The flash on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a light source for dark scenes. Current models (from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) are equipped with advanced light processing algorithms that can both save frames in difficult conditions and spoil them if you don’t set them up correctly. Many users either ignore the flash or use it “as is”, unaware that even the budget Poco or Redmi allow you to finely control intensity, color temperature and even synchronization with external light sources.
This article is not about how to simply turn on a flash (a child can do it), but about how to make it work for you, not against you. We'll break down the hidden settings in the Camera app, explain why it's sometimes better to turn off Automode, and show you how to get around typical problems, from over-lit faces to green in photos. LED-flash and how it affects the quality of the images.
Where is the flash setting in the standard camera app
On most Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, Poco and flagship lines) Xiaomi/Mi) The flash control is hidden in the Camera application interface, but its location may vary depending on the version. MIUI And the model of the device. Here's a universal way to find this option:
- Open the Camera app (the icon is usually on the home screen or in the app menu).
- Switch to Photo Mode (if you are in Video or Portrait Mode).
- In the upper right corner of the screen, find the lightning icon (🌟). On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) It can be hidden under the menu of additional parameters (three dots or a gear).
- Tap the icon to open flash settings options.
On smartphones with MIUI 14+ (For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) The flash menu might look like this:
- 🔦 Auto – The camera decides when to turn on the flash (recommended for beginners).
- 🔦 On – flash is triggered with each shot (useful for macro or shadow control).
- 🔦 Off – flash turned off (use in good lighting conditions).
- 🔦 Torchet (available on flagships) – imitation of studio light for portraits.
On the old versions. MIUI (up to 12.5) may not have Torche mode, but sometimes the option Antiglare appears - it automatically reduces the flash power when shooting through glass or in reflected light conditions.
Flash modes: when and how to use
The choice of flash mode depends not only on the lighting, but also on the type of scene you are shooting, and not always the machine can cope better than manual settings.
| Flash mode | When to use | What to avoid | Example of a scene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automobile | Low light, but not total darkness; shooting people outside at night. | Shooting through glass, photographing screens, brightly lit objects. | Indoor party, sunset on the beach. |
| On. | Complete darkness; macro photography (to highlight small details); document shooting. | Portraits from close range (risk of face relight), shooting moving objects. | Photo of the insect at night, scanning QR-darkroom. |
| Off. | Good lighting; shooting through glass; photographing screens. | Dark rooms (unless you use a tripod or night mode). | Museum by day, taking pictures of the monitor. |
| Torsche (if any) | Portrait photography for creating soft shadows and surround light. | Group photos (light falls unevenly). | Portrait against a blurred city at night. |
Note: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, when the flash is turned on in Pro mode, an additional slider is added to adjust its power (from 10% to 100%), which avoids the overlight when shooting light objects (for example, white clothes) in a dark room.
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with infrared flash (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) In Night mode, you can automatically turn on the backlight to focus. LED-flash, and it can not be turned off separately - it works only in poor lighting.
Manual setting of flash in professional mode
If you want to have full control of the light, switch to Professional (or Pro) mode in the Camera app, where the flash becomes part of the exposure trio (along with shutter speed and shutter speed). ISO), It can be set up more accurately than automatically.
Here's what we can do:
- 🔹 Flash power adjustment: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) have a 10% to 100% slider available, which is useful if the automatic flash is too bright.
- 🔹 Synchronization with shutter speed: when shuttered longer 1/30c flash can create blur. Reduce shutter speed to 1/60s–1/250c.
- 🔹 Color temperature: in Pro mode, you can compensate for cold light LED-flashes by adding warm tones in the white balance settings (move the slider sideways) 2500K–4000K).
Example of settings for a portrait in a dark room:
Mode: Pro
ISO: 400–800
Exposure: 1/60c
Aperture: f/1.9 (if supported)
Flash: 30-50% power
White balance: 3500K (for warm light)On the double-engine models. LED-flash (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro mode allows you to choose which lamp is active, warm or cold, which helps to avoid green or blue in the photos.
Check the cleanliness of the lens and flash (dust and dirt scatter light)
Turn it off. HDR (It can conflict with the outbreak)
Reduce. ISO Up to 200-400 for noise reduction
Use the shutter speed no longer. 1/60c for moving objects-->
Typical flash problems and how to fix them
Even on top-end Xiaomi models, flash can be unpredictable, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
1. The illuminated faces in the portraits
The reason: the flash is too close to the lens, and the light falls directly on the face, "burning" the parts.
Decision:
- 👤 Step 1-1.5 meters away from the object.
- 👤 Use Torche mode (if any) or reduce flash power manually.
- 👤 Cover the flash with a thin white napkin to scatter light (improvised softbox).
2. Green or blue hue in the photo
Reason: discrepancy between the flash color temperature and ambient light (especially noticeable in mixed lighting).
Decision:
- 🎨 In Pro mode, set the white balance on 4000K–5000K.
- 🎨 Turn off automatic color correction in camera settings.
- 🎨 Use an external light source (such as a desk lamp) to align the color temperature.
3.The flash does not work in Auto mode
Reason: Algorithms MIUI They can block the flash if they think the lighting is sufficient (even if it seems dark).
Decision:
- ⚡ Forced to turn on the flash (on mode.).
- ⚡ Restart the camera (close and open the app again).
- ⚡ Check if Night mode is on – it may conflict with flash.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi 10), the flash may fail due to contaminated contact between the motherboard and the other. LED-If the problem persists after resetting the camera settings, contact the service center.
Why does Xiaomi 13 Ultra flash flash twice?
Flash video: features and limitations
Shooting video with a flash on Xiaomi has a number of nuances, which few people know:
- 🎥 On most models (except flagships), the flash only works when resolution is reached. 1080p — into 4K It shuts down automatically due to overheating.
- 🎥 Flash in the video does not flash, but burns constantly, which quickly discharges the battery and heats the case.
- 🎥 On Poco. F5 redmi K60 When the flash is turned on, video stabilization is turned off.
If you need to light up a scene while shooting, consider alternatives:
- 💡 Use an external light source (such as an annular lamp or flashlight).
- 💡 Turn on Night for Video – it handles noises better in the dark than a constant flash.
- 💡 Reduce video resolution to 1080p 30fps, if the outbreak is critical.
On Xiaomi 14 Pro appeared the function of adaptive backlight for video: the camera analyzes the scene and adjusts the brightness LED-However, this option only works in Video Pro mode and is not available in all regions.
💡
If you often have to shoot videos in the dark, install the Open Camera app from Google Play, which allows you to flexibly configure the flash even on budget Redmis, where the standard camera limits functionality.
Hidden flash chips on Xiaomi: what is not written in the instructions
The manufacturer doesn’t advertise all the flash features on Xiaomi, but some of them can be useful:
- Flash like a flashlight: on most models you can turn on a constant light LED-You can do this by opening the camera. You can turn on the video mode. You can activate the flash. 🌟). Close the camera, the lights will remain on (until you turn off the screen or force the app to close). MIUI 12-14, but can drain the battery in 1-2 hours.
- Sync with smart watches: If you have a Xiaomi Watch or Mi Band, you can configure remote flash control via the Mi Remote app (useful for group photos).
- Color filters: on flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13) in Professional mode, you can apply a colored gel on the flash (red, blue, green) for creative effects.
On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the flash supports the Stroboscope mode for shooting moving objects (available through an engineering menu or third-party apps like GCam).
How to improve flash photos: post-processing and alternatives
Even a perfectly tuned flash doesn't always give you the perfect result. Here's how to improve the photos after you shoot them:
- 📸 Noise reduction: Use Google Photos or Snapseed to remove digital noise (especially noticeable at high altitudes). ISO).
- 📸 Exposure correction: In Lightroom Mobile, reduce shutter speed and contrast to save overlit areas.
- 📸 Color correction: if the photo is green, add magenta in the Tone/Saturation settings.
If the flash is constantly spoiling footage, consider alternatives:
- 🌙 Night mode: on Xiaomi, it often performs better than flash in low light conditions (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ Night mode works up to 30 seconds on a tripod).
- 🌙 External light sources: even budget LED-A panel or ring lamp will give a softer and more uniform light than a built-in flash.
- 🌙 Mode "Moon": on some models (for example, Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) has a specialized mode for shooting in very low light without flash.
💡
Night mode on Xiaomi uses multi-frame shooting algorithms and can give more detailed photos in the dark than a flash, but for moving objects it is not suitable - it will be blurred.