Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with many sensors that provide comfortable use, but it is the proximity sensor that most often causes complaints of users. The situation when the screen goes out during a conversation or, conversely, does not turn off when you bring it to the ear, is familiar to many owners of Redmi and POCO. This is not just an annoyance, but a problem that interferes with full communication and often leads to accidental cheek pressing.
Fortunately, MIUI and HyperOS have a hidden engineering mode that allows you to fine-tune the sensor without root rights. Calibration helps the system re-determine the light and distance thresholds, returning the device to work correctly. In this article, we will discuss all the available solutions, from simple settings to deep engineering calibration.
Before you start complex manipulations, you should make sure that the problem lies in the software failure, and not in physical damage or trivial dirt on the body. Sensor malfunction can be caused by a protective glass covering the top of the display, or a case with thick sides. If the hardware is intact, the software setting will return the gadget to its previous responsiveness.
Failure diagnosis and preparation
The first step is to always be diagnosing carefully to avoid false positives. Often users start looking for complex codes and programs, when it is enough to simply wipe the top of the smartphone. The approach sensor works on the principle of emitting and reflecting infrared light, so even a thin film of fat or dust can block the signal.
Pay attention to security accessories. If you use a security glass that doesn't have a special cutout for the speaker and sensors, it can create glare or completely block the path of the beam, in which case Xiaomi gets the wrong distance data to the object, believing that the phone is constantly in the ear.
- 🧹 Wash the top of the screen with a soft cloth, paying attention to the area around the speaker.
- 🛡️ Remove the protective glass or case for inspection to exclude their impact on the sensor.
- 🔍 Visually inspect the sensor area for cracks or chips that may have damaged the element.
It is also worth checking whether the Pocket mode is activated in the locking settings, which sometimes conflicts with the main sensors. If the problem persists after cleaning and removing the accessories, then we move to software solutions.
⚠️ Warning: Before you start any manipulations, make sure that the battery is at least 30%, as calibration can take time and a sudden shutdown will interrupt the setup process.
Check the operation of the sensor through the engineering menu
The most reliable way to check the status of the sensor is to use the built-in CIT engineering menu. This tool is available on all Xiaomi smartphones and allows you to test each device module separately. You do not need third-party applications to log into the menu, just enter a special code in the Phone application.
Dial ##6484## or #4636## in the dialer-e. The list of tests will open to find the "Proximity sensor" item, in which the screen turns white or black, and the system displays the current sensor readings in numerical form.
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If the sensor value changes dramatically from 0 to 5 or 255 when you raise your hand, then the sensor is physically healthy, and the problem is in the software calibration.
So you'll see two basic values in the test, the minimum (when nothing's bothering you) and the maximum (when the sensor is closed), and the calibration is to teach the system to interpret these values correctly, and if the sensor doesn't respond to the palm, you may need to change the part.
Classic Calibration through Engineering Code
The most common method of solving a problem is to use special code to reset and reset, which is effective in 90% of software failures. You don't need a computer or complex utilities, the whole procedure takes no more than two minutes.
Open the Phone app and enter the code ##64663##. If the code didn't work, try ##6485### - depending on the MIUI version and model (e.g. Redmi Note or POCO F), the interfaces may differ. In the menu that opens, look for "Proximity sensor calibration."
☑️ Calibration algorithm
The process is this: you remove all the objects from the top of the screen and press the calibration button. The system reads the "base" value (usually 0 or 255, depending on the type of sensor), then you are asked to close the sensor with your hand or dense material. After a successful read, the phone vibrates, confirming the completion of the procedure.
⚠️ Warning: During calibration, hold your phone still and do not cover the sensor too hard to avoid distorting pressure or light readings.
Once successfully completed, be sure to restart the device. Without a reboot, the new settings may not take effect, and the phone will continue to work on the old, erroneous settings.
Using the Engineer Mode app for deep customization
If standard codes don't work or CIT menus aren't available, you can use Engineer Mode or Mi Test, which provides more detailed access to the hardware settings, and you can download them from the official GetApps store or trusted sources, as they may not be available on Google Play.
You have to find the section associated with the Single Item Test and select the proximity sensor, and there's often an extended calibration available where you can manually set the trigger thresholds, which is useful for models with a remote sensor that's either under the screen or in a non-standard location.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Min Value | Minimum value (nothing is near) | 0 or 255 (depending on model) |
| Max Value | Maximum value (closed by hand) | Any value >> Min |
| Threshold | Efficiency threshold | Automatically. |
| Status | Current status of the sensor | Near / Far |
Some firmware versions have an "Auto Calibration" feature that runs a series of tests and selects the optimal settings on its own, a process that can take up to 30 seconds for the screen to blink.
What to do if the calibration is not maintained?
Third-party calibration applications
When Xiaomi's built-in tools are powerless, third-party developers come to the rescue. There are many apps in the Play Market, such as Proximity Sensor Reset & Calibration or Sensor Calibration Fix, that work on a similar principle, but sometimes have a more user-friendly interface.
But remember, these apps require special permissions, and for deep calibration, they may need to be accessed via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a more complex method that requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and typing commands.
- 📲 Download a proven high-rated calibration app.
- 💻 For advanced features, connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging USB.
- ⌨️ Enter the command adb shell am start -n com.android.phone/.CallFeaturesSettingActivity for accessing hidden menus.
Using third-party software is justified if you have tried all the standard methods, and often these programs simply run the same system scripts, but in a more understandable shell.
⚠️ Be careful when granting root rights or access ADB Unknown applications, this may compromise the security of your personal data.
Solving the problems with the remote sensor
Modern Xiaomi models (starting with the Mi 9 series and many Redmi Notes) use Virtual Proximity Sensor technology. There is no physical hole - the sensor is built into the screen. These sensors often work incorrectly due to software bugs in the screen drivers.
For these devices, the classic calibration may not work, in which case it helps to update drivers through the Update of components menu in the system settings, and it is also effective to completely reset the settings, but make sure to make a backup before you do this.
If you have a remote sensor model, try turning off the "Enlarged Speaker" or "Enhanced Sound" feature if you have them in your audio settings. Sometimes software audio filters conflict with the sensor's algorithms, causing false positives.
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For smartphones with a sensor under the screen, it is critical to use original or high-quality protective glass that does not distort light transmission.