The situation when the screen of Xiaomi smartphone does not go out during a phone conversation is one of the most common and annoying problems for users. Instead of the phone turning off the display when you bring it to the ear, it continues to glow, which often leads to accidental tapping of the cheek or ear.This can cause a call reset, turn on the speakerphone or transfer the call to hold, which disrupts communication and causes stress.
The main culprit is the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor, which is a small sensor located at the top of the body, usually next to a conversational speaker, responsible for the device's response to physical objects in the immediate vicinity, and in normal operation, it must instantly respond to the approach of an object and block the touchscreen, turning off the image.
However, software failures sometimes occur in the MIUI or HyperOS shell that violate this logic. The user may need to not only adjust the sensitivity, but also perform a full calibration or even physically check the purity of the security glass. In this article, we will discuss in detail all methods of solving the problem, from simple settings to hidden engineering menus.
The principle of the sensor approach in smartphones Xiaomi
Understanding how your device’s touch system works helps you find the cause of the failure faster. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco use different types of sensors in today’s smartphones. Budget models often feature physical infrared sensors that require a hole in the screen or a thin bezel on top. More expensive models are equipped with ultrasonic or optical sensors built directly under the display.
Physical sensors are extremely sensitive to contamination, and dust, greasy finger marks, or even poor-quality protective glass can block the beam, making the phone think it's always near the ear, which can go out on its own or not respond to a real approximation, and MIUI's software algorithm interprets the sensor data and decides to lock the screen.
It is important to note that in some cases the problem is not in the hardware, but in the conflict of software processes. Updating the system or installing a third-party application for calls can change the priorities of the sensor, so before starting a deep diagnosis, it is worth making sure that the device does not run background processes that block the normal functions of the phone.
⚠️ Attention: The use of thick protective glasses with a wide black frame ("mask") is often the cause of incorrect operation of the sensor. If after sticking a new glass, the screen stopped fading, try to gently move the glass or replace it with a model with a cutout under the sensor.
Basic settings through the call menu
The first step in solving the problem is to check the standard settings of the Phone application. In the MIUI shell, this is the responsibility of the regular application from Google or Xiaomi's own "calling" depending on the region and version of the firmware, and this is where the switch is located, which forcefully activates or deactivates the lock function of the screen.
To check your current status, open the call app and tap the three dots or gear in the corner of the screen to log in to the menu. Select Settings, then go to Incoming Calls. Here you need to find an option that sounds like "Approximation Sensor" or "Disable screen while you're talking." Make sure the slider is activated.
- 📱 Open the Phone app and go to settings via the menu.
- 🔍 Find the Incoming Calls or Additional Settings section.
- ✅ Check the status of the tumbler Approach Sensor - it should be turned on.
If the switch is already active, try turning it off, restarting the smartphone and turning it on again. This action often helps to reset the software "glue" of the state when the system "remembers" the wrong value.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party call app (such as Truecaller or Simple Dialer), the settings in the Xiaomi app may not apply.
In some versions of HyperOS firmware, the path to settings may be different. If you don't find the right item in the described place, search the settings of the phone itself. Type the word "approach" or "sensor" in the search bar, and the system will prompt you to go to the desired menu.
Calibration of the sensor through the engineering menu
If standard settings don't work, we need to move to a deeper level of diagnostics, calibration. The MIUI engineering menu contains hidden tools for testing hardware components, which is the most effective method, as it allows you to reset the factory sensitivity parameters of the sensor.
To enter the test mode, open the Phone app and enter a special code. Dial the combination ##6484##. If the code is entered correctly, the CIT menu will open. In the test list, find the Proximity Sensor. When you click on it, you will see the current sensor readings.
The calibration process is as follows: Remove your hand from the top of the phone to reach 5.0 (or close to the maximum) and then completely close the top of the screen with your palm, the value should drop to 0.0. If the values change, press the Calibration or Pass button to save the new settings.
☑️ Checklist of sensor calibration
After successful calibration, be sure to restart the device.A normal screen-off may not be enough to apply changes at the driver level.A full Reboot reboot ensures that the new configuration is loaded when the system starts.
⚠️ Warning: Do not press the Fail button during the test unless you are sure of the cause of the failure.It is better to try the calibration several times, achieving stable readings before completing the procedure.
It is worth noting that some global firmware versions may be blocked from entering the code, in which case you can try an alternative method through the Mi Debug app or special utilities from Google Play, such as Proximity Sensor Reset/Fix, which emulate this process.
Comparison of problem-solving methods
The choice of method of troubleshooting depends on the specific situation and symptoms. Below is a table that will help you determine which method will be most effective in your case. Different scenarios require different approaches, from simple cleaning to resetting.
| Method of decision | Efficiency | Difficulty | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checking the call settings | Medium | Low. | When the problem is first discovered |
| Cleaning the top of the screen | Tall. | Low. | If there is contamination or protective glass |
| Calibration via CIT menu | Very high. | Medium | If the settings didn't help |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum | Tall. | In extreme cases, with system errors |
As you can see from the table, it's always about doing the simplest things, and often the problem is solved by simply wiping the screen or rechecking the tumbler in the settings, and using complex methods like resetting data is only justified when the simple ways have run out.
It is also important to consider the device model: older models with physical buttons and large bezels, sensors are less sensitive to protective films than modern bezel-less films, where every millimeter matters. Owners of models with subscreen sensors (for example, Xiaomi 13, 14) should be especially careful with the thickness of protective glasses.
Why can the sensor lie?
Influence of protective accessories and covers
Often users forget that any accessories affect the performance of sensors. Security glasses, especially those with a black perimeter frame ("Full Glue" or 5D/9D), can block the area of operation of the sensor. Even if the visual hole under the speaker matches, the thickness of the glue or the material itself can distort the IR ray.
Try removing the safety glass or film and making a test call without them, and if the problem is gone, it means that it was the accessory, in which case it makes sense to replace the glass with another, with a thinner frame or a special cutout for the sensor, which is often indicated by the manufacturer of accessories.
- 🧼 Carefully wipe the top of the screen with an alcohol napkin before sticking the new glass.
- 📏 Make sure the protective glass fits tightly and has no bubbles in the sensor area.
- 🛡️ Consider the use of covers with raised sides that will not allow your fingers to touch the upper edge.
In addition, some Smart Cover bookcases (when the lid is closed, the screen goes out) may conflict with the proximity sensor. The magnet in the cover is sometimes perceived by the system as an object close to the screen. Try removing the cover completely for inspection.
💡
If you use a hydrogel film, try to shift it slightly at the top (by 1-2 mm) to free up the sensor area, often solving the problem without replacing the accessory.
Program conflicts and third-party applications
Not only system settings can cause crashes, but third-party applications that have access to call management often intercept the sensor’s control, such as number detectors, conversation recording apps, messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram), or battery optimizers.
Check the list of newly installed apps. If the problem started after installing a program, try to delete it or temporarily disable it, especially when you look at apps that request permission to "Manage your phone" or access contacts and calls.
It’s also worth checking for updates for the Google Phone app or MIUI Daemon system component. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → All apps, find the phone app, click Three Dots in the corner and select Remove Updates. After that, the phone will return to the factory version of the call, which often eliminates the bugs of the latest updates.
In rare cases, cleaning the system cache helps. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage and click Clear.This is secure and will not delete your personal data, but will release temporary files that could have caused the conflict.
⚠️ Note: When you delete Phone updates, your contacts and call history are usually saved, but it is recommended to back up important numbers in advance through your Google or Mi Cloud account.
Additional energy saving settings
Aggressive battery optimization in MIUI sometimes “sleeps” sensors to save energy, which leads to their delayed response, the system can assume that the proximity sensor is not needed in the background, and turn off its power, which when an incoming call does not have time to activate in time.
Go to the battery settings and find the Phone or System Services app, and make sure that they have a "No Limits" or "No Limits" mode, which will allow the system to use the sensor at full capacity without trying to save a few milliamps.
Also check to see if Pocket Mode is in the wrong configuration, which is designed to prevent accidental taps in your pocket, but sometimes it works too aggressively, locking the screen even when the phone is in your hand but is covered.
💡
The most common cause of screen problems is a combination of a contaminated sensor and aggressive battery optimization, and cleaning and adjusting the resolutions solves 90 percent of cases.