Approximate sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: Complete instructions for setting up and solving problems

Approximation sensor in the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S — It's a small, but critical component that's responsible for turning off the screen during a phone call, and when you hold the device to your ear, the sensor picks up the obstacle and puts out the backlight, preventing accidental tapping and saving battery life. However, many users face problems: the screen does not go out when calling, the sensor is triggered with a delay or works incorrectly in certain applications.

In this article, we will discuss all aspects of setting up the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note. 10S — From basic health checks to deep calibration to solving typical malfunctions, you'll learn how to test a sensor without special tools, what system settings affect its operation, and what to do if the problem is in the software. We pay special attention to hidden functions. MIUI, which allow you to more accurately adjust the sensitivity of the sensor.

If you notice that the screen doesn't turn off during calls, or if it goes out too early, that's a direct signal that you need to diagnose, and 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved software-based, without going to the service center, but you need to know which parameters need to be adjusted.

1.How the proximity sensor works in the Redmi Note 10S: principle of operation and location

Approximate sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S It's an infrared sensor that emits and picks up the reflected signal, and when you hold the phone to your ear, the infrared beam bounces off the surface and comes back, which is captured by the sensor, and based on that signal, the system decides to turn off the screen. It is important to understand that the sensor does not respond to touch – it only works when an object is approaching at a distance of 1-5 cm (the exact range depends on calibration).

Physically, the sensor is located at the top of the screen, next to the front camera and speaker. on the Redmi Note 10S It's hidden under a protective glass, and it's not visually different from any other sensor, but you can see it working from a small hole to the right of the camera, as you look at the screen, and that's where the infrared signal goes through.

Interesting fact: in some of the silk MIUI The proximity sensor is used not only for calls, but also to optimize power consumption. For example, if you hold the phone in your hand but you don't interact with the screen, the system can reduce the brightness of the backlight by relying on the sensor data.

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse the proximity sensor with the light sensor! The latter is responsible for automatic brightness control of the screen and is located nearby, but it has a completely different function. The problems with automatic dimming during calls are always associated with the proximity sensor.

2. Checking the performance of the sensor: 3 methods of diagnosis

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that the sensor is functioning at all, and here are three reliable methods of checking that do not require special equipment:

Method 1: Testing through the Engineering Menu

The most accurate way is to use a hidden engineering menu. MIUI. For that:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination ##6484## (some firmware may require #4636##).
3. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor).
4. Cover the sensor with your hand – the value should change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.

If the numbers don’t change or an error is displayed, the sensor is faulty or requires calibration.

Method 2: Checking during the call

Call another phone and pay attention to:

• 📞 The screen goes out when you bring it to your ear? → Sensor's working.
• 🔦 The screen stays on? → Sensor's not working.
• ⏱️ The screen goes out with a delay (1-2 seconds)? → Calibration required.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

Install Sensor Test from Google Play or CPU-Z. These programs display data from all sensors in the smartphone, including the proximity sensor. In normal condition, when the hand is approaching, the value should change dramatically from 1 (no obstacle) to 0 (there is an obstacle).

3. Set up the proximity sensor via the menu MIUI: step-by-step

If the sensor is working but is not behaving properly (for example, the screen goes off too early or, conversely, does not turn off), it can be reconfigured through standard settings. MIUI. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Calibration of the sensor

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the Calibration option of the proximity sensor and follow the instructions on the screen.

Step 2: Adjust sensitivity

In the same developer menu, find the option to turn off the screen when approaching, and you can choose one of three modes here:

• 🔄 Automatic – the system itself determines the optimal settings.
• ⚡ Quick activation – the screen goes out immediately when approaching (suitable for covers).
• 🐢 Slow-down – useful if the sensor is triggered too early.

Step 3: Checking for Application Conflicts

Some messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram) have their own sensor settings. Go to the call settings in these apps and make sure the option to turn off the screen when approaching is enabled.

Make sure there is no protective film or glass on the screen that blocks the IR signal.|

Check if the sensor is closing the case or bumper|

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI|

Reboot your phone before calibrating-->

4. Solving typical proximity sensor problems

If the sensor still doesn't work properly after setting up, it could be a software or hardware malfunction, and let's look at the most common scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The screen does not go out during the call

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📱 Sensor contamination – wipe the top of the screen with an alcohol napkin.
• 🔧 Firmware failure – perform resetting of settings through Settings → Reset (don't forget to make a backup copy!).
• 🛠️ Sensor damage – if the sensor stops working after falling or getting moisture, a replacement will be required.

Problem 2: The screen goes out too early (before being touched to the ear)

This is often associated with increased sensitivity.

• ⚙️ Reduce sensitivity in the Developer Menu (see Section 3).
• 📦 Check the case - some models with thick sidebars may prematurely activate the sensor.
• 🔄 Calibrate the sensor again (instruction above).

Problem 3: The sensor is unstable (it works, then it does not)

The reason is usually an application conflict or a plume malfunction.

• 🔍 Start your phone in safe mode (hold the power button) → Safe mode. If the problem is gone, it's third-party software.
• 📉 Remove the firmware if the malfunction appeared after the update.

⚠️ Attention: If the sensor stopped working after the screen was replaced, it is likely that the master damaged the plume or improperly connected the connector. In this case, re-repair is required - self-repair can aggravate the problem.

5. Hidden functions MIUI fine-tuning

Firmware MIUI It contains several hidden parameters that allow you to more flexibly configure the approach sensor, these options are not officially documented, but are available through an engineering menu or ADB-team.

Function 1: Adjustment of delay time

By default, the screen goes out 200 to 300 ms after the sensor is triggered.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in the developer settings.
2. Enter the command line: adb shell settings put system proximity_delay 500 (where 500 — millisecond delay).

Note: Too much delay (over 1000ms) can lead to occasional taps during a call.

Function 2: Disconnecting the sensor for specific applications

If the sensor interferes with certain messengers (for example, in Viber), it can be turned off selectively:

1. Install the MacroDroid app from Google Play.
2. Create a macro with the condition Run the application [select messenger].
3. Add the action to Disable the proximity sensor (root rights required or ADB).

Function 3: Logic of sensor response

To diagnose complex problems, you can include log recording:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.proximity.log 1

After that, the sensor data will be written to the system logcat. To disable logging, replace 1 with 0.

💡

If you often call with headphones, turn off the proximity sensor completely through ADB-Adb shell settings put system proximity_screen_off 0. This will prevent accidental screen shutdown, but increase the risk of cheek pressing.

6. Hardware malfunctions: when without repairs can not do

If all software methods have been tried, but the sensor still doesn't work, the problem is probably hardware.

1. Damage to the sensor or plume

Symptoms:

• 🚫 The sensor does not respond to any commands.
• 🔧 The engineering menu displays the Sensor failed error.
• 💥 The problem arose after falling or getting moisture.

Solution: Replacement of the sensor or plume in the service center, the average cost of repair is 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region).

Contact oxidation

If the phone was in high humidity, the sensor contacts could oxidize.

• ⚡ Sensor's working in a second.
• 🌡️ The problem is aggravated by temperature changes.

Solution: Disassembly and cleaning of contacts with alcohol (requires experience with electronics).

3. Maternity board malfunction

In rare cases, the problem lies in the chip responsible for processing signals from the sensor.

• 🔌Together with the sensor stopped working other sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer).
• 🔄 Flashing and resetting settings do not help.

Solution: Diagnostics in the service, it is possible to replace the fee (expensive repair).

⚠️ Note: If you don’t have experience in electronics repair, don’t try to disassemble the Redmi Note yourself. 10S To clean or replace the sensor, improper actions may damage the screen plume or other components!

💡

Before contacting the service, check if the warranty period for your Redmi Note has expired. 10S. If the phone is warranty, repair of the sensor should be free (provided that the breakdown is not caused by mechanical damage).

7. Alternative solutions: how to use a phone without a proximity sensor

If the sensor is permanently out of order and repair is not possible for some reason, you can adapt to work without it.

1. Use of headphones

The easiest way to avoid problems is to call through a headset (wired or Bluetooth), in which case the screen will not go out because the sensor is not involved.

2. Disconnect the sensor programmatically

If the sensor is operating chaoticly, it can be completely deactivated:

1. Activate Developer Mode (see Section 3).
2. Go to Settings. → For developers.
3. Turn off the option to turn off the screen when approaching.

Minus: during the call you will have to manually lock the screen with the power button.

3. Installation of an alternative call

Some applications (such as True Phone Dialer) allow you to customize the behavior of the screen regardless of the system settings.

• 📱 Disable the response to the proximity sensor.
• 🔄 Set up a delay before turning off the screen.
• 🎨 Use gestures to manage the call.

4.Tune gestures

V MIUI There is a Gesture function during the call (Settings) → Activate the option to raise to the ear to answer, this will help compensate for the lack of a sensor.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note approximation sensor 10S