How to check a gyroscope on a Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Today’s Xiaomi smartphones are full of useful sensors that make interaction with the device intuitive. One of the key components is the accelerometer and gyroscope, responsible for determining the position of the gadget in space, which is thanks to them, automatically rotating the screen, controlling in racing simulators and navigation in augmented reality.

Users often face a situation where the screen stops responding to device turns or games are not working correctly. At such moments, there is an urgent need to diagnose the hardware. Checking a gyroscope on Xiaomi is not a difficult process, if you know the right paths and tools for analysis.

In this article, we will take a look at all the testing options available, from built-in system functions to third-party utilities, and learn how to distinguish a software failure from a physical failure, and understand when to carry your phone to the service.

Diagnostics through CIT Engineering Menu

The most reliable and quickest way to test sensors is to use an integrated engineering menu, which is called CIT (Customer Integration Test) on MIUI and HyperOS firmware and is available on all models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi series.

You don't need to have super-user rights or connect your computer to log into the diagnostic menu, but just type a special command into a standard call app, and then you'll see a list of all the available iron tests.

Find an item on the list that's associated with an accelerometer or a gyroscope, usually labeled as a G-sensor or an Accelerometer, click on it to run the test, and place your phone on a perfectly flat horizontal surface to make it successful.

On the screen, you'll see the current X, Y, and Z coordinates. If the sensor is in good shape, the values will change smoothly when the device is tilted, and when the numbers return to their original position, the numbers will stabilize. If the values jump randomly or do not change at all, this is a sign of malfunction.

Use of specialized applications

If access to the engineering menu is closed for some reason or you want more detailed graphical information, it is worth turning to third-party software. Google Play Store offers many utilities that read data directly from the device's sensors.

A popular choice is Sensor Sense or Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite, which displays all sensors in real time, creating beautiful graphs. To check the gyroscope, select the appropriate section in the app menu.

In the test, slowly rotate your phone around three axes. The graph should show smooth changes in angular speed. Abrupt jumps in the graph line to maximum values without the phone moving may indicate a software driver failure.

The advantage of third-party applications is that you can record logs, and you can save the sensor report and show it to the technical support team if you decide to contact the service center under warranty.

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Use calibration applications only after checking the sensor's health, and calibration won't fix a broken gyroscope, it'll only correct its readings.

Checking the functionality in games and navigation

The simplest, but not always accurate, method is to use the phone in applications that are geared toward orientation in space, and racing simulators like Asphalt or Real Racing are ideal for quick response testing.

Start the game, select the "Device Inclination" control mode, and try to drive the track. If the car is responding to late corners or twitching, then the gyroscope is not working correctly. It is also worth checking the maps in augmented reality mode.

Open Google Maps or Yandex Maps and press the location button, and you get a blue beam that shows the direction of your gaze, and you turn your phone around, and you need to follow the device smoothly, and if the beam is standing still or spinning on its own, the sensor needs attention.

Notice the autorotation of the screen. This is a basic function that depends on the accelerometer and gyroscope working together. Go to the gallery, open the photo and turn the phone. If the screen is not responding, check if the rotation in the notification curtain is blocked.

Calibration of the gyroscope on Xiaomi

Often the problem is not the breakdown, but the calibration that's gone wrong, and after a drop or update, the coordinates can shift, and the phone will consider the horizontal position vertical, and you can programmatically fix this.

There are several ways to get sensors back to factory settings, the easiest way is through the engineering test menu. In the G-sensor Calibration section, press the Calibrate button and put your phone on a flat table. Wait for a success message.

If the standard method doesn't work, you can use hidden codes. Some versions of MIUI have code ##64663##, which also has a calibration point. Type a command, find the appropriate test, and follow the instructions on the screen.

For advanced users, there is a method through ADB, but it requires a computer and drivers installed. The reset command looks complicated and requires caution, so beginners should limit themselves to built-in system tools.

Comparison of sensor inspection methods

The choice of diagnostic method depends on your goals and level of training: the Engineering menu gives access to raw data, applications provide convenient visualization, and games show real work in the load.

The table below compares the main ways to test so you can choose the best option for your situation. Each method has its pros and cons that are important to consider.

For the average user, a combination of engineering menus and game checks is enough to tell if the hardware is working correctly, and deeper analysis is rarely required, and is usually needed by engineers.

Possible causes of malfunctions

If the test came back negative, it's important to understand why, because most of the time, gyroscopes fail because of mechanical damage, and even if the screen is intact, the internal chip could have moved away from the board when it hit.

The second common cause is moisture, and oxidation of the sensor contacts leads to unstable operation or complete failure, in which case self-repair is almost impossible and the module needs to be replaced.

Software failures are less common, but they also occur, and conflicting applications, failed firmware updates, or viral activity can block access to sensors, in which case a factory reset helps.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls into water, do not try to charge it or turn it on for inspection. moisture inside the case can cause a short circuit when power is supplied, which will lead to irreversible consequences.

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Mechanical damage and moisture are the main enemies of the gyroscope, and if the device has been exposed to such effects, software calibration is unlikely to help.

Frequent questions and answers

⚠️ Note: When contacting the service center, be sure to check whether the replacement of an individual component or the motherboard changes entirely.

Diagnosing a gyroscope on Xiaomi is a challenge that every smartphone owner can handle. Using built-in CIT tools and simple apps, you can quickly identify the problem, and if the software methods don't work, it's time to turn to the professionals.

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Timely diagnosis avoids inconvenience in gaming and navigation, and helps to identify hidden defects after the device falls.