Disabling the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T with MIUI 12: the full guide

Why users want to disable the proximity sensor and when it is justified

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is a small but important element that automatically turns off the screen during phone conversations. This prevents accidental tapping of the cheek or ear. However, in some situations the function does not work correctly: the screen goes off too early, does not respond to the phone’s withdrawal from the ear or, conversely, does not turn off at all, which leads to the pressing of buttons during the call.

Sensor problems often occur after upgrading to MIUI 12, when energy-saving or optimization algorithms start to conflict with hardware sensors. For example, owners of the Redmi Note 8T complain that after firmware, the screen stops turning on when the phone is taken away from their face, although the conversation continues, in which cases, temporarily turning off the sensor may be the only way to return the device to work.

But there are other reasons:

• 🔧 Testing the device after repair (e.g., replacing the display or plume) when the sensor is temporarily unconnected.
• 🎧 Using a headset with an external microphone, where automatic screen shutdown interferes with player control.
• 📱 Working with applications where the sensor falsely triggers (e.g., in games or when watching video in horizontal mode).

It's important to understand that turning off the proximity sensor is not the solution, it's a workaround. If the sensor fails, it needs to be repaired or calibrated, but it's a good idea to do a temporary fix or a diagnosis.

Where is the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8T and how does it work?

In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor is located at the top of the screen, next to the speaker and the front camera. It's an infrared sensor that emits and picks up the reflected signal. When you bring the phone to your ear, the sensor picks up the obstacle and sends a command to the system to turn off the screen and touch buttons.

In normal mode, the sensor looks like this:

1. You start the call and hold the phone to your ear.
2. The sensor detects the approach of the object (your head) at a distance of ~ 5 cm.
3. The screen goes out and touch buttons are locked to avoid accidental taps.
4. When the phone is removed from the ear, the sensor again detects the absence of an obstacle, and the screen turns on.

On MIUI 12, the logic of the sensor can vary depending on the energy saving settings, for example, in Ultra-Economic mode, the system can ignore the sensor signals to reduce battery consumption, and problems arise if the phone has a protective glass or a film with a metallized coating, they can shield the infrared signal.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensor stops working after the phone falls or moisture gets in, turning it off won't solve the problem, and then you need to be diagnosed at the service center because the plume or the sensor itself may have been damaged.

Method 1: Disable the proximity sensor through the engineering menu (without root)

The most reliable way to disable the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8T is to use an engineering menu, which does not require superuser rights and works on most versions of MIUI 12. However, beware: improper actions on the engineering menu can disrupt the phone.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##6484## (or #4636## on some firmware).
2. You will be taken to the Testing menu. Select Hardware Testing (or Sensor Test).
3. Find the Proximity Sensor section.
4. Click on it and select the Disable option.
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Battery charge of at least 50%|Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the combination to return to the engineering menu (#6484##)|Do not interrupt the reboot process.-->

If #6484### does not work, try an alternative method:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open it and find it in the Engineering Mode list (or MTK Engineer Mode for MediaTek-powered phones).
3. Start the Hardware Testing section and follow the steps described above.

⚠️ Note: Do not change other settings on the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose, such as changing the settings. RF Band or Network Mode can cause network loss.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If the engineering menu is not available or has not worked, you can turn off the proximity sensor via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8T to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (or terminal) and type:

adb shell


settings put system proximity_delay 2500




settings put system proximity_check_enabled 0

Where:

• proximity_delay 2500 — The sensor's latency (in milliseconds) setting a high value actually shuts it down.
• proximity_check_enabled 0 — shutdown.

Once you've done the commands, restart your phone. To get it back, use:

adb shell settings put system proximity_check_enabled 1

💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling the drivers via the Mi Unlock Tool or using the Mi PC Suite program.

Method 3: Disconnect via MIUI settings (if available)

Some MIUI 12 builds for the Redmi Note 8T have a hidden option to disable the proximity sensor right in the settings, but it is not always active and depends on regional firmware.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings → System → Additional → Special features.
2. Find the Call Management (or Call Settings) section.
3. If there is a point Sensor approach, move the slider to the position Off.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Phone app and select Permissions.
3. Turn off the resolution of the body sensors (if it is on the list).

Possible problems after disconnecting the sensor and how to avoid them

Disabling the proximity sensor can lead to several side effects, the most obvious being random taps during a call: you may accidentally tap the screen with your cheek or ear, leading to the call being completed, the hands-free switch on or other unwanted actions.

Other possible problems:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – the screen stays on during the conversation, which increases power consumption.
• 📞 Discomfort when using a headset – if the sensor is turned off, the phone will not automatically switch to the speaker when taken away from the ear.
• 🔄 Application conflicts – some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Viber) may not properly handle the lack of a signal from the sensor.

To minimize the risks:

• Use the mode on the plane or do not disturb during important calls to avoid accidental pressing.
• Install an app to lock the screen during calls (e.g. Proximity Sensor Fix).
• Check the sensor regularly through the engineering menu (#6484###).

💡

Disabling the proximity sensor is a temporary solution, and if the problem is related to a hardware malfunction (the plume or the sensor itself is damaged), other failures, such as a broken speaker or microphone, may occur over time.

How to return the proximity sensor to working condition

If you have temporarily disabled the sensor and now want to activate it again, do the following:

For the engineering menu:

1. Enter the combination ##6484##.
2. Go to Proximity Sensor and select Enable.
3. Reboot the phone.

For ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and enter commands:

adb shell


settings put system proximity_check_enabled 1




settings put system proximity_delay 500

If the sensor is not switched on or is not working smoothly, try recalibrating it:

1. In the engineering menu, select Sensor Calibration.
2. Find the Proximity Sensor and start the calibration process.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to bring and move the phone away from your ear several times).

⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations, the sensor has not worked, check its physical condition. Light the flashlight in the sensor area (near the front camera) - if you see damage from a certain angle (cracks, chips), the sensor needs to be replaced.

Frequently asked questions