How to lock the screen when calling Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Have you ever encountered a situation where, while talking on the phone, Xiaomi accidentally presses buttons on the screen? Not only is it annoying, but it can lead to awkward moments - for example, to accidentally turn off the call or activate the hands-free. MIUI There are several ways to lock the screen while you’re calling, and today we’ll take a look at everything from standard settings to hidden features.

In this article you will find the relevant instructions for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15, We'll look at both software methods (via phone settings) and hardware (using physical buttons, POCO and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, If you're looking for a reliable way to prevent accidental clicks during calls, you're at the right place!

Why is the screen not automatically locked when you call?

Many Xiaomi users wonder why the default screen stays active during a conversation, for several reasons:

🔄 MIUI Optimized for convenience: Developers suggest you may need to switch to speakerphone quickly or record a voice message.
📱 Different models – different settings: on budget Redmi (for example, Redmi Note 12) the lock function can be disabled by default, while on flagships (Xiaomi 14 Pro) it is often activated.
🛠️ Gesture conflict: If you use gesture navigation, the system may perceive touching the screen as commands (e.g. swipe down to fold a call).

In addition, in some regional versions of MIUI (for example, in India or Europe), the lock settings may differ due to local telephony requirements. If you update the firmware and the function stops working, the default settings are likely to have gone wrong.

📊 How often do you encounter random taps during a call?

Constantly.

Sometimes.

It used to be, but it solved the problem.

Never.

Method 1: Enabling locking through MIUI settings

The easiest and most reliable method is to activate the built-in lock-in feature during a call, which is available on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later.

Open the Settings app (cog icon).
Go to the System Applications section → Phone.
Select Incoming Calls (or Call Settings on some models).
Find the option to Lock the screen during the call and move the slider to the position on.

If you have a MIUI 14/15, the path may be slightly different.

Settings → Applications → Phone → Additional settings → Locking the screen when calling

Once activated, the screen will automatically go out 3-5 seconds after the conversation begins. To unlock it, just press the power button or double tap (if the function is activated in the screen settings).

Make sure the option is enabled in the phone settings

Make a test call (for example, to another phone)

Check if the screen is going out in 3-5 seconds.

Try unlocking the screen with the power button-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) post-update MIUI 15, this option can be reset. If the lock stops working, check the settings again.

Method 2: Using the power button to manually lock

If your firmware doesn’t have an automatic lock feature built in, you can use a physical power button. This method works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the MIUI version:

📞 During the call, just press the power button once - the screen will go out.
🔄 To unlock, press the power button again or use a fingerprint scanner (if supported).
🔋 This method does not consume an additional battery, as the screen is completely switched off.

The advantage of the method is its versatility: it works even on older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and does not require changing the settings.

💡

If you have a smartphone with AMOLED-screen (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), manual lock power button will help save battery power, as the black screen on the screen is not used. AMOLED energy-consuming.

Method 3: Set up gestures to lock the screen

MIUI has a hidden feature that allows you to lock the screen with a double touch or gesture, which is convenient if you don't want to constantly press the power button. Here's how to set it up:

Go to Settings. → Screen.
Select Screen Lock (or Additional Screen Settings on some models).
Activate the option of Double-Tap to lock.
If you want to use a gesture, turn Swipe down to lock (not available on all devices).

Now, during the call, you have to:

👆 Twice touch the screen (if double touch is activated).
👇 Switch from top to bottom (if the gesture is enabled).

Important: on some models (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi Note 11), double-touching may conflict with navigation gestures. If the screen is not locked, turn off return gestures in the system settings.

Xiaomi model	Supports double-touching	Supports swipe gesture	Notes
Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes.	It works consistently on MIUI 15.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	The swipe gesture may not be there.
POCO F5	✅ Yes.	⚠️ Partially.	Sometimes a reboot is required.
Redmi 10C	❌ No.	❌ No.	Only manual locking with a button

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party utilities, such as the GravityBox app (requires root access) that allows you to flexibly configure your screen lock, including:

🔒 Automatic lock when holding the phone to the ear (approximation sensor).
⏱️ Delayed blocking (for example, 10 seconds after the start of the call).
🔄 Exceptions for certain contacts (e.g., not blocking screens when calling from family).

For installation:

Download GravityBox from XDA Developers.
Install it through Magisk Manager (superuser rights required).
In the module settings, find the Phone Tweaks section and activate Screen-off during call.

⚠️ Note: Using root rights may result in loss of warranty and unstable phone operation.Before installing GravityBox, back up your data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

What if after installing GravityBox, the phone stopped ringing?

If incoming calls are lost after activation of the module, check: 1. Does GravityBox conflict with other Xposed modules (disable them). 2. Is the permissions for the Phone application are configured correctly (Settings → Applications → Phone → Resolutions). 3. Version of the module - for MIUI 14/15 you need an actual build (at least 11.0.0). If the problem remains, delete the module through Magisk and restart the phone.

Method 5: Locking the screen through the proximity sensor

Many Xiaomi smartphones have a proximity sensor that automatically turns off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear, but by default, this feature may not work properly.

Go to Settings → System applications → Phone → Incoming calls.
Find the Approach Sensor (or Smart Screen Off) option.
Make sure the slider is on.
If you don’t have an option, check the sensor’s operation through the engineering menu (code ##6484##).

If the sensor fails:

🧹 Clean the area of the sensor (usually near the front camera) of dirt or protective film.
🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to reset sensor errors.
🛠️ If the sensor is damaged (for example, after a fall), contact the Xiaomi service center.

On the POCO X3 Pro and Redmi K40, the proximity sensor may conflict with the Always-on Display function. If the screen is not locked, turn off Always-on Display in the screen settings.

💡

The proximity sensor is the most reliable solution for automatic locking, but it only works when the phone is pressed to the ear, and if you use a headset or speakerphone, the screen will stay active.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the lock screen, Xiaomi users may face difficulties.

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The screen is not automatically locked.	Settings have been lost after the update	Check the settings → Phone → Incoming calls
The lock is triggered by a delay	Conflict with battery optimization	Disable optimization for the Phone application in Settings → Battery
The screen is locked but not unlocked.	Approximation sensor failure	Clean the sensor or restart the phone
Function is not available in the settings	An outdated version of MIUI	Update the firmware through Settings → System Update

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your phone settings (don’t forget to back up!)

Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Resetting settings

This will bring all the settings back to factory, including the lock settings. After reset, recheck the function.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I block the screen when calling Xiaomi without root rights?

Yes, in most cases, root is not required. Just activate the built-in feature in the phone settings (Settings → Phone → Incoming Calls → Screen Lock) or use the power button to manually lock.Partitions of apps without root (such as Screen Off and Lock) can also help, but their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI.

Why did the screen lock stop working after the upgrade to MIUI 15?

This is a common problem – with major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 15), some settings are reset. Try: Manually enable locking in Settings → Apps → Phone → Additional settings. Clear the cache of the Phone application (Settings → Apps → Phone → Clear cache). If it doesn’t help, reset (without deleting data).

How to lock the screen when calling Redmi Note 8 Pro?

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro (and other older models), the path to setup may be different: → System applications → Phone. → Call settings → If you do not have an option, use manual locking with the power button or install a third-party application (for example, Call Screen Off from Google Play). MIUI 11 and below automatic locking may not work.

Will the screen lock work with a headset or Bluetooth headphones?

No, the proximity sensor and the automatic lock only work when the phone is held up to your ear: 🎧 Wired headset – the screen will remain active, but you can lock it manually. 🔊 Bluetooth headphones – the lock will not work automatically (exception: some models with a new headphone) MIUI 15 Supports locking when connecting Trusted Devices). 📢 Loud communication – the screen is not locked because the phone is not pressed against the ear. In these cases, use manual locking or adjust the double-touch gesture.

Can you set up a screen lock for certain contacts only?

In standard settings MIUI But you can: Use GravityBox to create exceptions, install Tasker and create a rule: If contact X rings, you can use it to create exceptions. → Lock the screen. Manually lock the screen with a power button for important contacts. MIUI 15 There is an experimental Smart Lock feature in the phone lab, but it doesn’t work on all devices.