Don’t close the proximity sensor on Xiaomi: how to properly disable and avoid crashes

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi smartphones is a small but critical element that is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone conversation. Its work seems unnoticed until it starts to fail: the screen goes out for no reason, does not respond to touch or, conversely, remains active during a call, leading to accidental pressing. Many users try to solve the problem radically by pasting the sensor with tape or tape, but this is fraught with serious consequences for the functionality of the device.

In this article, we will discuss why you can’t physically lock the proximity sensor, how to turn it off through the settings or engineering menu, and what to do if the sensor is not working properly. The instructions will be suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI (including versions 12-14) and Android 10-14.

Why you can not close the proximity sensor with tape or tape

Xiaomi's proximity sensor is an infrared sensor that detects the distance between the screen and an object (such as the ear during a call), and if it is closed with an opaque material, the system stops receiving correct data, which leads to:

• 🔴 False positives: The screen goes out during normal use (e.g. when reading or watching videos).
• 🔴 Problems during calls: the screen does not turn off, which causes the ear to accidentally press buttons (volume, completion of the call).
• 🔴 Sensor overheating: Closed sensor can heat up, which accelerates wear.
• 🔴 Failures in the operation of other sensors: on some models, the proximity sensor is combined with illumination, and its blocking affects the automatic brightness adjustment.

Moreover, in models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K60) Prolonged locking of the sensor can cause pixels to burn in the sensor area due to uneven heating, an irreversible defect that will require replacement of the display.

⚠️ Warning: If you have already sealed the sensor, do not try to tear off the tape dry way - adhesive residues can get inside the case. Use alcohol or specialized means to remove stickers.

How to check if the proximity sensor works on Xiaomi

Before you turn off the sensor, make sure it's the problem.

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##6484## (some models run ##4636###).
2. In the menu that appears, select Test Proximity Sensor.
3. Hold your hand to the top of the screen (where the sensor is located). If the sensor is in good condition, the value will change from 5 (no obstacle) to 0 (object detected).

An alternative way is to use Google Play apps like Sensor Test or CPU-Z, which show the status of all sensors in real time, and if the values don't change when you put your hand in, the sensor is faulty or locked.

Ways to disable the proximity sensor without root rights

If the sensor is unstable, you can turn it off software, and the options depend on the version of MIUI:

Method 1: Call settings (for MIUI 12-14)

This method is suitable for most modern models:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Go to Call Settings → Additionally.
4. Find the approach sensor option and turn it off.

If there is no item, try an alternative path: Settings → System and device → Additional settings → Special features → Approximation Sensor.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for all versions of MIUI)

The engineering menu allows you to disable the sensor at the system level:

1. Open the Phone app and type in ##36446337## (or #4636## on older models).
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Sensors → Proximity Sensor.
3. Press Disable (Disable).
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Changes in the engineering menu may cause other sensors to work in an unstable way.

Make a backup copy of the data

Check out the current version of MIUI

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

Write down the initial sensor settings-->

Disabling the sensor with ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can turn off the sensor via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to your computer and turning on the developer mode.

Step 1: Enable debugging over USB

For this:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command

Download Platform Tools from the official Android website, connect your phone and type in the command line:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 0

To return the original settings, use:

adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_enabled 1

Once you've done the command, restart the device. The sensor will be disabled until the next flash.

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS

It resets system dialogs that can block change.-->

What to do if the proximity sensor fails after shutting down

Sometimes, after a software shutdown, new problems arise: the screen does not respond to touch, calls are interrupted or the phone spontaneously restarts.

• 🔄 Reset sensor settings: Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Reset sensor settings.
• 📱 Update the firmware: Outdated versions MIUI They may conflict with the sensor that's disabled. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Return the standard settings: If used ADB, Adb shell settings delete global settings proximity_sensor_enabled.
• 🛠️ Check for viruses: Some applications (such as optimizers or launchers) may interfere with sensors.Scan Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

If the problem persists, the sensor itself may be faulty, in which case only a replacement at the service center will help, the average cost of repairing the proximity sensor on Xiaomi is from 800 to 2000 rubles (depending on the model).

Alternative solutions: calibration and third-party applications

If the sensor is working but unstable, try recalibrating it.

1. Install the Proximity Sensor Reset app from Google Play.
2. Run it and follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to bring and remove your hand from the sensor several times).
3. Reboot the phone.

For models without the possibility of disabling the sensor through the settings, the Sensor Disabler application is suitable. It allows you to temporarily block any sensor, but requires root rights or ADB. Note that such programs may conflict with Xiaomi system services.

Another option is to use Tasker or MacroDroid to create automatic rules, for example, you can set the screen to turn off when you call the timer (in 3 seconds after you start a conversation), bypassing the proximity sensor.

💡

Calibration of the sensor helps in 60% of cases of unstable operation, if the problem remains, most likely hardware repair is required.

Xiaomi models where the proximity sensor most often fails

According to service centers and user reviews, most often problems with the proximity sensor occur on the following models:

On the Xiaomi 12T and newer, the proximity sensor is integrated into the display, so it costs more to replace it. If the warranty is still valid, contact the official service - repairs can be free.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the proximity sensor on Xiaomi