Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro approximation sensor: how to turn on and configure

The Redmi Note 8 Pro line of smartphones has gained popularity due to the balance of price and performance, but users often face the capricious work of sensors. The situation when the screen goes out on its own or, conversely, does not turn off when you lift it to the ear, annoys any owner. The problem lies in the operation of the proximity sensor, which in this model is located in the upper part of the case next to the conversational speaker.

Before you panic and bring the device to the service, it is worth figuring out what exactly is causing the failure. In most cases, it is not a physical failure, but a software failure or contamination. The touchpad can block the sensor if the screen is glued to a poor-quality protective film that covers the sensitive area, and the cause can also be outdated MIUI drivers that require updating or manual calibration.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods for activating and adjusting this module correctly. You will learn how to conduct a deep diagnosis through a hidden engineering menu and what steps to take if standard system tools do not help to return functionality. Properly configuring the accelerometer and proximity sensor is the key to comfortable communication without accidental cheek pressing.

Principle of operation and location of the sensor

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is an infrared module that emits invisible light and reads its reflection from objects. When you hold the phone to your ear during a call, the sensor detects the change in distance and signals the system to turn off the display. This prevents accidental ear or cheek taps that could interrupt the conversation or trigger call retention. If this mechanism does not work correctly, the user is faced with “phantom” touches.

Physically, the module is at the top of the front panel, hidden under a black bezel above the screen. Unlike the older models, there is no separate visible window, which makes the design more aesthetic, but makes it difficult to diagnose. The infrared port pairs with an accelerometer that determines the position of the device in space. If the accelerometer "thinks" that the phone is lying on the table rather than being held to the head, the proximity sensor can ignore objects in front of the screen.

Owners often forget that the sensor is sensitive to the cleanliness of the surface. Fat spots, dust or water droplets at the top of the screen can distort the readings. MIUI has built-in noise filtering algorithms, but they are not all-powerful. If you notice that the screen goes out when you just hold the phone in front of you, or does not go out when you press it tightly against the ear, then you need to calibrate or check the application access settings.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use aggressive chemistry or abrasive materials to wipe the upper frame.This can damage the oleophobic coating and darken the sensor area, leading to persistent read errors.

Basic verification and system update

The first step in solving any software problem on Xiaomi should be to update the operating system. The company's engineers regularly release patches that fix the touch screen drivers and sensors. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the version of MIUI. If an update is available, be sure to install it by backing up the data beforehand.

Once you update, you should check if any third-party application is blocking the sensor. Some memory cleaners or call management apps can take control of hardware modules. Try running your phone in safe mode: press the switch off button, and then keep your finger on the "Switch off" button on the screen for a long time. If the sensor is working properly in safe mode, the problem lies in one of the applications you install.

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Before you start any manipulation of the system settings, be sure to wipe the top of the screen with a microfiber.--WIDGET:tip

Also worth checking is the theme settings. In MIUI, some third-party themes may not handle system icons and status bars properly, which indirectly affects the interface during a call. Go back to the standard "Classic" or "No Limits" theme to rule this out. If after all these actions the problem persists, move on to a deeper diagnosis.

Engineering menu and testing CIT

The most reliable way to check the health of the device is to use the built-in CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu, which allows you to test each component of the smartphone separately from the main system. To enter, open the Phone app and type in the combination ##6484##. If the code does not work, try ##4636#, although the first option is more informative for the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

In the list that opens, look for "Proximity sensor" or "Proximation sensor." Click on it. You'll see a screen with two values: "Near" (close) and "Far" (far), and a digital metric. Put your palm to the top of the screen without touching it. The numbers should change, and the status switch from Far to Near. If there is no reaction, or the values jump chaotically, you may need hardware repair or a deep reset.

• 📱 A value of "0.0" usually means that the sensor is closed or defective.
• 📈 The normal value in the Far state must be greater than 5.0 (depending on calibration).
• 🔄 If the values do not change when you close the sensor with your finger, try restarting the device directly from this menu, if such an option is available, or through the power button.

It's important to understand the difference between software failure and physical failure. If the CIT menu sensor responds instantly and clearly, but normally it's buggy, the software problem is there. If the CIT response is not at all, or it's very sluggish, the plume inside the case may have gone out or the module itself has failed. In the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the sensor is often combined with the front camera module, which makes it difficult to replace.

Calibration of the sensor through engineering code

If testing shows that the sensor is working but not correctly, it needs to be calibrated. Xiaomi has a special calibration mode that resets the reference sensitivity values. To do this, in the same CIT engineering menu, select "Proximity sensor" and press the "Calibration" button. The screen can go out or vibrate - this is normal.

When calibrating, it's important that you don't have anything in front of the top of the screen. Put your phone on a flat surface, away from bright lights and foreign objects. The system will determine the basic values of "emptiness" and "closure." The process takes a few seconds, after which you will see a message of success or failure. If the calibration failed the first time, repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

⚠️ Warning: Do not cover the phone with your hands or create shadows over the top frame during the calibration process.This will cause the wrong reference values to be set, and the sensor will think that it is always closed.

There is also an alternative method of resetting calibration through the Recovery menu, but it is more risky for the average user. CIT-The menu sometimes has a "Clear Calibration" option that forcibly resets the sensor settings to the factory settings. The accelerometer is also recommended to be calibrated in the next menu item, since these two sensors are closely related in the algorithms of operation. MIUI.

Call settings and screen lock

Sometimes the problem isn't with the sensor itself, but with the settings of the app that controls it -- in this case, the "caller." The standard MIUI Dialer app (or Google Phone, if you've upgraded) has its own sensor settings. Open the phone app, click on three dots or a gear of settings, and select "Incoming Calls." Find the "Approximation Sensor" item and make sure it's active.

And you should also pay attention to Pocket Mode, which uses the same sensor to lock the screen in your pocket, and if it doesn't work properly, it can conflict with the conversation mode. → Lock the screen) under "Pocket mode" and experiment with turning it on and off. Sometimes a complete reset of call settings helps eliminate software conflicts.

For users who have installed third-party calling apps (like Truecaller or Google's Dialer), the situation may be different: In such applications, you need to look for settings under "Screen during call." Make sure the application is given all the necessary permissions, including access to sensors and display on top of other windows. Lack of the necessary rights in Android 10/11 (which are on the Note 8 Pro) often blocks the sensor.

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Conflict between the system caller and third-party applications is a common cause of failure. Leave only one active application to make calls.

Radical methods: resetting and flashing

If the software settings and calibration didn't work, the last software method is a complete hard reset, which will delete all your files, contacts and applications, returning your phone to the "out of the box" state. Before that, make sure to back up your phone via Mi Cloud or your computer. Reset eliminates deep errors in the registry that could damage the sensor drivers.

To perform the reset, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Reset and Reset → Reset. The phone will reboot and start a long cleaning process. Once turned on, the system will be clean, and you can check the sensor without any interference from third-party factors. If the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not see an approximation, the probability of hardware failure is 95%.

In extreme cases, when even a reset doesn't work, users resort to flashing the device through their computer using the Mi Flash Tool, which allows you to replace the system partition with drivers with a fresh and clean one. However, this is a complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader. For most users, it is easier and safer to contact the service center to replace the module.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)