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

Have you ever encountered a situation where you accidentally press buttons on a Xiaomi screen while you're on the phone? It's annoying: the volume will drop, the call will suddenly end, the app will open in the background. Especially relevant is the problem for smartphone owners with touch buttons or large displays, where pressing the phone to the ear leads to false touches.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can lock your screen when you call on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices, from standard MIUI features to hidden settings and third-party solutions. You’ll learn how to enable automatic locking, customize gestures, use physical buttons, and even bypass typical system bugs. And if your smartphone stubbornly ignores settings, there’s a section at the end of this article that addresses some of the most common problems.

Why is Xiaomi’s screen not locked during a call?

Before we get to the settings, it’s important to understand why the feature might not work. In MIUI, locking the screen during a call depends on several factors:

• 🔧 Firmware version: B MIUI 12 and the newer logic of the work has changed - some old ways have ceased to work.
• 📱 Smartphone model: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Redmi) K60) The lock may work differently than on LCD (for example, POCO M5).
• 🤖 Special Features Settings: If hand gestures or features are enabled for people with disabilities, they may conflict with lockdown.
• 🔄 Resetting: After updating or resetting, lock settings often return to factory (disabled) settings).

A critical feature of MIUI is that in some firmware versions, the lock screen when calling is hidden in the developer menu or not at all in the standard settings, this is due to Xiaomi's policy of optimizing the interface, where "unnecessary" options are removed for simplicity, but they can be returned - we will discuss this below.

Method 1: Standard setting in MIUI (the easiest)

If your smartphone is running MIUI 12-14, check the standard settings first. In most cases, the screen lock option when calling is here:

1. Open Settings → System and device → Additional settings.
2. Select Block when calling (or Autoblock when calling in new versions).
3. Activate the switch. If you don't have an option, move to the next one.

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or POCO X5), the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Phone → Call settings → Screen lock

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure the screen is not damaged (cracks may interfere with the proximity sensor)

Turn off magnet covers (they affect the Hall sensor)

- Check if the "In your pocket" mode is on"-->

Important! Once this function is activated, the screen will only lock when you hold the phone to your ear, and if you use a headset or speakerphone, the lock will not work, which is normal behavior.

Method 2: Configure through the developer menu

If there is no standard option, it can be enabled through the hidden developer settings, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including older models on MIUI 10-11.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version (the notification “You became a developer” will appear).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Now find and enable the following options:

• 🔒 Blocking when approaching (or Sensor Blocking in English firmware).
• 📞 Disable the sensor when calling (if any).
• 🔄 Autoblocking when talking.

Warning: Not all options in the developer menu are safe. Changing window animation, USB debugging or Background processes can lead to unstable system operation. Never activate "Do not turn off the screen" - this will completely disable locking when calling.

Method 3: Use of the proximity sensor

All Xiaomi smartphones have a proximity sensor that is responsible for turning off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear. If the lock doesn't work, the problem may be in it.

1. In the phone application, type the code ##6484## (equipment test).
2. Select Proximity Sensor (approximation sensor).
3. Close the top of the screen with your hand – the value should change from 5.00 to 0.00.

If the sensor is not responding:

• 🧹 Clean the top of the screen of dirt (the sensor is next to the speaker).
• 🔧 Reset your phone settings to factory (pre-reverse your phone!).
• 🛠️ If the sensor is physically damaged, contact the service center (replacement costs 800-1500). ₽).

💡

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A), the proximity sensor may conflict with the "Rise to Wake Up" function. Turn it off in Settings → Screen → Raise to Wake up if the lock is not working.

Method 4: Power button locking (manual method)

If the automatics don't work, you can lock the screen manually with a power button, which is inconvenient, but it's reliable, to make it easier.

1. Enable the option Quick lock in Settings → Screen → Sleep mode.
2. Set a minimum time before locking (5 or 10 seconds).
3. During the call, briefly press the power button - the screen will go out, but the conversation will continue.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all models, including the old ones (Redmi). 4X, Mi 5).
• ✅ It does not depend on sensors or firmware.
• ✅ You can unlock the screen at any time (for example, to enable speakerphone communication).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It takes habits – you will forget to block it first.
• ❌ When using a headset, the power button may be pressed accidentally.

💡

If your smartphone has a physical lock button (like the POCO X3 Pro), this will be the most reliable method. On devices with a touch button (like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2), it is better to combine it with a proximity sensor.

Method 5: Third-party applications for screen locking

If none of these things worked, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, and we tested 5 popular tools and selected the two most reliable ones:

1. Proximity Screen Off (free, no ads) Link: com.nexstreaming.app.proximityscreenoff Pros: minimalist interface, runs on Android 8-14, does not require root. Cons: some Xiaomi models need to manually give permission to access sensors.
2. Gravity Screen (Free) Link: com.plexnor.gravityscreenofffree Pros: Automatic lock when stacking the phone with the screen down, gesture support. Cons: in the free version, a limit on the number of locks per day.

How to set up Proximity Screen Off:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Give all the necessary permissions (access to sensors, display over other windows).
3. Enable the Enable Proximity Screen Off option.
4. Select Only During Calls (only during calls)

⚠️ Note: Some screen locking apps (such as Screen Off and Lock) may conflict with the screen. MIUI Check user reviews of your model before installing it.

Problem Solving: Why is the lockout not working?

If you have set everything according to the instructions, but the screen is still not locked, check the following points:

Specific bugs MIUI 14:

• 🐛 Xiaomi. 12T redmi K50 The lock may not work if the game mode is enabled.
• 🐛 Nana POCO F4 GT The feature conflicts with Always-on Display.
• 🐛 Some devices reset permissions for locking apps after upgrading to Android 13.

If the problem doesn’t work, try rolling back to the previous version of MIUI or installing custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen locking when calling