Where to find proximity sensor settings on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures and tips

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi smartphones is a small but critical element that is responsible for turning off the screen during a phone call. When you bring the device to your ear, the sensor detects the obstacle and extinguishes the backlight, preventing accidental pressing and saving battery power. However, many users face problems: the screen does not go out during a call, the sensor fires too late or, conversely, responds to any movements. Where is the settings of this sensor in the MIUI firmware, and how do they correctly Configure?

In this article, we're going to not just show you the standard path to settings, but we're going to take a look at all the nuances, from basic calibration to hidden engineering menus that the manufacturer prefers not to advertise, and learn how to check the sensor's performance without special applications, why it might not work properly after updating the firmware, and what to do if the settings are not on the menu at all, and also reveal a few life hacks that will help prolong the life of the sensor and avoid typical errors when using it.

If your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 suddenly stops turning off the screen during calls, don't rush to bring your phone to the service. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved software--just know where to look and what to press, and that's what we're going to do next.

Where to look for proximity sensor settings in the standard MIUI menu

On most Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi line), the proximity sensor settings are not hidden in a prominent place. The manufacturer does not allocate them in a separate section, so users have to dig deeper.

Settings → System → Additional Sensors →

However, there are a few pitfalls here:

1. On some firmware, the Sensor item may be called Motion and Gestures or Special Features → Physical buttons.
2. In older versions of MIUI (below 12), the proximity sensor settings could be in the Screen → Automatic Screen Shutdown section.
3. On POCO Launcher shell devices, the path may be different – sometimes you need to switch to the standard MIUI launcher first.

If you don't find the right section, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner), type in "proximity sensor" or "proximity sensor" (in English firmware), and the system should give you a direct path to the desired menu.

Step-by-step: how to calibrate the proximity sensor

Calibration of the proximity sensor is the process of adjusting its sensitivity, so if the screen goes out too early (before you even hold the phone to your ear) or does not respond to the approach, then the sensor needs to be reconfigured. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times to activate Developer Mode.

Step 2: Go back to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).

Step 3: Find the Quick Sensor Calibration or Proximity Sensor Calibration option. If not, use an alternative method (see next section).

Step 4: Follow the instructions on the screen: usually cover the sensor with your hand (or an opaque object) and hold it for 5-10 seconds, then remove the obstacle.

After calibration, restart your phone. If the problem persists, try repeating the procedure or use the engineering menu (more on this below).

Make sure that the sensor does not receive direct light.|Remove the cover or film covering the top of the phone|Close all background applications|Charge your phone at least 30%-->

Hidden settings: engineering menu and codes for the proximity sensor

If standard methods don’t work, it’s time to turn to the engineering menu, the hidden section where all the low-level settings of the smartphone are collected, and be careful: the wrong actions here can lead to malfunctions of the device.

To open the engineering menu, enter the following code in the Phone application:

##6484##

After that, the MTK Engineer Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Service Menu (for Snapdragon) menu will open.

The following steps depend on the processor model:

• 🔧 For MediaTek: Go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor. Here you'll see the current sensor readings (Near and Far values). Normal values: 0-1 cm for Near and 5+ sm.
• ⚙️ For Snapdragon: Choose Sensors → Proximity Sensor Test: In this menu, you can not only check the sensor, but also manually set thresholds for sensitivity.

If the sensor readings do not change when the hand is approaching (for example, always shows Far = 0), this may indicate a hardware malfunction.

Typical proximity sensor problems and their solutions

The proximity sensor can behave in an unpredictable way for a variety of reasons, from software failures to physical injuries, and let's look at the most common symptoms and ways to treat them:

And you have to pay special attention to the contamination of the sensor, and over time, dust, sweat, or residues of adhesive from the film can get into the hole next to the speaker (where the sensor is located), and this leads to false positives, to clean the sensor.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Take a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
3. Gently wipe the area around the sensor (don’t press hard!).
4. Let the phone dry 5-10 minutes before turning on.

💡

If the sensor still doesn't work properly after cleaning, try temporarily turning off the Smart Blocker feature in the screen settings, which sometimes conflicts with the proximity sensor.

How to check the proximity sensor without special applications

You don't always have an engineering menu or a third-party sensor testing tool on hand, and fortunately, MIUI has a built-in way of checking that few people know about.

Method 1. Test by dialing.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##0*## (do not press the call button!).
3. The screen should go into the display and sensor testing mode.
4. Cover the sensor with your hand – if it is working, the screen will change color or show the message Proximity: Near.

Method 2: Use of Developer Mode.

If you have developer mode activated (see the calibration section), go to Settings → Developer → Sensor Monitor. This is a real-time display of all sensors, including the proximity sensor.

Method 3. Call another phone.

The easiest but most effective way to do this is:

1. Call your Xiaomi phone from another phone.
2. During the call, cover the sensor with your hand - the screen should go out.
3. Remove your hand, the screen should light up again.

If the screen doesn’t respond, the problem is precisely in the sensor or its settings.

💡

If the sensor doesn't respond to any of the tests, it's likely to be physically damaged, and then only a replacement at the service center will help.

What to do if the proximity sensor settings are not on the menu

Some Xiaomi models (especially budget Redmi or custom firmware) may not have the proximity sensor settings at all, which doesn't always mean there's no sensor, it's just the manufacturer has hidden access to its configuration.

Option 1. Use ADB-team.

If you have a computer, you can plug your phone in with ADB and manually change the sensor settings.

1. Install Platform Tools from Google’s website.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB.
3. Enter the command: adb shell settings put system proximity_delay 1000 (where 1000 — delay in milliseconds before the sensor is triggered).

Option 2: Install third-party software.

Apps like Sensor Test or Phone Tester (available on Google Play) allow you to not only check the sensor, but also adjust its sensitivity to bypass system constraints.

Option 3: Update or reflash the phone.

Sometimes the lack of settings is a bug of a particular version of MIUI. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the problem persists, you can try to switch to global firmware (if you had a regional ROM) or vice versa.

⚠️ Note: Change of system parameters through ADB Or an engineering menu can cause the phone to run in an unstable way. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

How to extend the life of the sensor approach: tips for care

The proximity sensor is not a permanent detail, and over time, its sensitivity decreases due to pollution, mechanical damage or wear, but a few simple rules will help keep it working for years:

• 🧴 Avoid liquids. Even a small drop of sweat or rain can cause corrosion of the sensor contacts.
• 📱 Don't put the film on top of the screen. Many of the security windows overlap the sensor area, which leads to false positives.
• 🔄 Calibrate the sensor regularly. Do this after each major update. MIUI or if you notice a change in your work.
• 🛠️ Don't drop your phone on the top edge. A hit could displace the sensor or damage its plume.

If you talk on the phone often in dusty or wet conditions (for example, at a construction site or in the gym), you should additionally protect the sensor. You can use a thin transparent sticker with a cutout under the sensor - it will prevent dirt from getting into the building without interfering with its operation.

Another useful tip: if you notice that the sensor is getting worse, try turning off the "Rise to Wake" function in the screen settings. Sometimes these two options conflict.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensor stopped working completely after the phone fell, don't try to disassemble the device yourself. In Xiaomi, the proximity sensor is often integrated into one module with a front camera and speaker. Unprofessional repairs can damage all three components.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on Xiaomi