How to find the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: location, inspection and repair

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi smartphones is a small but critical element responsible for automatically turning off the screen during phone calls. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, its malfunction manifests itself in characteristic symptoms: the screen does not go out when you lift it to the ear, random taps during a conversation or, conversely, complete blindness of the display. Many users face difficulties in finding this sensor – it is easy to confuse with a front camera or infrared port.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at where the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is located, how to visually identify it without disassembling the device, and what to do if it stops working. You’ll also learn about hidden design nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise, but which can save you time and money in the diagnosis.

Before you start looking for a sensor, it’s important to understand one key thing: the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) uses a combined module that combines the proximity and illumination sensor, which means you won’t find a separate element — it’s integrated into the top of the display, which has saved Xiaomi space but made it harder to access for repairs.

1.External location: where to look for a sensor on the front panel

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the proximity sensor is hidden under the top of the screen, in what's called a "brow" (neckout for the front camera), which is visually impossible to see with the naked eye, but you can accurately determine its position by characteristic features:

• 🔍 Left of the front camera: if you look at the screen in a vertical position, the sensor is to the left of the selfie camera lens, closer to the edge of the body.
• 📏 Distance from edge: approximately 3-4 mm from the top left corner of the screen (if you hold the phone face to face).
• 🖥️ Under the filter: on top of the sensor is covered with a translucent plastic filter that allows infrared radiation.

To make sure you're looking at the right place, turn on your phone's sensor diagnostics mode.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Type ##6484## (code may not work on some firmware).
3. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor).
4. Raise your hand to the top left of the screen – the value should change from 5 (far object) to 0 (near object).

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If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative method: install the app. CPU-Z from Google Play and check the sensor readings in the Sensors section.

If the sensor does not respond to the approach of the hand, this may indicate:

• 🛠️ Filter pollution (dust, greasy prints).
• 🔧 Damage to the plume after falling or disassembling.
• 🔄 Firmware failure (solved by resetting or flashing).

2.Inner design: what the sensor looks like under the screen

If you're considering disassembling the Redmi Note 8 Pro (for example, to clean or replace the sensor), it's important to understand the physical location of the sensor inside the device. The proximity sensor here is a microscopic chip soldered onto a flexible display plume. Here are the key details:

• 📱 Place on the plume: the sensor chip is on the top of the display, next to the connector to the motherboard.
• 🔧 Type of sensor: infrared (IR), model APDS-9960 or similar (exact model depends on the party).
• 🛡️ Protection: on top of the chip is covered with a metal screen that removes interference.

For clarity, the following is a diagram of the location of the main components under the upper frame of the screen:

Important: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the proximity and illumination sensor are combined into one module, but physically they are two different chips on the same plume, and the entire module changes when you replace it.

Diagnostics of malfunctions: how to check the sensor without disassembly

Before you take the phone apart, make sure the sensor is the problem.

1. Software-based verification: 📱 Install the Sensor Test (or similar) app from Google Play. 🔍 Start the Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor) test). 🖐️ Raise your hand to the top left of the screen – the value should change from 1 (no object) to 0 (object close).
2. Test bell-ringing: 📞 Call your phone from another device. 👂 Hold the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your ear – the screen should go out. 🔄 Take your phone away, the screen will light up again.

Pollution checks

• 🕯️ Light a flashlight on the top left of the screen at an angle – if dust or stains are visible, the sensor requires cleaning.

Install an application for sensor test|Check your reaction to the approach of the hand|Testing during the call|Check the upper frame for pollution-->

If the sensor does not respond to any of the actions, the problem may lie in:

• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts on the display plume (frequent problem after moisture is ingested).
• 🔧 Breaking of the plume (for example, after falling to a corner).
• 📱 Failure MIUI (Resolved by resetting settings or reflashing).

⚠️ Attention: If the sensor stopped working after changing the screen, most likely, the master damaged the plume or improperly connected the display module.

4. disassembly of the phone: step-by-step instruction for accessing the sensor

If you're sure there's a hardware problem, you'll have to take out the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and we warn you, it's a time-consuming process that requires precision and special tools.

• 🔧 Plastic blades (to open the body).
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (for softening glue).
• ⚡ Screwdriver T3 and T5 (for screws).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat (to avoid losing details).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-scatter-card.
2. Heat the back cover around the perimeter (temperature) with a hair dryer. ~60°C) for 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
3. Put the lid on the bottom of the lid (where the connector is). USB-C). Carefully lead the tool along the body, separating the latches.
4. Unscrew 12 screws on the inner frame (use screwdrivers) T3 and T5).
5. Disconnect the battery plume (use a plastic blade to avoid damaging the contacts).
6. Remove the metal frame covering the motherboard.
7. Carefully disconnect the display plume - the proximity sensor is on its top.

After disassembly, you'll see that the sensor is soldered into a plume. It's almost impossible to replace it separately, you'll have to change the entire display module or the entire plume. The average cost of replacing in service centers is 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region).

5.Sensor cleaning: how to remove dirt without disassembling

In 60 percent of cases, the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is affected by filter contamination, and dust, greasy prints, or remnants of protective film block the infrared signal, and the sensor stops "seeing" obstacles, and you can clean it without disassembling it.

• 🧴 Use alcohol: moisten the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) and gently wipe the top left of the screen.
• 💨 Blow in compressed air: A spray of compressed air will help remove dust from under the frame (hold the balloon vertically to avoid moisture getting in).
• 🧲 Use a magnetic napkin: special wipes for optics will help remove greasy traces.

Don't use:

• ❌ Ordinary water – can get under the screen and cause corrosion.
• ❌ Abrasive materials (such as paper wipes) – they scratch the filter.
• ❌ Acetone or solvents – will damage the oleophobic screen covering.

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If the sensor is running after cleaning, but it's not responding again after a while, the problem is the tightness of the case, and you need to replace the adhesive layer under the screen.

6. Software failures: how to return to work without repair

Sometimes the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8 Pro will stop working due to firmware failures or application conflicts.

1. Reset settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Settings reset. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files, but resets system settings).
2. Update MIUI: Check for updates in Settings → Update the system. If an update is available, install it (sometimes sensor bugs are patched in new versions).
3. Reverse Update: If the issue has occurred after the update, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions are available on the forum). 4PDA).

Remove conflicting applications

• Launch your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → "Safe regime").
• If the sensor is working in safe mode, remove the applications one by one until you find the culprit.

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the proximity sensor may not work properly due to the lack of drivers. MIUI.

7. Sensor Replacement: Cost and Alternative Solutions

If the proximity sensor on the Redmi Note 8 Pro fails, its replacement will cost depending on the method of repair:

Alternative solutions (if repair is not feasible):

• 📱 Disable the sensor in settings: in some firmwares, you can deactivate the proximity sensor, but this will lead to accidental pressing during calls.
• 🔄 Use headphones: when connected headphones, the proximity sensor is not used.
• 🛒 Buy a used phone: Redmi Note 8 Pro in the secondary market costs 8 000-12 000 rubles (2026).

8. Frequent Questions and Myths About the Approach Sensor

There are many myths surrounding the proximity sensors on Xiaomi smartphones.

• 🚫 Myth 1: “The proximity sensor can be calibrated through the engineering menu." ✅ Reality: The Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn't have a built-in calibration feature.The only way to "reset" the sensor is to restart the phone or reset the settings.
• 🚫 Myth 2: “If the sensor doesn’t work, it’s the firmware’s fault." ✅ Reality: Only 20 percent of the time is software. 80 percent is hardware (pollution, plume break).
• 🚫 Myth 3: “It is possible to replace the sensor separately from the screen." ✅ Reality: In this model, the sensor is soldered into the display plume, and a separate replacement is only possible with a microscope and a soldering station (not advisable).

If you have any doubts, check the answers to the frequent questions below: