How to turn on the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro 128GB: instructions with photos and tips

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even it has software failures. One of the common problems users face is the incorrect operation of the proximity sensor. This small but important sensor is responsible for turning off the screen during phone calls, preventing accidental tapping of the cheek or ear. If the sensor is turned off or malfunctioning, you risk pressing buttons during a call, putting a conversation on speaker, or even completing a call.

In this article, we will discuss how to turn on the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with 128 GB of memory, check its performance and fix typical problems. The instructions are suitable for all versions of this model (including versions with 64/128/256 GB), as well as for most other Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI. You do not need root rights or special knowledge – everything is done through standard settings.

What is a proximity sensor and why you need it

The proximity sensor is an optical sensor located at the top of the smartphone screen (usually next to the front camera) that emits infrared light and tracks when an object (such as your head while you're ringing) is brought to the screen.

• 📞 Turning off the screen when talking – prevents accidental taps.
• 🔄 Automatically turn on the screen when the phone is removed from the ear.
• 🎧 Optimization of work with the headset (in some firmware).
• 🔋 Saving battery power by turning off screen lighting.

On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the proximity sensor is based on an infrared emitter and a photodiode. Unlike ultrasonic touch sensors (which are used in some flagships), it is less prone to interference, but can become contaminated or fail when mechanical damage occurs. If the sensor does not work, you will notice:

• 🚫 The screen does not go out during the call.
• 🔄 The screen is spontaneously turned on/off.
• 📱 The phone app is behaving unstablely.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the proximity sensor is physically coupled to the light sensor. If the automatic brightness control is not working, the problem may be a hardware malfunction.

How to check if the proximity sensor on your smartphone is turned on

Before you set up the sensor, make sure it's actually turned off, not broken.

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##6484## (this is an engineering menu for sensor testing).
2. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Put your hand up to the top of the screen (where the speaker is) and if the sensor is working, you will see a change from 5 (no obstacle) to 0 (there is an obstacle).

Alternative verification method:

1. Install the Sensor Test app from Google Play (e.g. Sensor Test by Keuwl).
2. Run the proximity sensor test.
3. Hold and remove your hand from the top panel of the smartphone – the values should change in real time.

If the sensor does not respond in either the engineering menu or third-party applications, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Software failure (solved by rebooting or resetting settings).
• 🛠️ Hardware failure (required repair).
• 📱 Sensor pollution (dust, protective film).

Step-by-step: how to turn on the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10 Pro

If tests show that the sensor is physically functional but not working during calls, it's likely to be disabled in the settings.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the search bar, enter your Phone and select the standard call app.
4. Slip it on the Permit. → Additionally.
5. Find the Approximation Sensor and make sure the switch is active (slider is shifted to the right).
6. Go back to the basic settings of the Phone app and select Default Permissions.
7. Activate the option to turn off the screen during the call (if you have one in your version of MIUI).

If your firmware doesn’t have a separate point for the proximity sensor, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Screen.
2. Select Automatic Screen Shutdown (or Sleep).
3. Make sure the Disconnect screen function is enabled when approaching.

Make sure there is no protective film or glass on the screen that covers the sensor

Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps with temporary crashes)

Check the operation of the sensor in the engineering menu-->

Once the sensor is activated, make a test call (e.g., to another phone or via Skype). Hold the smartphone to your ear - the screen should go out in 1-2 seconds. If this does not happen, move to the next section.

What to do if the proximity sensor does not work after switching on

If you have enabled the sensor in the settings but it still doesn’t work, try the following steps:

1. Sensor cleanup

The proximity sensor may be contaminated with dust, grease, or adhesive residue from the protective film. Gently wipe the top of the screen (near the speaker) with a soft lilaless napkin dipped in alcohol. Do not use abrasive materials!

Resetting the settings of the "Phone" application

Sometimes crashes occur because of the correct settings of the application.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear your data (this will delete your call history!).
4. Reboot your smartphone.

3. Firmware update

Older versions of MIUI (especially MIUI 12 and below) had bugs with the sensors.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install the latest version.

Sensor calibration (for advanced users)

If the sensor is unstable (for example, it is triggered with a delay), it can be calibrated through the engineering menu:

1. Type ##6484## and select Proximity Sensor.
2. Press Calibrate (calibrate).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold and remove your hand several times).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect calibration can make the sensor worse. If you're not sure, skip this step.

How to turn off the proximity sensor (if it interferes)

In rare cases, the proximity sensor may be too sensitive to work, such as turning off the screen when you normally hold your phone in your hand, and if that gets in the way, you can deactivate it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the Phone. → Permits → Additionally.
3. Turn off the switch next to the proximity sensor.

You can also use third-party applications to control the sensor, for example:

• 📱 Proximity Sensor Reset (Sensor Reset).
• 🛠️ Sensor Disabler (disable sensors without root).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the proximity sensor increases the risk of accidental taps during calls. If you make frequent calls, it is better to adjust the sensitivity rather than turning off the sensor completely.

💡

If the proximity sensor is too abrupt, try to increase the time delay of the screen shutdown. To do this, install the Proximity Sensor Adjust app from Google Play and select the optimal settings.

Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10 Pro

We have collected answers to the most popular questions of users Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro on this topic.

Conclusion: What to remember

The proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a small but important element responsible for comfortable use of the phone.

💡

90 percent of the proximity sensor problems are software-solved: check the settings, update the firmware, and clean the sensor, and only 10 percent of the time require repair.

• ✅ First, check if the sensor is enabled in the phone application settings.
• ✅ Test it through the engineering menu (#6484##).
• ✅ Clean the top of the screen from contamination.
• ✅ Update. MIUI last-minute.
• ✅ If nothing helps, go to the service center.

On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the proximity sensor is physically combined with the light sensor – if the automatic brightness adjustment does not work, the problem is precisely in the hardware.

If after all the manipulations the sensor has not worked, it may be necessary to replace it. In official Xiaomi services, diagnostics takes 1-2 days, and the cost of repair rarely exceeds 2000 rubles. Don't delay solving the problem - a faulty sensor not only causes inconvenience, but can also lead to the accidental completion of important calls.