How to Block Xiaomi’s Phone Screen During a Conversation: All Ways

During a phone conversation, accidentally tapping Xiaomi’s screen can lead to awkward situations: turning off the microphone, switching the call to speakerphone or even resetting it. This is especially true for owners of smartphones with large displays, where the hand inevitably touches the sensor. Fortunately, MIUI has several ways to lock the screen right during the call, from standard functions to hidden features.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of locking the screen on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi smartphones (including models with AMOLED-You'll learn how to set up automatic lock when you touch your ear, use hardware buttons or gestures, and what to do if standard methods don't work. MIUI 12–15 and relevant to 2020–2026 devices.

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

Many users find that even when you hold your smartphone to your ear, the screen is still active, for several reasons:

• 🔹 The proximity sensor that's disabled is the main reason, and it's responsible for determining the distance between the screen and the ear, and if the sensor is contaminated or disabled in the settings, the locking won't work.
• 🔹 Damaged glass or film at the top of the screen (where the sensor is located), even a microcrack can interfere with its operation.
• 🔹 Incorrect gesture settings. Some versions MIUI locking gesture conflicts with the proximity sensor.
• 🔹 Firmware problems: Once the system is updated, the sensors may not function properly.

Before you set up alternative locking methods, check the sensor.

1. Open the Phone app and type ##6484## (on some models ##0*##).
2. In the test menu, select Proximity Sensor.
3. Close the sensor with your hand – the screen should change color to green or show a value of 0.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensor doesn't respond to your hand, try cleaning the top of the screen with an alcohol wipe.

Method 1: Power button lock (universal method)

The most reliable and easiest way is to use a physical Power button, which works on all Xiaomi models, regardless of MIUI version or sensor status.

1. During the call, briefly press the Power button (usually located on the right end of the smartphone).
2. The screen will go out, but the conversation will continue. To unlock the phone, press the Power button again and swipe across the screen.

This method is suitable for emergency situations, but has a disadvantage: if you often lock the screen with a button, it can wear out over time. On models POCO F3, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and others with a side fingerprint scanner, the Power button also acts as a sensor - too frequent presses can lead to malfunctions in its operation.

Press the button once, the screen must go out.

Hold the button for 2 seconds – the off menu should appear

Twice press the button and the "Double press to start the camera" function should work (if enabled)

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If the Power button does not block the screen during the call, check the settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Buttons and gestures.
2. Make sure the Power Button function locks the screen on.

Method 2: Configure the proximity sensor to automatically lock

If the proximity sensor is working, but the lock is not working, you have to adjust it manually. In MIUI, this function can be hidden depending on the model of the smartphone.

1. Open Settings → System and device → Additional settings.
2. Select the Approach Sensor (some models call it Screen Lock during a call).
3. Activate the switch to Lock the screen when lifted to the ear.
4. In the Sensitivity section, select High (if the screen is locked too late) or Low (if the lock is triggered by chance).

On smartphones. POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40 and others AMOLED-The displays may require additional adjustments:

• 🔧 Turn on the option Use the light sensor for adjustment (helps to avoid false positives in bright light).
• 🔧 Turn off gestures during a call if they conflict with the sensor.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI When you update, you reset the proximity sensor settings. If the lock stops working, check the settings again.

Method 3: Gesture blocking (for MIUI 13 and later)

MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 have a feature that allows you to lock the screen with a gesture while you're calling, and it's especially useful for devices with large displays (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO X4 GT), where it's difficult to reach the Power button with one hand, to activate this feature:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Gestures.
2. Choose Gestures during the call.
3. Activate the Swipe down option to lock the screen.
4. In the Gesture Zone section, select the screen area (the Top is recommended to avoid accidental positives).

Now, during the call, just swipe down the top of the screen (where the status bar is displayed) to block the display. Unlocking occurs in the standard way - by pressing the Power button or double tap (if configured).

On curved screen models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the gesture may be triggered falsely due to accidental touching of the side edges.

• 📱 Reduce the sensitivity of the gesture in the settings.
• 📱 Turn off the option Touch Recognition at the edges in Settings → Screen.

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If the gesture doesn’t work, try calibrating the proximity sensor: restart the phone and immediately after turning on test the lock with a call to the number 112 (the call will not be made).

Method 4: Using voice commands (for MIUI with Google Assistant)

If you have Google Assistant or Alice installed from Yandex, you can block the screen with your voice, which is suitable for situations when your hands are busy (for example, while driving).

1. Activate the voice assistant (Settings → Applications → Assistant and Voice Input).
2. In the Google Assistant settings, enable the “OK, Google” Recognition option.
3. When you call, say, “OK, Google, lock the screen.”

The algorithm is similar for Alice, but the command is, "Alice, turn off the screen." Note that this method only works when you're connected to the Internet and can accidentally work in the background of noise.

On Xiaomi models with an infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro), voice lock can conflict with the remote control.

• 🎤 Turn off the IR port in Settings → Connected devices at the time of the call.
• 🎤 Set microphone priority for voice assistant in Settings → Sound.

⚠️ Warning: Voice commands to lock the screen may not work on the sinter firmware MIUI (For example, Xiaomi.eu, where Google services are removed.

Method 5: Third-party applications for screen locking

If the standard methods do not work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📲 Gravity Screen – automatically locks the screen when the phone changes position (for example, when you remove it from the ear.
• 📲 Proximity Screen Off — specially locks during calls.
• 📲 Tasker is for advanced users, and you can create a task that locks the screen when you start a call.

Before installing, check the app’s compatibility with your Xiaomi model and MIUI version. Some utilities require root rights or enable Special Options in settings.

Instructions for Gravity Screen:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide access to Special Features (Settings → Special Features → Gravity Screen).
3. In the application settings, activate the Block when calling.
4. Adjust the sensitivity of the sensor in the Behavior section.

What to do if none of the methods work

If Xiaomi’s screen is not blocked by any of these methods, the problem may be hardware or software.

1. Reset the screen settings: Go to Settings → System and device → Reset. Select Reset screen settings and gestures.
2. Check for application conflicts: Launch your phone in Safe Mode (hold the Power → Safe Mode button). If the lock is triggered, uninstall the recently installed apps.
3. Update your firmware: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and install the latest version of MIUI.
4. Check hardware health: If the proximity sensor doesn't work even after reset, the plume or the sensor itself may be damaged, in which case repair is required.

On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra, POCO F4 GT) after upgrading to MIUI 14, the gesture lock function may disappear. This is a well-known bug that is corrected by rolling back on MIUI 13 or installing custom firmware.

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If the screen is not locked only when you make Bluetooth calls (like in a car), the problem may be with the headset settings. Try turning off the Auto Lock option when you connect to Bluetooth in your call settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen locking on Xiaomi