How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Mi 9: Problem Solving

Owners of Xiaomi flagship devices often face an annoying problem: during a phone conversation, the screen suddenly goes out and the interlocutor is not heard until you press the call completion button. This is a classic symptom of incorrect operation of the proximity sensor, which in the Xiaomi Mi 9 model is located under the display, making it sensitive to the slightest contamination or software failures.

Users are looking for a way to completely deactivate this sensor to avoid accidental locks, but standard methods do not.The MIUI system does not provide a direct "off" button in normal settings, requiring deeper intervention or the use of an engineering menu.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods of solving the problem, from the banal cleaning of the screen to entering special codes into the engineering menu, you will learn how to diagnose a malfunction and whether it is worth completely disabling this module for comfortable use of the smartphone.

Why the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Mi 9 is not working properly

The main reason for the problems lies in the design of the device itself. Unlike the older models, where the sensor was placed in the top frame, the Xiaomi Mi 9 uses in-screen sensor technology, which allowed to increase the usable area of the display, but created a vulnerability to software bugs and physical interference.

Often the system miscalibrates the sensitivity, mistaking the finger or edge of the case for an object that blocks the view, and as a result, MIUI blocks the touchscreen, thinking that the phone is pressed against the ear, and also the cause may be low-quality protective glass, which has too thick adhesive layer or does not have a special cutout.

Another factor is the accumulation of fat and dirt in the micro-zone above the speaker, where the sensor "sees"; even the film that is invisible to the eye can distort the infrared radiation that the sensor uses to determine the distance to the object.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the proximity sensor completely will cause the screen to stop going out during the conversation.You can accidentally hit the reset button with your cheek or turn on the speakerphone.

Diagnostics and check of sensor performance

Before we go to radical measures, we need to make sure that the problem lies in the sensor, and not in the software failure of the operating system.

You need to go to the dial menu and enter the universal code ##6484##. The CIT (Customer Interface Test) interface will open, which provides a complete list of smartphone components.

Press it and hold your hand to the top of the screen, and if the numbers change (usually from 5.0 to 0.0 or vice versa), then the module is physically functional and responsive to obstacles, and if the values are still in place, you may need to flash or repair.

💡

Before starting the tests, be sure to remove the protective glass or film, which is often the cause of false alarms of the sensor in the Xiaomi Mi 9.

It's also worth checking if Pocket Mode is enabled, which can conflict with the main sensor. It's on the Settings path → Lock and Protection → Pocket Mode. Try turning it off and check the behavior of the phone.

Using the Engineering Menu to Disable

The most effective way to influence the sensor without obtaining Root rights is to use hidden settings through the engineering menu, but it is worth remembering that different versions of MIUI items may be called differently or missing.

Log in to the CIT menu with ##6484## or through the Services & Reviews app (five quick clicks on the kernel version).Look for the Proximity sensor section. Some builds have a Calibrate button.

The calibration process looks like this:

• 📱 Remove all items from the top of the screen.
• 🖐️ Press the Calibrate button and wait until it is completed.
• 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
• 📞 Check the work in the test call.

If there is no direct shutdown button, you can try resetting the sensor settings to factory values in the same menu, which sometimes helps eliminate the software “glitch” that makes you think that the sensor is permanently closed.

Third-party applications for sensor control

Since Xiaomi cannot completely shut down the sensor with regular means, users often turn to third-party software from Google Play. These applications do not remove the driver, but intercept its readings and ignore them.

One popular solution is Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix, or something like Less Touch, which requires special permissions, such as the right to draw over other windows and access system settings through ADB.

These utilities may require a computer connection to operate, and the permission command looks something like this:

adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Once set up, the app will hang in the background and force the screen to be turned on while calling, ignoring the sensor signals, a compromise solution that requires a running process in memory.

⚠️ Note: Installing applications from unknown sources or requiring deep system rights can reduce the security of your Xiaomi Mi 9.

Table: Comparison of methods of solving the problem

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we systematized methods for their effectiveness and complexity of implementation.

Radical measures: Root rights and system modification

For advanced users who are not afraid of losing warranty, there is a way to completely disable the sensor at the system level, which requires unlocking the Bootloader bootloader and establishing superuser rights through Magisk.

Once root is granted, you can use file managers with access to system partitions (such as Root Explorer) or specialized Magisk modules. You need to find the configuration file responsible for the sensors (often this is the case). proximity_sensor.xml folder-like /etc/sensors), change its parameters or remove it.

A safer option is to install a customized recavator (TWRP) and firmware a modified core in which the sensor driver is disabled by the developer, which requires searching for a specific firmware for the Xiaomi Mi 9 model (codename: cepheus) on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.

💡

Getting Root rights is the only way to programmatically and permanently remove sensor functionality, but it makes the device vulnerable to malware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)