How to disable the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on Android?

How to disable the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To disable the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on your Android device, you'll need to adjust the settings within the app itself as there is no direct option to turn off this feature through WhatsApp settings alone. However, you can try using third-party apps designed for managing sensors on Android devices, which may offer more control over the proximity sensor functionality.

How to disable the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Disabling the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on an Android device can be a useful technique for users who experience issues with the sensor interfering with their calls or messages. The proximity sensor is designed to turn off the screen and disable touch input when the phone is brought close to the face, such as during a call. However, in some cases, the sensor may malfunction, causing the screen to remain black or become unresponsive.

To disable the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on an Android device, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Access Safe Mode: The first step is to boot your Android device into Safe Mode. This mode allows you to diagnose and resolve issues with third-party applications, including those that might interfere with the proximity sensor.

    • Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
    • Long press on the "Power off" option until a prompt asking if you want to enter Safe Mode appears.
    • Tap "OK" to confirm and wait for your device to restart in Safe Mode.
  2. Check Proximity Sensor Functionality: Once in Safe Mode, open WhatsApp and make a call to test whether the proximity sensor issue is resolved. If the problem persists, it indicates that the issue might be related to a third-party app or setting.
  3. Disable Third-Party Applications: If the proximity sensor works correctly in Safe Mode but not in normal mode, a third-party application may be causing the interference. To identify the culprit:

    • Go to "Settings" > "Apps".
    • Tap on the three-dot menu (usually located at the top right corner) and select "Reset app preferences".
    • Confirm your action and restart your device. This will disable all third-party apps temporarily.
  4. Re-enable Applications One by One: After restarting, re-enable your applications one by one to determine which one is causing the issue. Once you identify the problematic app, consider uninstalling it or checking for updates.
  5. Clear WhatsApp Cache and Data: If disabling third-party apps does not resolve the issue, try clearing the cache and data for WhatsApp itself:

    • Go to "Settings" > "Apps".
    • Find and tap on WhatsApp.
    • Tap on "Storage" and then "Clear Cache".
    • If the problem persists, tap on "Clear Data" (note that this will delete your WhatsApp data, so ensure you have backups).
  6. Check for System Updates: Ensure your Android device is up to date with the latest system updates, as these often include bug fixes and improvements related to hardware functionality:

    • Go to "Settings" > "System".
    • Tap on "System Update" and follow the prompts if an update is available.
  7. Hard Reset (Optional): As a last resort, you can perform a hard reset of your device. This will erase all data, so ensure you have backups:

    • Go to "Settings" > "Backup and Reset".
    • Tap on "Factory Data Reset" and confirm the action.

By following these steps, you should be able to disable or resolve issues related to the proximity sensor in WhatsApp on your Android device.