How to turn off the screen during a call on Xiaomi: the complete guide

The situation when the screen of Xiaomi smartphone goes out right during a conversation, familiar to many owners of devices with a shell MIUI. This is a standard behavior of the system, designed to prevent accidental pressing of the cheek, but in practice it often causes inconvenience. The user does not see the timer of the conversation, can not use the speakerphone or record an important moment of dialogue without special manipulations. Most often the culprit is the proximity sensor, which responds to the slightest movement of the hand or incorrect case.

Fortunately, the company's engineers have devised several ways to circumvent this limitation or adjust the sensitivity of the sensor. Depending on the version of the Android operating system and the modification of the HyperOS or MIUI shell, the solutions may differ. In this article, we will examine all existing methods, from simple switches in the menu to deep calibration through the engineering menu, you will learn how to control the behavior of the screen and make calls as comfortable as possible.

It's worth noting that completely disabling the proximity sensor can cause you to turn on the speaker or reset your call while you're talking because you're touching the cheek numbers on the display. So it's important to find a balance between usability and functionality. We'll look at both the software settings and the physical factors that affect the sensor, and this will help to solve the problem in a comprehensive way without sacrificing the quality of the connection.

Why the screen goes out: the work of the proximity sensor

The main element that's responsible for quenching the display is the proximity sensor, which is a small infrared sensor that sits at the top of the smartphone, usually next to the speaker or embedded in the display itself, and it's designed to determine the distance to the object, and when you hold the phone to your ear, the sensor detects the change in reflected radiation and sends the system a signal to lock the screen.

The problem may be not only software failure, but also design features. On many Xiaomi and Redmi models, the sensor is under glass, which sometimes leads to false positives when there is a protective film or contamination. The system interprets any darkening of the sensor area as approaching the phone to the head, even if you just hold it in front of you.

โš ๏ธ Attention: The use of tight, black-framed protective glass covering the sensor area is the most common cause of spontaneous screen quenching. Make sure the area above the speaker is clean and not closed by foreign objects.

In some cases, the sensor can "remember" the incorrect position if the phone was lying down the screen during an incoming call, which causes the screen to go out immediately after the answer, even though the phone is in the hand. Understanding the physics of the process helps to correctly diagnose the problem: if the screen goes out, when nothing is brought closer to the top of the case 2-3 centimeters, then calibration or software intervention is required.

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you turn off your screen while youโ€™re talking?
Constantly, very annoying.
Sometimes, when using a cover
Only in incoming calls.
Never, everything works fine.

Phone app settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The first step to fixing the problem is to check the built-in settings of the call. The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS give users extended control over the behavior of the Phone application. This is often where a switch is hidden that allows you to ignore the proximity sensor or change the logic of its operation. The interface can vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware.

To access the settings, you need to open the call app and click on the three dots or gear icon in the corner of the screen. Incoming calls should be searched in the menu that opens. Here is the key parameter responsible for the display response to the approach. If the slider is active, the system will rigidly follow the sensor readings, blocking the image whenever the upper part of the case darkens.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the phone application (green handset).
  • โš™๏ธ Click on the settings menu (three dots or gears).
  • ๐Ÿ“ž Select Incoming Calls or Call Settings.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Find the option to turn off the screen during a conversation or the proximity sensor and change its state.

It is important to understand that some global firmware versions (Global ROM) may not have this switch due to Google or regional standards, and in such cases, standard methods of the system will not disable the suppression, and you will have to resort to third-party solutions or calibration, but if you have this option, disabling it is the fastest way to solve the problem without risking system disruption.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you didnโ€™t find the switch in the standard menu, try searching for phone settings to type the phrase โ€œsensorโ€ or โ€œapproachโ€ โ€“ this sometimes helps hidden items.

Using third-party applications to manage calls

When Xiaomi's built-in tools don't allow for flexible screen behavior, Google Play apps come to the rescue, and they work on top of a standard bell, and they can force the screen to be turned on or lock it on timer, ignoring sensor readings, an effective method for older models where the sensor doesn't work properly.

One of the most popular solutions is the Proximity Sensor Reset Fix app, or analogues like Call Screen On Off. These utilities intercept the signal of an incoming or outgoing call and control the display backlight regardless of system settings. They are especially useful if the sensor is physically fit but software "glues" due to conflicts in the system.

Title of the annexSubstantive functionDo you need root rights?Impact on the battery
Proximity Sensor FixCalibration and testNo.Low.
Call Screen OnBlocking quenchingNo.Average.
Phone FlashlightScreen/lightlight controlNo.High.

Installing third-party software requires permissions, the application will need to be given access to the phone and device status. Once installed, be sure to set up auto-start and remove power saving restrictions for this application in the Battery menu, otherwise the MIUI system may force the process to end in the background and the function will stop working.

Calibration of the sensor through the engineering menu

If the screen goes out chaotically, it may require calibration. Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden engineering menu that allows you to reset the sensor to factory values or recalibrate it. This is a deeper method than a simple reboot, and it often helps when the sensor โ€œliesโ€ about the distance to the object.

To enter the test mode, you need to open the Phone app and type a special code. On most Xiaomi devices, this is a combination of ##6484## or ##4636##. Once you enter the code, the CIT menu will open.

Sequence of actions for calibration:


1. Enter the code ##6484## in the call.




2.In the list of tests, find Proximity Sensor.




3. Close the top of the phone with your palm.




4. Remove your palm and press the Calibrate button.

When you calibrate, the system will ask you to close the sensor (usually a green light) and then remove your hand. Once you've completed the test, press the Pass or Calibrate button to keep the new senses of arena. If the test doesn't work (red light), try to wipe the top of the screen and repeat the procedure. Don't leave the menu until you get a positive result.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checklist before calibration

Done: 0 / 4

Resetting and system update

Sometimes the problem lies in software errors of the Android operating system itself or the MIUI shell. Conflicts after an update, damaged cache files of the Phone application or system bugs can lead to incorrect processing of sensor signals.

To clear your call data, go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ All apps. Find your Phone (or Google Phone if you use it) and select Clear Data and Clear Cache. This won't delete your contacts, but resets your call settings, including history and sensor preferences. After this procedure, the phone can behave like new in terms of calls.

โš ๏ธ Warning: A full Hard Reset will delete all your data, photos, and apps.Be sure to back up important information to the cloud or computer before doing this.

Also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix sensor errors. Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone and click on the MIUI or HyperOS version. If a new update is available, install it. Often in the notes to the firmware version you can find the item โ€œOptimized proximity sensor performanceโ€.

Physical factors and accessories

And there are iron reasons: Cheap, thick black-framed protective glass often covers not only the sensor itself, but the area around it, creating a permanent blackout effect, even if the glass is transparent above the sensor, glare or a thick layer of glue at the edges can distort the readings of the infrared emitter.

In addition, the sensor is affected by temperature and humidity. If the phone overheats during play or charging, the sensor may give out incorrect data, it is also worth checking whether the body at the top is deformed. Even bending the frame can shift the position of the sensor relative to the calibration point, which will lead to permanent quenching of the screen.

  • ๐Ÿงผ Regularly wipe the top of the screen from fat and dirt.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Replace the protective glass with a sensor cutout (if possible) or thinner.
  • ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Avoid extreme temperatures that affect electronics.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Keep an eye on the battery, as bloating can warp the screen from the inside out.

If the replacement of accessories and cleaning do not help, and the calibration gives a temporary effect, it is possible that the sensor has failed physically. In this case, the screen will go out even without touching the head, or, conversely, never go out. Repairs at the service center will take a little time, since the proximity sensor is often built into the screen plume or speaker.

What to do if the sensor is broken?
If the proximity sensor is physically faulty, it can be software-disabled via root rights using Magisk modules, or simply put up with a constantly burning screen during a conversation using a speakerphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did the screen go out more often after the MIUI update?
Updates often change the algorithms of sensors to save energy or improve safety.The new version may be more sensitive to dimming.Try the recalibrate sensor through the engineering menu after each major system update.
Can the approximation sensor be completely removed programmatically?
Without root rights, you can't remove the sensor driver. You can just ignore the sensor's signals with third-party apps. With root rights, you can turn off the corresponding module in the system, but this can disrupt other functions, such as smartly turning on the screen when you bring it to your face.
Does the โ€œIn your pocketโ€ mode affect screen suppression?
Yes, Pocket mode uses the same proximity sensor to lock the phone in the bag. If it's set up too aggressively, it can conflict with the logic of the screen when you call. Try turning it off in the lock settings.
Will resetting to factory settings help if the sensor is broken?
No, a software reset won't repair a physically damaged component, if there's a hardware problem, it'll only help to replace the part at the service center, but it will help to accurately diagnose that it's the hardware part, eliminating software conflicts.

๐Ÿ’ก

The most reliable solution is a comprehensive one: checking accessories, calibrating through an engineering menu and, if necessary, using third-party software to control the screen.