Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T smartphones often face an intrusive feature of the system, when the screen goes out during a conversation or, conversely, does not light up when the phone is brought to the ear. This is due to the operation of the proximity sensor, which in budget and mid-budget models is often implemented software through the front camera.
Fortunately, the MIUI shell has the ability to completely disable this feature, which gives the user back control of the screen, so you no longer have to unlock the phone after every conversation or worry that you will accidentally press the reset button with your cheek. Below we will discuss in detail all available methods for solving this problem.
It's important to understand that turning off the sensor changes the logic of the phone when it's ringing, that the screen will burn continuously while the link is active, and that requires care, but for many, it's the only working solution to the problem of false positives.
The problem of software emulation of the sensor
Unlike flagship devices that use a separate physical infrared sensor, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T uses virtual sensor technology to analyze the image from the front camera and, when it detects a dark object (your ear), blocks the display, which is an algorithm that often fails.
The main reason is because of the calibration and lighting conditions, and if you're in a dark room or you're using a tight security glass, the camera can read the data incorrectly, and as a result, the screen goes out at the wrong time, like when you're just holding the phone in your hand, or doesn't turn on when you need to.
Users often confuse software failure with hardware failure, but 90% of the time it's the Proximity Sensor software implementation, and understanding this helps avoid panic and going to a service center where you might be offered a plume replacement, which is useless in this case.
Disconnection through the engineering menu
The most reliable and clean way to disable the sensor is to use Android’s hidden engineering menu, which requires no third-party application installation and works at the system level, but requires accuracy when typing commands.
To start, open the standard Phone app. In the dial box, type a special character combination: ##6484##. If done correctly, the CIT (Customer Information Test) menu will automatically open on the screen. Here are all the hardware tests of your Xiaomi Note 8T.
☑️ Check before entering the engineering menu
In the list that opens, you find a item called the Proximity Sensor. You click on it. You'll see a screen with numerical values that change when you put your hand to the top of your smartphone. Your task is to find the Off button or the switch that deactivates the sensor. After you press it, the screen can blink to confirm the action.
⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful in the engineering menu. Don't change the values of other settings, such as Touch or Display, unless you are sure about their purpose.
Use of calibration applications
If the engineering menu is closed by a carrier or firmware, specialized applications from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, programs like “Proximity Sensor Reset” or “Proximity Sensor Fix” allow you to force the sensor to turn off or reassign its operation.
The principle of their work is to create a virtual layer on top of the system settings. Once you install the application, you need to give it permission to change the system settings (through ADB or root rights, although some work without them), the program interface usually has a Disable or Turn Off button.
But there's a downside to this method: calibration applications can conflict with MIUI updates. After another firmware update, the settings can fly off and you'll have to repeat the procedure. And they also consume extra battery power while running in the background.
Why can applications not work?
Customization through ADB-team
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method to disable the sensor through debugging over USB. This method is most effective, since it allows you to make changes directly to the registry without unnecessary software.
First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI build number. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on “Debugging USB.” Connect the phone to your computer, install ADB Driver, and open the command prompt.
adb shell settings put system proximity_on 0This command compels you to set the sensor to zero, and then you have to restart the device, and if the command didn't work the first time, maybe your version of the shell requires you to use another variable, like, for example, a different variable, proximity_sensor_enabled.
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Before using ADB, be sure to turn on the USB Debugging mode and confirm the resolution on this computer, otherwise the command will be alarmed by the security system.
Comparison of disconnection methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a summary table that will help you assess the risks and effectiveness of each method for your specific situation with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T.
| Method | Difficulty | I need a PC. | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering menu | Low. | No. | Tall. |
| Apps from Play Market | Low. | No. | Medium |
| ADB-team | Tall. | Yes. | Very high. |
| Root rights and modules | Very high. | Yes. | Depends on the module. |
As you can see from the table, the engineering menu is the middle ground, it doesn't require complex equipment and it gives you a stable result, and the use of Root rights, although it gives you complete control, is not recommended for ordinary users because of the risk of losing warranty and the ability to "brick" the device with inept actions.
Possible side effects
Once you turn off the proximity sensor, the behavior of the smartphone will change. The screen will burn all the time you talk. This means that random tapping of the cheek or ear becomes possible. You will have to get used to not pressing the phone too tightly to your face during the dialogue.
Also worth mentioning is battery consumption: Since the screen is the most energy-intensive element of a smartphone, its constant operation during long conversations will lead to faster discharge. 8T It consumes less energy than a constantly burning one. IPS-screen, but the difference in autonomy will be noticeable when using the connection.
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Disabling the proximity sensor solves the problem of the fading screen, but requires more careful handling of the phone during calls to avoid accidental taps.
Some users also note that when the sensor is turned off, the “pocket mode” function stops working when the phone is locked in the pocket, but in modern versions of MIUI, an accelerometer and a gyroscope are often responsible for this, so that protection from random calls in the pocket can be preserved.