Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones remain popular due to their reliability, but sometimes users face inconveniences in basic functions, such as making calls. One of the frequent complaints is that the display is too early or incorrectly turned off during a conversation, which prevents you from using the speakerphone or checking contact information of the interlocutor. Understanding how the proximity sensor works and the software settings of the interface will help solve this problem without contacting the service.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the locking mechanisms and provide step-by-step instructions for how to change them, what system parameters affect display behavior, how to calibrate sensors, and what to do if standard methods don't work. It's important to distinguish between software failures and physical damage to choose the right path of solution.
The point is that completely disabling the screen can lead to accidental cheekstrokes, so we'll look at compromise options for setting up. Proper calibration is often more effective than completely locking the charge saving and error prevention function.
Reasons for Automatic Display Reduction
The main culprit behind turning off the screen during a conversation is the proximity sensor located at the top of the smartphone body, which responds to changes in infrared radiation and determines whether an object (your ear or cheek) is close to the display. In the Redmi 8 model, the sensor can be both built into the screen and placed in a separate hole next to the speaker.
In addition to the hardware sensor, the response of the screen is controlled by a system algorithm that processes the sensor signals. If the software receives a false approach signal, it forcibly extinguishes the display to prevent accidental actions. Often the problem is not a breakdown, but a contamination or software failure that requires calibration.
How does the infrared sensor work?
There is also a software feature called Pocket Mode that can misinterpret the position of the phone. If you hold the device in a certain way or use a case that covers the top edge, the smartphone may think it is in your pocket and lock the screen ahead of time.
Configuring system parameters of the interface
The first step in solving the problem is to check the settings of the Phone application itself, which manages calls. The MIUI shell installed on Redmi 8 has specific options that affect the behavior of the screen during the call. You need to open the Phone application and click on three dots or a gear in the corner to enter the settings menu.
In the list that opens, look for a section that deals with incoming calls or conversational status, and there may be an option that forces the screen to turn off when you move to your ear, and turning off this feature will allow the display to remain active, but be aware of the risk of accidental tapping.
It’s also worth checking the general settings in Settings → Screen. You can find a sleep timer here that shouldn’t affect calls, but resetting it sometimes helps reset the logic of the display. Make sure you don’t have aggressive power saving modes that can limit the background call processes.
Calibration of the proximity sensor
If the interface settings didn’t work, it probably requires calibration of the sensor, a procedure that “trains” the smartphone to understand where the boundary between “close” and “far” is. For the Xiaomi Redmi 8, there is a hidden engineering menu that is accessed through a set of special code.
Open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484##. Then the CIT menu will open. In the test list, find the Proximity sensor or Approximation Sensor. Click on it to start checking.
Follow the instructions on the screen: usually close the top of the phone with your hand (simulating a bell), and then remove your hand. The system should record the values of "Near" (close) and "Far" (far) if the test is successful, press the "Pass" or "Calibrate" button to save the new settings.
☑️ Calibration checklist
Use of third-party applications
In cases where standard MIUI tools do not allow flexible control of the screen, you can resort to the help of third-party software from Google Play. There are utilities that intercept the control of the proximity sensor and allow you to adjust the sensitivity or completely ignore its signals during calls.
One popular solution is the Proximity Sensor Reset & Calibration app, which allows you to reset the sensor cache and force it to recalibrate, which often solves the problem of sticking the screen off, and also useful bell-ringing apps that have their own screen behavior settings.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party applications that require deep system resolutions can affect the stability of your smartphone.
When using these programs, it is important to give them the necessary permissions, including access over other windows and control of the phone. Without these rights, the application will not be able to intercept the signal to turn off the screen. Once installed, try to make a test call to make sure that it works correctly.
Impact of protective accessories
Often the cause of incorrect operation of the sensor are protective glasses or cases that the user has installed on the Redmi 8. If the protective glass is black or applied carelessly, it can overlap the sensor area located next to the speaker, as a result, the smartphone constantly “sees” the obstacle and extinguishes the screen.
Check if there's any dirt, greasy spots or glue residue on the top of the screen from old glass. Even a thin film of dirt can distort the sensor readings. Wipe the top of the device with a soft cloth soaked in alcohol solution, and check the call again.
If you use a thick case with high sidebars, try removing it during a conversation. Some accessories models are structurally incompatible with the location of the sensors in Xiaomi, and no software setting here will help, except to replace the accessory.
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Before buying a protective glass, check the reviews: whether it is suitable for your model, does not overlap the sensors and cameras.
Table: Comparison of solution methods
To make it easier to find a solution, we have systematized the basic methods in the table below, each method has its own advantages and is suitable for certain situations.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call settings | Low. | Medium | Absent. |
| Calibration (CIT) | Medium | Tall. | Minimum |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Tall. | Advertising, access |
| Resetting settings | Tall. | Maximum | Loss of data |
As you can see from the table, it's always the least risky thing to do, and the setup of the built-in application won't harm the system, whereas the reset requires preparation, and the method you choose depends on how serious the problem is and whether you're willing to go to extreme lengths.
Additional recommendations and discharge
If none of the above methods worked, perhaps the problem lies deeper in system files or konflikt updates. In this case, reset the Phone app settings through the application management menu. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone → Clean and select Clear All.
In the extreme case, when the problem is global and prevents the full use of the smartphone, a complete reset to factory settings.Be sure to back up all important data before doing so, as it will be deleted. This action will return the Redmi a 8 software to its original state.
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Hard Reset eliminates 99% of sensor-related software errors, but takes time to recover data.
Don't install all the applications at once after reset. Check the call on the clean system. If the problem is gone, it means that one of the apps you installed was causing a conflict. If the screen continues to go out even on the factory firmware, it indicates a hardware malfunction of the sensor or the plume.
⚠️ Attention: Hardware failure of the proximity sensor is common after a smartphone falls or moisture is hit, in which case the software methods are powerless, and a replacement part at the service center is required.