How to turn off the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi phone

Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the Redmi and POCO sub-brands, often experience screens that go out during a conversation without responding to taps. This is a classic glitch in the sensor at the top of the case. Users are looking for a way to turn off the proximity sensor on their phone so they can continue to talk to the display on or use the speakerphone without interruption.

The problem can be either a software failure of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, or a physical contamination or protective film. Complete software shutdown of the function is possible, but requires certain actions, since the standard "off" button is not provided in the usual settings. In some cases, instead of turning off, only correct calibration is required, which will return the device to stability.

In this article, we will look at all the available methods for managing this module, from simple call settings to using an engineering menu and debugging over USB. You will learn to distinguish between software glitch and hardware breakdown, and also learn how to temporarily lock the sensor for comfortable communication. It is important to understand that completely ignoring the sensor readings can lead to accidental cheek pressing, so you need to approach the decision carefully.

Reasons for the incorrect operation of the sensor on Xiaomi

Before you look for a shutdown button, you need to understand the nature of the problem. The proximity sensor is an infrared emitter and receiver that work in pair. When you hold the phone to your ear, the beam bounces off the surface and the screen goes out to save energy and prevent false touches. On Xiaomi devices, failures are often caused not by a breakage, but by external factors.

One of the main reasons is the protective glass or film that covers the sensor area. Even a microscopic crack or a greasy spot in the upper speaker zone can distort the readings. The system reads the constant presence of an object in front of the screen and forcibly blocks it.

In models like the Redmi Note 9 Pro or the POCO X3 NFC, there is no physical eye, the phone knows it's brought to the ear by changing position in space, and if the gyro is calibrated down, the phone can "think" what's on the table when you hold it to your ear, or vice versa, it can turn off the screen in your hand.

⚠️ Warning: If your device has broken glass in the top of the case, the sensor may not work properly due to the refraction of the rays through the cracks.

Another factor is software conflicts after a firmware update: MIUI developers periodically change the algorithms for processing data from the sensors; after an update, the old calibration settings may become irrelevant, leading to chaotic screen behavior; in rare cases, a third-party application that intercepts sensor control becomes the culprit.

Basic settings and verification in the Phone application

The first step that you need to take, which doesn't require developer rights or complex manipulations, is to check the settings of the Phone application. There's a built-in switch in the MIUI shell that controls the behavior of the screen during a call. It doesn't physically disable the sensor itself, but it changes the logic of how the system uses it.

To access these options, open the standard Phone app and go to the settings menu. It's usually three dots in the corner or a gear. Find the partition that handles incoming calls. There may be a "Draw-up Sensor" item. If it's active, the system will try to turn off the screen when you lift it. Disabling this item will allow the screen to burn constantly.

However, on many modern versions of HyperOS, this item may be hidden or absent, as Xiaomi strives for minimalist interface, in which case the standard methods of the system will not affect the operation of the sensor, then alternative methods of managing calls come to the rescue.

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Use alternative calling apps like Google Phone or Truecaller, and their settings often include more flexible proximity sensor control that override MIUI system settings.

It's also worth checking if In-Pack mode is enabled. This feature uses the same sensor, but with greater sensitivity. If you have pocket mode activated in your screen or lock settings, the phone will respond to any dimming at the top. → Lock screen to rule out false positives.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics and Resetting

The engineering menu is a hidden part of the system that's designed to test hardware components, and you can not only check the sensor's performance, but also reset it, and you can access this menu through a special code in the dial, and it's a secure method that doesn't require root rights.

To enter, dial ##6484##. The CIT (Customer Integration Test) list will open. Find the "Proximity Sensor" or "Proximity Sensor" item in the list. When you click on it, you'll see the current readings. Hold your palm to the top of the screen and remove it. If the numbers change (usually 5.0 to 0.0 or 1 to 0), then the sensor is physically fit.

Some versions of the engineering menu have a Calibrate button available. If you see the values floating or not going back to zero when the hand is removed, press this button. Put the phone on a flat surface, put your hands away, and wait for the process to be completed.

If the engineering menu doesn’t open or the calibration point isn’t available, it could mean that the manufacturer has blocked access to these features in your firmware version (especially relevant for Global versions), in which case move on to deeper customization methods through debugging.

Disconnection via USB debugging and ADB commands

The most effective way to completely disable or reconfigure the sensor is to use a computer and tools. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method allows you to send system commands that are not available through a regular interface. You'll need a PC, USB-cable and enabled debugging on the smartphone.

First, activate Developer Mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the MIUI Version field. You will notice that you have become a developer. Then, in the advanced settings, find “Debug over USB” and activate it. Connect the phone to your computer.

Open the command prompt (cmd) on your computer in the ADB folder. Enter the adb device command to check the connection. The phone screen will request debugging permission — press OK. If the device is determined, you can enter commands to control the sensor. However, there is no universal "off" command for the proximity sensor, since it is a system component.

Instead of completely shutting down, it often helps to reset the sensor settings via ADB. The command can look like:

adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_enabled 0

Or, depending on the version of Android:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.providers.sensor

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB If the phone starts to behave strangely after you type in commands, reset to factory settings. Be careful with pm disable commands, disabling only services you know you're good at.

There is also a dedicated application called Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix, which works on the ADB principle, but has a graphical interface, and it can automatically perform the necessary actions to reset the sensor configuration without connecting to a PC if the device has already been granted the corresponding permissions.

Third-party applications for call management

If the system fails to solve the problem, the logical solution is to replace the standard "caller" app from Google Play Market can ignore the readings of the standard sensor or use their own algorithms, this is the safest way to "bypass" the problem without deep interference with the system.

A popular solution is the Truecaller app or Google Phone. Google Phone settings often have the option "Put to your ear to turn on the speaker." By turning it off, you prevent the speakerphone from accidentally turning on, but the screen can continue to go out. More advanced applications like Calls Blacklist or specialty call utilities allow you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the screen.

There are fixing applications, like Proximity Sensor Fix, which run in the background and adjust the data coming from the sensor to the system, and if the sensor is stuck in the close state, the app can programmatically reset its state, but the effectiveness of these programs depends on the Android version and access rights.

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Using a third-party “caller” is the easiest way to ignore the faulty sensor, as the new app will not rely on standard, possibly corrupted, settings of the Xiaomi system.

When installing third-party software, be sure to provide all the permissions you request: access to contacts, call logs and, most importantly, access to sensors. Without this, the application will not be able to intercept control. Remember that installing unknown applications carries risks to the security of personal data.

Mechanical causes and physical maintenance

The physical aspect of the problem is also not excluded. The proximity sensor is an optical device. If the speaker has accumulated dust, dirt or skin fat in the grid, it blocks the infrared beam. In models with a cut-out droplet or bangs, the sensor is often located in a narrow slit where garbage is easily stuffed.

To clean, use a soft toothbrush or dry brush. Walk carefully on the top of the screen. You can use compressed air (a balloon), but with caution so as not to damage the speaker membrane. Alcohol or liquid is only allowed on a microfiber, slightly moistened, but not splashing directly on the phone.

If you have a security glass, take a good look at it. Sometimes the factory quality of the glass is low and it has a darkening in the sensor area. Try to carefully remove the glass and check without it. Often this solves the problem instantly, because cheap glass can be thicker than calibrating a particular smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)