How to turn on and configure the proximity sensor on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

The proximity sensor on 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 registers the obstacle and extinguishes the display, preventing accidental pressing and saving battery power. However, many users face the problem when this sensor suddenly stops working: the screen does not go out when you call, there are “ghost” presses, or the sensor is triggered with a delay.

The causes of the problem can range from software failures to physical damage. 80% of the time, the problem can be solved without going to the service center – it is enough to properly activate the sensor through hidden settings or recalibrate it. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for turning on the proximity sensor on any Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), and explain how to diagnose the malfunction and avoid typical configuration errors.

What is a proximity sensor and how it works on Xiaomi

The proximity sensor is an infrared sensor that consists of two key elements: an emitter (sends an invisible beam) and a receiver (fixes the reflected signal). When you hold your phone to your ear or other object 2 to 5 cm away, the beam bounces back, and the system registers the "obstacle." MIUI automatically:

• 📵 Turns off the screen during a call (prevents pressing with the cheek or ear).
• 🔇 Dimming the speaker (if the function "Smart sound" is enabled").
• 🔄 Resumes the screen when the phone is removed from the face.

On Xiaomi smartphones, the sensor is usually located at the top of the display, next to the front camera.

• 📱 Software firmware (versions) MIUI and Android kernels).
• 🔧 Calibrations (sensitivity settings in the engineering menu).
• 🛠️ Physical condition (contamination, damage to glass or chip).

If the sensor doesn't work, check it through the test menu first. To do this, type in the Phone app code ##6484## (old models) or ##4636## → select Sensor Test. If the sensor doesn't respond to the approach of the hand, it's a hardware problem. If it responds but doesn't work during calls, the MIUI settings are to blame.

Method 1: Enable the sensor through standard MIUI settings

In most cases, the proximity sensor is turned off due to a failure in the MIUI settings or after updating the firmware to return it to working condition:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the search bar, enter your Phone and select the standard call app.
4. Slip on Permissions → find Sensors (or Other Permits).
5. Make sure the switch next to the Proximity Sensor is active (blue).

If there is no partition with sensors, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Select Physical buttons or Gestures (depending on the MIUI version).
3. Scroll down and find the option to turn off the screen when approaching - turn it on.

Important: Some models (like the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) may have these settings hidden, so if you don't find them, move on to the next one.

Method 2: Calibration of the sensor through the engineering menu

If the sensor is on but not working properly (e.g., it is delayed or falsely activated), calibration is required.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (alternative code for new models: ##4636## → Equipment Testing).
2. Select Proximity Sensor from the menu.
3. Place the phone on a flat surface and press Calibrate.
4. Raise your hand to the top of the screen at a distance of 2-3 cm - the value should change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.
5. If the sensor is not responding, press Save and restart the device.

Critical information: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50) may have the engineering menu blocked, in which case use the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon), which are available on Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect settings can cause the camera, microphone or communication module to crash.

Method 3: Reset sensor settings via Safe Mode

If the proximity sensor stopped working after installing a third-party application (for example, a launcher or modified firmware), the problem may be a program conflict.

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on the option to turn off power (or reboot) until a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.
3. Confirm the reboot. When you turn on the bottom of the screen, it says Safe Mode.
4. Check the sensor when you call, and if it's working, delete the newly installed apps.

If the sensor is running in Safe Mode but does not function normally, reset the cache:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Choose Clear Cache (not to be confused with Resetting Settings!).
3. Reset the device.

💡

If the sensor still doesn’t work after rebooting in Safe Mode, try rolling back the Phone app update via Google Play (click on three dots → Remove Updates).

Method 4: Manually enable via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try activating the sensor via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should appear serial number of your device).
3. Give permission to debug on the phone screen.
4. Enter the command to turn on the sensor: adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_enabled 1
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If the sensor does not work after the reboot, check its status with the command:

adb shell dumpsys sensorservice

In the conclusion, find the Proximity Sensor line - if there is a disabled one nearby, then the problem is at the firmware level.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause a system failure if you type in the wrong commands. Don't change other parameters without understanding their purpose.

Method 5: Hardware diagnostics and repair

If none of the software methods worked, the problem may be:

• 🔍 Sensor contamination (dust, grease, film or glass residues).
• 💥 Damage to the plume (after falling or repairing).
• 🔌 Failures of the motherboard (burned out the sensor controller).

To avoid pollution:

1. Turn off your phone and remove the protective glass (if it covers the top of the screen).
2. Light the area next to the front camera with a flashlight – the sensor looks like a small round hole.
3. Gently wipe it with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol (do not use sharp objects!).

If the sensor is physically damaged, it will cost 800-2000 rubles (depending on the model), and the service center can also offer:

• 🔧 The slush of the plume (from 1500 rubles.).
• 📱 Replacement of the display module (if the sensor is soldered into the screen).
• 🔄 Low-level firmware (if the controller fails).

Frequent errors in setting up the proximity sensor

Many users make the problem worse by making common mistakes:

1. Ignoring Updates: Older versions of MIUI (below 12.5) may contain sensor bugs. Always update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Use non-original covers: Dense or metallized cases block the infrared signal. Remove the case and check the sensor.
3. Reset to factory settings without backup: If you decide to do Hard Reset, pre-save data via Settings → Additional → Backup.
4. Self-disassembly of the phone: The proximity sensor is often glued to the display - with careless dismantling, the plume can be damaged.

Example: A Redmi Note 9 Pro user complained that the sensor only works when the phone is horizontal, and it turned out that he had a magnetic case that interfered with the infrared sensor, and after replacing the case, the problem disappeared.

💡

If the sensor stopped working after the phone fell or moisture hit, do not try to activate it software - this is a hardware malfunction that requires repair.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions