Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the popular Mi 8, are famous for their functionality and affordable price, but users often face intrusive system functions. One of the most annoying problems is the proximity sensor, which during phone calls can turn off the screen at the slightest touch of the cheek or even just when the phone is near the ear, which leads to the fact that the subscriber does not see the keyboard to translate the call to speakerphone or can not complete the call until the screen lights up again.
Many Xiaomi Mi 8 owners are looking for ways to completely deactivate this sensor to avoid accidental taps and locks. Fortunately, the Android operating system in the MIUI shell provides several levels of access to managing hardware components. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from simple settings in the Phone application to using engineering menus and third-party utilities for deep calibration or complete shutdown.
Now, you know, turning off the sensor completely changes the way the device works when it's making calls, and the screen will burn all the time while the connection is going on, which can lead to accidental taps of the cheek or fingers, but for those who prefer to control every pixel on the screen on their own, this is the only way out of a situation where the sensor is not working properly, and we'll look at safe ways to solve this problem.
⚠️ Warning: A complete shutdown of the proximity sensor means that the smartphone screen will not go out automatically when brought to the ear.This can cause an accidental reset of the call or activation of the hands-free communication with the cheek during a conversation.
Staff settings of the application "Phone" in MIUI
Before we go into the complex technical manipulations of the engineering menu, we need to check the basic settings of the system. In the latest versions of the MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Mi 8, developers have implemented the ability to control sensitivity or disable the lock screen function directly in the call interface, this is the most secure method that does not require root rights or special software.
To start, open the standard Phone app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen. Here you should look for an item related to incoming calls or general application behavior. If you find the Approximation Sensor option, switching it to Off will solve the problem. However, in some regional firmwares, this item may be hidden or absent, which will require the use of alternative methods.
It is important to note that even if there is no explicit switch, cleaning the phone application data sometimes helps.This will reset the settings to factory settings and can eliminate software errors that cause false sensor alarms. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Phone → Clear → Clear all data. After rebooting, check if the device behavior has changed.
- 📱 Open the Phone app and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
- ⚙️ Select Settings and scroll through the list to the Incoming Calls section».
- 🔍 Look for the option “Mode in your pocket” or “approach sensor” and try to turn it off.
- 🔄 If there is no option, clean the data of the Phone application through system settings.
Using the CIT Engineering Menu for Testing
The Engineering Menu, or CIT, is a powerful diagnostic tool built into the Xiaomi Mi 8 firmware. It allows you not only to test individual modules of the device, but in some cases to change their parameters. This menu is accessed through a special code entered in the dialing field. It is a secure part of the system, designed for service engineers, but also accessible to ordinary users.
To get to the menu, open the dialing app and enter the combination ##6484##. Once you enter the last digit, the list of tests will open. Find the Proximity Sensor item in the list. When you click on it, you will see the current state of the sensor: the distance to the object in centimeters. If you put your finger on the top of the screen, the value should change from a large number (for example, 5.0 cm) to zero or close to it.
In some versions MIUI There's a calibration or reset button inside this test, and clicking on Calibration can help if the sensor is just bugging and it's not showing the right values. CIT-This feature may not be available and will require you to navigate to a deeper engineering menu via ##3646633## (not all Snapdragon processors) or use the code. ADB-The teams that will be discussed below.
What to do if the engineering menu code doesn’t work?
Disconnection through ADB and system commands
For advanced users who are not afraid to work with a computer, the most effective way to manage system functions is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging method. This method allows you to send commands directly to the Xiaomi Mi 8 operating system, bypassing the graphical interface. First, you need to turn on the developer mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times.
After activating the developer mode, activate the item "Debugging by USB» In the menu of additional settings. Connect the smartphone to the computer through high-quality USB-You need to have a Platform-tools package installed on your computer. Open the command line or the terminal in the folder with ADB And you type in the adb device command to make sure that the device is detected, and you'll see a debugging permission request on the phone screen, and you'll need to confirm it.
To turn off the proximity sensor, you can try to change the value of the system variable.
adb shell settings put system proximity_on_close 0However, depending on the Android version and the specific driver implementation in the Xiaomi Mi 8, this command may not give an instant visual effect or be ignored by the security system.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB Platform-tools on your computer.
- 🔌 Turn on "Debugging by" USB» In the settings of the developer Xiaomi Mi 8.
- 📟 Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging on the device screen.
- ⌨️ Enter a command to change the sensor system settings through the terminal.
💡
Use only the original. USB-The cable that came with the Xiaomi Mi 8, or a quality analogue. Cheap charging cables often don't support data transfer, leading to a connection error. ADB.
Third-party applications for sensor management
If you don't want to mess with the command line, specialized applications from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. There are many utilities, such as Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix or Lesser Notification Volume, that claim to be able to calibrate and control sensors, and these applications work in the background and can intercept signals from the sensor by ignoring them or adjusting thresholds.
One popular solution is to use jammer applications that programmatically block the system's response to proximity sensor data. Once you install this software on the Xiaomi Mi 8, you'll be asked to calibrate the sensor: close the top of the screen with your hand and then open it. The app will remember these values and filter the signals if they fall into the "closed" range, but the system requires "open".
Apps are constantly asking the sensor what the battery is using, and the effectiveness of these programs varies depending on the version of MIUI: newer versions of the system often block the operation of such utilities for security and stability.
⚠️ Note: Download applications to work with the system only from trusted sources, such as Google Play. APK-Files from dubious sites can lead to malware infection of the device.
Comparison of methods of disconnecting the sensor
The choice of how to disable the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Mi 8 depends on your technical skills and the desired result. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Staff settings are safe but often unavailable. ADB gives full control, but requires preparation. Applications are convenient but can affect the battery. Below is a comparison table to help determine the choice.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone settings | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Engineering Menu (CIT) | Medium | Tall. | High (calibration) |
| ADB team | Tall. | Medium | Maximum |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | Medium | Depends on the MIUI version. |
Analyzing the data, we can conclude that for most users, the best option is to try calibration through an engineering menu or use a specialized application. The ADB method should be recommended only to experienced users who understand the risks of making changes to system files.
💡
The safest and most stable way to solve the problem is through software calibration through an engineering menu, rather than completely shutting down the sensor.
Possible risks and problems after disconnection
When you decide to turn off the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Mi 8, you have to be aware of the consequences. The main function of this sensor is to prevent accidental taps. Without it, the screen will remain active during a conversation. This means that the cheek, hair or fingers can press the reset button, turn on the microphone or turn on the speakerphone. In emergency situations, this can be critical.
Also, the constant operation of the display during a conversation significantly increases battery consumption. Xiaomi Mi 8 is equipped with a battery. AMOLED-a screen that, although energy efficient, with constant work in bright mode during long negotiations can discharge faster than usual. It is also worth considering that some applications (for example, voice recorders or instant messengers with video calls) may behave incorrectly in the absence of a signal from the sensor.
In rare cases, after unsuccessful attempts to disconnect through ADB or third-party software, it may be necessary to completely reset or flash the device.The system may begin to cyclically reboot or stop responding to touches at the top of the screen.So before any manipulation of the system settings of the sensors, be sure to create a full backup of important data.
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to constantly burning screen during calls.
- 📞 Risk of accidentally dropping a call or turning on a hands-free cheek.
- 📉 Possible instability of other applications tied to sensors.
- 🛠️ Theoretical possibility of software failures requiring resetting settings.