How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi MI

The problem of a smartphone screen going out during a conversation or, conversely, not turning off when you bring it to your ear, is familiar to many Xiaomi owners. Often this is due to the incorrect operation of the sensor, which responds to the slightest changes in light or touch. In some situations, for example, when using certain headsets or specific accessories, there is an urgent need to completely deactivate this feature for comfortable operation of the device.

Xiaomi smartphone owners often find that standard methods through the usual settings menu to disable the sensor is impossible. Android system and the shell MIUI by default hide this option, considering it critical to the basic functionality of the phone. However, there are proven ways to bypass these restrictions, allowing you to control the sensitivity or completely ignore the sensor readings.

This article details how to solve the problem, from software settings to more complex manipulations through the engineering menu. It is important to understand that completely turning off the sensor will not go out on its own during the call, which can cause accidental cheek pressing. Before starting any action, carefully consider the need for this step and choose the method that best suits your model.

Reasons for the incorrect operation of the sensor on Xiaomi

Before you resort to radical shutdown measures, it is worth getting to the root of the problem. Often the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Mi and Redmi is not working properly due to trivial physical obstacles. A low-quality protective glass that does not have a special cutout, or a thick film can block the infrared emitter located at the top of the case, as a result of which the phone “thinks” that it is near the ear and blocks the display.

Another common cause is software failure or application conflict. Some programs, especially those that control gestures or have access to system functions, can intercept sensor control. It is also worth noting that new versions of MIUI have changed the algorithms of the sensor, which led to increased sensitivity in some users.

Finally, you can't rule out hardware failure, because falling, getting moisture, or just wearing out the plume can cause the sensor to start giving false signals all the time, and in such cases, software shutdown becomes the only temporary solution before repair.

• 📱 Low-quality protective glass covering the top of the screen.
• 📱 Software conflict of third-party applications or launchers.
• 📱 Hardware failure of the plume or the sensor module itself.
• 📱 Errors in the operating system after the update.

Software settings and calibration through the engineering menu

The safest and most recommended way to fix the problem is not to shut down completely, but to calibrate correctly. There is a hidden engineering menu in Xiaomi smartphones that allows you to test and calibrate the proximity sensor, which often eliminates false positives without having to turn off the function completely.

To enter the diagnostic menu, you need to open the standard Phone app and enter a special combination of characters. Once you enter the code ##6484##, the CIT menu will open. Here is a complete list of all device modules.

Inside the test, you'll see the values that change when you hold your palm to the top of the screen. If the values don't change or change randomly, press Calibrate. Follow the instructions on the screen: you usually need to close the sensor with your hand and then remove it. After successful calibration, the system will retain new thresholds of sensitivity.

It is worth remembering that in some versions of firmware, access to a complete shutdown through this menu can be blocked by developers, in which case calibration remains the only software method of correcting the work without obtaining superuser rights.

Using third-party applications to control the sensor

If standard MIUI tools don't work, Google Play apps come to the rescue. There are many tools designed specifically to manage Android smartphone sensors, which allow you to flexibly adjust your trigger thresholds or completely ignore the sensor readings in certain scenarios.

One of the popular solutions is the Proximity Sensor Reset & Calibration app, which does not require Root rights and works on the principle of emulation or software blocking of the signal. Once installed, the app adds its own widget or service that intercepts data from the sensor, you can set up a profile "During the call", where the sensor will be forcibly ignored.

Another effective method is to use screen control applications such as Screen Off and On, which allow you to adjust the locking of the screen to other parameters, such as the power button or timer, completely ignoring the proximity sensor, which is especially convenient for users who often use loud communication.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party apps, carefully check the permissions requested. Some utilities may require access to contacts or a microphone that is not necessary for their primary sensor management function.

It is important to consider that such applications can consume additional battery power, as they work in the background and constantly poll the state of the system.

Disconnection through Superuser Rights (Root) and ADB

For advanced users with Root rights, it is possible to completely disable the sensor system, which is the most effective, but also the most risky method, and requires changes to the system configuration files, which can lead to unstable operation of the device when errors occur.

One way is to use file managers with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer. MT Manager: You will need to find a configuration file that is often on the path. /system/etc/sensors/sensor_def_qcomdev.conf In this file, you need to find the string responsible for the proximity sensor and comment on it or change the enable value to include the link. 0.

An alternative method is the use of a bridge ADB (Android Debug Bridge from a computer. This method does not require modifying system files directly, but allows you to send commands to change the behavior of components. USB in the menu "For developers" and connect the phone to the PC.

adb shell settings put system proximity_on 0

However, the above command does not work on all versions of Android.Modern systems may require the use of dedicated modules for Magisk, which replace sensor drivers at the boot level of the system.

💡

Before any manipulation of system files or obtaining Root rights, be sure to create a full backup of data (backup), as an error can lead to the inability to boot the system.

Configure exceptions in MIUI for specific applications

MIUI has powerful built-in functionality for managing application permissions, and sometimes the problem is not solved by turning off the sensor globally, but by adjusting how specific applications (such as Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram) interact with it.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find a problem application (like the messenger you make calls through), go to Permissions or Other Permissions, and there may be a point associated with the proximity sensor or lock screen that you can limit.

It's also worth checking the settings of the app itself. Many messengers have the option "Use the proximity sensor" in the Calls section. Disabling this tick inside the app often solves the problem more effectively than system crutches, which allows you to leave the sensor working for normal calls, but disable it for VoIP calls.

Remember that after updating the application, settings may reset. Check regularly if the problem resumes after another update from Google Play.

Alternative Solutions and Physical Methods

If software methods seem too complex or risky, you can resort to simple physical tricks. Often the sensor is located very close to the speaker. Sticking a small piece of opaque tape (for example, tape) above the sensor area can trick the system into thinking that the sensor is always closed, or, conversely, block its operation if taped from the inside (which requires disassembly).

However, a more civilized method is to use patches or stickers on the screen that have a dimming at the top, which not only protects the screen, but can also change the light transmission in the sensor area, which in some cases stabilizes its operation in bright ambient light.

It’s also worth considering using the default headset or hands-free mode. If you talk on the phone often, switching to a Bluetooth headset completely eliminates the need for a proximity sensor, since the screen is controlled differently.

⚠️ Warning: It is not recommended to seal the sensor from the outside with opaque materials on a permanent basis, as this may disrupt other functions, such as automatic brightness or the "Present to the ear" function to answer a call.

💡

The safest and most stable way to solve the problem is to calibrate through an engineering menu or use settings inside the app itself for calls, rather than system-wide shutting down the sensor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)