Where is the proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: location, inspection and repair

Introduction: why you need a sensor approach in a smartphone

The proximity sensor is one of those small but critical components of a smartphone that users only remember when it stops working. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, this sensor is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone conversation when you bring the device to your ear, without which you risk accidentally pressing buttons on your face or activating functions during a call.

The sensor problems are different: the screen doesn't go out when you call, the touchscreen goes off accidentally, or the display goes off too early, interrupting dialing. In this article, we'll look at where the proximity sensor is in the Redmi Note 8, how to check it for performance and what to do if it fails. You'll also learn whether you can clean or replace the sensor yourself without going to the service center.

Note that the design of the Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) is different from the newer Xiaomi models, so instructions for the Redmi Note 9 or POCO X3 will not work here.

Where is the proximity sensor in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: the exact location

In the Redmi Note 8, the proximity sensor is integrated into the top of the display module, next to the front camera and speaker, and specifically, it is located under the screen glass, to the left of the selfie camera, if you look at the phone in the standard position (the speaker on top), visually it is not visible — the sensor is hidden under a black masking film, but its position can be determined by a small hole in the screen frame.

To get a better idea of where to look for a sensor, look at the top of the smartphone:

• 📱 Front camera - located in the center in the screen notch ("drop").
• 🔊 Speaker – to the right of the camera (if you hold the phone vertically).
• 👁️ The proximity sensor is on the left of the camera, under the glass, and is usually marked by a barely noticeable dot or a small circular hole in the frame.
• 💡 Light sensor – often located next to the proximity sensor (sometimes they are combined into one module).

The Redmi Note 8 uses an infrared proximity sensor that emits and picks up the reflected signal, and if you shine a flashlight at right angles to the top of the screen, you can see a slight flicker in the area of the sensor, and that's the infrared emitter.

How to check the proximity sensor for performance

Before you take your phone apart or carry it for repair, make sure the sensor is the problem, not the software failure.

Method 1: Testing through the Engineering Menu

The most reliable method is to use a hidden engineering menu (CIT).

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484## (or #4636## → "Equipment Testing").
3. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor).
4. Put your hand to the top of the screen, and the value should change from 5 (far) to 0 (close).

If the values do not change or the sensor shows 1 regardless of the position of the hand, the sensor is defective.

Method 2: Checking through applications

Install one of the specialized applications for sensor testing, such as:

• 📱 Phone Doctor Plus (Shows the status of all sensors).
• 🔍 Sensor Test (represents values in real time).
• 🛠️ CPU-Z (Sensors" tab").

In these programs, the proximity sensor is usually designated as Proximity Sensor or PS Sensor. Normal values are 0-5 cm (close) and 5 + cm (far).

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If the sensor is unstable, try calibrating it through the engineering menu (##6484## → "Calibration").

Method 3: Visual Testing During a Call

The simplest, but less accurate method is:

1. Call another phone or use a voice assistant.
2. Hold the Redmi Note 8 to your ear, and the screen should go out in 1-2 seconds.
3. Take the phone away, the screen will light up again.

If the screen does not respond or is triggered with a delay, the problem may be in the sensor, firmware or protective film (we will discuss this below).

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware (e.g., custom) MIUI) The proximity sensor can be turned off in the settings. Check the path: Settings → System applications → Phone. → Incoming challenges → Approximation sensor.

Causes of failure of the proximity sensor

If the tests show that the sensor is not working, the reasons may be both hardware and software.

The most common cause is sensor contamination, where you get dust, sweat, or glue from the protective film, from the speaker and camera, and you get into the sensor hole, and this leads to false positives or complete failure.

Another common problem is damage after a fall, and a hit can disrupt the sensor plume's contact with the motherboard, in which case the screen can work, but the sensor can't.

⚠️ Warning: If you've recently glued a security glass or film, make sure it doesn't cover the sensor hole. Even a transparent film can block the infrared signal. Try temporarily removing it and repeating the test.

How to Clean Up the Approach Sensor in Redmi Note 8

If the problem is pollution, you can try cleaning the sensor yourself.

• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher).
• 🧻 Cotton swabs (better wooden, not plastic).
• 🔦 Lantern (for illumination).
• 🧲 Plastic blade (for careful slashing of glass, if required).

Step-by-step:

Important: Do not use metal objects or abrasive materials - they can scratch the glass or damage the sensor. If the contamination is severe (for example, moisture has got), it may be necessary to disassemble the phone for deep cleaning.

If the sensor doesn't work after cleaning, it's probably a hardware fault, which would require a diagnostic at the service center or a replacement of the display module (since the sensor is soldered into it).

Replacement of the proximity sensor: what you need to know

In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, the proximity sensor is not a separate replaceable part – it is soldered into the display module, which means that when the sensor fails, you will have to change the entire screen, which is much more expensive than replacing a separate sensor in older smartphones.

The cost of a new display module for the Redmi Note 8 (original or high-quality analogue) is approximately 3 000-5 000 rubles (2026), self-replacement is possible, but requires experience with soldering equipment and accuracy when disconnecting the plumes.

If you decide to replace, consider:

• 🔧 You will need a special set for disassembly (suction cups, plastic shoulder blades, screwdrivers). T3/T4).
• 🔥 A hair dryer or thermoplatform is needed to soften the display glue.
• 📱 The new display module must be compatible with the model M1908C3JG (Redmi Note 8).
• 🔄 After replacement, the sensor may need to be calibrated through the engineering menu.

If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center, and if you don't replace them properly, you can damage the battery plume or the motherboard, which can be even more expensive.

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Replacing the display module in the Redmi Note 8 automatically solves the proximity sensor problem, as the new screen comes with a soldered sensor.

Frequent questions about the proximity sensor in the Redmi Note 8