Modern smartphones, including popular Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, feature a variety of sensors that make the device more comfortable to use. One such important element is the proximity sensor, which automatically turns off the display when you hold the phone to your ear while you talk, which not only prevents accidental cheek pressing, but also significantly saves battery power.
However, users often experience screens that go out too early, don't light up at all, or don't react to an approximation. In MIUI and the new HyperOS, settings for this setting can be hidden or malfunctioned due to software failures. In this article, we'll take a look at how to manage this feature, calibrate the sensor, and fix typical errors.
Understanding the way the infrared sensor works will help you avoid a lot of inconvenience, and we will look at both software methods for setting up through the standard menu and deeper diagnostic methods, including the use of an engineering menu.
The principle of the sensor approach in smartphones Xiaomi
The automatic screen-quenching function is based on a simple but efficient mechanism: the proximity sensor, usually located at the top of the display or in the frame around it, emits infrared radiation. When you hold the phone to your head, the beam bounces off the object and returns to the receiver, which signals the system to lock the touchscreen.
Xiaomi devices have different types of sensors. Older or budget models often use a virtual sensor that works in conjunction with an accelerometer and a gyroscope to analyze the position of the phone in space. Flagship models are more often equipped with a physical infrared module that is more accurate and responsive.
Android, in conjunction with the MIUI shell, processes sensor data in the background. If the software receives a signal of approach, it forcibly turns off the backlight and blocks input. It is important to note that software processing sometimes fails, leading to false positives or complete disregard for user actions.
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The physical sensor always works more accurately than the virtual sensor, as it responds to the actual reflection of light, rather than the position of the phone in space.
This mechanism can be caused by contamination of the top of the screen, as well as software conflicts after the system update, and understanding what type of sensor is installed in your model helps you choose the right method of solving the problem.
Where to find sensor settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Many users mistakenly believe that Xiaomi smartphones have a separate switch to turn on or off the screen damping function. In fact, the standard settings menu does not have such an option, as it is considered system and should work by default.
To check the state of the sensor, you can use the built-in engineering test, you need to open the Phone application and dial a special code ##6484#. Once you enter the combination, the CIT menu will open, where you can select the "Proximity sensor" item to check its response to (the hand).
If you're looking for sensitivity settings, newer versions of HyperOS can completely hide them from the user. MIUI
Why did the sensor settings go missing?
The lack of visible settings does not mean that you cannot affect the operation of the device. There are third-party applications and system hacks that allow you to reset calibration or change the trigger thresholds, which we will discuss in the next sections.
Step-by-step calibration of the proximity sensor
If the screen goes out in a bad time or doesn't go out at all, most often calibration is required, a process in which the system re-identifies the zero point and the maximum approach point, and on Xiaomi smartphones, this can be done in several ways.
The first and easiest way is to use the engineering menu we mentioned earlier, and when you enter CIT mode with code ##6484##, select the proximity sensor test. Follow the instructions on the screen: you usually have to close the top of the phone with your palm and then remove it, and the system will record the new values.
The second method is suitable for advanced users and requires the inclusion of debugging on the USB. A computer with a computer installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge, you can send a command to reset the calibration:
adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_offset 0Once the command is completed, the device must be restarted, and this method is particularly effective if a software failure has caused the sensor to “remember” the wrong values and stop responding to changes in lighting.
☑️ Checklist before calibration
The third option is to use specialized apps from Google Play, such as "Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix," which automate the command-input process and often have a more user-friendly interface for the average user.
Solving problems with early screen suppression
One of the most annoying problems is when the screen goes out right after the bell starts, before you even hold the phone to your ear, often because the sensor "sees" an object where there is none, or responds to light.
A common cause of false positives is a protective glass or film that covers the sensor area, and even if the glass is transparent, it can distort infrared radiation or create glare that the sensor perceives as an obstacle, in which case it is recommended to remove the protection and check the phone without it.
Another factor is the brightness of the light around you, and if you're in the bright sun or in the dark, the sensor's algorithms can go wrong, and try changing the angle of the phone or the position of your head while you're talking to see if the lighting is the problem.
It’s also worth checking if you have a call management app installed from third-party developers, and some call “improvers” may conflict with MIUI system services, intercepting sensor control and causing inappropriate behavior.
What to do if the screen does not go out when you bring it to the ear
The reverse problem is that the screen continues to burn during the conversation, resulting in accidental cheek pressing and a call reset or loudspeaker switching on, indicating that the sensor is either contaminated or completely disabled at the software level.
First of all, make sure that there is no dirt, dust or fat at the top of the smartphone. Even a thin layer of dirt can block the infrared beam. Wipe the area around the speaker with a soft cloth. If that doesn't help, check if In-pocket mode is activated in the lock settings, which sometimes affects the logic of the sensors.
The next step is to check for system updates. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that fix hardware bugs. → The phone. → Version. MIUI/HyperOS and check for updates.
If the software methods don't work, maybe the problem is hardware, the film that's unstuck inside the case, the sensor plume, or the module itself, could have failed, and then only diagnostics at the service center will help.
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Try to turn on Safe Mode for the duration of the call, and if the sensor is working correctly in this mode, then one of the applications you have installed is causing the problem.
Comparison of sensors in different models Xiaomi
Different Xiaomi smartphone models have different sensor modules, which affects the quality of their work. Understanding the differences helps to understand whether your problem is typical for a particular series of devices.
Below is a table comparing the features of the proximity sensors in different smartphone lines:
| Series of devices | Type of sensor | Location. | Typical problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi / | Physical IR | Display frame | Rare failures, high accuracy |
| Redmi Note | Virtual/IR | Under the screen / Frame | Reaction to protective glass |
| POCO | Virtual | Under the screen | Reaction delay, false positives |
| Xiaomi Civi | Physical IR | Narrow frame | Sensitivity to bright light |
As you can see from the table, owners of the low-end models of the Redmi and POCO series are more likely to face problems due to the use of virtual sensors, in which the system relies on machine learning algorithms that can be mistaken.
Flagship models tend to be free of these problems by using quality physical hardware, but they are not immune to software bugs after major Android updates.
Use of third-party applications for management
When MIUI's built-in tools fail, Google Play apps come to the rescue, allowing you to adjust sensitivity thresholds more flexibly and force the sensor to turn on or off.
A popular solution is the Proximity Service app, which allows you to create a profile where the sensor will ignore certain distances or, conversely, become hypersensitive, and these applications often require advanced resolutions to work.
Another option is to use call management applications that have their own lock-screen implementation, which completely replace the standard call interface and use their own sensor algorithms.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party applications that are deeply embedded in the system can lead to increased battery consumption and unstable smartphone performance. Use them only if standard methods do not help.
When choosing an app, pay attention to the reviews and the date of the last update. Older programs may not work correctly on newer versions of HyperOS.