How to lock the screen on Xiaomi during a call: all the ways

Have you ever accidentally pressed buttons on a Xiaomi smartphone screen while you're talking? It's annoying: the volume gets knocked down, the call gets reset, the applications open in the background. A particularly pressing problem for owners of devices with large displays, from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the flagship Mi 13 Ultra. Fortunately, MIUI has several built-in and hidden ways to lock the screen when you call, and we'll talk about each of them.

In this article, you will find not only standard settings, but also little-known features, such as how to turn on locking via "In your pocket" mode or use gestures to quickly turn off the sensor, and also understand why sometimes locking does not work and how to fix it. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware).

Why Xiaomi’s screen doesn’t automatically lock when you call

Xiaomi smartphones should automatically lock the screen when you hold the device to your ear, but often this feature is disabled or does not work correctly.

• 🔧 The proximity sensor is contaminated or damaged (especially after drops or screen repairs).
• ⚙️ In the settings disabled option Block when talking (sometimes reset after updating) MIUI).
• 📱 Uses a non-original film or cover that interferes with the work of sensors.
• 🤖 In some firmware (for example, custom or Chinese) the screen lock function during the call is completely removed from the system.

Before you set the lock manually, check the proximity sensor.

1. Open the Phone app and type ##6484## (some models run ##0*##).
2. Select Sensor Test → Proximity Sensor from the testing menu.
3. Close the sensor (top of the screen) with your hand – the value should change from 5.00 cm to 0.00 cm.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensor doesn't respond, try to wipe the top of the screen with alcohol or remove the protective film.

Method 1: Enabling screen lock in call settings

The easiest method is to activate the built-in lock function in the Phone app, which is found in all Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12 and later, but sometimes hidden in the depths of the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Go to Calls → Additional settings (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Blocking when talking).
4. Activate the screen lock switch during the call (or Autolock when approaching).

The proximity sensor is clean and not closed with film

In the settings included screen lock

Testing: Call another number and check if the screen is locked when you bring it to your ear

Restart your phone if the function doesn’t work right away-->

If the option is not on the menu, your firmware doesn't support it, so move on to the following.

Method 2: Use the In-Pack mode to lock

Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden feature called "In your pocket mode" that automatically locks the screen when you approach your body, and you can adapt it for calls.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Mode “In your pocket”.
2. Turn on the function and select Lock the screen.
3. Set the sensitivity on High (this will help to trigger the lock even at a weak approach).
4. Return to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart and make sure the Phone app has the right to autostart.

Now, when you hold your smartphone to your ear while you ring, the screen will lock just like you would if you put it in your pocket, minus the method: sometimes a false lock works if you hold the phone at an angle.

Method 3: Lock the screen with a gesture or volume button

If the automatic methods don't work, you can lock the screen manually, right while you're talking.

• 👆 The swipe down gesture (works on most Xiaomi models with the MIUI 13/14). During the call, swipe your finger from the top edge of the screen down - a notification panel will appear, and the screen will lock.
• 🔊 Volume buttons. Press and hold Volume down. + Meals for food 1-2 The screen will go out, but the call will continue.

To unlock the screen, you just need to press the power button or wait for the call to end, a method that is reliable but requires habit — not all users remember it in stressful situations (for example, when urgently need to answer a call in a noisy place).

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If gestures don't work, check settings in Settings → Display → Gestures. Perhaps the swipe lock feature is disabled.

Method 4: Third-party applications for forced blocking

If built-in methods don’t work, you can use third-party utilities, which are useful for older models (e.g. Redmi 4X or Mi A1) that don’t have automatic locking.

Top.-3 tested applications:

How to set up Proximity Screen Off:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide access to Notices and Special Opportunities.
3. Enable the option of Enable during calls.
4. Set a 0.5 second delay for instant locking.

⚠️ Note: Some screen locking applications may conflict with MIUI Optimization (Xiaomi system optimization) If after installing the utility the phone started to brake, turn it off in the battery settings (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Method 5: Blocking through developer settings (for advanced)

If you’re willing to dig into hidden settings, you can enable forced screen locking through developer mode, a method that works for Xiaomi on pure Android (like POCO F1 or Mi A2) or custom firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to turn off touch events when calling (or Disable touch during calls in English).
4. Turn it on and restart the phone.

After that, the screen will lock on any call, regardless of the proximity sensor.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after you have the right lock setup, users are having problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

• 📵 The screen is locked too late. → Increase proximity sensor sensitivity in settings or reduce latency in third-party apps.
• 🔄 The locking is triggered by accident. → Turn off the “In your pocket” mode or reduce its sensitivity.
• 🚫 The function works only with headphones. → Check if the call settings include priority for the headset (Settings) → Sound. → Routing of sound).
• 🔋 After locking, the screen does not turn on. → It's a bug. MIUI. Helps reboot or disable the function Raise for activation in the display settings.

If you use Xiaomi with Always On Display (AOD), note that this feature may interfere with the proximity sensor. Try turning it off while you call or reduce the brightness of the screen in the settings.

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The most reliable method is the combination of built-in lock in call settings + pocket mode with high sensitivity, which covers 90% of random clicks.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions