Calibration of the accelerometer on Xiaomi Mi A3: fixing autorotation failures and sensors

The Xiaomi Mi A3 is a popular smartphone with a clean Android One, but even it can have sensor problems over time. One of the most common problems is that the accelerometer, which is responsible for turning the screen automatically, accuracy in games and fitness trackers, and if your phone stopped correctly determining orientation, games became "glutty" and the pedometer shows incorrect data, it's time for calibration.

In this article, we will detail how to test and calibrate an accelerometer on the Mi A3 without root rights or special knowledge. You will learn about built-in Android tools, third-party applications and secret engineering menus that will help restore the sensors to their original accuracy, and why calibration can get lost and how to avoid it in the future.

Signs of malfunction of the accelerometer on Xiaomi Mi A3

Before you start setting up, it is important to make sure that the problem is in the accelerometer, not in a software failure or mechanical damage.

• 📱 The screen does not turn automatically (or turn late) when the phone changes position.
• 🎮 In games, the character moves by itself or is controlled late (for example, in the game). PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 📊 Fitness apps (Google Fit, Mi Fit) show unrealistic steps or distances.
• 🔄 The sensor sometimes freezes – the phone thinks it’s being held horizontally, even if it’s not.
• 🔧 In sensor tests (about them below), the values of the accelerometer do not change or jump chaotically.

If you know at least 2-3 of the items on the list, you probably need to calibrate the accelerometer.

⚠️ Warning: Before calibrating, turn off the Autoturn function in the notification curtain and turn it on again. Sometimes this temporarily solves the problem without additional actions.

Also make sure that the phone doesn't have magnetic cases or metal accessories - they can affect the readings of the sensors. If the problem persists, move on to diagnosis.

How to check the work of the accelerometer on the Mi A3

For accurate diagnosis, use built-in Android tools or third-party apps. We recommend two methods:

Method 1: Engineering menu (without root)

On the Xiaomi Mi A3, there is a hidden engineering menu where you can see raw sensor data.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that opens, select Hardware Testing (or Hardware Testing).
4. Scroll through the Sensors section and find the Accelerometer.

Here you'll see three values (X, Y, Z) that should change as you move your phone, and if the numbers are standing still or jumping randomly, the sensor needs to be calibrated.

Method 2: Sensor Test App (from Google Play)

Smart Tools' Sensor Test visualizes all sensors, including the accelerometer.

1. Start the application and select the Accelerometer.
2. Put the phone on a flat surface – the Z value should be close to 9.81 m/s2 (free fall acceleration).
3. Tilt the device at different angles – the values of X and Y should change smoothly.

If the reading is far from normal (e.g., Z shows 5.0 instead of 9.81), then the sensor is calibrated or damaged.

Step-by-step calibration of the accelerometer without root

If the diagnosis confirms the problem, we proceed to calibrate, and on the Mi A3, you can do this without superuser rights using standard Android tools and engineering codes.

Method 1: Engineering menu (most reliable)

This method works on most Xiaomi devices with pure Android, including the Mi A3:

1. Open the Phone app and type in ##6484## (code for sensor testing).
2. From the menu, select Sensor Calibration (or Sensor Calibration).
3. Find the Accelerometer and press Calibrate.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually put the phone on a flat surface and then flip it over on each side.

Once you've finished, restart the device. If the code didn't work, try an alternative:

##36446337##

Method 2: GPS Status and Toolbox

This app is originally designed to calibrate GPS, but can also reset the accelerometer settings:

1. Install GPS Status & Toolbox from Google Play.
2. Open the app and go to the Sensors section.
3. Find Accelerometer and press Reset or Calibrate.
4. Follow the instructions (usually you need to put the phone on the table and wait 10-15 seconds).

This method is less reliable than the engineering menu, but it can help if the first method does not work.

Battery charge > 50%|Magnetic covers removed|Turn off the curtain.|The phone is on a flat surface.|All background applications closed-->

Calibration of the root-right accelerometer (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, and you have root access, you can use deeper tools. On the Xiaomi Mi A3 with the unlocked bootloader, this method gives 100% results, but you need to be careful - wrong actions can lead to a failure of the sensors.

Method: Sensor Calibration (requires root)

1. Install the Sensor Calibration app from Google Play by NextApp, Inc.
2. Provide root access when requested.
3. Select the Accelerometer from the sensor list.
4. Press Calibrate and follow the instructions (usually put your phone on the table and then flip it over on 6 sides).
5. After calibration, restart the device.

This method resets the sensor’s factory offsets, so only use it if other methods have failed.

Method: Manual editing of configuration files

For power users, file editing /system/etc/sensors.conf (requires root and a super-user file manager, such as Root Explorer) is risky, however, and can cause sensors to fail if the changes are made incorrectly.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi A3 Android 11 firmware+ Manual editing of configuration files can cause system failure due to dm-verity protection. If you are not sure, use only the applications from Google Play.

What if calibration doesn’t help?

If the accelerometer is still not working properly after all the manipulations, the problem may be hardware.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - the accelerometer on the Mi A3 is soldered into the motherboard and requires professional repair.

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Before visiting the service center, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. After replacing the sensor, you may need to reset your phone.

How to Prevent Accelometer Failures in the Future

To avoid sensor problems, follow these tips:

• 🛡️ Use high-quality cases without magnets (they affect sensor readings).
• 🔄 Regularly (once in) 3-6 Check the operation of the accelerometer through the engineering menu.
• 📱 Avoid sharp falls and bumps – even if the screen is intact, sensors can shift.
• 🔧 Don’t install questionable apps to “optimize” sensors – they often spoil calibration.
• 🔄 After major Android updates, reset your calibration (via the engineering menu).

It is also worth turning off autorotation for individual applications if it does not work correctly, for example, in YouTube or Chrome, you can block the orientation of the screen in the settings of the application itself.

💡

Calibration of the accelerometer on Xiaomi Mi A3 does not require special skills – in 90% of cases, standard Android tools (engineering menus or apps from Google Play) help.

Frequent questions about calibration of the accelerometer on Xiaomi Mi A3