Locking the screen during a call on Xiaomi: how to configure or disable

The problem of accidentally locking the screen during a phone conversation is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO. You talk, you accidentally touch the screen with your cheek or ear, and suddenly the bell is interrupted and the display goes out. Or vice versa: the screen does not lock at all, and you risk pressing something extra.

In this article, we will discuss how to properly configure the screen lock when talking on Xiaomi devices (including models on the phone). MIUI 14 and HyperOS), why crashes occur and how to fix them, and what to do if the proximity sensor is not working properly or the screen is locked too early.

Let me be clear: this is not about blocking. SIM-card (when you ask for a PIN), specifically the screen swing during an active call, which is a feature that is used to avoid accidental clicks, but sometimes it interferes with - for example, when you want to use the phone while you are talking (pass on the contact, open notes).

It is important to understand that the configuration depends on the firmware version (MIUI It's a smartphone, or HyperOS, or even a shell, and some devices have a deep menu, and some devices don't have a deep menu.

Why the screen is locked during a call: how the proximity sensor works

The automatic locking of the screen when you hold the phone to your ear is done by a proximity sensor, which is located next to the front camera, and it detects when you bring the device to your head, at which point the system turns off the display so that:

• 🔄 Prevent accidental tapping (such as turning off the microphone or ending a call).
• 🔋 Save battery power (screen is one of the main energy consumers).
• 📞 Improve communication quality (some models reduce signal power when removed from the head).

But the sensor doesn't always work correctly.

• 🚫 The screen is not locked at all (remains active, risks pressing something extra).
• 🔄 It is blocked too early (for example, when you are just starting to bring your phone).
• 🔙 Unlocked with a delay (you have to wait a few seconds after the phone is withdrawn).
• 💥 Works in jerks (screen flashes, spontaneously goes out and turns on).

The causes of failures can be different:

⚠️ Attention: If the proximity sensor stopped working after the phone fell or moisture hit, the problem may be hardware, in which case you will need a diagnosis in the service center - self-configuration of the software will not help.

At the programme level, the blame is on:

• 📱 An outdated version MIUI or HyperOS (bugs in firmware).
• 🔄 Conflict with shells from operators (for example, MTS Connect, Beeline Pro).
• 🛠️ Incorrect settings in the menu Special features or Sensors.
• 📲 Failures after resetting settings or software updates.

How to turn off the screen lock when talking: step-by-step instructions

If you're in the way of an automatic lock, you can turn it off.

For MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → System system → Additionally.
2. Select Special Opportunities.
3. Scroll down and find the Physical buttons or Sensors section.
4. Activate the option to turn off screen lock during the call (the name may differ).

For older versions of MIUI (up to 12):

1. Go to Settings. → Lockdown and protection.
2. Select Other Lock Settings.
3. Find the Autolock item when calling and turn it off.

If your firmware does not have such a clause, try an alternative method through the developer mode:

Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone)

Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers

Find Disable the proximity sensor or Do not lock the screen when calling

Reboot the phone.-->

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the proximity sensor will completely deprive you of automatic screen locking, which means that during the call you will be able to accidentally tap the screen with your cheek or ear - for example, to end a conversation or turn on speakerphone.

If you want to keep the sensor on but reduce its sensitivity, try calibrating:

1. Open the phone and dial ##6484## (Sensor Test Code).
2. Select Proximity Sensor (proximity sensor).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen for calibration.

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If ##6484## is not working, try #4636## → Testing of equipment → Sensors: On some Xiaomi models, calibration is only available through an engineering menu, but opening it could violate warranty.

Adjustment of the proximity sensor sensitivity

If the screen locks too early or doesn’t respond to the approach, the problem may be incorrectly calibrating the sensor. On most Xiaomi smartphones, sensitivity is adjusted through an engineering menu, but there are simpler ways.

Method 1: Through Call Settings

• 📱 Open the phone application.
• 🔧 Press three dots (menu) → Settings.
• 🔍 Find the section during the call or Manage the calls.
• 🎚️ Check for Sensor Sensitivity (on some models, for example, Redmi Note 11, it is available).

Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

This method requires caution, as wrong actions can disrupt the operation of the phone.

1. Open the Phone app and type ##3646633##.
2. Go to the Hardware Testing → Sensor section.
3. Select Proximity Sensor.
4. Check the current values (normal: 0 cm - the sensor is not closed, 5 cm - closed).
5. If the values do not change when the sensor is closed with the hand, calibration or replacement is required.

In some models (for example, POCO X3 Pro) the proximity sensor is combined with the light sensor. If after calibration the screen becomes dim or the brightness jumps, reset the sensor settings through the engineering menu.

What to do if the proximity sensor is not working

If the screen doesn't lock when you're talking or if it's not acting as if it's unpredictable, it could be hardware or software, and let's look at both.

Policy solutions:

• 🔄 Sometimes the sensor freezes after a long time. A simple reboot can help.
• 📲 Clear the cache of the Phone app. Go to Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Reset sensor settings. In the engineering menu (#3646633##) select Sensor → Proximity Sensor → Calibration.
• 📥 Update of firmware. In some versions MIUI There were proximity sensor bugs. Check the updates in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Hardware problems:

• 💧 The sensor may fail after contact with water, even if the phone has not sunk (for example, due to condensation).
• 💥 Impact or fall: Physical damage to the board or disconnection of the sensor plume.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: At critically low charge, some sensors turn off to save energy.
• 🛠️ Factory marriage. Rarely, but found on new devices (e.g. Redmi). A2).

How to check if the sensor is working:

1. Open the engineering menu (#3646633##).
2. Go to Sensor. → Proximity Sensor.
3. Close the sensor with your hand (located next to the front camera).
4. If the value changes from 0 to 5 (or another number), the sensor is in good working order. If not, repair is required.

⚠️ Note: If the sensor is not responding to closing and the phone is in a wet environment (such as a bathroom), do not try to disassemble it yourself. corrosion on contacts can worsen.

Set up a lock screen for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique features in controlling the lock screen.

Redmi Note 11/12 Series:

• 🔄 In HyperOS (for Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The path has changed: Settings → System system → Sensors.

POCO F3 / F4 / F5:

Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro / 13 Lite:

• 🔍 The option to lock the screen when calling is hidden in Settings → Screen. → Autolocking.
• 🛠️ On Xiaomi 13 Lite, the proximity sensor often conflicts with the Always-on Display feature.If the screen isn't locked, try turning off AOD.
• 📱 HyperOS has a Smart Lock feature that analyzes the position of the phone. → System system → Smart functions.

Redmi A1 / A2:

• 💥 These models are known for sensor bugs, and if nothing works, try to roll back on the previous version. MIUI.

💡

On flagship models (Xiaomi 14, 13 Ultra), the locking of the screen when calling works more stable thanks to improved sensors, POCO M-series failures are more common due to simplified hardware platform.

Additional settings: blocking with buttons and gestures

If the proximity sensor is not operating stable, alternative ways to lock the screen during the call can be used.

1. Power button locking

On most Xiaomi smartphones, the screen can be manually locked with the power button, but during a call, it is turned off by default to avoid accidentally pressing.

1. Go to Settings → buttons and gestures.
2. Select the Power Button.
3. Activate the screen lock option during the call.

2. Guest blocking

On devices with MIUI 13/14 HyperOS can be configured to lock gesture:

1. Open the settings → Screen → Gestures.
2. Turn on Double Touch to lock.
3. When you call, touch the screen twice to block it.

3. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods do not work, you can install applications to control the lock:

• 📱 Proximity Sensor Fix – Emulates the operation of the sensor.
• 🔒 Screen Off and Lock adds a widget for forced locking.
• 📞 Call Recorder (some versions) – have built-in screen lock settings.

⚠️ Note: Screen locking apps require rights Special features or Overlay over other windows. Provide these only to verified programs from Google Play to avoid data leakage.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you set up your lock screen, you often make mistakes that lead to even bigger problems, and let's look at the most common ones.

Error 1: Complete shutdown of the proximity sensor

Many people, when they have a problem, immediately turn off the sensor in the engineering menu, which leads to:

• 📵 Loss of Automatic Locking Function.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (the screen remains on).
• 💥 Conflicts with other sensors (light, gyroscope).

Solution: Instead of turning off, try calibrating or adjusting your sensitivity.

Mistake 2: Using unofficial firmware

On custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience), the proximity sensor often doesn't work properly, due to the lack of drivers for a particular model.

Solution: If you encounter a problem after firmware, go back to the official MIUI or hyperos.

Mistake 3: Ignoring updates

Old versions. MIUI (for example, MIUI 11 and below) there were bugs with the proximity sensor, many users do not update the software for fear of losing data.

Solution: Before updating, back up through Settings → The phone. → Backup. Most bugs are fixed in MIUI 14 and HyperOS.

Mistake 4: Self-repairing the sensor

The proximity sensor is a fragile element, and if you try to clean or replace it yourself, you can damage the plume or contacts.

Solution: If the sensor is physically defective, contact the service center. On most Xiaomi models, it is inexpensive to replace it (from 500 to 1500 rubles).

Mistake 5: Conflict with covers and films

Thick covers or poor-quality protective glasses can block the sensor signal, especially for curved-screen models (Xiaomi). 11T Pro, 12S Ultra).

Solution: Check the sensor without the case. If the problem is gone, use the notch cases for the sensor.

💡

If after replacing the display, the proximity sensor stopped working, most likely, the masters did not connect the plume or installed an unoriginal spare part.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions