Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become powerful content creation tools, where the quality of the front camera is crucial. However, many users encounter the same when trying to take a picture in low light conditions and do not find the usual flash button on the camera interface.
In fact, the term flash in the context of Xiaomi selfie cameras is most often understood as a software feature known as Screen Flash or Screen Flash. MIUI and the new HyperOS shell use a bright white display to illuminate the user's face at the time of shooting. This method allows for a softer and more uniform light, avoiding the sharp glare characteristic of LEDs, although it consumes more battery power.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate this feature with regular tools, consider the settings for different versions of the operating system, and also offer alternative solutions for cases where the standard camera functionality does not meet your photo quality requirements.
The principle of the screen flash on Xiaomi
The technology used in Redmi and POCO smartphones is based on a short-term increase in the brightness of the display pixels to the maximum value immediately at the moment of opening the shutter. The image processing algorithm analyzes the lighting of the scene and, if it is below a certain threshold, automatically or on the command of the user, initiates a white pulse of the screen, this creates a filling light effect that eliminates shadows on the face.
It is important to understand that the intensity of such lighting depends on the current brightness of the screen and the level of battery charge. If the system settings activated the power saving mode or automatic brightness control is aggressive, the effect of the flash may be less noticeable. MIUI Trying to balance the quality of the image and power consumption, so in some scenarios, the software may block the on-screen backlight.
⚠️ Warning: Using the screen as a flash at maximum brightness for a long time (for example, when video calls or recording video) can lead to significant heating of the device body and accelerated battery discharge.
For best results, manually set the brightness level of the display to 80-100% before shooting in the dark, and it is worth noting that the color temperature of the screen affects the final skin tone: cold colors give more sterile light, while warm colors can add yellowness.
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For a more natural skin color when shooting with a screen flash, temporarily turn off Vision Protection or Read Mode in the notification curtain before the camera starts.
Activation of the function in the standard Camera application
Enabling facelight in Xiaomi’s native camera app doesn’t usually require a deep dive into complex menus.The interface is designed to make basic features available in a single click.However, the location of controls may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS installed on your device.
To activate the mode, you need to start the Camera app and switch to the front lens by clicking on the camera icon with arrows or swiping on the screen. At the top of the interface, usually in the right corner or in the center, there is a lightning icon, which is responsible for controlling the flash. Pressing on this element cyclically switches modes: Auto, On, Off.
- ⚡ Auto – smartphone decides whether you need backlight, analyzing the lighting of the scene.
- 🔦 On-screen flash will work forcefully with each press of the down button.
- 🚫 Off – the backlight function is completely deactivated, even in the dark.
If the lightning icon is not on the camera's home screen, it may be hidden in the optional settings menu of a particular shooting mode. Try tapping the arrow at the top of the screen or swiping up to reveal the full list of parameters. In some firmware versions, the Facelight setting is placed by a separate switch in the side filter menu.
☑️ Checking flash activation
Settings depending on the version of MIUI and HyperOS
MIUI and HyperOS shells are constantly evolving, and developers often change the logic of the camera settings. In older versions, such as MIUI 12 or MIUI 13, flash control was more explicit and accessible directly from the viewfinder. In new versions, especially after the transition to HyperOS, some functions were moved to deep menus or combined with artificial intelligence algorithms.
In current firmware versions, you should pay attention to the Settings section inside the camera app (three-band icon or gear icon) and it may be "Use Screen Flash" or similar. If the standard switch does not work or is missing, this may be due to regional firmware restrictions (Global, China, EEA).
Below is a table showing the differences in the availability of the feature across different versions of the software:
| Shell version | Switch location | Features of work |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 11-12 | Main camera screen (lightning icon) | Basic lighting, often requires manual switching on |
| MIUI 13-14 | Mode menu or main screen | Improved exposure measurement algorithm |
| HyperOS 1.0+ | Integrated in AI-scenario | Automatic activation in low light |
Users who have upgraded to the latest versions are advised to check the Portrait Improvements or Beauty Mode settings, as they often hide additional lighting options that can replace or supplement the standard flash.
Hidden settings through the engineering menu
Use of third-party selfie apps
If the Xiaomi app does not provide the desired quality of backlighting or is unstable, the best solution is to install specialized software from Google Play. Third-party developers often implement more flexible algorithms for controlling the brightness of the screen, allowing you to adjust the color temperature and pulse duration.
One of the most popular solutions is the Open Camera app, which is a completely free, open source tool that supports screen flash management on most Android devices, and once installed, you go to the app's settings, select the Photo Settings section, and find Screen Flash by setting the "Enable" value.
- 📸 Open Camera is a powerful tool for advanced users with manual settings.
- 🤳 Selfie Camera – a selfie-focused app with many filters and light effects.
- 💡 Screen Flashlight – utilities that turn the screen into a permanent light source for video calls.
When using third-party software, it is important to give the application all the necessary permissions, including access to the camera and, in some cases, permission to overlay over other windows, which ensures that the program can correctly control the brightness of the display at the time of shooting.
⚠️ Note: Download camera apps only from trusted sources, such as Google Play Store.Install software from unknowns APK-files can lead to leakage of personal photos and geolocation data.
Solving problems with broken lighting
When the flash stops working suddenly, it can be caused by a software failure or process conflict. The first step in diagnosis should be to clear the Camera app cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Camera → Memory and click the Clear Cache button. This action will not delete your photos, but will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.
If cleaning the cache didn't work, check to see if the camera is blocking the "Energy Savings" mode. In this mode, the system limits the maximum brightness of the display to extend the time of operation, which makes the screen flash ineffective or completely turns it off. Switch the smartphone to "Performance" or "Balanced" mode before shooting.
Also, make sure that the device has the latest version of the camera drivers installed, and sometimes functionality problems are solved by updating the system through Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI/HyperOS. If the problem persists after the update, there may be a hardware malfunction of the light sensor, which gives incorrect data about the need to turn on the backlight.
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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by restarting the device or cleaning the Camera app cache, which resets the erroneous states of the image processing module.
Alternative lighting methods when shooting
Screen flash isn't the only way to get a high-quality shot in the dark on Xiaomi. Night Mode algorithms work wonders even without additional light. By switching to this mode, the camera will take a series of shots with different exposures and combine them, significantly lightening the face and background without using a white screen.
You can also use external light, turn on the flashlight on the second smartphone and point it at yourself, scattering the light through a white cloth or a tissue for softness, and it will give a much more professional result than any software method. In studio settings, you often use ring lamps that are attached directly to the phone body.
Don't forget natural light. Even indoors, get closer to a window or artificial light source. Xiaomi cameras have a good light sensitivity, and the right angle in relation to the light source is often more important than having a flash.