Disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi 9 Pro: safe and error-free

Why to turn off the proximity sensor and when it really needs to

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi 9 Pro is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone call when you hold the device to your ear. In most cases, this feature works correctly, but sometimes users experience false positives: the screen goes out when you simply hold the smartphone in your hand, does not respond to touches after a call or, conversely, does not turn off during a conversation, which leads to accidental pressing.

Disabling the sensor may be necessary in several scenarios:

• 🔧 Failure of the sensor - after falling or getting moisture, it begins to work incorrectly.
• 🎮 Game mode – if you use your smartphone for streaming or voice chat games, permanently turning off the screen prevents you from playing.
• 📱 Castom firmware – after installing unofficial software, the sensor may conflict with the system.
• 🔄 Experimenting with settings – some users prefer to manually control the screen.

However, before deactivation, it is worth considering an important nuance: without a proximity sensor, the screen will not lock during calls, which increases the risk of accidental pressing. If the problem lies in the incorrect operation of the sensor, it is better to first try its calibration or resetting settings.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in MIUI options. Unfortunately, in the latest firmware versions, the direct option to disable the proximity sensor may be hidden, but it can be activated through Settings → Special features.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings and go to Special Opportunities.
2. Choose Physical Opportunities → Gesture management.
3. Activate the option to Disable the proximity sensor (if not, see method 2).
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

If the item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → System system → Additionally.
• 🔧 Find the Sensors and disable the Approach Sensor.
• 🔄 Reboot Xiaomi 9 Pro to Apply Changes.

⚠️ Note: In some regional versions MIUI (For example, in China, the option to disable the sensor can be blocked, in which case it will be necessary to unlock the bootloader or use the sensor. ADB.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

If the standard settings fail, you can use the engineering menu (##6484## or #4636###) which requires caution, as incorrect changes can cause sensors to malfunction.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##6484##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Click Disable or uncheck Enable.
4. Go back to the main menu and select Save & Exit.

If the combination doesn’t work, try the alternative code:

##4636## → Testing → Sensors → Disable the proximity sensor

⚠️ Warning: After the sensor is turned off through the engineering menu, some functions (such as automatic brightness control) may not work properly. To get it back, repeat the steps and turn the sensor on again.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced)

If the first two methods fail, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press to unlock the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type-C cable (original or quality).

Instructions:

1. Connect Xiaomi 9 Pro to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb shell


settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0

1. Reset the device.

To get the sensor back to work, do:

adb shell


settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 1

💡

If after the sensor is turned off, the screen stops responding to touches during calls, try using headphones with a microphone or turn on speakerphone, which will temporarily resolve the problem before the sensor is reactivated.

Possible problems after disconnecting the sensor and how to solve them

Disabling the proximity sensor can cause several side effects, and here are the most common ones and how to eliminate them:

If you notice that other sensors (such as a gyroscope or accelerometer) are deteriorating after the sensor is turned off, you may be dealing with a conflict at the core level, which can help:

• 🔄 Resetting settings to factory (with data preservation).
• 📥 Reflashing the device to the official version MIUI.
• 🛠️ Contacting a service center (if the sensor is physically damaged).

💡

Disabling the proximity sensor does not affect the basic functions of the smartphone, but can create discomfort when calling.Always check alternative solutions (calibration, reset) before fully deactivating.

Alternative solutions: if you do not want to turn off the sensor

Before fully deactivating the proximity sensor, less radical methods are worth trying, and in many cases, they help avoid the need to shut down.

Calibration of the sensor

The sensor's malfunction is often due to its calibration, to return it to normal.

1. Install the Sensor Calibration app from Google Play.
2. Follow the instructions for calibrating the proximity sensor.
3. Reset the device.

2. Use of third-party applications

Some tools allow you to programmatically control the operation of the sensor without completely turning it off.

• 📱 Proximity Sensor Reset – Resets sensor settings.
• 🔧 Sensor Disabler – temporarily disables the sensor without root.
• 🛠️ MacroDroid Automates Screen Locking During Calls.

3. Firmware update

If the problem has occurred after the MIUI update, check for new patches. Often, sensor bugs are fixed in the following versions of the software.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Update Checker.
3. If a new version is available, install it.

Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on Xiaomi 9 Pro