The situation of the screen going out during a conversation on Xiaomi is one of the most common and annoying problems for owners of these smartphones. This is usually due to the high sensitivity of the proximity sensor, which mistakenly responds to the finger, cheek or even the security glass, as a result of which the user loses access to hands-free buttons, keyboard or contacts, making it impossible to communicate comfortably.
Fortunately, MIUI and HyperOS have mechanisms in place to control this behavior. Android defaults to lock the display when you hold the phone to your ear to prevent accidental tapping, but in Xiaomi smartphones, this algorithm sometimes works too aggressively. We'll look at all the solutions, from simple settings to calibrating the engineering menu.
It's important to understand that completely disabling the function can cause you to accidentally hit the reset or switch button on the speaker with your cheek during a conversation, so our goal is not just to kill the function, but to adjust it to work correctly or to find a balance between usability and functionality.
Setup of the proximity sensor through the standard menu
The first step should always be to address the basic system settings. In Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco phones, sensor management is often hidden in the call menu. You need to open the Phone app (green handset) and click on the three dots in the upper right corner or menu button.
In the list that opens, select Settings. Next, look for Incoming Calls. This is where the switch that locks the display hides. If the slider is active, the screen will go out when the object approaches. Disabling this option will solve the problem, but be aware of the risk of accidental taps.
However, in the latest versions of MIUI, this item may be missing or moved, in which case the system relies on automatic calibration. If the standard Settings path → Incoming calls failed, move to deeper customization methods.
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If you use a low-quality protective glass, it can block the sensor, causing false positives. Try temporarily removing the glass for inspection.
Calibration of the proximity sensor in the engineering menu
If switching the settings just didn't work, it means the sensor is not working properly and needs calibration, using the hidden Android engineering menu available on most Xiaomi devices, the most effective way to get the hardware to work properly.
Open the Phone app and dial ##6484##. Immediately after entering the last star, the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu will open.
The screen will show a value that changes when you close the top of the screen with your hand. If the value does not change or if the value shows "Near" (close) constantly, the sensor is contaminated or damaged. To calibrate, press the Calibration button and follow the instructions on the screen, closing and opening the sensor with your hand.
☑️ Testing of sensor operation
⚠️ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu CIT Resetting or changing unknown settings can cause other smartphone modules to malfunction.
Using third-party applications to control the screen
When MIUI system constraints don’t allow for flexible screen behavior, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue, which intercept the call event and force the display to be turned on, ignoring the readings of the standard sensor.
One popular solution is the Proximity Sensor Fix or Screen Off Call Blocker app, and once installed, you will need to give the app the necessary permissions, such as access to phone calls and overlays (over other windows).
In settings such utilities can often set the delay time before turning off the screen or select the "Never Turn Off" mode, which creates a software "crut" that effectively bypasses the problem, although it consumes a little more power.
Why can applications not work?
The effect of protective glasses and covers on the operation of the sensor
Often the problem is not the software, but the physical accessories. The proximity sensor on Xiaomi is usually located in a narrow frame above the display or integrated into the screen itself. A thick protective glass or a massive case can overlap it.
This is especially true of cheap glass, which has a black bezel wider than the original display, and visually it may be invisible, but the infrared beam of the sensor is blocked, and the phone thinks it's near the ear, turning off the lights.
It's easy to check this out: when you make an incoming call, swipe your finger over the top of the screen, and if the screen goes out instantly, even without touching your face, it means that the accessory is interfering with the sensor, in which case only changing the glass or carefully trimming the black frame will help.
| Accessory type | Probability of conflict | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The original glass | Low. | Sensor calibration |
| Wide-framed glass | Tall. | Glass replacement |
| Tight case | Medium | Removal of the cover during the call |
| Hydrogel film | Very low. | Not required |
Specificity of the sensor on AMOLED and LCD screens
The technology of the display also affects the location and operation of the sensor. On LCD screens, the sensor is almost always placed in a separate hole at the top of the case, and it is easy to close with your finger when you talk, holding the phone incorrectly.
Xiaomi’s current flagships with AMOLED arrays use Under-Display technology, where the sensor is hidden under layers of display. This is often a problem with software interpretation of data rather than physical overlap, and in such cases, a firmware update helps.
If you have an LCD screen, try to hold your phone behind the bottom half of the case or use a headset. The wrong grip is the most common cause of false positives on budget models of the Redmi Note series.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with a subscreen sensor, it is strictly impossible to use magnetic holders or cases with metal inserts in the upper part - this will knock down the calibration of the magnetometer.
Additional MIUI settings for calls
The MIUI shell has a Smart Calls or Pocket Mode feature that can conflict with the proximity sensor. If the phone is in your bag and the screen spontaneously turns on or off, it's worth checking these settings.
Go to Settings → Lock and Protection → Pocket Mode. Disabling this feature may reduce the system's sensitivity to external influences, but it will increase the risk of random action in the bag. It's a compromise solution.
It’s also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix sensor drivers. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version to check for new versions of the software.
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Comprehensive approach: the combination of proper calibration, quality accessories and up-to-date firmware ensures that there are no screen issues during the conversation.