How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but its proximity sensor sometimes doesn’t work properly. Users face problems: the screen does not go out during the call, random cheek presses, or vice versa – the display turns off too early. If you want to completely disable the proximity sensor or temporarily deactivate it for testing, this article will help to understand the nuances.

The proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 10 Pro is responsible for automatically turning off the screen when you hold your phone to your ear while you're talking. It's convenient in normal mode, but it can be uncomfortable when you're running a malfunction. For example, if the sensor is contaminated or damaged, it can falsely fire, locking the screen at the wrong time. In some cases, users are specifically looking for ways to turn it off, such as using the phone as a voice recorder or when connecting to a headset.

In this article, we will look at three proven methods: through standard settings, an engineering menu and using ADB. Each method has its pros and cons - from simplicity to the need to connect to a PC. You will also learn how to check the performance of the sensor and what to do if after a shutdown there are problems.

Why turn off the proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro?

Before we get to the instructions, we'll see where it's really needed. The proximity sensor is a useful feature, but sometimes it gets in the way of:

• 📞 The screen does not go out during the call, which can cause you to accidentally press the buttons with your cheek or ear. This is a common problem when using cases with thick edges.
• 🔄 False positives: The display turns off when the phone is lying on the table or in your pocket.
• 🎧 Headset Discomforts: The sensor can lock the screen even if you’re talking through headphones.
• 🔧 Testing or repair: for example, when replacing a display or checking the health of sensors.
• 📱 Using the phone in non-standard scenarios, such as shooting close-up video or working with applications where the sensor interferes with the sensor.

It is important to understand that turning off the proximity sensor can lead to increased battery consumption, since the screen will remain on during calls, and the risk of accidental pressing also increases. If the problem is caused by contamination of the sensor (for example, dust under the glass), it is better to try to clean it first, rather than deactivate it completely.

⚠️ Attention, some firmware. MIUI after disconnecting the sensor through the engineering menu or ADB You may reset your settings after you restart. We recommend that you test the changes first without restarting your phone.

Method 1: Disable the proximity sensor through the phone settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. Unfortunately, there is no direct option in the standard settings of the Redmi Note 10 Pro to deactivate the sensor, but you can bypass this limitation with the “Left-handed Mode” function or disable “Smart Blocking”.

Follow the steps:

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Scroll down and select Additional (or Advanced Settings, depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Find the Smart Lock or Autolock option and turn it off.
4. Return to the main Settings menu → System → More
5. Activate Left-handed Mode (this may temporarily disable some sensors, including the proximity sensor).

This method doesn't guarantee that the sensor will be completely shut down, but in some cases it will help to reduce its impact. If it doesn't work, move on to more radical methods.

Method 2: Use the engineering menu (code ##6484##)

The Engineering Menu is a hidden feature of Xiaomi that allows you to test and configure hardware components, including sensors.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484## (some firmware may not work – see alternatives below).
3. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor).
4. In the menu that opens, find the Disable option or set 0 in the Proximity Offset field.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If the standard code doesn’t work, try alternative combinations:

• #4636## → Testing equipment → Sensors
• #36446337## (for some versions of MIUI)

You can also check the sensor's performance on the engineering menu.

1. Select Proximity Sensor.
2. Close the sensor with your hand – the value should change from 5 (far) to 0 (close).
3. If the values do not change, the sensor is defective or contaminated.

⚠️ Attention, not all options on the engineering menu are safe, changing incomprehensible parameters can cause malfunctions in the phone, and if you're not sure, don't touch settings that are not connected to the proximity sensor.

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

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, and the advantage of the method is that the changes apply at the system level and are not reset once you restart.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Activate the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
• Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
• Disable the proximity sensor command: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1
• Reboot the phone.

If the sensor is not responding:

• 🧹 Clean the area around the speaker and sensor with a soft brush or compressed air.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🛠️ If the sensor is damaged, contact the service center - its replacement will cost less than repairing the consequences of improper work.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the proximity sensor, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:

• 🔌 The phone is not detected through ADB: Make sure Xiaomi drivers are installed. try another one USB-cable (not all cables support data transfer) Enable Debugging by Debugging in the developer settings USB (charging).
• 🔄 Settings reset after rebooting: This is a feature of some versions MIUI. Use it. ADB permanently.
• 📱 Screen not locked during calls: If the sensor is turned off, use the power button to manually lock. Install an app to automatically lock the screen on the timer.

Another common mistake is to try to disable the sensor through the system files manually, which can cause MIUI malfunctions and even a phone blink. Don't edit system files without a backup!

💡

If the proximity sensor is disabled but problems remain (for example, the screen spontaneously goes out), check the autolock and gesture settings in MIUI.

Alternative solutions: if the shutdown did not help

If problems persist after deactivation of the sensor, consider alternative options:

• 🔧 Sensor calibration: In the engineering menu (##6484###), find the calibration option and follow the instructions. This can help if the sensor is not working properly but not damaged.
• 📲 Sensor management apps: Google Play has utilities like Proximity Sensor Reset or Sensor Disabler that allow you to flexibly adjust sensor behavior without manual intervention.
• 🔄 Resetting: If the crashes started after the update MIUI, Try resetting to factory settings (Settings) → System system → Reset settings. Pre-reverse backup!
• 🛠️ If the sensor is physically damaged (for example, after a phone crash), its replacement in the service center will cost 500-1500 rubles, depending on the model.