How to completely disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: a detailed guide with risks and solutions

The proximity sensor on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is a useful feature that automatically turns off the screen during a phone call when you hold the device to your ear. However, many users face problems: the sensor is too sensitive, the screen does not go out in time or, conversely, does not turn back on. In some cases, the sensor begins to “glut” after a MIUI update or mechanical damage (for example, after changing the glass).

If you decide to disable the proximity sensor, it is important to understand that this will affect the usability of calls. Without it, the screen will not lock when approaching the face, which can lead to accidental taps during a conversation. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of deactivation (including hidden settings and engineering menus), and also tell you how to return the function if something goes wrong.

We warn you beforehand that some methods require developer rights or ADB — if you’ve never encountered such tools, it’s best to focus on the former through standard settings. For experienced users, we’ve prepared advanced instructions explaining each step.

Why to turn off the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8T: typical problems

Before we get to the instructions, let's look at the cases where it's justified to turn off the sensor, and most of the time, users complain about:

  • 📞 False positives – the screen goes out when you normally hold your phone in your hand or pocket.
  • 🔄 Hanging after the call – the sensor “forgets” to turn the screen back on, and you have to restart the smartphone.
  • 🛠️ Problems after repair – if the glass or display module was replaced, the sensor could be damaged or improperly connected.
  • 🎮 Game/application conflict – some programs (e.g., emulators or instant messengers) do not interact properly with the sensor.

Most problems are solved by calibrating the sensor (which we will discuss below), but if nothing helps, turning it off becomes the only way out. Note that on the Redmi Note 8T, the proximity sensor is combined with light, so deactivation will not affect the automatic brightness adjustment of the screen.

📊 What problem does the proximity sensor have you encountered?
False positives
The screen does not go out during the call.
The screen will not turn on after the call.
Post-repair problems
Other

If your problem isn't on the list, check if it's related to the MIUI update. For example, after MIUI 12.5, many users complained about sensor bugs, so you should try resetting your phone to factory settings or roll back to the previous firmware version.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard settings (without developer rights)

It is the easiest and safest method that will suit most users, requiring no additional tools, and works on any version of MIUI (including MIUI 14).

Instructions:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to the Screen section.
  3. Scroll down and find Autoturn/Autolight (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Sensors).
  4. Slip on the Approach Sensor (or turn off the sensor during the call).
  5. Move the slider to the off position.

If your version of MIUI does not have a separate point for the proximity sensor, try an alternative path:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → More.
  2. Find Sensors and disable access to the Phone app.

This method does not completely disable the sensor, but only prohibits its use during calls. If you need to completely deactivate the sensor at the system level, read the following sections.

☑️ Preparation for sensor shutdown

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

The Engineering Menu is a hidden settings section where you can test and configure the hardware components of your smartphone. On the Redmi Note 8T, it is accessed through a special code.

⚠️ Before entering the engineering menu, write down the current screen settings (brightness, autorotation) - after changes, they can reset.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the combination: ##6484### (or #3646633## for newer versions of MIUI).
  3. You'll be taken to Engineer Mode. Go to the Hardware Testing tab.
  4. Find the Sensor (or Proximity Sensor) section.
  5. In the Proximity Sensor field, set the Disable or Off value.
  6. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If the sensor is activated again after the reboot, then the engineering menu does not save the settings on your firmware, in which case only the ADB method (described below) will help.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
If the codes ##6484## and ##3646633## don't work, try installing the MTK Engineering Mode app from Google Play.It emulates the engineering menu for MediaTek processors (the Redmi Note 8T has a Snapdragon 665 chip, but sometimes the app works).

You can also check the sensor's performance on the engineering menu.

  1. In the Sensor section, select Proximity Sensor Test.
  2. Put your hand to the top of the screen (where the sensors are located).
  3. If the values change from 5 (far) to 0 (close), the sensor is in good working order. If the readings don't change, the sensor is incorrect.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced)

If the first two methods didn't work, there's the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option, which is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, and it requires you to turn on the developer mode and install the drivers.

The advantage of this method is that it completely deactivates the sensor at the system level, and it can't be turned on back through standard settings. Be careful!

Instructions:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB Tools

Redmi Note 8T

Win + R → cmd

adb devices

Make sure your phone is on the list.

adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_disabled 1

Reboot the phone.

To return the sensor back, use the command:

adb shell settings put system proximity_sensor_disabled 0

⚠️ Note: If after disconnection through ADB phone stopped working correctly (for example, does not respond to calls) – reset settings through Settings → Additionally. → Reset. It'll bring all the parameters back to the factory.

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite. Also check that the developer settings enable Allow debugging over USB (Safe Mode).

How to Calibrate the Approach Sensor Instead of Shutting Down

If the sensor isn't working properly, but you don't want to turn it off, try calibrating it. This can solve the problem of false positives or screen freezes.

Calibration methods:

  • 🔧 From the Engineering Menu: Open the Engineering Menu (code ##6484##). Go to Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor Calibration: Follow the instructions on the screen (usually hold your hand several times).
  • 📱 Through the app: Install Proximity Sensor Reset from Google Play. It automatically resets the sensor settings.
  • 🔄 Resetting phone settings: If calibration doesn't help - reset via Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).