigured:

1. Open the application Phone and dial the combination: ##4636## (may not work on some models).
2. Select item Phone information (or Testing).
3. Scroll down to the block Proximity sensor and check its condition. If the value is 0 when closing with your hand, the sensor is faulty.

If the sensor works, but the screen does not turn off:

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Accessibility → Proximity sensor (path may vary).
• 🔄 Make sure that function Automatic screen off enabled.
• 📱 On Xiaomi i Redmi check the settings in Settings → Screen → Automatic screen shutdown during a call.

Method 2: Manually turning off the screen with the power button

The simplest and most universal method is press the power button during a call. However, there are nuances here:

• ⚡ On most smartphones, the screen will go dark, but the call will not be interrupted.
• ⚠️ On some models (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22 and newer), a short press can activate Bixby or other functions.
• 🔋 Long press (2-3 seconds) may bring up the shutdown menu - be careful!

If the power button does not work:

• 🔄 Check the button settings in Settings → System → Gestures → Power button.
• 🛠️ On Android 12+ you may need to unlock the screen after pressing (due to enhanced security).

What to do if the screen does not turn on after pressing the power button?

If after When you press the power button, the screen does not turn on, but the call continues (you can hear the other party), try:

1. Press the volume up/down button.

2. Bring the phone to your ear - the proximity sensor can activate the screen again.

3. Wait until the conversation ends and reboot the device.

If the problem persists, check the settings Screen → Sleep mode or reset the settings to factory settings (by backing up your data).

Method 3: Configuration through the engineering menu (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can use engineering menu. This method is suitable for experienced users, since incorrect changes can disrupt the operation of the phone.

Instructions for most devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon:

1. Open the application Phone and enter: ##36446337## (or ##3644637## for some models).
2. Select Hardware Testing → Sensors → Proximity Sensor.
3. Check the current values. If the sensor does not respond when closed by hand, calibration may be required.
4. To calibrate, select Calibration and follow the instructions on the screen.

For devices on Mediatek:

1. Enter in the phone application: ##36446337## or ##83781##.
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor.
3. Press Do Calibration and place the phone on a flat surface.

After calibration, reboot the device and check the operation of the sensor during a call.

Method 4: Third-party applications to automatically turn off the screen

If the built-in functions do not work, you can use third-party applications. They offer additional settings, for example, turning off the screen when you bring the phone to your ear or after a specified time.

Top 3 applications for this task:

Application	Functions	Compatibility	Features
Proximity Sensor Fix	Sensor calibration, forced screen off	Android 5.0+	Required ADB for full access
Screen Off and Lock	Quick screen off with a button or gesture	Android 7.0+	Works without root, but permissions are required Special features
Gravity Screen	Automatic turn off/on screen by motion	Android 6.0+	Paid version with advanced settings

How to set up Gravity Screen:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant permissions to Accessibility.
3. Enable the option Rotate screen down to turn off.
4. B section Calls activate Turn off the screen during a call.

Install the application from Google Play

Grant permissions in "Accessibility"

Enable the option "Turn off the screen during a call"

Check the operation of the motion sensor-->

Important: some applications require permission to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for full operation. Without them, functionality may be limited.

Method 5: Using gestures (for devices with a supported function)

Some manufacturers add unique gestures to control the screen during a call. For example:

• 👉 On OnePlus you can swipe your finger across the screen from top to bottom twice to turn it off.
• 👉 On Xiaomi i Redmi the gesture works Double Tap to Wake (double tap to wake up), but it can be adapted to turn off.
• 👉 On Google Pixel a gesture is available Swipe down on the fingerprint sensor (on models with a physical button).

How to set up gestures on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Gestures.
2. Activate Double tap to wake.
3. Enable the option Turn off the screen with a double tap (if available).

On Samsung gestures are customizable via Settings → Additional features → Movements and gestures. Here you can enable Touch and hold to turn off the screen.

Problems and solutions: what to do if the screen does not turn off?

If none of the methods worked, the reasons may be more serious. Considered problems and their solutions:

Problem	Possible. reason	Solution
The screen does not go off when brought to the ear	The proximity sensor is faulty	Check the sensor through the engineering menu or contact service
The screen turns off, but it turns on immediately	Conflict with the protective glass or case	Remove the case or replace the glass with a model with a cutout for the sensor
The power button does not turn off the screen	Failure in the firmware or settings buttons	Reset the button settings in Settings → System → Gestures
Applications for turning off the screen do not work	The required permissions are missing	Give access to Accessibility and ADB

If the problem is related to firmware, try:

• 🔄 Update Android to the latest version.
• 📱 Reset settings to factory (don't forget to make a backup copy!).
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), if you are an experienced user.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about turning off the screen during a call

Is it possible to turn off the screen during a call on all smartphones?

Yes, but the methods differ depending on the model and version. Android. On most devices, at least one of the methods works: proximity sensor, power button, or third-party apps. The exception is some budget phones without a proximity sensor.

Why did the screen stop turning off during a call after updating Android?

Updates often reset sensor settings or change the logic of their operation. Try:

1. Recalibrate the proximity sensor through the engineering menu.
2. Reset settings Accessibility.
3. Clear application cache Phone.

Is it safe to use applications to force the screen to turn off?

Most applications from Google Play (for example, Gravity Screen or Screen Off and Lock) are safe if downloaded from an official source. However:

• Avoid applications that ask root access for no reason.
• Check reviews and ratings before installing.
• Do not install APK from unknown sources.

How to turn off the screen on a Samsung Galaxy if the proximity sensor is broken?

On Samsung you can use:

• Power button (short press).
• Gesture Swipe down on the fingerprint sensor (on models with a physical button).
• App Bixby Routines (create a rule to turn off the screen when a call starts).

If all else fails, the only option is repair sensor.

Is it possible to turn off the screen during a call on an iPhone?

This article is dedicated to Android, but for reference: on iPhone the screen automatically turns off when you bring it to your ear thanks to the proximity sensor. Manually turning off the power button also works, but can be activated Siri on newer models.