How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: all working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9T is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its proximity sensor sometimes fails: the screen does not go out during the call, accidentally press the buttons with the cheek or, conversely, the display does not respond to the withdrawal of the hand. If you are faced with such problems, disabling the sensor can be a temporary solution. However, before that, it is important to understand how this will affect the functionality of the phone and what alternatives exist.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to deactivate the proximity sensor – from standard settings to engineering menus and commands ADB. You will also learn why the sensor can glitch, how to check its performance and what to do if new problems arise after the shutdown. 9T base MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).

Why to turn off the proximity sensor and when it is dangerous

The proximity sensor in Redmi 9T is responsible for automatic actions during the call: the screen is turned off when the phone is held to the ear and turned on when the phone is withdrawn.

• 🔄 False positives – the screen goes out for no reason or does not respond to the approach;
• 📱 Accidental pressing – during the conversation, the cheek touches the buttons (volume, completion of the call);
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – if the sensor is constantly active due to a failure;
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions - after falls or getting moisture.

Disabling the sensor solves these problems, but has the flip side:

⚠️ Attention: If the sensor is software-enabled but problems remain (e.g., the screen spontaneously goes out), the cause may be damage to the plume or contamination of the sensor.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard settings (without root)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It does not require superuser rights and is suitable for most firmware versions. However, in recent updates, Xiaomi has hidden this option, so the instruction may not work on new builds.

To disable the sensor:

1. Open Settings → System applications → Phone.
2. Go to Inbound Calls (or Call Settings).
3. Find the Approximation Sensor (could be called Automatic Screen Lock).
4. Switch the slider to the off position.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

1. Launch the Phone app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Settings.
3. Select Additional settings → Approximation Sensor.

If you don't have an option, move to the next one, and note that after you update MIUI, your settings may reset.

Method 2: Use the engineering menu (code ##6484##)

The Engineering Menu is a hidden settings section where you can test and configure the hardware components of your smartphone. For the Redmi 9T, it is accessed through a special code. Careful: the wrong changes can lead to crashes!

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##6484## (to test the sensors).
3. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
4. Press Disable (disable).
5. Reboot the phone.

If the code doesn’t work, try alternatives:

• #4636## → Testing equipment → Sensors
• #36446337## (for some versions of MIUI)

⚠️ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu, especially those related to Modem, RF This can cause network loss or processor overheating.

Method 3: Disconnect via applications (without root)

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities. They don't require superuser rights, but some features may be limited.

Top.-3 sensor-control:

• 📱 Sensor Disabler allows you to disable sensors individually. 9T, may require permission to access Special Opportunities.
• 🛠️ Proximity Sensor Reset – Resets sensor calibration (sometimes helps with false positives).
• 🔧 QuickShortcutMaker – creates a shortcut for hidden settings (for example, an engineering menu).

Instructions for Sensor Disabler:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide access to Special Features (in your phone settings).
3. In the list of sensors, find Proximity Sensor.
4. Press Disable and confirm the action.

💡

If the app doesn’t see the sensor, try restarting the phone or clearing the Settings app cache → Apps → Settings → Clear the cache.

The downside of this method is that after the phone is restarted, the sensor can be activated again. ADB (4).

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (permanent solution)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to make deep changes to the system without root rights. This method is guaranteed to turn off the proximity sensor to the next firmware, but requires a connection to the computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/MacOS;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB;
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone; Click 7 times on MIUI Version; Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers; Enable Debugging over USB.

Redmi 9T

File transfer

ADB Tools

cmd

ADB

adb devices

(A device with a serial number must appear).

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1

Reboot the phone.

To turn the sensor back on, use the command:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 0

⚠️ Note: If after disconnection through ADB phone stopped responding to calls or artifacts appeared on the screen, reset the sensor settings with the command: adb shell settings delete global proximity_sensor_disabled

💡

ADB is the most reliable way, but it requires caution: Do not change other parameters through ADB unless you are sure of their purpose.

Method 5: Physical Disconnection (for Power Users)

If the software methods didn't help, and the sensor is clearly defective (for example, after a fall or moisture), you can turn it off physically.

How to do this:

1. Turn off Redmi. 9T and extract SIM-map.
2. Remove the back cover (need a mediator and a hair dryer to soften the glue).
3. Disconnect the plume going to the top of the screen (there are sensors).
4. Find the proximity sensor (usually a small black square next to the speaker).
5. Carefully unfurl or cut the contacts of the sensor (unless you plan to restore it).

The risks of this method:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty);
• 🔥 Risk of damage to other components (e.g. front camera);
• 💸 The cost of repairs in the service center can exceed the price of the phone.

If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the service center. The average cost of replacing the sensor with a Redmi 9T is 800-1500 rubles (depending on the region).

What to do if the sensor does not turn off or the phone is glitching

If none of these methods worked, or if new problems have occurred after the shutdown (for example, the screen does not turn on after the call or gestures do not work), try the following steps:

If there are problems, calibrate the sensor:

1. Enter the code in the phone app: ##6484##.
2. Select Proximity Sensor.
3. Press Calibrate (calibrate).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold and remove your hand several times).

On some Redmi 9T firmware, sensor calibration is only available through the MTK engineering menu (for models running a MediaTek processor).If your phone is on a Snapdragon, this method may not work.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shutting down the proximity sensor