How to turn off the drop sensor on Xiaomi devices: the full guide

The drop sensor in Xiaomi devices is a useful security feature that automatically alerts emergency contacts when a sharp fall or impact occurs. However, many users face a situation where the response is false: during active sports, sudden movements or even when the phone falls from the couch. If you are tired of constant notifications about the “fall” or want to save battery power, turning off this sensor can be the solution.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to deactivate the drop sensor on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO smartphones, as well as on the Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch smartwatches. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), as well as the risks that should be considered before turning off. If you are not sure if you need it, at the end of this article there is a checklist that will help you make an informed decision.

What is a drop sensor and how does it work?

Fall Detection is a hardware-software system that analyzes data from an accelerometer, gyroscope, and (in some models) a barometer. The algorithm determines the nature of the device's movement: free fall, sudden stop (hit) and subsequent immobility. If the user does not cancel the alarm for 30 to 60 seconds, the system sends an SMS or notification to pre-specified contacts with location coordinates.

The feature first appeared in the Mi Band 4 and smartphones on MIUI 11, but the maximum accuracy was obtained in the Xiaomi Watch S1 and flagships of the Xiaomi 12/13 series. It is important to understand that the drop sensor is not a separate physical module, but software processing of data from existing sensors (accelometer and gyroscope), which are also responsible for autorotation of the screen, pedometer and gestures.

• 📱 Smartphones: Xiaomi 11/12/13/14, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Black Shark (on gaming models, the feature is often disabled by default).
• ⌚ Smart watch: Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3, Mi Watch, Mi Band 7/8 Pro (on budget fitness bracelets runs a simplified version).
• ⚙️ Requirements: You need enabled Geodata, Mobile Internet (or Wi-Fi) and permission to send SMS.

False positives most often occur in the following situations:

• 🏃 When running or jumping (especially with a device in hand).
• 🚗 In transport (sharp braking, pits on the road).
• 🎮 During active games with sharp movements of the controller (if the phone is lying next to you).
• 🛏️ When the phone falls from a low height (for example, from the bed to the floor).

Ways to disable the drop sensor on Xiaomi smartphones

On Xiaomi smartphones, the drop function can be implemented in two ways: through standard MIUI settings or through the Mi Safety Center app (in newer versions – Security).

Method 1: Through MIUI Security Settings

This method works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Pa section.SSWORD & SECURITY (or security on Russian-language firmware).
3. Select a point. SOS-call-up.
4. Find the Fall Detection option and move the slider to the Off position.

If the Detect Fall option is not in this menu, then the function is managed through the Mi Safety Center (see the following method).

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure you have administrator rights (if the phone is corporate)

Make a backup of contacts (in case of resetting)

Battery charge > 20% (to avoid sudden shutdown)-->

Method 2: Mi Safety Center Application

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K50), the feature is hidden in a separate app to disable it:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon with a tick).
2. Go to the SOS tab or Emergency Features.
3. Find the Fall Detection section and click on it.
4. Turn off the Automatic Detection option.
5. Confirm the action by clicking OK in the dialog box.

If the function continues to work after disabling, try clearing the Security app cache:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security → Storage → Clear cache

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On some firmware (e.g. global EU), the drop function may be called Emergency Rescue or Accident Detection. If you don't find the right item, use the settings search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on custom firmware), you can turn off the function via ADB. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global fall_detection_enabled 0
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, use standard shutdown methods.

Disabling the drop sensor on smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi

On wearable devices Xiaomi algorithm for detecting falls works differently: it analyzes not only movement, but also heart rate (HR). For example, if after a fall the pulse sharply increases or, conversely, falls, the watch considers this a potential danger.

Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3 and Mi Watch

Instructions:

1. Open the Zepp Life app (or Mi Fitness for older models).
2. Select your watch from the list of devices.
3. Go to the Device Profile → Security settings.
4. Find the Detect Fall and turn it off.
5. Confirm the action on the watch (you need to press the physical button).

Some watch firmware may require additional confirmation through QR-code that will appear in the appendix.

For Mi Band 7/8 Pro and other fitness bracelets

In budget models, the fall function is often simplified and can be called the "fall" function. SOS-To turn it off:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, select your bracelet.
2. Go to the Device Settings → Security.
3. Turn off the Automatic SOS or Accident Detection option.

⚠️ Note: On the Mi Band 6 and earlier models, the drop function can be tightly tied to the SOS-In this case, turning it off also deactivates the manual emergency call (by holding the button).

What to do if the drop sensor does not turn off

If you have completed all the steps, but the function continues to work, the problem may be one of the following:

If none of these methods worked, try the following alternatives:

• 🔄 Resetting security settings: Settings → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Resetting security settings (Warning: This will remove all fingerprints and PIN-code!).
• 📲 Installation of custom firmware: On forums XDA Developers have modified versions MIUI without a fall function (e.g., without a fall function, MIUI EU).
• 🛠️ Contacting the service center: If the problem is hardware (for example, a faulty accelerometer), you may need to replace the module.

Risks of turning off the drop sensor

Before you deactivate the function, evaluate the potential consequences, and the drop sensor is designed for a reason, because it can save lives in a critical situation.

• 🚑 If you fall in a deserted place (such as while hiking or cycling), the device will not automatically call for help.
• 🏔️ When practicing extreme sports (climbing, snowboarding), the risk of remaining without communication increases.
• 👵 For the elderly or people with chronic illness, turning off function can be dangerous.

If you decide to disable the sensor, consider alternatives:

• 📱 Hand-held SOS-Call: Set up a quick emergency call via triple pressing the power button (Settings) → SOS-challenge → Quick challenge).
• ⌚ Smart watch with a button SOS: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro allows you to send a distress signal manually.
• 📍 Applications from third-party developers: Emergency SOS SafeTrek offers more flexible alert settings.

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Disabling the drop sensor does not affect the performance of other sensors (stepmeter, compass, autorotation of the screen), however, on some devices, this can increase battery life by 5-10%, as the number of background processes decreases.

How to check if the drop sensor is turned off

To make sure that the function is deactivated, you can perform a test:

1. Place your phone on a soft surface (such as a sofa).
2. Raise it to a height of ~50 cm and let it go abruptly (imitation of a fall).
3. If after 30-60 seconds there is no notification of a fall, the function is disabled.

For a smartwatch, the test is a bit different:

1. Put your watch on your hand.
2. Shake your hand downwards (as if you fall).
3. If the watch does not vibrate and does not show a warning, the sensor is turned off.

⚠️ Attention: Do not run tests that actually drop the device onto a hard surface, which can damage the screen or body.

Frequently asked questions