How to completely disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: official and hidden methods

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is a useful feature that automatically turns off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear. However, many users face problems: the screen goes out too early, does not respond to the phone's withdrawal or stops turning on at all after the conversation is completed. In some cases, the sensor works falsely, blocking control even during normal use.

If you decide to disable the proximity sensor on your Redmi Note 10, you have a few options, from standard MIUI settings to using the engineering menu and ADB commands. In this article, we will break down all available methods, their pros and cons, and also tell you how to return the settings back if something goes wrong. It is important to understand that disabling the sensor can affect the usability of calls - the screen will not automatically lock, which increases the risk of accidental clicks.

Why the proximity sensor may interfere: typical problems

Before you turn off the sensor, it is worth checking whether it is really a source of inconvenience. On the Redmi Note 10 (including modifications of the Pro, Pro Max and 5G), the following failures are most common:

• 📵 The screen doesn't turn on after the call -- the phone freezes with the black display, even though the conversation is over -- you have to press the power button or reboot the device.
• 🔄 False positives – the sensor locks the screen during normal use (for example, when you hold the phone in your hand at an angle or in your pocket).
• ⏱️ Delays when unlocking – after removing the phone from the ear, the screen turns on with a delay of 1-3 seconds, which is annoying during an active conversation.
• 🛠️ Problems after update MIUI — Some firmware versions contain bugs that cause the sensor to work incorrectly.

Most of the time, these problems are solved by calibrating the sensor or resetting the settings, but if nothing works, turning off can be a temporary solution. However, remember: without the proximity sensor, the screen will remain active during calls, which can lead to accidental pressing of buttons or even the completion of the call.

Method 1: Disconnect the sensor through standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system options. Unfortunately, in the latest versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12.5), the direct option to disable the proximity sensor has been removed from the interface, but it can be returned through hidden settings.

Instructions for Redmi Note 10 (relevant to MIUI 12.5-MIUI 14):

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Calls section → Additional settings.
4. Slip on the item Proximation Sensor (if not - see the next step).
5. Switch the slider to the off position.

If the Approximation Sensor item is not on the menu, follow the following steps:

Enter the code ##6484 in the call##|Confirm the call (nothing will happen)|Go back to the call settings and check the item appears|Reboot your phone if the option does not appear-->

Once the sensor is turned off, the screen will remain on during calls. To get it back, repeat the steps and turn the slider on again.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Global) ROM For the European market, code ##6484## may not work, in which case use the engineering menu (mode 2) or ADB (3-way).

Method 2: Disconnect via Engineering Menu (MTK/Qualcomm)

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 came with two types of processors: the Qualcomm Snapdragon (4G/5G models) and the MediaTek Helio (regional versions). The engineering menu for them is different, so choose the instructions depending on your model.

To find out the type of processor:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip it several times on the MIUI version until the words “You’re a developer!” appear.
3. Go back to the basic settings, open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the processor line, which will indicate Qualcomm or MediaTek.

Qualcomm processors (Snapdragon 678/750G)

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. Select the item Phone Information (or Usage statistics in English firmware).
3. Scroll down to the Sensors block and find the Proximity Sensor.
4. Click on it and in the window that opens, select Disable.
5. Reboot the phone.

For MediaTek processors (Helio G88/G95)

Instructions:

1. Enter the code in the call: ##36446337##
2. You will be taken to the MTK engineering menu. Go to the Hardware Testing → Sensor section.
3. Find the Proximity Sensor and tap it.
4. In the window that opens, select Disable.
5. Save the settings and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause the phone to work in an unstable way. Do not change other settings unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, turning off the Gyroscope will disrupt the autorotation of the screen.

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

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system management tool that requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Advantage: Changes are applied at the system level and are not reset after updates MIUI. Disadvantages - when used incorrectly ADB You can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. On your phone, turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

File transfer

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

adb shell

settings put global proximity_delay 0

settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0

Reboot the phone.

To get the sensor back to work, run the same commands, but with a value of 1 instead of 0.

settings put global device_provisioned 1

This team confirms the changes to the system.-->

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware Xiaomi team ADB If you see a Permission denied error after you enter commands, try rooting or using alternative methods.

What to do if the sensor is disconnected, but problems remain

Sometimes, after the proximity sensor is turned off, users face new problems: the screen does not respond to touch during the call, artifacts appear, or the phone begins to warm up.

• 🔧 Conflict with the shell MIUI — Some firmware versions ignore the sensor settings. MIUI Up to the latest version or roll back to a stable assembly.
• 📱 Hardware sensor malfunction - if the sensor is physically damaged, turning it off may not solve the problem.Solution: Check the phone at a service center.
• 🔄 Touch screen failure — sometimes touch problems are not related to the proximity sensor, but to the display drivers. Solution: reset to factory settings (Settings) → Reset).
• 🛠️ Application conflict – some programs (such as launchers or optimizers) can block the screen. Solution: run the phone in safe mode and check it.

If none of the methods worked, check the integrity of the proximity sensor plume — on the Redmi Note 10, it often departs after falls or disassembling the phone.

How to return the proximity sensor back: restore settings

If you experience inconvenience after turning off the sensor (for example, accidental pressing during calls), it can be easily turned on again.

If the sensor is not working correctly after switching on (for example, the screen does not go out during a call), calibrate:

1. Open the call and enter the code: ##6484###
2. In the menu that appears, select Proximity Sensor Calibration.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually close the sensor with your hand and wait for the signal).

💡

If the proximity sensor is disabled at the firmware level (for example, after an informal patch), its recovery may require the phone to be flashed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10