How to turn on flash on Xiaomi Redmi: from flashlight to hidden shooting modes

The flash on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is not only a tool for night shooting, but also a full-fledged flashlight, a signal beacon or even a means to transmit data through light pulses. However, many users face problems: the flashlight button disappears from the curtain, the flash does not work in the camera, the LED flashes arbitrarily. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on the flash on Redmi – from basic to hidden MIUI functions, and explain why it may not work on your model.

We will pay special attention to the differences between the series: for example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the flash supports strobe mode for shooting moving objects, and on the budget Redmi 10A, its brightness is limited due to hardware features, you will also learn how to use the flash without unlocking the screen and why it sometimes turns on itself (spoiler: the proximity sensor or background applications are to blame).

Before you go to the instructions, check two key points:

Make sure your Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t have any physical flash damage (cracks, moisture, contact oxidation).
Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI - in the old builds were bugs with LED control.

1.How to turn on a flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi through the notification curtain

The fastest way to activate a flash flashlight is to use the Quick Settings Panel, a technique that works on all Redmi models, from the 2017 Redmi 4X to the current Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Instructions:

Unlock the screen (if it is locked).
Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain.
Click on the flashlight icon** (pictured flash) - the flash will turn on immediately.
To turn off, re-click on the same icon.

⚠️ Warning: If the flashlight icon is not in the curtain, you need to add it manually:

Open the curtain and tap on the icon ⚙️ (Edit).
Find the flashlight on the list and drag it to the active area.
Save the changes.

On some models (for example, Redmi 9T), the flashlight can spontaneously turn off after 30 to 60 seconds.

Settings → Battery and performance → Charge saving → Disable “Limitation of flashlight”

There's a flashlight icon in the curtain.|The flashlight is turned on/off at the first press.|The LED does not flash arbitrarily.|The brightness does not drop after 1 minute.-->

2.Enable flash in the camera Xiaomi Redmi: modes and settings

The flash in the Camera app** on Xiaomi Redmi works differently than the flashlight, where it synchronizes with the shooting algorithms and can automatically adjust the brightness to the lighting conditions.

🔦 Auto: flash only works in low light (determined by the light sensor).
⚡ Incl.: The flash lights up at each shot, regardless of the conditions.
🌑 Off: The flash is completely disabled.
💡 Stroboscope (not available on all models): a series of fast flashes to capture moving objects (e.g., concerts).

How to set up:

Open the Camera app**.
Switch to Photo or Night mode.
Slip on the Lightning icon** in the upper left corner.
Select the desired flash mode.

On dual flash models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+), an additional LED is activated in Night mode for more uniform lighting. If the flash does not work in this mode, check:

Camera settings → Additional → Flash in night mode (should be "On")

Why does the flash flash flash flash when shooting a video?

On Xiaomi Redmi, the flash cannot work continuously while recording video due to hardware platform limitations. However, on some models (for example, Redmi K50), the Backlight mode is available, which includes a flashlight parallel to the camera. To do this: 1. Start recording video. 2. Open the curtain and turn on the flashlight manually. 3. Close the curtain - the backlight will remain active. Limit: this method only works at video resolution up to 1080p and a frequency of 30 FPS.

3. Hidden flash features: SOS, notifications and Morse signals

Few people know, but the flash on Xiaomi Redmi can be used not only for lighting, but also for MIUI, which has several useful LED-related features:

🆘 SOS-signal: flash flash flashing in mode SOS (Three short, three long, three short, which can save lives in an emergency.
🔔 Notifications: Flash blinks when incoming calls or messages (configured separately for each application).
📡 Morse code: on some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro and later) you can send simple messages via Morse code.

How to activate SOS-signal:

Go to Settings. → Password and security → SOS-signal.
Turn on the "Blinking Flash" option**.
For the test, press the Try button - the flash will start flashing in the rhythm of SOS.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K60) function SOS The flash may not work smoothly due to the LED control, in which case use the screen light (in the same settings). SOS).

To set up the notification flash:

Open Settings → Notifications → Lighting effects.
Select the apps you want to enable blinking for (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
Customize the color and frequency of blinking (available on models with RGB-The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition).

📊 What hidden flash function would you use more often?

SOS-signal

Call notifications

Morse code

Video lighting

Nothing from this.

4.Why the flash on Xiaomi Redmi doesn't work: 7 reasons and solutions

If the flash is not turned on either as a flashlight or in the camera, the problem can be both software and hardware, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:

Reason.	How to check	Decision
The flashlight app is closed.	Try turning the flashlight on through the curtain.	Reboot your phone or update your MIUI
Failure of the proximity sensor	The flash flash flashes when the arm approaches	Clean the sensor (near the front camera) or calibrate it with ##6484###
Temperature restriction	Phone overheated (warning in the curtain)	Allow the device to cool for 10-15 minutes
LED damage	The flash does not burn in any mode.	Contact the service center (replacement of the module) ~1500–3000 ₽)
Conflict with third-party applications	The problem arose after the installation of new software	Run your phone in Safe Mode and check the flash

🔧 Secret Diagnostic Method: To check if firmware or iron is to blame, run the test through an engineering menu:

1. Dial in the phone app: ##4636##


2. Select Equipment Testing.




3. Slip on Flashlight Test - if the flash doesn't light up, the problem is hardware.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the flash may not work due to the lack of drivers for the LED. MIUI Recovery or install a patch for the camera.

5. How to turn on flash on a blocked Xiaomi Redmi (without unlocking)

Situation: the phone is on the table and you need a flashlight, but the screen is locked. On Xiaomi Redmi, there are three ways to turn on the flash without unlocking:

🔑 Through the widget: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro and later), you can add a flashlight widget to the lock screen:

Voice assistant:

“OK, Google, turn on the flashlight”** (requires customized voice search).

Double press of the power button:

Redmi

Settings → Lock screen → Double press of the power button → Flashlight

💡 A useful tip: if you have a Redmi with a NFC, You can program a tag to turn on the flashlight:

Buy it. NFC-sticker (stands) ~50 ₽).
Open the NFC Tools app (from Google Play).

💡

On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and later, you can use the "Triple Click on Screen" gesture to turn on the flashlight. Set it up in Settings → Special Features → Gestures → Quick Actions.

6. Flash as an indicator: adjusting the colors and rhythms of blinking

On Xiaomi’s flagship Redmi models (starting with the Redmi K40), the flash supports multi-color modes and blink customization.

🎵 Synchronization with music (flash flashes in beat beat).
📞 Notification splits (e.g. green to WhatsApp, blue to calls).
🎮 Gaming backlights (flash reacts to events in games).

How to set up:

Install the Light Manager app** from Google Play (ADB rights required).

⚠️ Note: Redmi with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Customization of the flash can cause the LED to overheat.Do not use flashing frequency above 2 Hz.

💡

On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ redmi K60 The flash supports 16 million flowers thanks to the RGB-This allows you to use it as a full-fledged backlight for shooting or decorative lighting.

7.Alternative flash control methods: ADB, Tasker and automation

For advanced users, there are ways to manage the flash through ADB-So, teams, Tasker, or even Google Assistant, and we'll look at the most useful scenarios:

🖥️ Incorporation through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and do it:
🤖 Automation in Tasker: Create a task with Flashlight action → Set → On.
🎤 Voice control: Configure the Google Assistant "Switch on the light" command to activate the flashlight.

An example of a script for Tasker that includes a flash at a low battery level (to make it easier to find the phone in the dark):

Create a profile with a condition Battery level < 15%.
Add the action Flashlight → Set → On.
Set the 30 seconds delay and Flashlight → Set → Off action.

Important: Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14+ work ADB-Flash commands require you to disable application signature verification. hidden_api_policy 1.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the outbreak on Xiaomi Redmi

🔦 Why the flash on my Redmi Note 11 Pro only works horizontally?

This is a design feature - on some Redmi models, the proximity sensor blocks the flash if the phone is lying down (to avoid overheating the surface).Solution: use the flashlight in an upright position or turn off the sensor through the engineering menu (##6484##).

📸 Can you use the flash as a permanent light source for video shooting?

On most Redmi models, the flash cannot burn continuously while recording video due to processor limitations. However, on the Redmi K50 Ultra and later, there is a Backlight mode** that includes a flashlight parallel to the camera. To do this: Start recording the video. Open the curtain and turn on the flashlight. Close the curtain - the backlight will remain active (only works at 1080p/30fps).

⚡ The flash flash flashes on its own, even when the phone is lying down?

The reason is background apps or sensor malfunctions. Order of action: Check if flash notifications are enabled (Settings → Notifications → Light effects). Turn off camera and flashlight rights for suspicious applications (Settings → Apps → Permissions). Reset sensor settings using code ##6484## (select Clear Calibration). If the problem persists, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (posssibly damaged camera module firmware).

🔋 The flash heats up a lot and quickly drains the battery?

LED flash on Xiaomi Redmi consumes up to 1-1.5 A of current, so with prolonged operation (more than 5 minutes), it can heat up to 50-60°C. This is normal, but: Don't keep the flashlight on for more than 10 minutes in a row. Don't cover the flash with your finger or cloth, it can cause the LED to burn out. AMOLED-screens (Redmi) K60) If the battery goes down too fast (more than 1% per minute), check the phone for viruses or reset settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings.

📱 Can you replace the flash on Xiaomi Redmi yourself?

Technically, yes, but it requires expertise in electronics repair. The cost of a flash module for Redmi is between 300 and 1,500. ₽ Instructions: Buy the original module (for example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the item with the article is suitable). XM-2106119SC). Remove the back cover (suction cup and mediator required). Unplug the camera plume and gently replace the flash module (it is attached to double-sided scotch). Check the work through the engineering menu (#4636##). ⚠️ Risks: If you change the camera plume or motherboard incorrectly, you can damage it.