How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi: all ways (including hidden)

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi smartphones is a small but important element that is responsible for turning off the screen during a phone call. When you hold the device to your ear, the sensor goes off and the display goes off, preventing accidental pressing. However, sometimes this mechanism works with malfunctions: the screen does not turn off when you call, reacts with a delay or, conversely, it works too sharply, in such cases, users are looking for a way to turn off the proximity sensor, temporarily or permanently.

But here lies the catch: in the standard settings MIUI There's no option to shut down the sensor completely, and the manufacturer hides it to avoid the phone from working properly, but there are workarounds, from simple tricks with settings to using an engineering menu and using a computerized device. ADB-In this article, we will discuss all the current ways for Redmi models, POCO Xiaomi 2020-2026, and explain why the sensor may behave inadequately and when it is really justified to disable it.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling the proximity sensor may cause random taps on the screen during a call (e.g., turning off the microphone or completing the call!

Before you go to the radical measures, check if the sensor problems are related to contamination or damage. Often, just wipe the top of the screen (where the sensor is located) with a dry wipe or reboot the phone. If this does not help, read on.

1.Why is the proximity sensor on Xiaomi not working properly?

Before you turn off the sensor, you need to understand the reasons why it's not working properly, and here are the most common scenarios and their solutions:

🔹 The screen doesn't go out during the call. Cause: Sensor contamination (dust, greasy traces), damage to the protective glass or film, software failure. Wipe the sensor area (usually located to the right of the speaker), remove the protective film (if it closes the sensor), or reset the phone settings.

🔹 Sensor fires too late or too early Cause: Sensor calibration incorrect, outdated firmware, shell conflict MIUI. Solution: Update the system to the latest version or calibrate through the engineering menu (instruction below).

🔹 The screen goes out arbitrarily outside the bell Reason: Sensor damage, moisture ingress, error in work MIUI. Solution: Check your phone for physical damage or perform a sensor test (see Section 3).

If the problem is software-based, it can often be solved without turning off the sensor, for example, resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings → Phone → Reset) brings all sensors back to their original settings, but this is a radical measure: save important data before you use it.

Method 2: Disconnect the sensor through call settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which does not shut down the sensor completely, but allows you to monitor its behavior during calls, and is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14.

📌 Instructions:

1. Open the phone application (call).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Settings».
3. Go to the “Call Settings” or “Additional Settings” section (the name may differ).
4. Find the option “Access Sensor” or “Automatic Screen Shutdown” and turn it off.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi Note 11) this option may not be available, so move on to the next method.

If you have an option, but the sensor still works after you turn it off, try to turn off the Smart Response function in the same settings, sometimes it conflicts with the sensor.

Method 2: Use of the engineering menu (code ##6484##)

The Engineering Menu is a hidden section of MIUI where you can test and configure the hardware components of your smartphone, including the proximity sensor, which does not require root rights, but is temporary (until the phone restarts).

📌 How to Open an Engineering Menu:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Enter the code ##6484## (on some models, it may not work – see the alternative below).
3. Select the "Proximity Sensor" option.
4. In the window that opens, you'll see the current readings of the sensor. To turn it off, click Disable or uncheck Enable.

🔹 Alternative code for new models:

If #6484## doesn't work, try it.

#

#

"Equipment testing"

"Sensors"

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu are not saved after the phone is restarted.If you need to permanently disconnect, use the method with ADB (section).

💡 How to check the operation of the sensor?

In the engineering menu, you can test the sensor in real time. Put your hand up to the top of the screen, and it has to change from 5 (far) to 0 (close), and if the readings don't change, the sensor is defective.

Method 3: Disabling the sensor through applications (without root)

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party applications, which don't require root rights, but some features may be limited.

📌 Top.-3 approximation:

• 🔧 Sensor Disabler allows you to turn off sensors temporarily, suitable for most Xiaomi models. MIUI.
• 🛠️ Proximity Sensor Reset - resets the sensor settings to factory settings. Helps if the sensor "gluts" after the update.
• 📱 MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals hidden options MIUI, including sensor settings.

📌 Instructions for Sensor Disabler:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and give access to “Special Features” (in your phone settings).
3. In the sensor list, look for the Proximity Sensor and turn it off.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some applications may request permissions that appear suspicious (e.g. access to a website) SMS Install them only from verified sources!

5. Method 4: Disconnect the sensor via ADB (permanent solution)

If you want to permanently disable the proximity sensor, the most reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but does not need root rights.

📌 What's the matter:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Execute the command to disable the proximity sensor: adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_enabled 0
5. Reboot the phone.

Important: To get the sensor back to work, use the same command, replacing 0 by 1.

💡 If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put global device_provisioned 1


adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS

💡

If, after the execution, ADB-And the teams are still working, and check if it's covered by a protective glass or a cover, and sometimes even a thick film can interfere with the sensor's performance.

Method 5: Disable the sensor with root rights (for advanced)

If none of the previous methods worked, the radical solution is to disable the sensor through editing system files, which requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong root actions can lead to a phone "breakdown!

📌 Instructions:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
3. Go to /system/usr/keylayout Find the file "Generic.kl" or "qwerty.kl" (name depends on the model).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the line: key 213 PROXIMITY Replace it with: #key 213 PROXIMITY (add # to the beginning to comment on the line).
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644, and restart the phone.

🔹 Alternative method (via build.prop):

Add a line to /system/build.prop file:

persist.sys.proximity.disable=1

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI All changes to the system files will be reset. You'll have to repeat the procedure again.

💡

Turning the sensor off through root is the most reliable way, but it's also the riskiest way, and only use it if other methods haven't worked, and you understand the consequences.

7.What to do if the proximity sensor is physically broken?

If the sensor doesn't respond to commands, doesn't calibrate, doesn't shut down software, it may have failed, and then only a replacement will help.

🔹 Signs of physical breakdown:

• 📵 The sensor does not respond to any commands (including the engineering menu).
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was hit hard.
• 🔍 In the engineering menu, the sensor readings are always "0" or "5" (do not change).

📌 How to check the sensor for hardware damage?

1. Install the iPhone Doctor Plus or Sensor Test app from Google Play.
2. Run the proximity sensor test.
3. If the app shows an error or the sensor does not respond, it is faulty.

💰 Cost of repair:

Replacing the proximity sensor in the service center costs 800-2000 rubles (depending on the model). If you are confident in your abilities, you can replace it yourself - the sensor costs about 300-600 rubles on AliExpress.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), the proximity sensor is soldered into the motherboard, in which case it can only be replaced at the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shutting down the proximity sensor