How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi: solving screen problems

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones are equipped with many sensors that are designed to facilitate interaction with the device. One key element is the proximity sensor located at the top of the display. Its main task is to extinguish the screen during a phone conversation when you bring the device to the ear to prevent accidental cheek pressing. However, in some situations this useful feature begins to work incorrectly or cause inconvenience.

Users often face a situation where the screen goes out on its own, preventing dialing in contacts, or, conversely, does not turn off, pressing against the face. In such cases, it becomes necessary to forcefully turn off this module. Turning off the proximity sensor can be a temporary solution, allowing you to use the device comfortably before repair or calibration.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to deactivate the sensor, from standard settings of the MIUI interface to the use of a hidden engineering menu, you will learn how to diagnose the problem and whether it is worth turning off this feature altogether, or simply reconfiguring the sensitivity.

Why you might need to shut down the sensor

The main reason smartphone owners are looking for a way to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi is software failures, which often cause the phone screen to go out at the most inopportune moment, such as when watching a video in horizontal mode or while typing, if the finger accidentally overlaps the upper edge of the case, which is annoying and interferes with the device.

Another common problem is phantom response, where the screen may not light up when the phone is called until you remove the phone from your ear, or it shuts down immediately after the conversation starts, preventing you from seeing who is calling, in which case deactivating the module becomes a necessary measure.

Also, you need to turn off the phone when you use low-quality protective glasses or covers that overlap the sensor's workspace. If the glass is curved or has too thick edges, the sensor will constantly think that the phone is near the ear.

It’s worth noting that turning off the sensor completely prevents you from controlling voice calls or movements if your model supports it, and that the screen will stop turning off automatically during a conversation, which can lead to occasional ear taps if you don’t hold your phone neatly.

Diagnostics of malfunction before disconnection

Before you go to extreme lengths to shut down the sensor completely, you need to make sure that the problem is a software failure, not a physical failure. There's a built-in tool in the MIUI and HyperOS shell to test all the components of the device, and you can run it through a special engineering menu.

To start the diagnosis, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##6484##. If the menu does not open, try Settings → About Phone → Version of the kernel (click quickly 5-7 times). In the CIT menu that opens, find the item "Proximity Sensor" or "Approximation Sensor".

In the test mode, you will be asked to close the top of the screen with your hand, and if the values change from 5.0 to 0.0 (or vice versa), then the sensor is physically functional and responsive to obstacles, and if the numbers do not change, you may need calibration or repair.

It's important to understand the difference between a malfunction and a need to shut down. If the sensor is lying and shows the object's constant proximity, the screen will be permanently black, in which case software shutdown is the only temporary solution.

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Before any manipulations with the engineering menu, be sure to back up important data, since changing system parameters can affect the stability of the device.

Disconnection through the Engineering Menu (CIT)

The most reliable way to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi without root rights is to use the CIT engineering menu. This method works on most models, including the Redmi Note, Poco F and Mi series.

Once you log into the CIT menu (#6484##) find the sensor-related section. In some firmware versions, there is a separate item to control the state of the sensors, and you need to find a switch or button that changes the status of the module from "Enabled" to "Disabled".

If there's no direct switch, calibration resets often help. The approximation sensor's menu may have a "Calibration" button. Press it and follow the instructions on the screen (usually removing your hand from the sensor and pressing the confirmation button) This resets the factory-facing sense settings!

In some cases, the CIT menu has the option "Proximity Sensor State," which you force to turn off the module, the changes take effect immediately, you don't need to restart, but you'd better restart the device to check.

Using hidden settings through USSD-code

There is an alternative method of accessing hidden settings that does not require logging into the full menu. CIT. It is based on the use of specific USSD-It's not a method that works on all models and depends on the regional version of the firmware.

Try typing the dialer code ##4636##. This will open the Testing menu, where you can find information about the phone and usage. Although there may not be a direct sensor switch, sometimes there are additional options in the "Phone Information" section to reset the radio module settings, which indirectly affects the operation of the sensors.

The #7780## code may be more effective, but beware: it is designed to reset the app and system settings to factory settings (without deleting personal files), only if you are confident in your actions, as this will return all system parameters, including sensor settings, to the original state.

If the standard codes don't work, you can use Google Play's Activity Launcher app to find hidden activity, find an activity called "ProximitySensor" and try to run it, which can open a hidden settings window that's not available in the regular menu.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party applications to access hidden activities can lead to unstable system operation.

Comparison of disconnection methods and their consequences

The method of shutting down depends on your goal: whether you want to temporarily fix the problem with calls or plan to use the phone without this sensor all the time.

Using an engineering menu is the safest option, because it doesn't require third-party software to be installed, but after a device reboot or firmware update, the settings can go off. Software crutches through locker apps can consume battery power.

The most radical method is to obtain Root rights and edit system files, such as build.prop. Adding a line to disable the sensor driver guarantees permanent shutdown, but this is unwarranted and can brick the phone if it fails.

Alternative solutions: calibration and applications

Instead of completely shutting down, it's often more efficient to calibrate. On Xiaomi smartphones, you can do this through the same engineering menu. Select "Proximity Sensor," press "Calibration" and follow the instructions. Usually you need to close the sensor with your finger, then remove your hand and press the confirmation button.

If the system fails to solve the problem, you can use applications from Google Play, such as "Proximity Sensor Reset & Test" or "Sensor Box", which allow you to software override the values of the sensor or emulate its operation.

There are also call screen blocking apps that ignore the readings of the regular sensor and use an accelerometer or gyroscope to determine the position of the phone, which allows the screen to go out only when the phone is actually held upright to the ear.

The physical method, which is to paste the sensor with opaque tape, works all the time, but it doesn't look aesthetically pleasing. It's a good way to check if the sensor is really having a problem: if the screen stops fading on its own at the wrong moments, it's malfunctioning or contaminated.

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Calibration through the engineering menu solves 80% of problems with the sensor’s malfunction without requiring it to be completely turned off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)