How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi 8 Pro: the full guide

Owners of flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro often experience intrusive behavior during a conversation, the screen goes out when you only slightly touched your cheek, or, conversely, does not light up when the phone is already near your ear. This is the result of the proximity sensor, which in this model is located at the top of the screen and can malfunction due to design features.

Users often look for a way to completely deactivate this sensor to avoid accidental cheek presses or interruption of calls. However, it is worth noting that completely disabling the function without using root rights is impossible with standard Android tools. However, there are effective calibration methods and software workarounds that solve the problem of malfunction.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available ways to customize the sensor on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro. You’ll learn how to accurately calibrate through the engineering menu, what hidden commands to use and why a simple reboot sometimes works wonders. We’ll also look at how third-party apps can replace the regular call functionality for more flexible management.

Why the proximity sensor is not working correctly on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

The sensor problems on the Mi 8 Pro are often due to the specific location of the infrared emitter. Unlike the older models, where the sensor was placed in a separate unit, here it is integrated into the structure of the display, which makes it sensitive to contamination, protective films and even cases with high sided sides that can block the beam.

In addition, software failures in the MIUI shell can cause false positives. The system can misinterpret data, believing that the phone is in the pocket or ear, even when it is not. False positives often occur after updating the firmware or installing applications that conflict with the system processes of screen control.

Physical factors also play a role: Falls, moisture or just a buildup of dust in the upper speaker area can significantly affect the accuracy of readings, and if the screen goes out on its own or does not respond to the approach, this is a signal that you need to calibrate or clean the touch zone.

⚠️ Warning: Before you start any manipulations with system settings, make sure there is no protective film on the screen at the top that could have shifted and closed the sensor.

Understanding the cause of a failure is the first step to solving it, and if the problem is caused by software, resetting or calibration will help, and if it's physical damage, software techniques can only temporarily alleviate the problem, but they won't fix the root of the problem forever.

Standard calibration through CIT's engineering menu

The most reliable way to fix the sensor without obtaining superuser rights is to use the built-in CIT engineering menu, which is designed to test hardware components and allows you to retrain the system to the correct distance values to the object.

To enter the test mode, you need to dial a special code in the Phone application. Enter the combination ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, the test menu will open, where you will see a complete list of all the components of the device.

Inside the test, you'll see two values: the current distance and the threshold. To calibrate, close the top of the screen with your palm, and then remove your hand. If the values change, but the screen does not go out during the call, press the Calibrate button. The system will record the new baseline.

After successful calibration, the device must be restarted. System restart is mandatory, as new parameters are stored in non-volatile memory and are only applied after initialization of the equipment at start. If the problem persists after restarting, deeper intervention may be required.

Using hidden settings through USSD-code

In the shell. MIUI There are hidden menus that are accessed through special USSD-They allow you to access advanced sensor settings that you can't see in the normal interface, and this can be useful if the standard calibration didn't work.

Try entering the code ##64663## or ##4636##. In the menu that opens, look for sections related to Device Info or Sensors. Here you can see raw data from the sensor in real time, which helps to diagnose whether the sensor "sees" something when there is nothing in front of it.

In some versions of the firmware, these codes allow the option of forced sensor shutdown for tests, but this does not persist after the reboot. However, watching the readings in this menu helps determine whether the problem is software or hardware. If the values jump randomly without touching, hardware failure is likely.

It is also worth noting that on global firmware versions, some engineering codes may be blocked by the manufacturer. ADB-commands or third-party software, which we will talk about in the following sections.

Disconnection through ADB and system commands

For advanced users who want to completely disable the sensor at the system level, there is a method of using USB debugging (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having drivers installed, and allows you to make changes to the system configuration files.

The first thing you need to do is activate the developer mode. → About the phone and press 7 times on the build number MIUI. Then, in the extended settings, turn on USB-Debugging. Connect your phone to your PC and start the command line with administrator privileges.

adb shell settings put secure proximity_sensor_on 0

This command tries to change the system variable that controls the state of the sensor, but on modern versions of Android and MIUI, this parameter can be protected, in which case a more radical method is to remove or rename the driver, but this requires root rights and can lead to bootloop.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands to change the system settings of the sensors can lead to unstable operation of the phone.

If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better limit yourself to software-based methods of shutting down through replacement apps. This is safer and doesn't require a computer connection every time you upgrade. ADB is best used for diagnostics only.

Third-party applications for call management

The most effective and safest way to turn off the sensor without breaking the system is to install an alternative call. Google Play apps can ignore the readings of the regular sensor and use other algorithms to determine where the phone is in the ear.

A popular solution is the True Phone Dialer & Contacts app or Billy Phone, which can be used to control the proximity sensor, such as setting a delay to turn off the screen or completely disabling the display during a conversation.

Another option is to use macro applications like MacroDroid or Tasker, which can create a scenario where you say, "If there's an incoming call, ignore the proximity sensor," which gives you flexibility: you can only turn off the sensor in certain situations, leaving it to work in others.

Installing third-party software requires permissions to work with your phone and contacts. Make sure you only download apps from trusted sources so you don't compromise the security of your personal data. Once installed, remember to assign a new app to the default call.

Comparison of problem-solving methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have compiled a table comparing the effectiveness and complexity of different methods. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the cause of the malfunction of your Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro.

As you can see from the table, it's always the least risky thing to do, because calibration and third-party apps solve 90 percent of the problems that users have, and radical measures like replacing a plume or soldering are rarely required, and only when the sensor is physically destroyed.

Remember that the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is located under the display, and its replacement often requires unplugging the screen, which is difficult to do at home without damaging the matrix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The safest and most effective way to combat false positives is to calibrate through the CIT-menu or use of a third-party application for calls with customizable sensitivity.

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If the screen goes out only in certain applications (for example, YouTube), the problem may not be in the proximity sensor, but in the “Touchless Control” function, which can be turned off in the special features settings.