How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi MIUI 12.5: The complete guide

Xiaomi’s current MIUI 12.5 smartphones feature a variety of sensors designed to improve the user experience, one of which is the proximity sensor, which automatically turns off the screen when you hold the device to your ear, but this feature often becomes a source of irritation when the screen does not light up or, on the contrary, goes out too early, preventing you from using loud communication or video calls.

Users are faced with a situation where the proximity sensor is not working properly due to software failures, protective film or design features of the virtual sensor. In such cases, it is necessary to force the system settings to gain full control over the behavior of the display. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from simple switches in the menu to the use of engineering codes.

It's worth noting that completely disabling this module can affect call functionality, so it's important to understand the difference between calibrating and completely shutting down the sensor. We'll look at safe ways to intervene that don't require root rights or flashing the device. Let's figure out how to restore comfort to your gadget.

The reason for the sensor malfunction in MIUI 12.5

The proximity sensor problems on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices running MIUI 12.5 are often system-specific. The MIUI shell has its own features for processing interrupts from hardware components, which sometimes leads to conflicts. For example, a virtual sensor built into the speaker can respond to changes in lighting or even the presence of a transparent protective film, perceiving them as an object approach.

Another common cause is a software bug after an operating system update: When you upgrade to a new version of Android or MIUI, old configuration files may conflict with new drivers, in which case calibration through the engineering menu often solves the problem, but sometimes deeper intervention in settings is required.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect operation of the sensor can be caused by physical damage to the plume or moisture.If the software methods do not help, it is recommended that the diagnosis in the service center.

Also worth mentioning is the impact of third-party applications: Some call management or conversation recording software can intercept the sensor’s control, causing it to behave inappropriately, and disabling the unnecessary permissions for such applications can be the first step to solving the problem.

• 📱 The presence of a thick protective film or glass that covers the sensor area at the top of the screen.
• 📱 Software Failure of Drivers After Updating to MIUI 12.5 or more recent versions.
• 📱 Conflict with the application-substitutes of the standard “calling».
• 📱 Pollution of the top face of the smartphone with fat or dust, which is critical for optical sensors.

Basic settings through the phone menu

Before we get to the complex methods, it's worth checking the standard system settings. In MIUI 12.5, the interface may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware, but the logic remains the same. The first thing you need to do is go to the call settings section, where the main switch is hidden.

Open the Phone app and click on the menu icon (three dots or gears). In the list that appears, look for Incoming Calls or Call Settings. Here you are interested in the Option “Approximation Sensor.” If the switch is active, try turning it off. However, on many global versions of Xiaomi firmware, this item may be missing or inactive.

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If there is no standard switch, it does not mean that the function cannot be changed, often the settings are hidden in the engineering menu or require activation through debugging.

In some cases, resetting the phone app itself helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find Phone and select Clear → All Data. This action will return the call settings to factory settings, which can eliminate the software conflict.

Using the CIT Engineering Menu for Diagnostics

The most effective tool for working with the iron of the smartphone is the engineering menu CIT (This hidden section allows you to test all components of the device, including sensors. USSD-code that works on most Xiaomi devices.

Open the Phone app and dial ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, the test menu will open. In the list, find Proximity Sensor. Click on it to run the test. Close the top of the screen with your hand and remove it. If the values change (usually from 0 to 5 or Far to Near), then the sensor is intact.

Inside the test, a Calibration button is often available, and by clicking on it, you start the sensitivity adjustment process. It's important to keep the sensor open and keep the phone flat, and after successful calibration, the system will retain the new parameters, which often solves the problem of spontaneous screen quenching.

⚠️ Warning: Don't change the values manually in the engineering menu unless you're sure they're intended. Incorrect calibration can cause the screen to stop fading during a conversation and you'll be cheek pressing extra buttons.

Activation of hidden settings through debugging via USB

If standard methods fail, you can use a more advanced way to activate the hidden developer menu. In MIUI 12.5, access to additional sensor features is often hidden behind seven locks, but it can be opened. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the MIUI version until you see the message "You became a developer."

Next, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → For developers, you need to find and activate the item “Enable debugging over USB”. Once you enable debugging, additional commands and opportunities to interact with the system through a computer or special applications become available.

It's through developer mode that you can use ADB commands to force the sensor to change its state if there's no such option in the interface, which requires a PC connection, but gives you maximum control over system processes.

Application of third-party applications and scripts

When MIUI is exhausted, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue, and there are a number of apps designed specifically to control the proximity sensor, which run on top of the system and can force the sensor to block or emulate the sensor.

One popular solution is the Proximity Sensor Reset & Fix app, which allows for deep calibration that is not available on the standard menu, and another is the use of call replacement applications, such as Truecaller or Simple Dialer, which have their own sensor processing algorithms and often ignore system errors.

For advanced users, you can use scripts through automation applications like MacroDroid or Tasker, and you can create a script that says, "If WhatsApp is running and there's a video call, ignore the proximity sensor," which allows you to not disable the function completely, but to do it selectively.

• 📲 Proximity Service: an application for resetting and calibrating the sensor in one click.
• 📲 Lesser Switches: A utility that opens the system’s hidden switches, including sensor control.
• 📲 ADB AppControl: a PC program that allows you to manage permissions and components of Android without root rights.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party apps that require broad permissions, be careful.Trust only trusted developers to keep personal data from leaking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In conclusion, we have collected answers to the most popular questions that Xiaomi users have when trying to configure the sensor, these tips will help to avoid common mistakes and understand when the problem lies deeper than the software setting.

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In most cases, the problem is solved by quality calibration through the CIT engineering menu, rather than completely disabling the sensor.