How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Poco X3: a step-by-step guide with risks and alternatives

Xiaomi Poco X3 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its proximity sensor sometimes works incorrectly: the screen goes out during calls for no reason or, conversely, does not turn off when you touch your ear. If you encounter such problems, turning off the sensor can be a temporary solution. However, before you start settings, it is important to understand how this will affect the functionality of the device and what alternative calibration methods are available.

In this article, we will discuss three ways to deactivate the proximity sensor – through an engineering menu, third-party applications and editing system files (for advanced users). You will also learn how to check the performance of the sensor before turning off and what to do if after manipulation there are problems with the touch screen or calls. X3 (including NFC and Pro on the basis MIUI 12/13/14 Android 10/11/12.

Why turn off the proximity sensor on the Poco X3?

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Poco X3 is responsible for automatically turning off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear, which prevents accidental tapping and saves battery life.

• 📵 The screen does not go out when you call, which causes the ear to accidentally press buttons (for example, turns off the call).
• 🔦 The sensor is too sensitive – the screen turns off even when the phone is lying on the table.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI The sensor started to work unstable (typical for transitions between versions 12). → 13).
• 🛠️ Physical damage to the sensor (for example, after a fall or repair of the screen).

Disabling the sensor can help in these cases, but has the downside:

• ⚠️ During calls, the screen will remain active, which will lead to accidental pressing.
• ⚠️ Increased battery consumption (albeit slightly).
• ⚠️ Some applications (such as banking) may block access if they detect altered system settings.

⚠️ Attention: If the sensor stopped working after falling or getting moisture, turning it off will not solve the problem - diagnostics are required at the service center. X3 is located next to the front camera, and its damage is often accompanied by a malfunction of the speaker or microphone.

How to check the operability of the sensor of approach

Before you turn off the sensor, make sure it's really the problem.

1. Open the Phone app and dial the code ##6484## (or #4636## → “Equipment Testing”).
2. In the test menu, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Close the top of the screen with your hand – the value should change from 5.0 cm (or similar) to 0.0 cm.
4. Remove your hand, the readings must go back to the original.

If the sensor doesn’t respond or shows incorrect values (for example, always 0.0 cm), try recalibrating it:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🧹 Clean the area around the front camera of dirt (use a soft napkin).
• 📱 Install the Sensor Test app from Google Play and repeat the test.

⚠️ Attention: If the sensor shows stable values after the test, but the problem persists (for example, the screen does not go out during the call), it may not be the hardware itself, but the firmware.

Method 1: Disconnect the sensor through the engineering menu (without root)

The most secure method, which does not require superuser rights, is suitable for most versions of MIUI on the Poco X3.

Open the Phone app.

Enter the code ##3646633#

Go to the Hardware Testing section.

Select Sensor» → «Proximity Sensor»-->

Step-by-step:

1. Open the standard phone application.
2. Enter the combination ##3646633## (or #4636## → “Equipment Testing”).
3. From the engineering menu, select Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor.
4. Click on the Calibration button and follow the instructions on the screen.
5. If calibration didn’t help, go back to the sensor menu and select Disable**.
6. Reboot the phone.

Once you restart, the proximity sensor will be deactivated. To return it back, repeat the steps and select "Enable"**strong>.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI sensor can turn on again.
• 📱 Some custom firmware blocks access to engineering menus.

💡

If the ##3646633## code doesn't work, try an alternative: open the Calculator app, type ==3646633=== and click "=." On some versions of MIUI, this opens the engineering menu.

Method 2: Using applications to disable the sensor

If the engineering menu is not available or not working, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 «Proximity Sensor Reset – allows you to reset the sensor settings or disable it temporarily.
• 🛠️ «Sensor Disabler (requires root) – completely shutting down any sensor.
• 🔧 «MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals hidden options MIUI, including sensor control.

Instrong for the Proximity Sensor Reset>:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ You can quickly turn the sensor back on.
• ✅ It works on most versions of Android.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The application may conflict with system services MIUI.
• ❌ Some antiviruses block such utilities as "suspicious».

⚠️ Warning: If after using a third-party app, the phone starts to brake or overheat, remove it and reset settings through Settings → The phone. → Setting reset. Some sensor control tools include adware.

Method 3: Disable the sensor through system file editing (for advanced)

This method requires root rights and is designed for power users, and allows you to completely deactivate the sensor at the system level, but if you do something wrong, you can cause the phone to fail.

Step-by-step:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (e.g., "Root Explorer"strong> or "Solid Explorer"strong>).

If the proximity.idc file is missing, the sensor can be controlled via the kernel configuration file, in which case you need to edit /system/build.prop and add the string persist.sys.proximity.disable=1.

Risks of the method:

• ⚠️ Incorrect editing of system files can lead to a “brick”**strong> (Full incapacity) of the telephone.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI change.
• ⚠️ Some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) can block access on phones with root.

Alternative solutions: calibration and replacement of the sensor

Turning off the proximity sensor is a last resort, and in most cases, the problem can be solved in less radical ways:

• 🔄 Update firmware (sometimes bugs with sensors are fixed in new versions) MIUI).

If you decide to replace the sensor yourself, consider:

• 🔨 For Poco. X3 fits the sensing XM-12345 (check with the seller).
• 🔧 You will need to disassemble the phone, which will cancel the warranty.
• ⚠️ Risk of damaging the screen plume or front camera.

💡

Before any sensor manipulation, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help you recover information in the event of a failure.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When disabling the proximity sensor, users often make the following mistakes:

• 🚫 Use unverified applications from third-party sources, which leads to viruses.
• 🚫 Do not backup before editing system files.
• 🚫 The sensor of approaching with illumination confuses (they are located nearby, but are responsible for different functions).
• 🚫 Turn off the sensor forever, without providing a way to turn it back on.

To avoid problems:

• ✅ Check reviews about apps before installing.
• ✅ Use only official codes of the engineering menu (e.g. #3646633##).
• ✅ If the sensor is disabled through system files, save the original copy of the proximity.idc file.

If there are problems after disconnecting the sensor:

• 📵 The screen doesn't respond to touch. → Restart your phone in Safe Mode (Power) → Click "Switch off power» → «Safe regime).
• 🔊 The speaker is not working during the call. → Check the volume settings in the Settings → Sound.
• 🔄 The phone is constantly rebooting. → Perform a reset via Recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions