How to turn off the screen on Xiaomi during a call: all working methods

Have you ever encountered a situation where you accidentally press buttons with your cheek or ear while you're on a phone on Xiaomi? The screen keeps glowing, hands-free functions are activated, and sometimes the call is reset altogether. This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and other brands. Fortunately, there are several ways to turn off the screen during a conversation, from standard settings to hidden MIUI features.

In this article, we'll look at all the current techniques, from calibrating the proximity sensor to using gestures and third-party utilities, why the screen doesn't go out automatically, how to check the sensor's performance, and what to do if the settings get lost after updating the firmware, and a unique way to turn off the screen through an engineering menu that few people know about.

Why does Xiaomi’s screen not turn off during a call?

Before we get to the bottom of this, it's important to understand why, because 90 percent of the time, the proximity sensor -- the little sensor next to the front camera that detects when you're holding your phone to your ear -- if it doesn't work properly, the system doesn't know you're talking, and the screen stays active.

Other possible causes:

• 🔄 Firmware failure after update MIUI (Especially important for the Redmi Note 10/11 and POCO X3/X4)
• 🛠️ Sensor damage after screen fall or repair
• 📱 Disabled function "Screen turns off during call" in settings
• 🧹 Sensor contamination (dust, protective film, high-sided case)
• 🤖 Conflict with third-party applications, such as launchers or Magisk modules

On Xiaomi with MIUI 12/13/14, the problem is often with optimizing power consumption, and the system can artificially slow down the sensor to save battery power, especially on low-end models like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3.

⚠️ Attention: If the proximity sensor is physically damaged (for example, after changing the screen), software methods will not help. In this case, you will need a diagnosis in the service center).

Method 1: Calibration of the proximity sensor through settings

The easiest method is to recalibrate the sensor in standard MIUI settings, which takes less than a minute and often solves the problem.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone → MIUI and tap it 7-10 times until the words “You became a developer!” appear.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
4. Scroll down and find the Calibration point of the proximity sensor.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen: Put the phone on a flat surface and press Calibration.

After calibration, restart your smartphone and check the sensor during the call. If the screen still doesn't go out, move on to the next method.

Check the cleanliness of the sensor (wipe with an alcohol napkin)

Make sure there is no protective film over the sensor.

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Try to turn off the energy saving for the system-->

Method 2: Enable the function "Screen turns off during a call"

In some versions of MIUI (especially older models like the Redmi 5/6 or Mi A2), the automatic screen shutdown feature can be hidden in the depth of settings.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter the Phone and select the standard call app.
3. Slip on Permits and make sure it's included: 📞 Telephone (access to calls) 🔍 Body sensors (for proximity sensor)

Additional settings → Call settings

The screen turns off during the call.

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

Settings → Screen → Additional → Turn off the screen when approaching

On the POCO F3/F4 and other MIUI models for POCO, this option may be called Smart Screen Off.

Redmi (Note series, 9/10/11/12)

POCO (X3/X4/X5/F3/F4)

Mi (11/12/13 series)

Black Shark (Gaming Smartphones)

Other-->

Method 3: Use of the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can try manually testing the proximity sensor through an engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires input of code.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##6484###
2. You will be placed on the Manual Test menu. → Proximity Sensor.
3. Cover the sensor with your hand. If it works properly, you'll see: 🟢 Near (or 0) – when the sensor is closed 🔴 Far (or 1) – when the sensor is open

If the values do not change, the sensor is faulty.

In this menu, you can also check the sensor's threshold of activation. If the Proximity Sensor Threshold value is too high (for example, >5), the screen may not turn off. The optimal value is 2-4.

Method 4: Gestures and Third-Party Apps

If the proximity sensor is working correctly, but the screen is still not turned off, alternative methods can be used:

1. "Double touch to lock" gesture

Setting:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → More.
2. Activate the option of Double-Tap to lock.
3. During the call, tap the screen twice to turn it off.

2. Applications for forced screen shutdown

List of proven utilities:

• 📱 Proximity Sensor Fix fixes sensor failures on Xiaomi and other brands.
• 🔄 Screen Off and Lock adds a widget to quickly turn off the screen.
• 🛠️ MacroDroid – allows you to create an automatic rule “turn off the screen when you start a call".

When using third-party apps, turn off battery optimization for them:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [App name] → Battery → Without restrictions

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Proximity Sensor Fix) require rights ADB If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to avoid such utilities - incorrect settings can lead to loss of warranty or software failures.

Method 5: Resetting settings (last chance)

If none of these methods work, you have to reset your phone to the factory, which is a radical way, but it often solves sensor and firmware problems.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup of data: Settings → About phone → Backup
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Reset and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, don’t restore settings from the backup – set your phone up as new.

If the problem disappeared, it was a setup conflict, and if it didn't, it was probably the proximity sensor itself that was faulty.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users make the same mistakes when trying to turn off the screen while making a call.

• 🚫 Ignoring updates: On the Redmi Note 11 and later, sensor failures are often fixed in patches MIUI. Always install the latest updates: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system
• 🛡️ Permissions Lock: If you manually bar the Phone app from accessing sensors, the screen won't turn off.
• 🔋 Aggressive Battery Mode: In Battery Settings → Power Saving Mode Turn Off Optimization for System Applications.
• 📲 Use of informal firmware: On custom ROM (For example, Pixel Experience, the proximity sensor may not work properly.

Another common mistake is to try to turn off the sensor completely. Some "tips" on the Internet recommend deactivating the sensor through an engineering menu, but this will result in the screen never turning off during calls, even if you want to.

💡

If you use a magnetic lock case (like a book), check if the magnet is interfering with the proximity sensor, and sometimes the metal elements in the cases interfere with the sensors.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

💡

If none of the methods worked and the proximity sensor is working, the problem may lie in the firmware of the communication module, in which case only the flashing of the phone through Fastboot or contacting the Xiaomi service center will help.