How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: safe methods and risks

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi 9C is a small but important component that is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a call when you hold the phone to your ear. However, not all users are happy with its work: someone faces false positives (the screen goes out for no reason), someone wants to use the phone in non-standard scenarios (for example, for streaming with the screen turned off), and someone just prevents the delay when unlocking.

But before you start, it's worth understanding that deactivating the proximity sensor makes you vulnerable to accidental taps during calls, which means that when you talk, you can accidentally press the hands-free button, put the phone down, or even activate other functions. In addition, on some MIUI firmware, disabling the sensor can cause a malfunction of the phone module. In this article, we'll discuss all the working methods for the Redmi 9C (including models with MIUI 12/13/14) firmware, their pros and cons, as well as alternative solutions for typical problems.

If you decide to turn off the sensor temporarily, for example, for testing, use the first method. If the problem is systemic (the sensor is random or not working at all), you may need a deeper intervention. Remember that some methods require superuser rights (root) or connection to a PC.

1. Method: Disconnect via phone settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in MIUI options. Unfortunately, there is no direct option in the standard Redmi 9C settings to deactivate the proximity sensor, but you can get around this limitation through special features settings or developer mode.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → About the phone and tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → For developers (or the System) → Advanced settings → Developers in new versions MIUI).
• 🔍 Scroll down and find the option to turn off sensors or mock locations. If you don't have that option, try the next step.
• 🛠️ Enable the debugging option USB (You will need to use the next method and restart the phone.

If your version of MIUI does not have a direct option to turn off the sensor, you can try to trick the system through settings of special features:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Physical buttons.
2. Activate the Autoturn option (if it is disabled) – sometimes this resets the sensor settings.
3. Install the Sensor Disabler app from Google Play (requires Android 10+) and temporarily disable the proximity sensor through it.

This method does not work on all firmware, but it does not require root rights and reversible – just reboot the phone to return everything back.

💡

If after turning off the sensor, the screen stopped fading during calls, but there were interference during the conversation, check the microphone settings in Settings → Calls → Sound Improvement.

2. Method: Engineering menu (codes and hidden settings)

The Xiaomi Redmi 9C has a hidden engineering menu through which you can test and disable sensors. This method does not require root, but careless actions can disrupt the phone. Use it only if you are confident in your actions.

Instructions for entering the engineering menu:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##6484##
2. You will be taken to the Manual Test menu.
3. Find the Proximity Sensor section and tap it.
4. In the window that opens, you will see the current state of the sensor. To turn it off, press Disable or Turn Off (if available).

If there is no option to turn off, you can try calibrating the sensor:

• 🔄 In the same menu, select Calibration (calibration).
• 📏 Follow the instructions on the screen – usually close the sensor with your hand and then remove it.
• ✅ After calibration, restart the phone.

If the sensor then continues to malfunction, there may be a problem in the hardware (pollution, damage), in which case it is better to contact the service center.

Method: Disconnection via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (see method 1).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 9C to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Disable the sensor: Adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

To get the sensor back to work, use the same command by replacing 1 by 0.

4. Problems after disconnecting the sensor and their solution

Disabling the proximity sensor can have unexpected consequences, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If after the sensor was turned off, the phone started spontaneously restarting or artifacts appeared on the screen, the problem is likely to be a firmware conflict.

⚠️ Note: If after manipulation with the sensor Redmi 9C stopped SIM-map or lost sound in the speaker, reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting. This will bring all sensors back to their original state.

5. Alternative solutions: if the sensor is not working properly

Before you turn off the proximity sensor, make sure the problem isn't solved in other ways. Often, false positives are not due to a hardware malfunction, but to software settings or physical obstacles.

Check the following points:

• 🧴 Sensor pollution: Wipe the top of the screen (near the speaker) with an alcohol wipe. Dust or fat can interfere with proper operation.
• 📲 Cover or film: Thick covers or poor-quality protective glass can block the sensor signal.
• 🔄 Reset sensor settings: In the engineering menu (#6484##) select Sensor Test → Proximity Sensor → Reset.
• 📱 Firmware Update: Check for updates in Settings → Update the system, new versions MIUI Often fix sensor bugs.

If the sensor doesn’t respond at all (for example, the screen doesn’t go out even when you hold the phone to your ear), it may be physically damaged, in which case turning it off software won’t help – you will need a replacement. The cost of repairing the proximity sensor on the Redmi 9C in service centers usually does not exceed 800-1,500 rubles (2026).

💡

Before you turn off the sensor, try calibrating it through an engineering menu or cleaning it physically, and 60 percent of the time, it solves the problem without drastic measures.

6 Risks and Warnings: What You Need to Know

Disabling the proximity sensor is not a harmless procedure, and here are the key risks to keep in mind:

1. Accidental taps during calls

Without the sensor, the screen will remain active, and you may accidentally:

- Turn off the microphone.

- Put the call on speakerphone in a public place.

- End the conversation before you can say goodbye.

The approach sensor consumes a minimal amount of energy (about 0.1-0.3% of the charge per day), but its shutdown may cause the system to more often poll other sensors (for example, an accelerometer) in an attempt to compensate for the lack of data.

3. Firmware conflicts

On some versions of MIUI (especially custom versions), disabling the sensor can lead to:

- Losing the sound in the speaker.

- Spontaneous reboots.

Errors in the camera (the proximity sensor is sometimes used for autofocus in macro mode).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 9C with banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), disconnecting the sensor through ADB Or an engineering menu can raise suspicions about the security of the device, and some apps block phones with changed system settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)