How to disable the proximity sensor on Android Xiaomi: instructions

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with many sensors that make using the device comfortable and safe. One of these elements is the proximity sensor, which automatically turns off the screen during a conversation if you bring the phone to your ear. This prevents accidental cheek pressing and saves battery power. However, in some cases this feature can work incorrectly, causing irritation to the owner.

Users often experience a screen that doesn't light up when you remove your phone from your ear, or it goes out at the wrong time. Sometimes you need to completely deactivate this sensor through an engineering menu or special settings. In this article, we'll discuss how to turn off the proximity sensor on the android Xiaomi, and also look at how to calibrate it if there is a software failure.

It’s worth noting that completely disabling the sensor may not be necessary just when it’s malfunctioning. Some users prefer to manually control the screen during calls or use third-party accessories that overlap the top of the display. Understanding the operation of the proxy (as this sensor is technically called) will help you better control the behavior of your device in various situations.

Why you might need to shut down the sensor

The main function of the proximity sensor is to lock the touchscreen and turn off the display when the object is brought closer than 2-3 centimeters. This is standard behavior for all modern smartphones. However, there are scenarios where this logic becomes an obstacle. For example, if you often use a speakerphone or headset, automatic screen quenching may be useless.

A common reason for turning to this setting is the incorrect operation of the protective glass or case. If the accessory has too thick edges or low quality transparency in the speaker area, the sensor can constantly "think" that the phone is near the ear, as a result, you can not answer the call or complete the call, because the screen remains black.

Disabling may also be necessary when using specific call recording or monitoring applications that conflict with MIUI system services. In rare cases, users want to leave the screen on during a conversation to see video content or information from other applications at the same time.

• 📱 Accessories conflict: Protective glass covers the sensor area, causing false positives.
• 🛠️ Sensor malfunction: Hardware failure requiring software shutdown of the function prior to repair.
• 📞 Specific scenarios: Using the phone as a fixed handset or the need for constant visual monitoring during a call.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the proximity sensor completely will cause the screen to stop going out during a conversation.Be prepared that with your cheek or ear you can press the reset or volume buttons if you hold the phone in the standard way.

Checking the sensor before disconnecting

Before you go to any drastic measures to shut down system functions, you need to make sure that the problem is really in the sensor, not in a software glitch that can be fixed. There is a built-in engineering menu in the MIUI shell for equipment diagnostics, and it is accessed through a special code.

Open the Phone app and dial the combination ##6484##. CIT-You're going to find a point in the test list that's associated with the proximity sensor, and it can be called the Proximity Sensor or the Proximity Sensor, and you click on it and you go into the proximity mode.

In this mode, the screen will display digital values. In the normal state, when nothing covers the top of the smartphone, the value should be 5.0 (or Close/1.0 depending on the firmware version). If you hold your palm to the top speaker, the value should change to 0.0 (or Open/0.0). If the numbers do not change or “jump” without your participation, then the sensor is not working correctly.

If the test shows unstable operation, it may not be necessary to turn off, but calibrate. Often, software resetting of parameters returns sensitivity to the sensor. If the sensor is physically broken or taped, then it is more logical to go to the deactivation methods described below.

Engineering menu and sensor calibration

One way to solve this problem is not to shut down completely, but to recalibrate, which often helps if, after changing the glass or falling, the sensor starts to "lie." Again, use the engineering menu ##6484##. Find the Proximity Sensor test.

Inside the test, there are usually two buttons: Color Test and Calibration. Press the calibration button. The screen can blink or vibrate. Then you have to remove your hand from the sensor and press Pass to save the new settings. If the Calibration button is inactive or not, this method will not work for you.

There is also a hidden command to reset the calibration via the dial menu that works on some versions of Android. Enter ##7780##. This action will reset the application settings and system settings, but will not delete personal data (photos, contacts). MIUI This command is often blocked by the manufacturer for security reasons.

If calibration didn't work, and you've decided to turn it off, you can use third-party utilities. Applications like Proximity Sensor Reset & Fix or Sensor Box let you programmatically restart the sensor service or force it to change its status. They don't require root rights, but their effectiveness depends on the processor model and the Android version.

Using third-party applications to manage calls

Because Xiaomi’s standard settings don’t have a “Switch Off the Proximity Sensor” slider, users often resort to installing specialized apps from Google Play, which intercept screen control during an incoming or outgoing call, ignoring signals from the proxy.

One popular solution is the Screen Off and On app, or Black Screen analogs, which basically locks the touchscreen programmatically but leaves the image on the display, or, conversely, prevents the screen from turning off the sensor system signal, allowing you to see the interlocutor or dialing interface even when you bring the phone to your face.

To adjust this method, it is necessary:

• 📥 Install the application: Download the proven software to control the call screen.
• 🔒 Grant permissions: Grant access over other apps and the right to control your phone.
• ⚙️ Set up mode: Select the option “Do not turn off the screen” or “Ignore the sensor».

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party call management apps requires broad permissions. Use only proven high-ranking software to avoid leaking your contacts and conversations.

Also, on newer versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), the aggressively system kills background processes, so you will have to manually configure autorun and remove battery restrictions for the selected application in the Settings → Applications → All Apps → [Your App] → Autorun.

Modification of system files and ADB commands

For advanced users who are not afraid to work with code, there is a method of disabling the sensor via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but requires connecting to a computer and enabling debugging over USB.

First, you need to start debugging the USB. To do this, go to the Settings. → On the phone and press quickly 7-10 once by “Version” MIUI», until you have the words, "You've become a developer," and then you'll see the menu, "Extended settings» → «For developers, activate the “Debugging by” switch USB».

Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers, and open the command line. Enter the following command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, you can try to enter a command that disables the sensor (does not work on all models and firmware versions):

adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_off 1

Alternatively, for some versions:

adb shell cmd sensor set-enabled-proximity false

It's worth noting that this is a temporary solution, and once the device is rebooted, the settings can reset, and there are risks that misuse of ADB commands can disrupt other sensors, such as autobrightness or accelerometer, if they are tied to a single module.

Hardware causes and physical disconnection

If software methods don’t work and the sensor doesn’t work properly due to physical damage (for example, after a fall or moisture), the only way out is physical intervention, but this is an extreme measure that requires disassembling the smartphone and having skills with small electronics.

The proximity sensor on modern Xiaomi is usually integrated into the top speaker plume or is located under the display (in models with AMOLED screens).

1. Carefully open the back cover (pre-heating the edge with a hairdryer).
2. Unscrew the fasteners and remove the protective plate.
3. Disable the plume going to the sensor board, or seal the sensor itself with opaque tape (so that it constantly “sees” the obstacle, which is also not always effective for turning off, but blocks its operation).

The safer hardware crutch is the use of magnets. Some Hall sensors (which are often combined with the approximation function in smart cases) respond to the magnetic field. But the classic optical sensor (infrared) magnet does not turn off, so the physical shutdown is either to disconnect the plume (which can cause a system error when booted) or to completely block it with an opaque material.

⚠️ Attention: Physical disassembly of the Xiaomi smartphone automatically deprives you of warranty service. If the device is under warranty, it is strictly not recommended to open the case yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The optimal solution to the problem is not to completely disable the sensor, but to properly calibrate it or replace the poor-quality protective glass that covers the sensor.

In conclusion, disabling the proximity sensor on Xiaomi is a task that requires understanding the consequences: If the problem is caused by defective accessories, it is easier to replace the glass; if it is a software conflict, the use of specialized applications will be the safest compromise between functionality and comfort of using a smartphone.