How to remove automatic screen shutdown when calling Xiaomi: all ways

Have you ever missed an important call because Xiaomi's screen went out at the wrong time? Or tried dialing and the display stubbornly shut down after 3-5 seconds? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones on MIUI - the branded shell often aggressively saves battery power, locking the screen even during an active call. In some cases, this behavior interferes with: it is difficult to use loud communication, switch between calls or just hold the phone to the ear without false alarms of the proximity sensor.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to turn off the screen automatically when calling Xiaomi — from standard settings to hidden settings and commands for power users. The methods work on most models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13) and versions of MIUI 12-14, including global and Chinese firmware. Importantly, some solutions require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights — we will separately specify the risks and alternatives.

Why the screen goes out during the call: the causes of the problem

Before you can fix the behavior of a smartphone, you need to understand its logic, and 90 percent of the time, there are three things that are to blame:

• 🔋 Optimizing the battery. MIUI The default limits screen activity during calls to reduce charge consumption, especially on budget models (Redmi). 9A, POCO M3), where the battery is so weak.
• 👁️ If it's triggered falsely (for example, because of a protective glass or case), the system "thinks" that the phone is pressed to the ear, and blocks the display. AMOLED-screen.
• 📱 Settings MIUI. In some firmware (especially Chinese), the Screen off during calls option is enabled by default and hidden from the user.

Less commonly, hardware malfunctions such as a damaged proximity sensor, incorrect firmware after an update, or conflict with apps (such as Truecaller or Google Phone) are to blame. If the screen goes out only when using the headset, the problem may lie in Bluetooth settings.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root)

To start with, the system's built-in settings are simple: in the latest versions of MIUI 13-14, the option to turn off the screen during calls has become more affordable, but its location depends on the model and the firmware region.

Instructions for most devices:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter your phone and select the standard call app (Phone or Dialer).
3. Go to Permissions → Additional → Display on top of other windows and turn on this option.
4. Go back and select Battery → No restrictions (this will prevent forced screen shutdown due to optimization).

For some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T) the way is different:

• 📞 Settings → System system → Additional settings → Special facilities → Turn off the screen when calling (switch the slider to the off position.).
• ⚙️ Settings → Screen. → Sleeping mode. → Exceptions → Calls (add the Phone app to the exclusion list).

If you don't have these items in your firmware, they're hidden. Go to the next way.

Method 2: Configure the proximity sensor

False alarms are one of the main reasons for the screen to be turned off spontaneously, and you can check it with the test mode:

1. Enter the phone app code ##6484## (or ##0*## for older models).
2. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Put your hand to the top of the screen (where the front camera is located). The value should change from 5.00 (far) to 0.00 (close).

If the sensor is working but is too sensitive:

• 🧹 Clean the area around the front camera of dirt (especially if you use a case with high sides).
• 🛠️ Calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu (code ##36446337##, then Proximity Sensor Calibration).
• 📱 Install the Sensor Test app from Google Play and check the trigger threshold. Normal value is 0-5 cm.

Critical information: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 10T) have a proximity sensor combined with a light sensor. If the screen is too dim after calibration, return the settings to the factory settings.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced teams)

If the standard settings don’t help, you can turn off screen lock via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but requires a computer and USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the phone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install Mi PC Suite drivers, and download ADB Tools.
4. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 2500

This command increases the delay before turning off the screen to 2.5 seconds (by default, 500 ms). To completely disable the lock, use:

adb shell settings put global proximity_delay 0

To apply the changes, restart your phone. To return the standard settings, do:

adb shell settings delete global proximity_delay

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If, after the execution, ADB-commands the screen stopped fading, but the proximity sensor stopped working at all, try setting the delay at 1000 ms (1 second) - this is usually enough for comfortable use.

Method 4: Editing system files (requires root)

For users with unlocked bootloader and superuser rights, the most radical method is available - editing the build.prop file. This will permanently disable screen lock during calls, but requires caution: incorrect changes can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop and back up the file.
3. Open the file in the text editor and add a line at the end:

ro.lge.proximity.delay=2500


debug.hwui.use_dyn_fps=true

Save the changes, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone. If the screen still goes out, try replacing the value of 2500 with 0.

⚠️ Attention: Editing build.prop may disrupt some features (such as automatic brightness control).Be sure to have a firmware backup and access to custom Recovery before making changes (TWRP).

Method 5: Third-party applications

If previous methods have failed or seem too complicated, you can use Google Play apps that do not require root rights, but may require additional permissions.

For Tasker, you can create a simple rule:

1. Create a new Task called Screen On During Call.
2. Add Display → Display Timeout and set the value of 30 minutes.
3. Create a profile, select State → Phone → Call (any call).
4. Link the created task to the profile.

This will keep the screen on for the duration of the call, so don't forget to turn off the task after the call is over so you don't waste your battery.

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Third-party apps are the safest way to go, but they can conflict with MIUI optimization. If the phone starts to brake after installation, clear the phone app cache in the settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove a screen lock, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Settings are reset after the update. MIUI Sometimes resets user settings when you install new firmware versions. To avoid this, fix changes through the ADB Or back up your settings with Mi Mover.
• 🔋 Battery consumption increased. If the screen doesn't turn off at all, the battery will go down faster. The trade-off is to set a delay of 1-2 seconds instead of completely shutting down the function.
• 📵 Signs don't work during the call. On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F3) Turning off the proximity sensor breaks swipes to control volume, so the solution is to use physical buttons or a headset.

Another common mistake is using informal firmware, and custom builds (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can not properly process sensor signals. If you encounter a problem after you have firmware, try:

1. Return to stock MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.
2. Update the firmware to the latest stable version.
3. Install a Magisk module to calibrate the sensor (e.g., Proximity Sensor Fix for Magisk).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) some ADB-In this case, use methods without root or turn to alternative firmware (for example, use alternative firmware, MIUI EU).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions