Locking the screen when calling Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure

Have you ever accidentally pressed buttons on a screen while you're on a phone? You put your cheek on it, and suddenly the volume goes off and the microphone goes off. Or worse, the conversation is interrupted because the sensor responds to a casual touch. This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi owners, especially with larger screens. Fortunately, MIUI has a built-in screen lock feature during calls - but it's not always activated by default.

In this article, you will learn three proven ways to enable screen locking when talking on any Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, from standard settings to hidden firmware capabilities. We will also discuss why the feature may not work on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11), and what to do if the lock works too late or does not activate at all.

Why screen locking is important during a call

It would seem that small thing – but in practice, the lack of blocking leads to serious inconveniences:

• 📞 Accidental call termination – the sensor responds to a touch of the cheek or ear, and the conversation is interrupted.
• 🔊 Volume change – the volume control shifts and the interlocutor becomes inaudible or too loud.
• 🎤 Turning off the microphone – pressing the screen can activate the “on/off microphone” mode".
• 📱 Activating other functions – for example, turning on speakerphone or transferring a call to hold.

According to Counterpoint Research, more than 60 percent of smartphone users with screen sizes greater than 6.5 inches have experienced problems at least once due to lack of locking during a call, while MIUI’s screen locking feature is not as obvious as Samsung One UI or stock Android, often hidden in the depth of settings or requires additional manipulation.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 Xiaomi 13 Lite, or standard locking may conflict with navigation gestures. If the screen stops responding to unlock after a call, try turning off gestures in Settings. → Display. → Navigation through the system.

Method 1: Standard settings in the "Phone" menu

The easiest method is to use the built-in phone app options. It works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 11T and more recent models.

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to the section during the call.
4. Activate the screen lock switch (or Protection against accidental pressing on some firmware).

If this item is not available, then your version of MIUI does not support the function through the standard menu, in which case move to the second method.

1. Update the Phone app in Google Play

2.Make sure you have a MIUI 12 or newer

3.Reboot your smartphone before changing your settings

4. Check if the item "During call" is hidden in the additional settings-->

On some firmware (e.g., MIUI Global Stable for Redmi 9A), instead of fully locking, only the option to turn off the sensor when approaching is available, which is less reliable, because it only works when you are in close contact with the proximity sensor, and if you make frequent calls with headphones or on speakerphones, this option will not work.

Method 2: Activation through "Special Opportunities"

If the standard method didn’t work, try to enable locking through Special Options, which is universal for all versions of MIUI, including custom firmware like Xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience.

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Choose Physical Capabilities → Interaction Management.
3. Find the option Lock screen during the call (or Prohibit touch when calling).
4. Activate the switch and confirm the action.

On some devices (e.g., POCO X3 Pro), this item may be called Accidental Press Protection and may be located in System Settings → Additional. If there is no function here, the third option is using hidden settings.

Standard phone settings|Special facilities|Hidden settings (MIUI Hidden)|I don't know which one to choose.-->

Method 3: Hidden MIUI settings (for advanced)

If the first two methods don't work, you have to go to the hidden settings, which is a very careful way to do this, but it gives you maximum control over the lock.

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone on the MIUI 11 or newer.
• 🔧 Annex MIUI Hidden Settings (available on Google Play or via APKMirror).
• 🔒 Installation permission from unknown sources (included in Settings) → Annexes → Special access).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install MIUI Hidden Settings (Developer of Hemanth S).
2. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested.
3. Go to the System → Call Settings section.
4. Find the Proximity Sensor Delay setting and set 0 ms.
5. Activate Lock Screen During Call (lock screen during call).
6. Save the settings and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Changing hidden settings can cause the phone to malfunction.If after setting up the calls start to break or the screen stops unlocking, reset the settings MIUI Hidden Settings to factory or remove the application.

💡

If the screen does not unlock after the call is activated, try pressing the power button twice or using a fingerprint (if supported).

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI China Stable) requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights to access hidden settings. If you’re not ready for such manipulations, it’s best to focus on the first two.

What to do if the lock is not working

Sometimes, even after you set it right, locking the screen when you call doesn't work. Here are the typical reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Cover conflict: If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion), go back to the standard launcher. MIUI Launcher and check the function.
• 📲 Proximity sensor problems: Test the sensor with code ##6484## (inserted in Phone app) If it doesn't respond, repairs are required.
• 🔧 Firmware failure: Reset your phone settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings), but make a backup copy beforehand.
• 📱 Incompatibility with the version MIUI: On some firmware betas, the feature may be disabled. check for updates in Settings → Updating the system.

If the problem persists, try an alternative solution — install Call Recorder or Truecaller, which have a built-in lock option. However, note that third-party programs may require additional permissions and affect autonomy.

Comparison with other brands: who is better at blocking the screen

The screen lock function during a call is implemented differently from different manufacturers, for clarity, compare Xiaomi with the main competitors:

Xiaomi is a flexible setup, but loses in convenience — Samsung and Google lock automatically and does not require manual adjustment, but on MIUI you can fine-tune the delay of the sensor, which is useful for users in headphones.

Additional tips for comfortable calls

Besides screen locking, MIUI has other useful features to improve call quality:

• 🎧 HD-Calls: Activate in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Calling over VoLTE for clearer communication.
• 🔇 Noise reduction: Include in Settings → Sound. → Improved sound when calling (available on Xiaomi) 12/13 series).
• 📞 Quick answer: Set up templates SMS-Responses to Missed Phone → Settings → Quick answers.
• 🔄 Auto Repeat: Enable automatic repeat of the last number after the crash in Settings → Additionally. → Auto-call replay.

If you make frequent calls in noisy places, we recommend you also activate the voice amplification option in the special features settings, which increases the volume of the interlocutor by suppressing background noise.

💡

In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) Locking the screen during a call also saves battery power, as it turns off the backlight of the pixels.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen locking on Xiaomi