How to turn on and configure the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: the complete guide

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S smartphones is a small but critical element that automatically shuts down the screen during phone calls. When you bring the device to your ear, the sensor registers the obstacle and extinguishes the display, preventing accidental pressing and saving battery power. However, many users face a situation where this sensor suddenly stops working: the screen does not go out when talking, or vice versa – does not turn back on after the phone is withdrawn. Most often the problem lies not in hardware failure, but in software settings or calibrations.

In this article, we will detail how to properly turn on the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10S, check its performance and fix typical problems. You will learn where this feature is in the settings menu, how to activate it manually, and what to do if the sensor does not respond to the approach of the hand or face.

What is a proximity sensor and why you need it in the Redmi Note 10S

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is an infrared sensor located at the top of the screen next to the front camera, its main task is to determine the distance between the phone and an object (for example, your ear or palm) and transmit this information to the operating system.

• 📵 Turns off the screen during a call to prevent accidental tapping of the cheek or ear.
• 🔋 Saves battery power by reducing display power consumption at unnecessary moments.
• 🎧 Activates the speaker when removing the phone from the ear (switching from headphones to speakerphone communication).
• 🔄 Blocks touch gestures if the device is lying down on the table.

The Redmi Note 10S uses a combined module that combines the proximity and illumination sensor, which means that if one sensor is out of service, the other sensor can also fail, for example, when the proximity sensor breaks, you often have problems automatically adjusting the brightness of the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If the proximity sensor is faulty, the screen will remain on during the call, leading to accidental button presses (e.g., completing a call or activating the hands-free) This is not only annoying, but also creates a risk of losing important conversations.

Where is the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 10S: appearance and location

To know if a sensor is working, you first need to know where it is physically located. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, the proximity sensor is integrated into the top of the screen to the right of the front camera. It is visually invisible - it is hidden under the protective glass, but its position can be determined by a small hole or point (if you look at the angle).

Precise location:

• 📱 Left of the speaker (when looking at the screen in a vertical position).
• 🔍 Near the light sensor — they are often combined into one module.
• 📏 About 1–1.5 cm from the top of the screen.

If you want to check the sensor manually, hold your hand to the top of the phone during the call — the screen should go out. If there is no reaction, the problem may lie in the settings or hardware malfunction.

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

In most cases, the proximity sensor is activated by default, but sometimes it can be disabled due to a system failure or incorrect settings. To make sure that the sensor is on, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings on your Redmi Note 10S.
2. Go to the System and Device section → Additional settings.
3. Select the Special Opportunities item.
4. Scroll down and find the Auto Shutdown option (or Approach Sensor in some versions of MIUI).
5. Make sure the switch is in the On position. If it is not, go to the next section (configure through the developer menu).

If the standard path didn't work, maybe the function is hidden in the extended parameters.

Activate Developer Mode (if not already done)|Check the MIUI version (update if necessary)|Make sure there is no physical damage to the screen |Reboot the phone before setting up-->

To access hidden settings:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Scroll down and find the option to turn off the screen when approaching (or Proximity sensor calibration).

⚠️ Attention: In some firmware MIUI The proximity sensor option can be called by different names: Approximation sensor, Auto-Switch off screen or Smart screen off. If you do not find it in the specified sections, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

Checking the operation of the proximity sensor: 3 methods of diagnosis

Before you set up or repair the sensor, make sure it doesn't really work. Here are three reliable ways to test its functionality on the Redmi Note 10S:

1. Test through the engineering menu (code ##6484##)

This is the most accurate method, as it shows real data from the sensor:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##6484##.
2. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor).
3. Put your hand up to the top of the screen, and if the sensor is working, it's going to change from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.

2.A check during the call

The easiest way is:

1. Call another phone or activate dial mode (e.g. dial) USSD-code *100#).
2. Hold the phone to your ear – the screen should go out in 1-2 seconds.
3. Take the phone away, the screen should turn on again.

3. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods fail, install a sensor diagnostic tool, such as Phone Doctor Plus or Sensor Test from Google Play, which shows the status of all sensors, including approximations.

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If the sensor doesn’t respond to any of the tests, try clearing the system cache: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Show system → Settings and click Clear Cache.

If the sensor fails any test, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Software failure (resetting or flashing required).
• 🛠️ Physical failure (damaged plume or sensor itself).
• 📱 Screen pollution (dust or protective film blocks infrared signal).

Calibration of the proximity sensor: when and how to do it

If the sensor is unstable (e.g., the screen is late or not turned on), it may need to be calibrated. This procedure resets the current sensor parameters and adjusts it again. On the Redmi Note 10S, calibration can be done in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu

1. Enter the code ##6484## and select Proximity Sensor.
2. Press Calibrate and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. Once completed, restart the phone.

Method 2: Through the Developer Menu

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings. → For developers.
3. Find the Proximity sensor calibration option and tap it.
4. Place your phone on a flat surface and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Do not calibrate if there are cracks or chips in the sensor area on the screen, this can lead to incorrect adjustment, after which the sensor will not respond at all.

After calibration, check the sensor again. If the problem persists, you may need to:

• 🔄 Resetting settings to factory (with data preservation).
• 📥 Update MIUI last-minute.
• 🛠️ Contact the service for the diagnosis of the hardware.

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Calibration of the proximity sensor helps in 70% of cases of unstable operation, if the problem remains, the sensor itself or its plume is likely to malfunction.

Frequent proximity sensor issues on the Redmi Note 10S and their solutions

Even when properly set up, the proximity sensor can behave in an unpredictable way. Consider typical faults and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📦 Integrity of sensor plume (may be clamped or damaged after falling).
• 🔋 Battery condition - with strong swelling, it can put pressure on the motherboard.
• 📲 The firmware version - in old assemblies MIUI There were sensor bugs.

Additional settings: adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor

The Redmi Note 10S's menu contains settings that allow for more precise adjustments to the proximity sensor, which is useful if the sensor is triggered too early or late, to change the sensitivity:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings. → For developers.
3. Find the Proximity sensor wake-up delay setting.
4. Set the value from 100 (fast response) to 2000 (slow). The recommended value is 500-1000 ms.

You can also find the Proximity sensor screen-off delay option here, which is responsible for the speed of the screen turning off when you approach it, and if the screen goes out too late, reduce that to 300 to 500 ms.

⚠️ Note: Do not set delays of less than 100ms – this can lead to false sensor alerts during normal phone use (for example, when scrolling through the tape on social networks).

Important: Some versions of MIUI for the Redmi Note 10S may not have sensor sensitivity options, in which case the only way to change its behavior is to update the firmware or use custom software (for example, LineageOS), but this voids the warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About the Approach Sensor on the Redmi Note 10S