Calibration of a gyroscope on Xiaomi: why it gets lost and how to fix it

The gyroscope in Xiaomi smartphones is responsible for correctly determining the spatial position of the device, from the turns of the screen to the work of augmented reality in games and applications. However, even in new models like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5, users face problems: the screen spontaneously rotates, games “float”, and virtual reality works with distortions.

In this article, we will discuss why the gyroscope on Xiaomi begins to “glue”, how to calibrate it software and hardware, as well as which models are most susceptible to such failures. Separately, we will focus on the hidden MIUI settings, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which are able to return the accurate operation of the sensors without contacting the service.

Causes of gyroscope failures on Xiaomi: when you need calibration

The gyroscope in Xiaomi smartphones is a microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS) that can lose accuracy over time.

• 📱 Fall or impact – even a minor shake can displace the internal components of the sensor.
• 🔄 Update MIUI — after major updates (for example, before the MIUI 14) factory sensor settings are lost.
• 🔋 Battery discharge up to 0% - a sharp power outage can lead to errors in the operation of the microcontroller gyroscope.
• 🌡️ Overheating or hypothermia – extreme temperatures affect accuracy MEMS-sensor.
• 🛠️ Self-repair – after replacing the screen or battery, recalibration is often required.

How do you know if a gyro needs to be adjusted?

• 🎮 In games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact: Character is spontaneously turned.
• 📱 The screen is rotating with a delay or in the wrong direction.
• 📐 Augmented reality applications (AR) shift.
• 📊 In sensor tests (via ##6484##) the gyroscope shows zero values or chaotic jumps.

Calibration Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start setting up the gyroscope, follow several mandatory steps:

Battery charge ≥ 50% | Remove the case and film from the device |Close all background applications |Check the temperature of the case (should be room) |Switch off the power saving mode-->

Pay special attention to the temperature of the smartphone. If the case is hot (for example, after prolonged use of the navigator), let the device cool for 15-20 minutes. Overheating can distort the readings of the sensors, and the calibration will not be correct.

It is also recommended to check the work of the gyroscope through the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##6484##.
2. Select the Sensor Test (Sensor Test).
3. Look at the Gyroscope charts – in a calm state (the smartphone is on the table), the values should be close to zero.

⚠️ Note: If the gyroscope does not appear on the engineering menu at all or if it shows a Sensor failed error, the problem may be hardware.

Method 1: Calibration of the gyroscope through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 11 and POCO X5 Pro.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → For developers.
4. Find the Sensors section and select the Calibration of the gyroscope (on some firmware, the item may be called Sensor Reset).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen: you usually need to put your smartphone on a flat surface and wait 10-15 seconds.

If the calibration of the gyroscope is missing, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → System and device → Sensors.
2. Select Sensor Reset (this will result in all sensors, including the accelerometer and compass, being zeroed).

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After calibration, restart the smartphone – this will help to fix the new sensor settings in the device’s memory.

Method 2: Calibration through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use a hidden engineering menu, which is suitable for models based on Qualcomm processors (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Black Shark 5).

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (for Mediatek) or ##4636## (for Qualcomm).
2. Select Sensor Test or Hardware Testing.
3. Find the Gyroscope Sensor section and click Calibration.
4. Place your smartphone on a perfectly flat surface (like a glass table) and wait until the process is complete (usually takes 20-30 seconds).

Some firmware may require additional commands, such as a POCO F4 GT with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, after logging into the engineering menu, you need to:

Select "PCBA Test" → "Manual Test" → "Sensor" → "Gyroscope" → "Calibration"

⚠️ Warning: Continuous use of the engineering menu can cause firmware malfunctions. Do not change settings unless you are sure of their purpose!

Method 3: Software calibration via ADB (for power users)

If the built-in techniques didn’t work, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation:

1. Download and install Platform Tools from the official Android website.
2. Turn on your smartphone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times) → For developers → Debugging over USB).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).

Sizing:

1. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Reset the sensors: adb shell cmd sensorservice reset
4. For forced gyro calibration, use: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CALIBRATE_GYRO

Once you have completed the commands, restart your smartphone. If ADB issues a command not found error, make sure that the path to the platform-tools is added to the system environment variables.

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ADB-Calibration is the most profound method, because it resets the sensor settings at the system level. Use it if other methods have not worked.

Xiaomi models with frequent gyroscope problems: what to do for owners

Some Xiaomi models have historically suffered from gyroscope issues due to hardware features or firmware errors, and the table below shows the most problematic devices and recommendations for setting them up.

If your model is not listed in the table, but problems with the gyroscope persist after all the manipulations, check:

• 🔍 Firmware integrity – you may need to reflash the device via Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Physical damage – after falls, a gyroscope replacement may be required (cost) ~1500–3000 ₽ service-centre).
• 📦 Application conflict – some programs (e.g, GPU Turbo or Game Booster can block sensor access.

Preventing gyroscope failures: how to avoid repeated problems

To ensure that the gyroscope on Xiaomi works stably, follow these recommendations:

• 🛡️ Use depreciation cases – they reduce the risk of sensor damage in falls.
• 🔋 Avoid battery drains – this can knock down microcontroller settings.
• 📱 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions, sensor errors are often corrected.
• 🧲 Do not put your smartphone next to magnets – they can affect the work of the compass, which indirectly affects the gyroscope.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating – do not use your phone in direct sunlight or while charging in games.

It is also useful to periodically check the status of sensors through applications such as Sensor Test (available on Google Play).If you notice jumps in the values of the gyroscope in a calm state (for example, X: 0.5, Y: -0.3, Z: 1.1 instead of X: 0, Y: 0, Z: 0), repeat the calibration.

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For gamers: In game settings (such as Call of Duty Mobile or Free Fire), reduce the sensitivity of the gyroscope by 10-15% after calibration, which will reduce the effect of micro-shaking the sensor.

FAQ: Frequent questions about gyroscope calibration on Xiaomi