How to completely disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: a detailed guide

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its proximity sensor is often a source of irritation. Users complain of spontaneously turning off the screen during calls, false positives when using cases or even in your pocket. If you are tired of these problems, this article will help permanently disable the proximity sensor in three proven ways.

We'll look at formal and informal methods, including hidden MIUI settings, engineering menus, and ADB commands. It's important to understand that turning off the sensor has consequences: the screen won't go out during a conversation, which can lead to accidental taps. But for many users, it's less of a bad thing compared to the constant sensor failures.

Before you start, make sure that the sensor is the problem, and do the test: when you call, cover the top of the screen with your hand -- if the display goes out and doesn't turn back on, the sensor doesn't work properly, and if the screen stays active, it may already be off at the software level.

Why the Redmi 7A's proximity sensor doesn't work properly

The Redmi 7A uses an infrared proximity sensor that detects the distance to an object (like your ear while you're ringing), which Xiaomi's budget models often suffer from several problems:

• 🔹 Sensor pollution – dust, grease, or protective film block infrared signal.
• 🔹 Software bugs - errors in firmware MIUI lead to false positives.
• 🔹 Low-quality cases – dense or metallized cases interfere with the sensor.
• 🔹 Hardware wear – over time, the sensitivity of the sensor decreases.

Before turning off the sensor, try simple solutions:

1. Wipe the top of the screen with an alcohol napkin (especially the area next to the speaker).
2. Remove the protective film or cover – they can block the signal.
3. Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI (path: Settings → About Phone → System Update).

If these measures do not help, go to radical methods.

Method 1: Disconnect the sensor via MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest and safest way is to use hidden MIUI settings. It doesn’t require root or PC connection, but it doesn’t work on all firmware versions.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Dial the combination: ##6484## (this is a code for testing sensors).
3. You'll be taken to the Manual Test menu. Select Proximity Sensor.
4. Press the Disable button (if it is active).
5. Reboot the phone.

If there is no Disable button, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Go back to the basic settings, open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the option to Disable the proximity sensor (on some firmware it is hidden - use the search by settings).

Important! On some versions of MIUI 12+, this method may not work due to manufacturer limitations, so move on to the following.

Method 2: Use of the MTK Engineer Mode

The Redmi 7A is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor, but it retains the MediaTek engineering menu (a legacy from previous models) that allows you to manually calibrate or disable the sensor.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the MTK Engineer Mode app from Play Market (if it is not available, download the APK from a trusted source, such as APKPure).
2. Open the app and go to Hardware Testing → Sensors.
3. Select Proximity Sensor.
4. In the PS Calibration field, enter the value of 0 (this will turn off the sensor).
5. Press Set Calibration and restart the phone.

If the sensor is active again after the reboot, try a different approach:

• 🔧 In the same menu, find a paragraph. PS Config.
• 🔧 Set the parameter. PS Distance to maximum value (usually 255).
• 🔧 Save the settings and restart the device.

Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause other sensors to work unstable (e.g., light or gyroscope). If artifacts appear after manipulation, reset settings through Settings → System → Reset settings.

Method 3: Disable the sensor via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to disable the sensor via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a connection to a computer, but is guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).li>
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• ⚙️ Initiated debugging mode USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in the settings).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
6. Sensor Disable: Adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 0 adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0
7. Reboot the phone.

To get the sensor back to work, use the commands:

adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 250


adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 1

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If the screen does not go out during calls after the sensor is turned off, install the Gravity Screen app from the Play Market – it automatically locks the screen when approaching the ear.

Attention! Some versions of MIUI 13+ block changes through ADB. If the commands don't work, try adding the --user 0 flag:

adb shell settings --user 0 put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0

Table: Comparison of methods for disconnecting the proximity sensor

For most Redmi 7A users, the best way to do this is through ADB, which is universal and doesn't require super-user rights. The engineering menu is suitable for temporary shutdowns, and MIUI settings only work on older versions of the firmware.

What to do if the sensor is turned off, but the screen is not locked during calls

Once you turn off the proximity sensor, you'll have a new problem: the screen won't go out when you bring the phone to your ear, and this leads to random taps (such as volume keys or the end of a call).

• 📱 Install the Gravity Screen app – it uses an accelerometer to lock the screen when the angle of inclination changes.
• 🔒 Enable the power button lock: during the call manually press the lock button.
• 🎧 Use a headset with a microphone – so the screen will not interfere.
• 🔄 Put the sensor back in operation, but calibrate it (via an engineering menu or service center).

If you have chosen Gravity Screen, set it up like this:

1. Open the app and enable the Lock on Proximity option.
2. Set the sensitivity on High.
3. Activate Pocket Detection to protect against pressing in your pocket.

Attention, apps like Gravity Screen increase battery consumption by constantly polling the accelerometer. 7A low-powered 4000 This can reduce the battery life of 10-15%.

Alternative solutions: calibration and replacement of the sensor

If the sensor isn't working properly, but you don't want to turn it off completely, try recalibrating the sensor. This can help with false positives.

How to Calibrate the Approach Sensor:

1. Install the Sensor Box for Android app from the Play Market.
2. Open the Proximity Sensor tab.
3. Cover the sensor with your hand - the value should change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.
4. If the readings do not change, the sensor is defective.
5. For manual calibration, use the engineering menu (see Method 2).

If the calibration didn't work, it's possible that the sensor is physically damaged.

• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi Service Center (guarantee covers sensor replacement).
• 💰 Replacement cost in informal workshops: 800-1500 rubles (depending on the region).
• 🔧 When replacing yourself, buy the original sensor (article: XIAOMI 1607-0158).

Before replacing, check if the problem is caused by firmware. Sometimes resetting to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset) brings the sensor back to life. Remember to back up the data!

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Turning off the proximity sensor is a temporary solution, so if there's a hardware problem, it's better to replace the sensor or take the phone to the service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the sensor shutdown on the Redmi 7A