The proximity sensor problem on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common complaints users have. Owners of the flagship Xiaomi Mi 8 often face a situation where the screen goes out when you bring the phone to your ear during a conversation, but does not light up back, leaving the interlocutor in the dark, this is due to the peculiarity of the hardware location of the sensor or software failures in the shell of the MIUI.
Disabling this component can be a temporary or permanent solution to make it comfortable to use your phone without missing an important part of the dialogue, but it is worth noting that the sensor has a useful function of protecting the screen from accidental cheek pressing, so its complete deactivation requires getting used to a new style of call management.
In this guide, we’ll look at all the available methods, from simple calibration to deep tuning through the engineering menu.The Xiaomi Mi 8 features an infrared sensor that may not work properly due to protective films or contamination, so before you move on to software methods, make sure the top of the screen is clean.
Diagnostics of the problem and checking the operability
Before you try to disable the module, you need to make sure that the problem is the software, not the physical damage. On modern Xiaomi smartphones, there is a built-in diagnostic tool that allows you to check the response of the sensor to external objects. Run a check to see if the device responds to your actions at all.
To do the test, open the Phone app and type in a special command. After you enter the code, you will open the engineering test menu where you select the item associated with the proximity sensor. Cover the top of the screen with your palm and remove it: if the values change from 5.0 to 0.0, then the sensor is physically healthy, and the calibration problem is.
- 📱 Enter the code ##6484## in the dialing field to enter the engineering menu CIT.
- 👆 Find the “Proximity Sensor” item in the list and click on it to run the test.
- 🖐️ Close the area above the speaker with your hand: the screen should go out, and after opening - light up.
- 🔄 If the reaction is absent or delayed, try to wipe the top frame of the smartphone with a soft cloth.
⚠️ Attention: If the test does not change at all, it is possible that the sensor plume has disconnected inside the housing or the module itself has failed, in which case the software methods will not help, you will need repairs in the service center.
Calibration of the sensor through the engineering menu
The most effective way to solve a problem without losing data is to recalibrate. It often happens that after updating the firmware or replacing the display, the trigger thresholds get confused. Xiaomi Mi 8 allows you to perform this procedure directly in the CIT menu, which we used for the diagnosis.
When you enter sensor check mode, notice the Calibration button at the bottom of the screen, and clicking on it will trigger an automatic sensitivity adjustment process, at which point it is crucial not to touch the top of the smartphone and keep it on a flat surface so that the system correctly counts the "zero" distance.
Once the calibration process is complete, the system will report a success or error. If the calibration is successful, the values in the Current string must stabilize. Reboot the device to make the changes effective, and check the screen performance during the test call.
☑️ Checklist before calibration
Disconnection through the Android engineering menu
If calibration doesn’t work, you can try to programmatically disable the sensor through the Android hidden settings menu.This method doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI, but on Xiaomi Mi 8 with certain versions of firmware it can be available. To enter this menu, a universal code is used that opens hidden test settings.
In the list of parameters that opens, you need to find the partition associated with the sensors (usually called "Sensor" or "Proximity"). Inside, there may be a switch that allows you to force the state of the sensor to change. However, be careful: changing some parameters here can lead to unstable operation of other functions of the phone.
##3646633##Type this code into the dialer to get into the Engineer Mode menu. Go to the Hardware Testing tab, then select Sensor and find Proximity Sensor. Here you can try to change the settings, but more often than not, it's for diagnosis than for shutdown.
What if the code doesn't work?
Using third-party applications to manage calls
When system methods are exhausted, third-party applications come to the rescue that intercept call control, programs like Call Assistant or Proximity Sensor Reset can ignore sensor signals or reassign control buttons, the most secure way, not requiring root rights.
The way these gates work is that they block the standard MIUI call handler and offer their own interface, and you can find the option "Disable Proximity Sensor" or "Use Power Button to End Call" in the app settings, which allows the screen to remain active during a call regardless of the position of the phone.
- 📲 Download the call management app from a verified source (Google Play).
- ⚙️ Provide the app with all the permissions requested, including access to phone and contacts.
- 🚫 Find the option to ignore the proximity sensor in the settings and activate it.
- 📞 Make a test call to make sure the screen doesn’t go out spontaneously anymore.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party callers can change the usual call interface. If you don't like the design or functionality, you can always uninstall the app and return the standard dial in the default settings.
Comparison of problem-solving methods
The right method depends on your skills and the severity of the problem. Below is a table that will help you decide on the method. Xiaomi Mi 8 is characterized by software slams, so you should always start with the least invasive methods.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen cleaning and calibration | Low. | No. | High (with pollution) |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | No. | Medium (changes interface) |
| Engineering menu (code) | Medium | No. | High (if available) |
| Resetting (Hard Reset) | Tall. | Total loss. | Maximum (with software) |
As you can see from the table, a complete reset is a last resort, so if you have important information on your phone, don't rush to this method. Try software crutches in the form of applications, which often turn out to be a viable solution for older models.
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The safest and most effective way for most users is to combine cleaning the sensor and using an assistant app to make calls.
Complete resetting of settings as an extreme measure
If nothing works, the final software argument is Hard Reset, which will return the Xiaomi Mi 8 to factory status by removing all user data, apps and settings, often because it is a conflicting app or an erroneous parameter in the system that causes the sensor to fail.
Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up all important files, photos and contacts to the Mi Cloud or your computer. The reset process is irreversible, and it will be impossible to recover deleted data without a backup. Make sure that the battery is at least 50%.
To perform the reset, go to the Settings menu, select Advanced Settings, and find Recover and Reset. Click Reset and confirm the action. The phone will reboot and the cleaning process will begin, which can take a few minutes.