Flash on Xiaomi smartphones is an indispensable tool for shooting in poor lighting, but its settings are not always intuitive. Many users are faced with the fact that the flash either does not work automatically or is not at all in the camera menu. The reasons may lie in the wrong parameters of the application, hardware limitations of the model or even firmware. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on the flash on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including hidden MIUI chips that the manufacturer does not advertise.
We’ll focus on common issues like why a flash might not work on new models (like the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12), how to force it to be activated manually, and what to do if the LED doesn’t respond to presses at all. You’ll also learn how to use a flashlight without starting the camera – this is useful in emergency situations. The guide is relevant for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and covers both budget and flagship devices of the brand.
Basic method: enabling flash in standard camera mode
On most Xiaomi smartphones, the flash is controlled directly from the Camera application interface, but its location and available options may vary depending on the model and firmware version.
- Open the Camera app (the camera icon on the home screen).
- Switch to Photo Mode (usually the first tab on the left).
- In the top toolbar, find the flash icon (stylized lightning) ⚡). Press it.
- Choose one of the modes: 🔦 Auto – flash is triggered in insufficient lighting. ⚡ Incl. – forced inclusion at each shot. 🌑 Off. - Outburst is off. 💡 Torcher (on some models) – constant light for video.
If the flash icon is not in the top panel, check if it is hidden under the menu. ⋮ (three dots, or in the side curtain of instruments, on some devices (e.g, POCO F5) To access flash settings, you need to first touch the screen to get additional buttons.
Find the lightning icon (⚡) camera-interface|
Select "On" mode for forced operation |
Make sure your fingers don't cover the flash LED |
Check if the light sensor is blocked (near the front camera)-->
Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T) in Portrait or Night mode, flash can be blocked software, in which case switch to standard Photo mode.
2.Why the outbreak doesn't work: Common causes and solutions
If the LED does not work despite the selected mode, the problem may lie in one of the following factors:
| Reason. | How to check | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Flash disabled in system settings | Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Camera | Enable permission to use flash |
| Hardware malfunction of the LED | Try to turn on the flashlight (Notification Panel → Flashlight) | Contact the service center |
| Conflict with third-party applications | Start the camera in Safe Mode (hold the power button) | Remove newly installed programs |
| Blocking firmware (for example, on custom ROM) | Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone | Update the software or reflash the device |
Critical feature: On infrared flash devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro), the LED may not be visible, but still be in night mode. To test its performance, take a photo in complete darkness with the flash on and look at the result - if the picture is lighter, then the IR flash is good.
Redmi Note 10/11/12|
POCO X3/X4/X5|
Mi 11/12/13|
Redmi 9/10/13|
Another model-->
3. Secret flash modes: how to make it work in non-standard conditions
MIUI hides a few useful features associated with the flash, and here's how to activate them:
- 📸 Flash in video mode: By default, it is disabled, but you can turn it on through the camera settings → Video → Flash. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T) This option only appears when you manually adjust the exposure.
- 🔦 Persistent light (floor lamp): In video or professional mode, hold the flash icon for 2 seconds, a brightness slider will appear. This is useful for shooting macro or soft-light portraits.
- 🌙 Night mode. + Flash: In Night mode, the flash is usually blocked, but if you first turn it on manually and then switch to Ncha, sometimes you can get a shot with combined lighting.
For dual flash models (such as the Redmi K50), you can adjust the color temperature of the LEDs.
- Go to Professional Mode (PRO).
- Touch the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
- Find the flash color and choose Warm, Cold or Auto.
How to check the number of flashes on your model?
4.Use flash as flashlight without camera start
The flash LED can be activated at any time through the notification panel or voice commands, which is convenient when you need to light up the space, but it is not advisable to start the camera.
Method 1: Quick access through the curtain
- Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
- Find the flashlight icon (lantern) 🔦). If it is not, click Edit (pencil) and add it to the active elements.
- Tap the icons to turn on/off the lights.
Method 2: Voice assistant
Activate Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex and say:
"Switch on the flashlight" or "Light the flash."
On some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro), this command works even when the screen is locked.
💡
If the flashlight flickers or spontaneously turns off, check the battery settings: go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization and add the Flashlight app to exceptions.
5. Flash problems on new Xiaomi models (2023–2026)
Users of Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and other new devices often find that the flash behaves unstable, due to optimizations in MIUI 14 and HyperOS, where the LED control algorithms have become more aggressive.
- ⚡ Flash does not work automatically: The firmware can misidentify the illumination level, the solution is to force it to be manually turned on or calibrate the illumination sensor through an engineering menu (#36446337##).
- 🔄 Flash flash flashes when shooting: This is a bug associated with the timing of the shutter and LED. Helps reset camera settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data).
- 🚫 No flash icon: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Civi 3) have moved it to an optional menu. Keep your finger on the camera screen to allow hidden options to appear.
Important for Xiaomi 13 Ultra owners: On this model, the flash is integrated into the Leica camera module and controlled separately. To activate it, go to Camera Settings → Leica Authentication → Flash and select Smart Flash mode.
💡
On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) flash can automatically adjust the color temperature to the color gamut of the display. This is normal behavior, not malfunction.
6. Alternative applications for flash control
If Xiaomi's standard camera doesn't suit, you can use third-party apps with advanced flash settings.
| Annex | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Open Camera | Manual flash power setting, RAW support, no ads | Google Play |
| Footage | Professional control of the LED, including the strobe | Google Play |
| Flash Alerts | Uses flash for notifications (calls, SMS) | Google Play |
When using third-party cameras, consider:
⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as GCam) may conflict with standard firmware MIUI, overheating or spontaneously shutting down the flash. Before installing, check compatibility with your model on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.
For models with infrared flash (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro) suitable IR Camera – it allows you to use IR LED for shooting in complete darkness (but the picture will be black and white).
Hardware restrictions: when no flash is provided
Not all Xiaomi smartphones have a full flash, but here are some models that don’t have one or don’t.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi A1/A2/A3 — single-light-emitting diode.
If your model is on this list, consider buying an external one. LED-panels with a smartphone attachment (for example, Godox) ML30). She's connecting through USB-C Bluetooth and gives you a lot more opportunities to shoot.
💡
To check the hardware capabilities of your model, download the AIDA64 application and go to the Dataki → Flash section. Here you will find the type of LED and its maximum power.