Approximation sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: how to turn off without risk to the system

Why users want to turn off the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 7

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is a small but important component that automatically shuts down the screen during phone calls. However, many owners face situations where the sensor starts to malfunction: the screen goes out for no reason, does not respond to touch or, conversely, remains active during a conversation, such problems are not only annoying, but can lead to accidental pressing during calls.

Another common reason to shut down is to use protective glasses or covers, and some accessories block the sensor's infrared signal, which causes it to stop correctly detecting the distance to the face, which causes the screen to go out even when you're just holding the phone in your hand, and it can also interfere with watching videos or playing games if you accidentally close the top of the screen with your palm.

But before you deactivate the sensor, you have to understand that a complete shutdown will prevent the screen from automatically locking when you call, which means you run the risk of accidentally pressing the buttons with your ear or cheek, and you run the risk of draining the battery faster because of the display that is constantly active, so try alternative solutions first, like calibrating the sensor or changing the protective glass.

Where is the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 7 and how does it work?

On the Redmi Note 7, the proximity sensor is located at the top of the screen, next to the front camera and speaker, and it's a miniature infrared sensor that emits and picks up the reflected signal, so when you hold the phone to your ear, the sensor picks up the obstacle and tells the system to turn off the backlight.

In normal mode, the sensor looks like this:

• 📞 You start or take the call. → screen-activated.
• 👂 You hold the phone to your ear. → sensor → screen goes out.
• 🤏 You're pulling the phone away from your ear. → sensor detects the absence of obstacles → screen-on.

However, if the sensor is contaminated, damaged or closed by foreign objects (dust, cover, film), its operation is disrupted, for example, the screen can go out when you normally hold the phone in your hand or, conversely, remain on during a conversation, in some cases, the problem lies in the software - especially after MIUI updates.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensor stops working after a phone drops or moisture hits, turning it off won't solve the problem, which requires a diagnosis at a service center - it may be that not only the optical components, but also the plumes are damaged.

Method 1: Disable the sensor via MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the sensor through standard MIUI settings, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for most firmware versions, but in some regional MIUI builds, this item can be hidden.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the System and Device section → Additional settings.
3. Select the item Special Opportunities (in some versions - For people with disabilities).
4. Find the option Automatically turn off the screen during a call or Approach Sensor.
5. Move the slider to the off position.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 Find the phone application in the list and open its settings.
• 🔧 Go to Permits and disable access to Sensors (if there is such a point).

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not work. ADB ore-menu.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

If the standard settings don't allow you to turn off the sensor, you can use the engineering menu, which requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt other functions of the phone.

Steps to enter the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##36446337## (code may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
3. You will be taken to the EngineerMode menu (if the code didn't work, try ##4636###).
4. Go to the Hardware Testing tab.
5. Select Sensor (Sensors).
6. Find the Proximity Sensor list and click on it.
7. In the window that opens, uncheck the Enable box or set the Disable value.

Once the sensor is turned off through the engineering menu, the screen will stop dimming during calls, but you may also have problems adjusting the brightness automatically. To get it back, repeat the steps and activate the sensor again.

Method 3: Disconnect the sensor via ADB (for advanced)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to your computer, but does not need root rights. It is suitable for users who have already experienced debugging over USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (go to Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version).
3. Activate debugging over USB in the developer settings.
4. Connect the Redmi Note 7 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
5. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
6. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your phone appears in the list.
7. Execute the command to disable the proximity sensor: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1
8. Reboot the phone.

To return the sensor to working condition, use the same command by replacing 1 by 0:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 0

adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/system --bind name:s:proximity_sensor_disabled --bind value:i:1

What to do if the sensor does not turn off: alternative solutions

If none of these methods worked, the problem could go deeper, like hardware damage or firmware conflict.

• 🔄 Resetting: Return the phone to factory settings via Settings → System system → Reset settings. Before you do that, back up your data.
• 📥 Update MIUI: Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → System updates. Sometimes sensor bugs get fixed in newer versions of firmware.
• 🛠️ Sensor replacement: If the phone was under repair or fell, it may be physically damaged, and only a replacement at the service center will help.
• 📱 Use of third-party applications: Apps like Proximity Sensor Reset or Sensor Disabler can temporarily block the sensor, but require root rights.

If you decide to contact the service, note that the cost of replacing the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 7 usually does not exceed 1000-1500 rubles. However, before visiting the workshop, try to test the sensor using the Phone Doctor Plus or Sensor Test application - perhaps the problem is not in it, but in the software.

💡

Before drastic measures (reset, repair) always check the sensor for performance with specialized applications. Often, the "breakdown" is the result of contamination or incorrect settings.

Possible consequences of disconnecting the proximity sensor

Disabling the proximity sensor solves one problem, but it can create others.

• 📵 Random taps during calls: Without automatically locking the screen, you can accidentally press buttons with your ear or cheek — for example, hang up the phone or turn on speakerphone.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: The screen will remain on during conversations, reducing battery life by 5 to 15%.
• 🔦 Discomfort on long calls: A constantly burning screen can be distracting and annoying, especially in the dark.
• 🛡️ Screen damage risk: If you often put your phone down, the proximity sensor prevents accidental touches.

To minimize the negative effects, you can:

• Use the locking of the screen with the power button manually during calls.
• Install an application to automatically lock the screen by timer (for example, Gravity Screen).
• Disable the sensor only for the time it actually interferes (such as when playing games), and return it to working condition afterward.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Disabling the proximity sensor may cause malfunctions in the automatic brightness control. If the screen becomes too dim or bright after deactivation of the sensor, return the settings to the original settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sensor shutdown on the Redmi Note 7