How to turn off screen lock when calling on Xiaomi: all ways

Did you miss an important call because you couldn't quickly unlock Xiaomi? Or does the screen go out during a conversation, causing you to constantly touch the display? The problem is familiar to most smartphone owners of the brand - by default MIUI locks the screen when you call in, which is not always convenient. This is especially annoying in situations where you need to answer urgently, but the proximity sensor is not working correctly or you use headphones.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove the lock screen when calling – from standard MIUI settings to hidden features for power users. The methods work on all modern models: Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and others running MIUI 12-14 based on Android 11-14.

Why does Xiaomi block the screen while calling?

The automatic screen lock feature, when called, was introduced in early versions of MIUI as part of a system of energy saving and protection against accidental pressing.

• 🔋 Battery savings – turning off the display reduces energy consumption during a conversation.
• 👆 Preventing false touches – when the phone is pressed against the ear, the screen can respond to accidental touches with the cheek or hair.
• 📱 Optimizing the proximity sensor – the system assumes that if you hold the phone to your head, the screen can be turned off.
• 🔒 Security – locking prevents access to other apps during a call (for example, if someone tries to take your phone).

However, in practice, this function often works incorrectly: the screen goes out when you hold the phone in your hand, or does not unlock when you take it away from the ear. AMOLED-screens and aggressive proximity sensor settings (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially global versions) MIUI Europe) the option to disable the screen lock may be hidden due to the requirements of local data protection legislation.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in MIUI settings, which are suitable for most models, but may not be available on some regional firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Special Access.
4. Slip on the item Battery Optimization.
5. In the list, find the Phone app (or Contacts on some firmware).
6. Choose No Limits and confirm the action.
7. Return to Settings → Calls and find the option to Lock the screen during the call (may be called Autolock or Energy Saving when calling).

If the Lock screen option is not on the menu during the call, try an alternative path:

Settings → Display → Additional → Autolock when calling

Make sure the proximity sensor is working correctly (test in ##6484###)

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Turn off the power saving mode (Settings → Battery)

Make a backup of settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup)-->

Method 2: Using a Hidden Menu of Engineering Settings

If standard settings don't work, you can use the Engineering Mode, which has advanced sensor settings, which requires caution, as improper changes can disrupt the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##6484## (some models may run ##4636## → Phone information → Sensor Check).
2. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Check the current values: Value - should change from 0 (far) to 1 (close) when you raise your hand. Threshold - trigger threshold (usually 5).

Calibrate

Auto Screen Off During Call

Disable

⚠️ Attention: Some firmwares reset the engineering menu after restarting. To secure the result, after disabling the autolock, immediately make a test call and restart the phone.

💡

If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try entering the code through the Calculator app: type a sequence of numbers and press =. This works on some custom firmware.

Method 3: Configure via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have not worked, you can use USB debugging and ADB command. This method requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with the console, but gives 100% result.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: Adb devices Make sure your phone appears in the list.
3. Execute the command to disable autolock: adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 0 (This sets the screen lock delay in 0 MS, effectively shutting it down).
4. For models with MIUI 13+ Additional commands may be required: adb shell settings put global proximity_screen_off_delay -1
5. Reboot the phone.

To return the standard settings, use:

adb shell settings delete global proximity_delay

Method 4: Install a third-party call management application

If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use third-party apps that take control of the screen during the call.

• 📞 Truecaller – has a built-in option to Do not lock the screen when calling in the notification settings.
• 🔄 Call Screen Off Delay – a specialized application to disable autolock (requires permission Special access).
• 🛠️ MacroDroid – allows you to create an automatic rule to unlock the screen when an incoming call.

Example of settings in MacroDroid:

1. Create a new macro.
2. As a trigger, select the phone → incoming call.
3. Add the Display action → Unlock the screen.
4. Set a time limit (for example, 30 seconds after the start of the call).
5. Save and activate the macro.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Truecaller or MacroDroid require access to call logs and notifications. → Annexes → Permits.

Standard settings of MIUI

Engineering menu

ADB-team

Party of annex

Another option-->

Method 5: Manually disabling the proximity sensor (extreme case)

If the proximity sensor is not working properly and no settings are working, it can be physically disabled, a radical method that will result in constant screen activity during calls (including accidental taps), only use it if other methods have not worked.

Outage options:

1. Software shutdown through ADB: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0 To return: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 1
2. Physical Disconnection (power users only!): Disassemble the phone and unplug the sensor plume (requires repair skills). Stick opaque tape onto the sensor (less reliable, but easier).

After the sensor is turned off:

• ✅ The screen will not be locked during the call.
• ❌ Increases the risk of accidental tapping (such as turning off the microphone or ending the cheek ringing).
• ❌ Sensor-related gestures may stop working (for example, automatically turning on the screen when you bring the phone to your face).

💡

Turning off the proximity sensor is a last resort, and before you do it, try all the other ways and check the sensor's performance in the engineering menu.

What to do if the screen lock is returned?

Many users find that after updating MIUI or rebooting the phone, the lock screen when calling is turned on again.

If the problem is repeated, try:

1. Set custom recovery (e.g. TWRP) and edit /system/build.prop by adding the line: ro.proximity.delay=25000 (this will increase the lock delay to 25 seconds).
2. Use Magisk modules like the Disable Proximity Sensor (requires root).
3. Reverse to an older version of MIUI where the problem didn't manifest.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen locking on Xiaomi