How to turn on the screen lock when talking on Xiaomi Redmi 10

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 10 are equipped with a variety of sensors to improve comfort of use. One key element is the proximity sensor, which automatically extinguishes the display when you bring the device to your ear during a phone conversation. This prevents accidental cheek pressing and saves battery power. However, users often face a situation where the screen continues to burn, interfering with the control of the voice menu.

The lack of response of the display to the approach can be caused by software failures in the MIUI shell or physical obstacles. In most cases, the problem is solved not by complex repairs, but by competent adjustment of the system parameters. It is important to understand that a complete shutdown of the screen is a standard feature that is by default active, but can work incorrectly without calibration.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate and configure this feature. We will look at hidden engineering menus, standard call settings and methods for resolving hardware conflicts. Follow the instructions consistently to return your Redmi 10 sensors to the correct operation.

The principle of operation of the proximity sensor in MIUI

It's based on an infrared sensor that's located at the top of the body, usually next to a speaker, and when you start a call, the system activates that sensor in the background, and if an object (your ear or hand) blocks the light from the sensor, the operating system receives a signal that the screen will darken.

The MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Redmi 10 has its own features for processing these signals. Unlike pure Android, there is additional software filtering to prevent false positives, and it is the data processing algorithms that sometimes cause delays or complete disregard for the approximation.

⚠️ Warning: If you have a protective film or a low-quality glass on the screen with a dimming at the top, the sensor may not work.

There is also software-based sensor emulation that uses accelerometer and front-facing camera data, a method that is less accurate but often used in budget models. Redmi 10 uses a hybrid approach that combines IR data and software algorithms for maximum reliability.

Basic configuration through the call menu

The first step should always be to check the standard settings of the Phone app, which is the most secure method, not requiring access to hidden features. Often users accidentally reset the settings or update the application, returning factory settings where the function can be disabled or run in quiet mode.

To check, you need to open the Phone app and go to the settings menu, which is usually hidden behind three dots in the corner of the screen or the gear icon, find the partition that is responsible for incoming or outgoing calls, and there should be a item associated with the proximity sensor.

If you find that the slider is off, just activate it. After that, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called "Blocking the screen in your pocket" or have a similar name, which can confuse the inexperienced user.

Importantly, even when you set the screen up, it can go out with a small delay, which is a normal system behavior designed to give the user the opportunity to see the information about the caller before the display goes out. A delay of 0.5-1 second is the standard for most smartphones.

Use of the Engineering Menu for Calibration

If standard methods didn't work, you need to move to a deeper setup. Xiaomi smartphones have a special engineering menu available through the code in the dial, and this is where the sensors are calibrated accurately, including the proximity sensor.

Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##6484##. The device will automatically go to CIT (Customer Integration Test) mode. In the list that appears, look for Proximity Sensor or Approximation Sensor. Click on it to start the test.

The numerical value and the Calibration button will appear on the screen. First, remove your hand from the top of the smartphone — the value should be close to 5.0 or 255 (depending on the version of the sensor), then tightly cover the area of the sensor with your finger — the value should change to 0.0 or 0.

After checking, press the calibration button. The system automatically recalculates the trigger thresholds. Successful calibration is confirmed by the Calibrate Success message. If you see a Fail, repeat the procedure, making sure that nothing interferes with the sensor.

Special features and additional settings

In some versions of MIUI, the sensor settings are placed in the special features section, so that users with disabilities can flexibly control the response of the device, but these settings also affect the performance of the sensor during normal calls.

Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special. features. Find the tab "Proximation Sensor." Here you can find the function "Prevent accidental switching on in your pocket." Make sure it is activated.

• 📱 Sensitivity: Some models have sensitivity adjustments available. If the screen goes out too early, reduce the value.
• 🔇 Pocket Mode: Responsible for locking the screen when placing the phone in your pocket using the same sensor.
• 📞 Voice control: Some voice control features may conflict with the sensor, requiring a shutdown.

⚠️ Attention: Changing the settings in the special features section may affect other features, such as gesture control or screen rotation.

It’s also worth checking if In-Pack mode is enabled in the lock settings, which uses a proximity sensor to prevent accidental taps when the smartphone is upside down and another object is on top.

The effect of protective accessories on the operation of the sensor

A common cause of proximity sensor failure on Redmi 10 is protective glass or film. Accessories manufacturers don't always take into account the exact location of the sensors of a particular model. If the glass has a black frame or a matte coating at the top, it blocks infrared radiation.

Check your security glass. If it covers the area next to the speaker grid, it needs to be replaced. There are special glasses with cutouts under the sensors or with a transparent area at the top. The use of poor-quality accessories is one of the most common causes of complaints about the "glutty" screen.

In addition, contamination of the upper body can also distort readings, fat, dust or moisture create an additional barrier, and regularly wipe the speaker area with a soft cloth, especially before important conversations.

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Try temporarily removing the protective glass and checking the sensor in the engineering menu. If without the glass everything works perfectly, the problem is only the accessory.

Comparison of problem-solving methods

To make it easier to find a way to fix a problem, we have systematized the methods in a table, each with its own advantages and scope, depending on whether the problem is software or hardware.

As you can see from the table, it is always a simple step to start with, switching to the engineering menu is only justified if the basic settings did not work, resetting the phone to factory settings is a last resort and is recommended only in the presence of serious software conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Proper calibration through the engineering menu solves 90% of the approximation sensor software problems on Xiaomi.