How to turn off the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: the full guide

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T smartphones is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone conversation when the device is brought to the ear. In most cases, this feature works correctly, but sometimes users experience false positives - the screen goes out when simply holding the phone in your hand, while playing or watching videos. Other reasons for turning off the sensor are inconvenience when using magnet cases, conflicts with third-party applications or the desire to manually control the screen illumination.

Disabling the proximity sensor is a non-standard procedure that Xiaomi does not put into the basic settings. This is associated with the risk of accidental pressing during calls (for example, on the volume keys or completing the call). However, with a competent approach, deactivating the sensor will not harm the device. In this article, we will look at three proven methods: through hidden system settings, engineering menus and ADB command. Each method is suitable for the Redmi Note 8T based on MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese versions of the firmware).

⚠️ Warning: After the sensor is turned off, the screen will not lock during calls. To avoid accidental pressing, use headphones or turn on speakerphone. If you often make calls without a headset, we recommend testing alternative solutions first (for example, calibrating the sensor).

Why turn off the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8T?

At first glance, the proximity sensor seems like a useful feature, but in practice it can create discomfort. Here are the most common reasons why Redmi Note 8T users decide to deactivate it:

• 🎮 False positives in games: the sensor perceives the touch of the hand to the top of the screen as "approaching the ear" and extinguishes the backlight (PUBG, Call of Duty, where the fingers are close to the speaker.
• 📱 Case conflict: Magnetic or thick cases can block the sensor signal, causing the screen to constantly blink or shut down.
• 🔄 Unstable work after the update: some versions MIUI contain bugs that cause the sensor to work even in the absence of obstacles.
• 🔧 Desire for manual control: Some users prefer to control the screen themselves with the power button rather than relying on automatic locking.

Before you turn off the sensor, try recalibrating it.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Type ##6484## (some firmware may not work).
3. Follow the on-screen instructions for sensor testing.

If calibration did not help, go to the methods of disconnection.

Method 1: Disconnecting through hidden MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use built-in MIUI tools that don’t require root or PC connectivity, a method that works on most firmware versions for the Redmi Note 8T, but may not be available on some custom builds.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the About Phone (or About Device) section.
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
4. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new section for developers (or additionally → for developers).
5. Scroll down and find the option to turn off the proximity sensor. Activate the switch.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 14, this option may not be available. In this case, move to the next method. Also note that after resetting the settings or updating the firmware, the option may return to its original state.

Method 2: Use of the Engineering Menu (USSD Codes)

If you don't have the option, you can try to turn off the sensor through the engineering menu, which doesn't require root rights, but it doesn't work on all firmware, and the advantage is that you can fine-tune the sensor's threshold rather than shut it down completely.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and go to the dial tab.
2. Enter the code ##36446337## (or alternative #4636## → Equipment Testing).
3. In the menu that opens, select Proximity Sensor.
4. The screen will show a graph of the sensor activation. To turn it off, press the Disable button (if available) or set the threshold to 0.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

💡 If the Disable button is missing, try changing the trigger threshold. Set it to a maximum value (e.g. 5.0 cm) so that the sensor stops responding to normal hand movements.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If the first two fail, the most reliable method is Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it is guaranteed to disable the sensor at the system level, the advantage of which is that the changes are saved after rebooting and updating (if you do not reset the settings).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and utility ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Initiated Debugging Mode USB on the phone (in the settings for developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8T to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and type:
3. Execute the command to disable the sensor:
4. Reboot the phone.

To turn the sensor back on, use the same command by replacing 1 by 0:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 0

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) may block work on devices with active debugging USB. After completing the command, turn off the developer mode if you don’t need it.

💡

The ADB method is the most versatile, but it requires caution: wrong commands can disrupt the system. Always check the instructions you type before running.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off the proximity sensor, Redmi Note 8T users may face a number of challenges, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1.The sensor is out, but the screen still goes out during calls.

This is because MIUI not only has a proximity sensor to lock the screen during a call, but also a "Call Screen" function to completely disable the automatic lock:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Call settings.
2. Find the option to lock the screen during the call and turn it off.

2.After the MIUI update, the sensor switched on again

Firmware updates can reset user settings to avoid:

• Use the ADB method – it is more resistant to discharges.
• Before updating, back up your settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
• After the update, repeat the disconnection instruction.

3. Sensor is off, but the screen is not responding to touch.

This can happen if the wrong parameters have been changed in the engineering menu to return everything to its original state.

1. Reset the sensor settings using the code ##6484##.
2. If this doesn’t work, run the ADB command to turn on the sensor:

💡

If you notice increased battery consumption after you turn off the sensor, check the activity of background processes. Sometimes system services continue to poll the sensor even after it is deactivated. Solution: restart the phone or clear the cache of the Phone application.

Alternative solutions: if you can not turn off the sensor

Not all users are comfortable deactivating the proximity sensor completely, and in some cases, adjusting the proximity sensor to avoid false positives is enough.

• 🛠️ Sensor calibration: As mentioned earlier, use code ##6484## to reconfigure. Sometimes it's enough to clear the sensor data from the accumulated errors.
• 📲 Use of third-party apps: Google Play has utilities like Proximity Sensor Reset or Sensor Box that allow you to test and configure sensors without root rights.
• 🔄 Firmware rollback: if the problem appeared after the update MIUI, You can go back to the previous version via Fastboot. XDA Developers or 4PDA.
• 🛡️ Glass/sensor replacement: If the sensor is physically damaged (for example, after a phone falls), it can be replaced at a service center. 8T — 800 to 1500 rubles.

💡 Tip for gamers: If the sensor only interferes with games, try using the Game Turbo feature in the game. MIUI. It blocks automatic system actions (including proximity sensors) during gameplay, activated via a swipe from the top edge of the screen in the game.

Risks and consequences of disconnecting the proximity sensor

Before you deactivate the sensor, you should evaluate the possible negative consequences.

• 📞 Accidental taps during calls: Without locking the screen, you can inadvertently press volume, complete a call, or activate speakerphone.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: If the sensor is physically defective, turning it off may reduce the system load, but in some cases (e.g. when used actively) GPS) Conversely, energy consumption will increase.
• 🔄 Conflicts with firmware: on custom assemblies MIUI Disabling the sensor can cause other sensors to fail (e.g., light or gyroscope).

⚠️ Note: Some versions of the Redmi Note 8T (Especially with firmware for the Chinese market, disabling the proximity sensor can block access to Face Unlock features, which is because the system uses a sensor to detect the presence of a user in front of the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8T