How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: the full guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is a popular smartphone with balanced specs, but some users are faced with incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. This sensor is responsible for turning off the screen during a phone conversation when the device is brought to the ear. However, due to software failures, mechanical damage or factory defects, the sensor can work unstable: the screen goes out spontaneously, does not respond to gestures or, conversely, does not turn off when you call.

Disabling the proximity sensor can be a temporary solution to the problem before repairing or updating the firmware. In this article, we will discuss three proven ways to deactivate the sensor: through standard MIUI settings, engineering menus and the ADB command. You will also learn what risks it carries to disable the sensor and how to return it to work if necessary.

Why the proximity sensor may not work properly

Before you turn off the sensor, you need to understand the reasons for its malfunction, and most often the problem lies in:

• 🔄 Software failures – after the update MIUI Or you can install custom firmware, the sensor can start to glittle, for example, the screen does not go out when you call, or, conversely, turns off when you approach the hand.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage — falling, moisture or dust falling under the glass can disrupt the infrared sensor, in which case turning off the sensor is a temporary measure until the display module is replaced.
• 📱 Factory marriage is rare, but there are cases where the sensor is initially installed with a defect, and this can be checked using a test in the engineering menu.
• 🔋 Application conflicts – some programs (such as launchers or optimizers) may interfere with sensors.

If the sensor starts to glittle after installing new software, try first resetting to factory settings or rolling back the firmware. If the problem is hardware (for example, after a fall), disabling the sensor will help you use the phone without constant failures, but will not eliminate the cause.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the proximity sensor will make it impossible to automatically turn off the screen during calls.This can lead to accidental tapping of the screen with the cheek or ear, for example, to reset the call or activate the hands-free communication.

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

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the sensor through the standard MIUI menu, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for most firmware versions.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to About Phone → MIUI and tap it 7-10 times until you become a developer!
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new item. → For developers (or Advanced settings) → Developers in some versions).
4. Scroll the list to Hardware Acceleration and find the option to Disable the Approach Sensor (or Approach Sensor → Switch to Off).
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have a direct shutdown option, try an alternative path:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Screen. → Autoturn (or Sensors).
• 🔍 In some firmware, there may be a proximity sensor switch hidden here.

Make sure the problem is not with the protective film or cover.|Make a backup copy of the data|Check the sensor in test mode (engineering menu)|Remember the path to settings for back-on-->

In MIUI 12.5 and later, the option to disable the proximity sensor may not be available – in this case, use the method with an engineering menu or ADB.

Method 2: Deactivation through the engineering menu (USSD codes)

The engineering menu is a hidden settings section where you can test and disable the hardware components of a smartphone. The Redmi Note 8T is a universal access code, but beware: the wrong actions here can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type in the combination: ##6484## After dialing, the MTK Engineer Mode menu will automatically open (if the code doesn't work, try ##36446337###).
2. From the engineering menu, select Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor.
3. Press Disable (or uncheck Enable if there is no such option, which means that the sensor only turns off via MIUI or ADB).
4. Go back to the main menu and exit. Reboot the phone.

In some versions of the engineering menu, you can also test the sensor:

• 📊 Press Test – the screen should turn black, and the distance value will appear at the bottom (in cm).
• 👆 Hold your hand to the top of the screen (where the sensor is located) – the value should change from 5.0 to 0.0.
• 🔍 If the values do not change, the sensor is defective.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.This can lead to network loss, camera crashes or complete phone failure.

Yes, for sensor testing | Yes, but by accident | No, I'm afraid to break my phone | I didn't know about the menu-->

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

If the first two methods fail, the ADB option is still available, which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, and the advantage is that it works on any version of MIUI, even if the shutdown option is hidden.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Initiated Debugging Mode USB developer-setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8T to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined (should appear a string with a serial number).
3. Enter the command to disable the proximity sensor: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1
4. Reset the phone. The sensor will be deactivated.

To return the sensor to work, use the same command by replacing 1 by 0:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 0

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS

This command forcibly closes system dialogs, but can temporarily "cheat" the sensor.-->

Table: Comparison of methods of disabling the proximity sensor

For most Redmi Note 8T users, the first two are sufficient. The ADB method will come in handy if the sensor is disabled at the system level (for example, after a failed update).

What to do if the sensor does not turn off

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be:

• 🔒 System locking – some firmware (e.g. global versions) MIUI Europe) restricts access to sensor shutdown.
• 🛡️ Antivirus or protection MIUI — Apps like Google Play Protect and Security can block changes.
• 📲 Custom firmware – informal builds (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may have their own sensor controls.

Decisions:

1. Try rolling back the firmware to an earlier version of MIUI, where the option to turn off the sensor is exactly there.
2. Install an app like Sensor Disabler (requires root) that forcibly blocks the sensor.
3. Contact the service center – if the sensor is physically damaged, it is easier to replace it than try to programmatically bypass the problem.

Consequences of deactivating the proximity sensor

Before deactivating the sensor, assess the possible inconveniences:

• 📞 The screen will not go out during calls - this will lead to accidental pressing (for example, turning on the speakerphone or resetting a call).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – the screen will stay active longer, especially if you make frequent calls.
• 🛡️ Screen damage risk – with prolonged conversations, the display may overheat from close contact with the ear.
• 🔊 Voice command problems – some apps (like Google Assistant) use a proximity sensor to activate voice input.

Alternative solutions:

• 🔄 Use a headset or Bluetooth headphones – so the screen will not interfere during conversations.
• 📱 Install an app like Proximity Sensor Fix (available on Google Play) that emulates how the sensor works.
• 🔧 If the sensor is too sensitive, try calibrating it through the engineering menu (Calibration section).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI When the proximity sensor is turned off, the Lift to Wake function may stop working, because the system uses a combination of sensors (accelerometer). + approximation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8T

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Disabling the proximity sensor is a temporary solution, and if the problem is hardware (fall, moisture), it is better to replace the display module in the service center.