How to turn off the proximity sensor when calling Xiaomi

The situation when during a conversation the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone suddenly goes out, and the interlocutor continues to talk “in vacuity”, is familiar to many owners of Android devices. This is a standard behavior of the system, designed to prevent accidental brushing with the cheek, but in practice it is often annoying, especially if the protective glass is not glued correctly or the sensor is dirty. In such cases, users are looking for a way to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi so that the screen remains active throughout the conversation.

Unfortunately, in modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, developers have removed the direct disable button from the standard settings menu, considering it critical for ergonomics. However, there are proven methods to circumvent this limitation, including the use of engineering menus, third-party applications and even recalibration of the sensor. Understanding the principle of operation of this component will help you choose the most secure and effective way to solve the problem without losing warranty.

In this guide, we will look at all the current methods of deactivating or correcting the sensor, we will discuss why the screen goes out on its own, how to calibrate correctly and which assistant applications should be installed if the usual tools do not give the desired result. It is important to act carefully, since interference with system settings can affect the operation of other functions of the phone.

The reasons for the incorrect operation of the sensor on Xiaomi smartphones

Before we start taking drastic measures to find a way to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi, we need to understand the root cause of the failure. Most often, the problem is not the software, but the physical interaction of external factors with the upper end of the device. The infrared emitter located next to the speaker sends a signal and reads its reflection; if an obstacle occurs in the path of the beam, the screen is blocked.

One of the most common causes is poor quality or improperly pasted protective glass. If the glass has a black frame that covers the area of the sensor, or if there is dust in the sensor area underneath, the system will receive false signals that the phone is held to the ear. Also worth considering the wear of components: over time, the sensitivity of the sensor may fall, and it begins to respond to the slightest movement of the hand in the air.

• 🛑 The protective glass or film covers the working area of the infrared sensor.
• 💧 Pollution of the top of the screen with greasy traces, dust or moisture.
• 📱 High-sided case that physically closes the sensor.
• ⚙️ Software failure of drivers or the need to recalibrate the system.

In some cases, third-party applications that intercept call management or a conflict of firmware versions are the culprits. If you recently updated MIUI and the problem appeared immediately after that, there is a high probability of a software error. Before you turn off the function completely, try simply to wipe the top of the smartphone and remove the case to test the hypothesis.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics and Resetting

The most reliable way to check the sensor's status and try to fix it without third-party software is to log into the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system for service engineers, but also for ordinary users, and you can not only see the current readings of the sensor, but also start automatic calibration, which often solves the problem of spontaneously turning off the screen.

To enter the diagnostics menu, open the standard Phone app and dial the combination ##6484##. You'll see a list of different modules on the screen, and you'll find a item associated with the Proximity Sensor (often labeled Prox or Proximity Sensor). In the window that opens, you'll see two values: distance in centimeters and status (Close/Far).

If you put your hand up, you change your values, but the screen doesn't go out in the bell, it could be the software, and if the values don't change at all, it could be that the sensor is physically faulty or disabled in the system. In the same menu, you can often have a Calibrate button. Press it, remove your hand from the screen, and wait for the success message. This action resets the reference values, and the phone learns to determine the distance to the object again.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the values in other sections of the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. resetting the proximity sensor calibration is safe, but experimenting with other parameters can disrupt the radio module or display.

Hidden settings via the developer menu and ADB

In older versions of Xiaomi firmware, there was a direct option to disable the sensor through the developer menu, but in current Android 11/12/13/14 builds, this option is often hidden. However, activating the developer menu can open access to logging and other useful features, although a direct switch called Approximation Sensor: Off is rare there.

A more advanced method that allows for deep system level changes involves the use of a ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer via USB-cable and availability of the installed platform SDK Platform-Tools on PC. ADB You can send commands that force you to change the state of the sensor, but it requires accuracy and syntax.

To start, you need to activate USB debugging. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version until the message “You are a developer” appears. Then, in the “Additional” or “Extended Settings” menu, find “Developers” and turn on the USB debugging switch.

adb shell settings put system proximity_on_close 0

The above command is exemplary and can vary depending on the Android version and the specific Redmi or Poco model.In some cases, a dedicated shutdown requires the use of specialized devices. ADB-scripts available on developer forums (e.g, 4PDA or XDA). If you are not a confident user, it is better to limit the software methods described in the next section, as work with the software is not a problem. ADB risk-taking.

Assistant applications for sensor management

As standard MIUI tools become increasingly difficult to completely disable the sensor, the most effective solution for the average user is to install specialized applications from Google Play, which run on top of the call system and ignore signals from the infrared sensor, forcibly leaving the screen on during a conversation.

One of the most popular and proven solutions is the Proximity Sensor Reset Fix app or its counterparts, such as Less Missed Calls. The principle of their work is simple: they monitor the status of the call and, if the screen goes down, instantly turn it back on, creating the illusion that the sensor is disabled. It is a secure method that does not require root rights.

• 📲 Proximity Service – allows you to fine-tune sensitivity and create profiles for different situations.
• 📞 Less Missed Calls is a simple app that wakes up the screen when an incoming call is made, ignoring the sensor.
• ⚙️ TalkScreen is a utility that blocks only the bottom of the screen, leaving the top active to control.

Once installed, the app must be given permissions, such as access to the phone and the ability to display on top of other windows. Without permission from "Above Other Applications," the utility will not be able to turn on the screen when the system tries to extinguish it. Once set up, the phone will behave as if there is no proximity sensor at all.

Table: Comparison of methods of solving the problem

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized all the methods described in a comparative table. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your technical background and the specific model of the smartphone.

As the table shows, for most users, the best balance between security and outcome is through the use of helper apps or simple calibration. Root rights techniques should only be used in extreme cases where other methods have been exhausted.

Frequent errors and additional recommendations

Users often make errors during the setup process that reduce all efforts to zero, for example, after calibration in the engineering menu, it is necessary to reboot the device so that the new parameters are stored in non-volatile memory. If you do not do this, the settings will reset to factory ones after turning off the screen.

Another common mistake is ignoring system updates. Sometimes, a proximity sensor bug is a known bug in a particular version of MIUI that developers fix in security patches. Check for updates in the Settings → Phone menu. You should also look at Pocket Mode, which can conflict with the sensor. You can find it in the lock settings of the screen and try to turn it off.

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If you're using a dark theme, try switching to light temporarily. In rare cases, a software bug in the interface causes the sensor to misinterpret the signals in dark mode.

Remember, turning off the proximity sensor completely changes the way you use it, so you have to manually lock the power button screen before you hold your phone to your ear, or you'll drop calls or turn on speakerphones with your cheek, a trade-off that you make to be able to see the person or video content while you're talking.

⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations, the phone screen behaves randomly (it turns on spontaneously in the dark, does not respond to the touch to the ear), the sensor plume may be damaged.

Conclusion and conclusion

Disabling the proximity sensor on Xiaomi is a solvable task, but it requires understanding the nature of its work. In most cases, the problem is solved by replacing the protective glass or simply calibrating through the engineering menu. If these methods do not help, installing a specialized assistant application can be considered the most reasonable and safe way out of the situation.

Remember that modern smartphones are complex devices where software is closely linked to hardware. Attempting to rudely interfere with system files without proper preparation can lead to unstable device operation.Use the proven methods described in the article, and your phone will again become a convenient tool for communication.

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The safest and most effective way to “disable” the sensor without losing warranty is to use the assistant apps from the Play Market, which programmatically ignore the sensor signals during a call.

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