Many Xiaomi smartphone owners face a situation where the screen does not turn when the device changes position, or in games the character is controlled in jerks. This is a direct indication that the gyroscope requires attention. The built-in sensor is responsible for determining the orientation of the gadget in space and is used in navigation, games and virtual reality.
The malfunction of this module can turn the use of a modern device into torture. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS shells have self-correcting tools, and you don't have to carry your phone to a service center to solve most software failures.
What is a gyroscope and why you need it in a smartphone
A gyroscope is a microelectromechanical system that tracks the angles of rotation of the device around three axes. Unlike an accelerometer that responds only to linear acceleration, the gyroscope captures exactly the rotation, which allows the system to understand that you have tilted the phone to turn a card or tilted the steering wheel in a racing game.
Without this sensor, augmented reality (AR) technology is impossible to work fully. Applications that superimpose virtual objects on the camera image use the gyroscope data to precisely position it. If the sensor data comes in with delay or distortion, virtual objects will float or shiver.
In Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, the sensor is also responsible for the smart screen function, which rotates the interface when changing orientation, but its impact is broader: video stabilization, gesture control, and even some pedometer functions are tied to the accuracy of the readings of this module.
It's important to understand that a gyroscope is a physical device that can be exposed to external factors, that drops, vibrations, or magnetic fields can knock it down to its factory settings, and that's why periodic calibration is a maintenance norm, not a sign of failure.
Preparation for calibration: Hidden Engineering Menu
To make the right adjustment, the user will need access to the system testing utility. Unlike standard Android settings, Xiaomi provides access to deep diagnostics through a special code. You need to open the Phone application and type a combination of characters.
Type ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, the screen will instantly change and you will be taken to the CIT menu. This is a factory interface designed for engineers and testers, so here are checks of all the sensors of the device.
In the test list, find a item called "Gyroscope" or "Sensor." Point numbers may vary depending on the version of MIUI, so read the names carefully. By clicking on this item, you start checking the current readings of the sensor.
In this mode, you'll see three graphs or numerical values that correspond to the X, Y and Z axes. If you put your phone on a flat surface, the values should be close to zero. Any deviations indicate that you need to reset the calibration.
What if the code doesn't work?
Step-by-step instructions for calibrating a gyroscope
The adjustment process requires calmness and a level surface. Don't calibrate on the couch or in your hands, because the system counts the slightest jitters for movement. Put your smartphone on a completely flat table with the screen up.
In the gyroscope testing menu, find the Calibrate button, and the system will ask you to place the device on a flat horizontal surface, and once confirmed, the data collection process will begin, and you can't touch the phone at this time.
Then the system can ask you to flip the device or tilt it at a certain angle, following the screen. Move the gadget smoothly, without sudden jerks. After all the steps are completed, a message will appear about the successful calibration.
☑️ Checklist before calibration
Once the procedure is completed successfully, the device needs to be restarted, so that the Android operating system can apply new correction rates, and without rebooting, the changes may not take effect in running applications.
⚠️ Attention: If you drop your phone or pull your hand abruptly during the calibration process, the process will reset, in which case the data may be recorded incorrectly, leading to even more distortions.
Configure through the standard settings menu
Not all Xiaomi models require an engineering menu, and newer versions of the HyperOS shell and newer MIUIs have a simplified reset feature that is useful for quick corrections without the use of codes.
Go to Settings, then select Additional (or Advanced Settings) and find the Language and Input menu, and sometimes you find Sensor Calibration, which depends on the regional version of the firmware.
A more versatile way is to use the Reset feature for a particular application if the problem is only seen in one game. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, select the problem game and click Clear -> Clear All. This will reset the gyroscope data cache for that application.
It's also worth checking the autorotation settings. The "Steer" icon should be on the notification curtain. If Portrait Mode is on, the gyro will ignore the device turning to the horizontal position, which users often mistakenly mistake for a malfunction.
Using third-party applications to fine-tune
If the built-in tools don't work, Google Play's dedicated tools come to the rescue, allowing you to visualize the sensors in real time and perform deeper calibration, and one of the most popular tools is the GPS Status & Toolbox app.
Once installed, open the app menu and search for "Tools." Select the Calibrate accelerometer option. Despite the name, this feature often overwrites data for the gyroscope, as these sensors are closely related.
Put your phone on a flat surface and press Calibrate. The app will give you a message of successful completion. Another effective solution is Sensor Multitool, which shows detailed graphs of all sensors.
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Use the level (bubble) on the second phone to make sure the surface on which Xiaomi stands is really perfectly flat.Even a small table tilt can knock the calibration.
The advantage of third-party software is that it can force a sensor data reset even if the system menu is blocked by the manufacturer, especially for devices purchased in the global market with Chinese firmware.
Diagnosis and performance testing
How do you make sure that the setup is successful? The easiest way is to open any application with a video player (YouTube, Gallery) and rotate the phone. The screen should respond instantly, without delay. In a navigator (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps), the direction arrow should rotate smoothly following the turn of the car or pedestrian.
For a game diagnosis, run a heavy shooter or a race. Pay attention to the behavior of the camera or steering wheel. If the sight floats away on its own or the machine turns without touching the screen, then the drift of the gyroscope is still present.
The table below shows the main symptoms and their possible causes:
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen doesn't turn. | Autoturn or software failure disabled | Check the curtain, reboot the phone |
| Snap in the games | High sensor latency | Calibration through CIT, closing background applications |
| The arrow in the navigator is shaking | Magnetic interference | Remove the magnets, calibrate the eight. |
| Total lack of response | Hardware cliff or shutdown | Renovation is required at the service center |
⚠️ Attention: If after all the software manipulations, the gyroscope behaves chaoticly, perhaps the problem lies in the physical damage to the board.
Hardware problems and when repairs are needed
There are a number of signs that the software setting will not help. If the phone fell from a high altitude or was exposed to moisture, the probability of failure of the MEMS module (microsystem) is extremely high.
In such cases, the calibration can be successful, but after 5-10 minutes of operation, errors return, this is a sign of a "dying" sensor that loses stability when heated, and you should also be wary if the compass or vibrator stops working with the gyroscope.
For models with optical camera stabilization (OIS), gyroscope failure often manifests itself as a "twitch" video even in a static position. The camera tries to compensate for non-existent vibrations by creating a jelly effect.
In modern smartphones Xiaomi gyroscope is often soldered on a common board or combined into a single unit with an accelerometer, which requires professional repair using soldering equipment.
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If calibration through the engineering menu and third-party applications does not give a stable result, the problem is hardware in nature and requires a replacement of the sensor.