How to completely disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 8A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its proximity sensor is often a source of problems. Users complain about the spontaneous shutdown of the screen during calls, the “glitch” of the sensor when using covers or protective glasses, and sometimes the complete inoperability of the sensor. If you are tired of the constant inconvenience and want to permanently disable the proximity sensor on your Redmi 8A, this article will help you do it right – without the risk of damaging the system.

We're going to look at all the different methods we can use, from standard MIUI settings to hidden engineering menus and ADB commands. It's important to understand that turning off the sensor has consequences -- for example, the screen won't go out during a conversation, which can lead to random taps. But for many users, it's less of a bad thing than the perpetually buggy sensor. Ready to figure it out? Then we'll get started!

Why is the Redmi 8A's proximity sensor not working properly?

Before you turn off the sensor, you need to understand why it's not behaving properly. The Xiaomi Redmi 8A uses an infrared proximity sensor that's located next to the front camera, and its main task is to detect when you bring your phone to your ear during a call to turn off the screen and touch buttons.

• 📵 False positives – the screen goes out for no reason or does not turn back on after the call.
• 🛡️ Case conflicts – the sensor reacts to the safety glass or bumper as an obstacle.
• 🔄 Halts after updates – problems often appear after new versions are installed MIUI.
• 💥 Complete sensor failure – the sensor stops working after falling or getting moisture.

In most cases, it's not hardware damage that's to blame, but software settings or firmware features. For example, in some versions of the MIUI for the Redmi 8A, the proximity sensor activates even when the screen is locked, leading to dead zones. Before you start turning it off, try a simple solution:

⚠️ Warning: Before any sensor manipulation, check if the sensor is physically closing anything. Wipe the area around the front chamber with an alcohol napkin - sometimes dirt or greasy marks cause false positives.

If the cleaning didn't work, and the sensor still interferes with the normal operation of the phone, we move on to radical measures, starting with the safest way, through the standard MIUI settings.

Method 1: Disable the sensor via MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI features. Unfortunately, the Xiaomi Redmi 8A does not have a direct option to "Disable the proximity sensor", but you can get around this limitation through special features settings.

1. Open the Settings app on the main screen.
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (the person in the circle icon).
3. Select the physical and motor capabilities.
4. Slip on Automatic Screen Turn (yes, this is not a typo – the parameter we need is hidden here).
5. Turn on the switch to Turn off sensors when calling (if there is such a item in your version of MIUI).
6. If there is no item, go back and select the Developer Settings (how to enable them – read below).

In some firmware for Redmi 8A, this path may be different. If you haven't found the right one, try an alternative route:

Settings → System and device → Additional settings → Special features → Sensor settings

If you don't have a disable option, your version of MIUI doesn't support it, so you'll have to use more advanced methods, but before you go to the engineering menu or ADB, make sure you have the developer settings on:

Enable the developer settings (7 taps by build number)

Backup of important data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure that USB- debugging is disabled (if not in use)

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To activate Developer Mode, go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI Version 7 times. After that, a new section for developers will appear in the main settings menu. Here you can experiment with disabling sensors, but be careful - not all settings are safe to change.

Method 2: Engineering menu (codes and hidden settings)

If the standard settings didn’t work, the next step is to use the engineering menu.This is a hidden section of Android where you can test and configure hardware components, including sensors. There are two ways for Xiaomi Redmi 8A to get there:

• 📞 Through the dial code, type the combination ##3646633## in the phone app (does not work on all firmware).
• 🔧 Through the Test app, some versions of MIUI have a built-in diagnostic app (find it in the menu or search).

After entering the engineering menu, you need to:

1. Go to the Hardware Testing section.
2. Select Sensor.
3. Find the Proximity Sensor (approximation sensor).
4. Slip on Disable or reset calibration (if you have this option).

Importantly, the interface of the engineering menu can vary greatly depending on the firmware version. On some Redmi 8A, the proximity sensor is designated as PS Sensor or Light/Proximity. If you're not sure what you're turning off, don't change the settings at random!

⚠️ Warning: Some of the settings in the engineering menu can cause permanent damage to the sensor calibration. If the phone starts to behave strangely after the changes (for example, the screen stopped responding to touch), reset the settings through Settings → System → Reset settings.

If the engineering menu failed or you are afraid of breaking something, we move to a more reliable method – using ADB. This will require connecting the phone to the computer, but it is guaranteed to turn off the sensor at the system level.

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Before entering the engineering menu, take a screenshot of the current sensor settings, which will help bring everything back if something goes wrong.

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

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is the most reliable way to disable the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Redmi 8A. It runs on any firmware and does not require root rights, but requires minimal command line skills.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, Linux or macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers ADB and Android SDK Tools platform.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

If you've never used ADB, don't worry, it's easier than it looks. Follow the instructions Step-by-step:

Step 1: Preparing the phone

1. Enable Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in Settings → About phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate switches: Debugging over USB Unlock OEM (if any)

File transfer

Step 2: Install ADB on your computer

Download Google's Platform Tools (the official package with ADB and Fastboot). Unpack the archive into a handy folder, such as C:\adb.

1. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb
3. Check the phone connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device with the status of device.

Step 3: Disconnect the proximity sensor

Now run the command to turn off the sensor:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0

Then restart the phone. The proximity sensor will be deactivated at the system level. To get it back, use the same command, replacing 0 with 1.

⚠️ Warning: On some firmware MIUI for Redmi 8A this command may reset after the system update. If the sensor works again, repeat the procedure.

If ADB seems too complex, there is another way to do it, but it requires root rights, which is not always secure.

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Disabling via ADB is the only method that is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI without the risk of damaging the system.

Method 4: Applications to disable the sensor (root required)

If you are willing to take the risk of rooting your Xiaomi Redmi 8A, you can use specialized applications to control sensors.

Before using any root applications, consider:

• 🔓 Getting root resets the warranty and increases the risk of virus infection.
• 🔄 Once the MIUI root is updated, the root may fly off and the procedure will have to be repeated.
• 💥 Wrong root mode actions can turn a phone into a brick.

If you do, here is a quick guide for Sensor Disabler:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide root access when requested.
3. In the list of sensors, find Proximity Sensor.
4. Slip on it and select Disable.
5. Reboot the phone.

For those who don't want to take risks with root, there's another way to physically shut down the sensor, but that's a last resort.

Method 5: Physically disabling the sensor (extreme case)

If the software methods didn't work, and the proximity sensor on the Redmi 8A is still ruining life, the radical solution is to physically shut down.

• 🔧 Disconnect the sensor plume (requires disassembly of the phone).
• 🖌️ Sensor sealing with opaque film (less risky).

The first option is highly discouraged, because without experience, you risk damaging other components, and the second method is safer, but it also has pitfalls:

1. Buy a thin, light-proof film (for example, for screen repairs).
2. Carefully remove the protective glass (if any).
3. Plug a piece of film exactly on the proximity sensor (it is located to the right of the front camera).
4. Put the security glass back in place.

This technique simulates a constant "obstacle" in front of the sensor, making the system think that the phone is always near the ear.

• 📱 The screen may not go out during calls (risk of accidental tapping).
• 🔦 The light sensor may deteriorate (auto-brightness).
• 🔄 When the protective glass is replaced, the procedure will have to be repeated.

If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center, and wizards can turn off the sensor at the firmware level or suggest alternative solutions.

What if new problems arise after the sensor is turned off?

Disabling the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Redmi 8A usually goes without consequences, but sometimes users face side effects.

If after manipulations the phone began to behave unstable (hangs, spontaneous reboots), follow the following steps:

1. Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button → long press on "Stop" → "Safe Mode").
2. If the problem disappears, it's the third-party app's fault.
3. If the problem remains, reset the settings through Settings → System → Reset settings.

In extreme cases, you may need to flash the phone. For the Redmi 8A, the official firmware can be downloaded from Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shutting down the proximity sensor