Accelerometer and gyroscope in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: the principle of operation, configuration and diagnosis of malfunctions

Have you ever wondered how your Xiaomi Redmi realizes that you've turned the screen, played a tilt race or used augmented reality? Two key sensors are responsible for this - an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Without them, modern smartphones would lose half of their functions, from automatically rotating the screen to accurately tracking movements in games.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how these sensors work in Redmi devices (from the budget Redmi). 10A up to the flagship Redmi K60 Pro), why they sometimes fail, and what to do if the sensors start to "glutch." You'll also learn how to check their performance without special tools and whether you can calibrate the sensors manually!

What is an accelerometer and a gyroscope: just about complex

Let's start with the basics. The accelerometer is a sensor that measures the linear acceleration of a phone in three axes: X (left-right), Y (back-to-back), and Z (up-down).

• 📱 The tilt of the device (for example, when you hold the phone to your ear)
• 💨 Shaking (for functions like "rewind song»)
• 🚀 Falling (to lock the hard drive in laptops or turn on emergency mode)

And the gyroscope is responsible for angular acceleration, which tracks how fast and which way the phone is turning. PUBG Mobile and tilt the device to aim, or use Google Street View in mode AR. The gyroscope works together with the accelerometer, but it captures rotations much more accurately.

In Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, these sensors are usually represented by chips from Bosch (for example, BMI160 or BMA456) or STMicroelectronics (LSM6DS3). Budget models can use simplified versions without a gyroscope (for example, in Redmi). 9A It is not available, but most devices in the line are equipped with both sensors.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi model does not have a gyroscope, don’t be surprised that the games are supported. VR/AR It's a clumsy thing. 11 It has a gyroscope and Redmi. 10C — no.

Where to use motion sensors in Xiaomi Redmi

You might be surprised to learn that the accelerometer and gyroscope are involved in almost all smartphone use cases.

In Redmi models with Mi AirDots support, the accelerometer is used to automatically connect the headphones — just open the case cover and the phone will immediately detect them. This works thanks to a combination of the motion sensor and Bluetooth Low Energy.

How to check the work of the accelerometer and gyroscope

If you notice that the screen is not turning, the games are floating, or the pedometer shows ridiculous numbers, the first thing you need to do is test the sensors.

Method 1: Xiaomi's built-in tests

1. Open the Phone application and dial the combination:

##6484##

This will trigger the Mi Testing Tool menu (works on most Redmis with the same name). MIUI 12 and newer).

2. Select the Accelerometer Sensor and Gyroscope Sensor. Ideally, the graphics should respond to the movements of the phone smoothly, without jerking.

Method 2: Apps from Google Play

Install one of these apps (all free):

• 📊 Sensor Test (from Keuwlsoft) – shows the values of all sensors in real time
• 🎯 Gyroscope (from Smart Tools) - a test of the accuracy of a gyroscope
• 📱 CPU-Z — in the Sensors section shows the models of the chips used

Normal performance for Redmi:

• Accelerometer: horizontally, the values on the Z axis should be close to 9.81 m/s2 (free fall acceleration).
• Gyroscope: At rest, all axes show 0.00 rad/s (or close to zero).

⚠️ Note: If the accelerometer values are "floating" more than ±0.5 m/s2 without phone movements, this is a sign of sensor malfunction or interference from a magnetic field (for example, near speakers or battery).

💡

Before testing, put the phone on a flat surface (for example, a table) and wait for the stabilization of the readings - this will help to exclude false positives.

Typical sensor problems and their causes

Xiaomi Redmi users are most often faced with the following “glitch”:

• 🔄 The screen does not turn automatically - fault in the operation of the accelerometer or software lock (for example, in the settings turned off autorotor).
• 🎮 Games “twitch” or do not respond to tilts – a problem with the gyroscope or its calibration (especially after the phone falls).
• 🚶 The stepmer shows overestimated / underestimated data - the accelerometer is contaminated or requires recalibration.
• 🌀 AR-Apps “float” or not run – sensor conflict or outdated firmware.

The reasons can be divided into two groups:

The most common hardware problem is the drop of sensor contacts after impact. In the Redmi Note series and Redmi K, the accelerometer and gyroscope are often located next to the camera, so a fall on the back can disable both modules.

How to Calibrate Sensors in Xiaomi Redmi

If the tests show that the sensors work but are not accurate, try recalibrating them, which in most cases solves problems with auto-rotation and swimming in games.

Place your phone on a perfectly flat surface (like a glass table)|Open the engineering menu with code ##6484##|Select Accelerometer Calibration and Gyroscope Calibration|Follow the instructions on the screen (usually turn the phone in different directions)|Restart the device after calibration-->

For models without an engineering menu (e.g. Redmi) 12C) Use the GPSTest app (from BarbeauDev):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Go to the Sensors section.
3. Press Calibrate next to the accelerometer and gyroscope.
4. Repeat calibration 2-3 times for accuracy.

If calibration doesn’t help, try resetting sensor settings through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Resetting the application settings, which will clear the cache of the system services that handle sensor data.

💡

Calibration only helps with software failures, and if the sensor is physically damaged (for example, after a fall), it can only be replaced.

What to do if the sensors are not working

If tests show that the accelerometer or gyroscope does not respond at all, follow the algorithm:

1. Check the settings: 🔄 Make sure the autoturn is not turned off in the notification curtain. 📱 B Settings → Screen. → The autoturn must be switched on.

Update the firmware:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest version MIUI. In some updates, Xiaomi fixes sensor bugs (for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro).+ post-update MIUI 14 fixes gyroscope lags).

Reset the settings:

Go to Settings. → Memory. → Backup and reset → Resetting (select Reset all settings, but don't delete data!) will return the sensors' factory settings.

Check for viruses:

Some malicious apps block access to sensors.Scan your phone through Google Play Protection or Malwarebytes.

If nothing has worked, there are two options:

• 🔧 Fastboot (instructions for Redmi are available on the phone) 4PDA). This is a radical method, but it often solves problems with hardware that conflicts with software.
• 🛠️ At Xiaomi Redmi, motion sensors are usually soldered into the motherboard, so replacing them requires a soldering station and experience. The average cost of repair is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles.

⚠️ Note: In Redmi models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 10 on Helio) G88) Sensor failures are sometimes associated with processor drivers, in which case only a complete flashing with cleaning dalvik-cache will help.

Comparison of sensors in different models Xiaomi Redmi

Not all Redmis have the same sensors, but here's a comparison table for popular models:

If you are interested in the accuracy of sensors (for example, for professional users). AR-In applications or tilt races, you can choose models with InvenSense or STMicroelectronics chips, which are more expensive but more stable in extreme conditions (such as vibration or sudden movements).

FAQ: Frequent questions about sensors in Xiaomi Redmi