Calibration of the proximity sensor on Xiaomi: when you need and how to do it correctly

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi smartphones is a small but critical component that is responsible for turning off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear. If it doesn't work properly, you'll encounter random taps during a conversation, spontaneous switching on of the screen in your pocket, or a dead display that doesn't respond to touch. In 80 percent of cases, simple calibration, a procedure that can be done on your own without disassembling the device, solves the problem.

In this article, we will discuss why the sensor starts to “glutch”, how to check its performance using hidden menus. MIUI, And we'll go through all the calibration methods, from standard tools in the settings to manual methods through the engineering menu, and you'll also learn where calibration is useless and the phone needs repair. POCO base MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

Signs of malfunction of the proximity sensor

Before you start calibrating, make sure that the problem is in the sensor, not in software failure or mechanical damage.

• 📵 The screen doesn’t go out when you call when you hold your phone to your ear (the most common sign).
• 👆 The screen spontaneously turns on in a pocket or bag, draining the battery.
• 🔄 The sensor is triggered with a delay (for example, the screen goes out only 2-3 seconds after the phone is lifted).
• 🚫 The “Raise to Wake” function is not stable.
• 📱 In some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), the screen does not turn off during voice calls.

If you see any of these symptoms, you're 90 percent likely to have a proximity sensor problem, but before calibrating, rule out other causes:

• 🛡️ A protective film or a case, a tight, high-sided case or a thick film can block the sensor signal.
• 🔄 Software failure. Sometimes sensor glitches cause updates. MIUI Or third-party apps. Restart your phone and check it.
• 💥 Mechanical damage. If the phone fell or was exposed to moisture, the sensor could physically fail, and then calibration won't help.

How to check the operation of the proximity sensor

Before you calibrate the sensor, make sure it is really faulty. Use built-in MIUI tools or third-party apps to do this.

Method 1: Test through the engineering menu (no root)

Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden engineering menu where you can test all the sensors, including the proximity sensor.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484##.
2. If the code didn’t work, try the alternative: ##4636## → select “Equipment Testing.”
3. In the list of sensors, find the item “Proximity Sensor”** and tap it.
4. Hold your hand to the top of the screen (where the hearing aid is located). If the sensor is working, you will see a change in values from 5.0 cm to 0.0 cm.

If the values do not change or are displayed incorrectly (e.g. always 0.0 cm), the sensor needs to be calibrated or replaced.

Method 2: Checking with Sensor Test

If the engineering menu is not available, install the Sensor Test app from Google Play (such as Phone Tester or CPU-Z).

1. Run the sensor test.
2. Find the Proximity block (may be called the Proximity Sensor).
3. Put your hand to the top of the phone, and the sensor should show "Covered" or 0, and when you remove your hand, it should show "Uncovered" or 5.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) the sensor can show the inverses: 0 when it's not blocking, and 1 when it's near.

Calibration Preparation: What to Do in Advance

Calibration of the proximity sensor is a safe procedure, but take a few steps before you perform it to avoid errors:

Remove the cover and protective film from the top of the phone |

Close all background apps (especially messengers and calls)|

Charge your phone at least 30% |

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (some methods require file downloads)|

Backup important data (in case of resetting settings)-->

Also consider the following nuances:

• 🔋 If the battery is under 15 percent, the phone may shut down during calibration, causing it to fail.
• 📶 Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi during calibration (unless required for the procedure) incoming calls or notifications may interrupt the process.
• 🛠️ If you use MIUI Root-rights, disable Magisk or other modifications – they can interfere with correct calibration.

Important: Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50) may need to reboot after calibration. Don't be alarmed - that's okay.

Methods of calibrating the proximity sensor on Xiaomi

There are several calibration methods available, from simple (through standard settings) to advanced (through an engineering menu or ADB), starting with the easiest and moving on to the complex if the problem is not solved.

Method 1: Automatic calibration through settings (for MIUI 12–14)

The latest versions of MIUI have a built-in automatic sensor calibration feature to run:

1. Open “Settings”** → “About the phone”.

If this item is missing, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Manual calibration through the engineering menu

This is a versatile method that works on most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 11, POCO F4 and others.

1. Enter the phone app** code ##6484##.

On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Lite), after calibration through the engineering menu, you need to reset the sensor settings to the factory ones.

Method 3: Calibration through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can try calibration using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause your phone to malfunction. If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this method.

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If the sensor stopped working after calibrating through ADB, follow the command adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.REBOOT --ez now true to restart the phone in safe mode. This often solves sensor problems.

Method 4: Reset sensor settings to factory

If the calibration didn't work, try resetting the sensors, and it won't delete your data, but it will return all the sensors to factory parameters.

For this:

1. Open the engineering menu with ##36446337##.
2. Go to the Sensor section»** → «Proximity».

Once reset, the sensor should work correctly, and if the problem persists, it could be a hardware malfunction.

Table: Compatibility of calibration methods with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work on all devices, and the following is a compatibility table for popular models:

If your model is not in the table, try the methods in the order from simple to complex. New devices (2023-2026) usually run automatic calibration via MIUI.

What to do if calibration does not help

If none of the methods solves the problem, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔧 Hardware malfunction of the sensor, in which case the module in the service center is required to be replaced, the cost of repair is from 800 to 2500 rubles depending on the model.
• 💻 Software conflict: Some applications (like Second Space or Game Turbo) can block the sensor.
• 🔄 If your phone has recently been updated, try to roll back to the previous version. MIUI Or reflash it through Fastboot.
• 🚰 Even if the phone didn't sink, condensation or high humidity could have oxidized the contacts of the sensor, and then only repairs would help.

Also check if experimental features are included in the Developer Settings:

1. Open “Settings” → “Additional” → “Developers”.

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

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If the sensor stopped working after the phone fell or moisture hit, calibration won't help - it requires diagnostics at the service center. Self-repair can exacerbate the problem.

Prevention: How to avoid sensor problems in the future

To ensure that the proximity sensor works stably, follow these recommendations:

• 💧 Do not use your phone in wet conditions (such as in the bathroom or in the rain).

It is also useful to periodically check the sensor through the engineering menu (every 2-3 months), which will help to identify the problem at an early stage.

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If you make frequent calls in poor communication conditions (such as the subway), the proximity sensor may fire more often than usual due to vibrations, in which case turn off the "Raise to wake up" function in the screen settings to reduce the load on the sensor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)