Calibration of the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Mi 10T: a complete guide with solutions to typical problems

The proximity sensor in the Xiaomi Mi 10T is a small but critical component that shuts down the screen during phone calls. When it doesn't work properly, you run into annoying problems: random taps on the screen with your cheek, a non-switching display when you hold the phone to your ear, or a black screen that doesn't respond to the device's withdrawal, symptoms that are often mistakenly attributed to software failures, even though 80 percent of the time the sensor's calibration is to blame.

Mi 10T owners often face this problem after a firmware update, mechanical damage (for example, after a fall), or even a banal replacement of the protective glass. Fortunately, in most cases, calibrating the proximity sensor does not require a visit to the service center - it can be done independently in 5-10 minutes. In this article, we will analyze all available methods, from standard MIUI settings to the engineering menu and manual adjustment through ADB.

Signs of malfunction of the proximity sensor

Before you start calibrating, it is important to make sure that the problem is really related to the sensor, not a software failure or hardware breakdown.

• 📱 The screen does not go out when you bring the phone to your ear during a call (the risk of accidental pressing).
• 🌑 The screen does not turn on after removing the phone from the ear, you have to press the power button.
• 🔄 Spontaneously turning on/off the screen when talking.
• 🛠️ Message "Approximation sensor does not respond" in diagnostic utilities.

If you have any of these signs on a regular basis, it's likely that the sensor needs calibration, but don't rush right into the settings, check if the sensor is being affected by a protective film or glass, because the Mi 10T uses an infrared proximity sensor that can be blocked by opaque or thick coatings, and try temporarily removing the protection and testing the phone, and if the problem is gone, you'll have to pick up a thinner glass.

Another nuance: In rare cases, sensor failures are caused by conflicts with third-party applications, especially those that control calls or screens (such as programs to record conversations or lock the screen). Before calibrating, load the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode) and check if the problem persists. If so, start setting up the sensor.

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To quickly check the sensor, type the code ##6484## in the phone keyboard and open the sensor test, where you can see the response of the proximity sensor in real time.

Method 1: Calibration through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most users and do not require technical skills.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the About Phone section. → All characteristics.
3. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
4. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
5. Scroll down and find the proximity sensor calibration option (in some versions of MIUI, it may be called proximity sensor setting).
6. Follow the instructions on the screen: you usually need to put the phone on a flat surface and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 10–30 seconds).

Once calibrated, be sure to restart the phone, which will help to fix the changes. If the calibration option is not in the developer menu, this may mean that:

• 📱 Your version. MIUI Does not support this function (relevant to older builds).
• 🔧 The sensor is physically damaged and needs to be replaced.
• 🛡️ On the phone installed custom recovery or firmware that removed this option.

Make sure the phone has enough charge (minimum 30%)|Remove the cover and the protective glass|Close all background applications|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (to download updates if required)-->

Method 2: Manual calibration through an engineering menu

If the standard method didn’t work, try using the Engineering Mode, a hidden section available on all Xiaomi smartphones, but it should be handled carefully – wrong actions can lead to failures.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination ##36446337## (or #4636### for some versions).
3. Select Hardware Testing → Sensor → Proximity Sensor.

In this menu you will see the current readings of the sensor:

• The "0" value is the sensor does not detect obstacles (the screen must be turned on).
• 1 - The sensor detects an obstacle (the screen must turn off).

To calibrate the sensor:

1. Put the phone on the table with the screen up.
2. Press Calibrate (or Do Calibration in some versions).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the phone can vibrate).
4. Check the sensor response by holding your hand to the top of the screen (where the sensor is located).

Attention: if after calibration the sensor shows "1" in the absence of obstacles or "0" with the upper part closed by the palm, this indicates a hardware malfunction, in which case the calibration is useless - a replacement of the sensor is required.

Method 3: Calibration through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn't work, you can try calibrating the sensor through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, and the advantage of the method is that it allows you to manually set sensor thresholds, which is useful for "floating" failures.

First, prepare everything you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 📱 Initiated Debugging Mode USB developer-setting.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command prompt (or terminal) in the ADB folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is determined, you will see its serial number.
3. Get the current sensor values: adb shell dumpsys sensorservice In the output, find the proximity block - there will be maxRange and resolution parameters.
4. Set new thresholds (example for Mi) 10T): adb shell settings put system proximity_delay 1000 adb shell settings put system proximity_offset 2.0 Here. proximity_delay — delay in reaction (in ms) and proximity_offset — sensitivity.
5. Restart the phone and check the sensor.

If you are not sure about the parameters, you can reset the sensor settings to the factory:

adb shell settings delete system proximity_delay


adb shell settings delete system proximity_offset

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ADB-Calibration is the most flexible method, but it requires caution. Wrong values can make the sensor even less sensitive. Start with minimal changes (e.g., reduce the sensitivity of the sensor). proximity_delay on 100–200 miss-at-a-time).

Verification of calibration results

After any calibration, you need to make sure that the sensor is working correctly.

1. Call another phone or use a voice assistant to simulate a call.
2. Hold the phone to your ear – the screen should go out instantly (without delay of more than 1 second).
3. Take the phone away - the screen should turn on within 0.5-1 seconds.
4. Repeat the test 3-5 times, changing the angle of the phone.

If the screen behaves unpredictably (for example, it goes out with a delay or does not turn on after a diversion), try:

• 🔄 Repeat calibration by another method (e.g. after the ADB Try the engineering menu).
• 📲 Reset your phone settings (without deleting data) via Settings → System system → Resetting settings.
• 🔧 Update the firmware to the latest version - in new builds MIUI Often fix sensor bugs.

Third-party applications such as Sensor Test or Phone Tester can be used to make the diagnosis more accurate, and they show real-time graphs of the sensor’s response, which helps detect floating failures.

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If the sensor is perfectly sensing after calibration, but it fails during real calls, check the settings of the Phone app. Sometimes the problem is with the "Block Screen During Call" option, which you need to manually turn on.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after successful calibration, Xiaomi Mi 10T users sometimes face recurring problems, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods helped, it is worth considering the hardware reasons:

• 💧 Moisture falling under the screen (even if the phone didn't sink, condensation could damage the sensor).
• 🔨 Mechanical damage after falling (even if there are no cracks, the sensor plume could have moved away).
• ⚡ Firmware problems after a failed update or rooting.

In these cases, self-repair is not possible – contact the Xiaomi service center.

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Before visiting the service, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. Replacing the proximity sensor with the Mi 10T takes 1-2 hours and costs about 1500-2500 rubles (depending on the region).

Prevention of problems with the proximity sensor

To avoid repeated failures, follow these guidelines:

• 🛡️ Use only high-quality security glass with a sensor cutout. Cheap films can block infrared signals.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Often optimize the sensors.
• 🚫 Avoid mechanical stress on the top of the phone (do not put it down on hard surfaces).
• 🧹 Clean the sensor from dust and dirt with a soft napkin dipped in alcohol (no more than 1 time per month).

It is also useful to periodically check the sensor through the engineering menu (every 2-3 months).If you notice that the screen has become slower to respond to the approach, do not wait for a complete failure - timely calibration will prevent serious failures.

For users who often face sensor problems, Sensor Box for Android is a utility that allows you to monitor all the sensors of the phone in real time and record the slightest deviations in their work.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

If your question isn't covered in the FAQ, try searching for a solution on topic forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers by specifying the phone model (Mi 10T) and firmware version. Often users share unique problem-solving techniques specific to specific MIUI builds.