You are in the dark and can’t find where the flashlight is on Xiaomi’s phone? No problem: even experienced users sometimes get lost in the MIUI menu. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to activate the flashlight, from the standard swipe in the notification curtain to hidden features for older Redmi and POCO models. And also find out why some devices don’t have a flashlight button at all (spoiler: it’s not always a bug).
The manufacturer updates the MIUI interface regularly, so the layout of the elements may vary depending on the firmware version. We have taken into account all current versions (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and collected universal instructions. If your smartphone does not respond to standard methods, there is a section at the end of the article with solutions for atypical cases.
1. Standard method: notification panel (works on 95% of models)
The fastest and most obvious method is to use a notification curtain, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones released after 2016.
- Unlock the screen (if it is turned off).
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- If the curtain is not fully opened, make a second swipe down - so you will see all the icons.
- Find the flashlight icon (🔦) And you can tap it. Some models have the icon hidden under the "More" button» (⋮).
The flashlight will turn on immediately, and the icon will be illuminated in orange or yellow, which is a signal that the function is active. To turn off, re-press the icon.
Check if access to the quick access panels is disabled in Settings → Notification Panel
Make sure the phone has enough charge (below 5% of the flashlight can be blocked)
Restart the device if the icon does not respond to pressing
Update. MIUI up to the latest version (in old firmware there are bugs with quick settings)-->
On some models (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro), the flashlight icon can be hidden behind the panel edit button to add it to the visible area:
- Open the notification curtain completely (double swipe).
- Click on the icon «✏️» (edit or hold any icon with your finger for 2 seconds.
- In the list of available tiles, find the "Lightlight" and drag it to the active area.
2.Voice assistant: Turning on flashlight without manual search
If you're too lazy to search for an icon manually, use Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware) or Google Assistant, which is especially convenient when your hands are busy or your screen is locked.
For Google Assistant:
- 🎤 Say, “OK, Google, turn on the flashlight” (it works even on a locked screen if the option “Unlock voice” is enabled in the assistant settings).
- 📱 Or hold the Home button (on older models) or swipe diagonally from the corner of the screen to activate the Assistant.
For Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware):
- 🎤 Hold the power button for 1-2 seconds to call the assistant.
- 🗣️ Say it in Chinese: «» (kāi shǒu diàn tǒng) Or in English: "Turn on flashlight».
Through the notification panel |Voice assistant |Gesters |Through the desktop widget |Another option-->
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) Voice flashlight can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google (or Xiao) AI) Allow access to the camera and flashlight.
3.Gesturals and Quick Actions: Incorporating a flashlight in one click
The manufacturer has added a few hidden flashlight controls that save time, and here are the most useful ones:
- 🔄 Double press the power button: On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 9 or Redmi Note 8) you can set the flashlight to turn on with a double click on the lock button. → Lock screen → Additional settings → Double press the power button and select "Flantern».
- 📱 Gesture on the locked screen: On firmware MIUI 12+ You can swipe down the flashlight icon on the lock screen (if it is displayed there).
- 🔦 Desktop widget: Add the flashlight widget to the home screen. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen. → «Widgets» → Find the flashlight and drag it.
On models with an infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 5), the flashlight can conflict with the remote control. If the remote stops working after the flashlight is turned on, try turning off one of the functions in Settings → Connected devices → Infrared port.
Why some Xiaomi don't have a flashlight gesture? on budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) The manufacturer turns off some gestures to save processor resources, and on Chinese firmware without global localization, some features may not be available.--> 4. Through system settings
If the flashlight is not displayed in the curtain In rare cases, the flashlight icon may disappear from the notification panel after the update. MIUI You can return it through the settings menu: Open Settings. → Notification panel and status bar. Select Tiles Management (or Quick Settings) and search the Flashlight list and drag it to the active area. If the flashlight is not on the list, check if it is disabled in Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Lantern (all rights allowed) on some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A2 With pure Android, the path will be different: Settings → The device → Gestures → Quick setups. Xiaomi model Way to settings flashlight Features Redmi Note 11/12 Settings → Notification panel → Icon tile management can be hidden behind the button "More» (⋮) POCO X3/X4 Settings → Lock screen → Additionally, supports double-pressing of the power button Xiaomi 13/14 Settings → Centre for control → Lantern tile settings integrated with camera (can be used as flash) Redmi 9/9C Settings → Annexes → The flashlight may conflict with the energy saving mode 5. Hidden functions: flashlight as a strobe or SOS-Few people know, but on many Xiaomi smartphones, the flashlight can be used not only for illumination, but also for lighting: 🚨 SOS-signal: Flash flashing flashlight in emergency mode. Activated via Settings → Memory and emergency functions → Emergency SOS (readily MIUI 13+). 🎛️ Stroboscope: Blinking mode with a customizable frequency (useful for cyclists or alarms) and enabled via apps like Flash Alerts 2 (requires root rights on older models). 📸 Flash for camera: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) flashlight can be used as a permanent light source for shooting videos. ⚠️ Attention: Prolonged use of a flashlight in strobe mode can cause the camera module to overheat. AMOLED-It is better not to use flashing flashlights for more than 5 minutes - this reduces the life of the LED. 6 Problems and solutions: why the flashlight does not work If the flashlight does not turn on any of the ways, check these moments: 🔋 Low battery charge: At below 5%, the system automatically locks the flashlight to save energy for emergency calls. 📱 Module damage: If the flashlight stopped working after the phone fell, the camera plume may have moved away (repair required). 🔄 Application conflict: Some programs (such as Greenify or Battery Savers) may block access to the flashlight. → Annexes → Lantern. 🔧 Firmware failure: After update MIUI The solution is to reset the settings to the factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings. On dual-camera models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10S) The flashlight may not work if the main camera module is damaged, in which case you can use Google Play analog apps like Tiny Flashlight. + LED. 💡If the flashlight turns on but it shines dimly, the problem is the camera glass contamination or LED wear. wipe the module with an alcohol wipe or contact the service. 7. Not all flashlights are the same: brightness, color temperature and even the location of the LED may differ. Here is a comparison table for popular models: Model Brightness (lumen) Color temperature Features Xiaomi 13 Pro ~120 Cold white (6500K) Double. LED, supportive SOS-Redmi Note 12 mode mode mode ~80 Warm white (5000K) Energy efficient but dimmer than flagships POCO F5 ~100 Neutral white (5500K) Heats up quickly with prolonged use of Redmi 10A ~50 Yellow hue (4500K) On flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 14), the flashlight is often integrated with laser autofocus, which allows it to be used as a pointer (useful for presentations). On budget devices (like Redmi). A1) LED may be absent altogether - instead it uses screen lighting (less efficient). FAQ: Frequent questions about flashlight on Xiaomi: Can I use a flashlight as a nightlight? Yes, but with reservations. On most models, the flashlight cannot be left on all night - it will automatically turn off after 5-10 minutes (overheat protection). Alternative: use apps like Night Light. LED, It's a night light that mimics a night light with adjustable brightness. Why does the flashlight flash by itself? It could be related to: Notifications (e.g., an incoming call or a flashlight). SMS). Check the settings in Settings → Notifications → Light effects. Camera driver failure. Try rebooting your phone. Virus. Scan your device through Google Play Protect. How to turn on a flashlight on Xiaomi with a broken screen? If the sensor is not responding, but the phone is turning on: Connect the phone to the PC and use scrcpy to control from the computer. USB-debugging is not enabled, try the voice assistant (say, "OK, Google, turn on the flashlight"). Some models have a button combination: Volume up + Power (hold 3 seconds). ⚠️ If the screen is completely black, but the phone makes sounds, you can't turn on the flashlight -- you need repairs. Can you increase the brightness of the flashlight? Most models have fixed brightness, but there are workarounds: Use applications like Flashlight Brightness (requires root rights). On some firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), brightness is adjusted in Settings → Additionally. → Flashlight. Wipe the camera glass, the mud reduces the brightness by 20 to 30 percent. The flashlight works, but the body warms. That's okay? Light heating (up to 40-45°C) is normal, especially on flagships with high-power LEDs. But if the phone heats up to 50°C or higher: Don't use the flashlight for more than 5 minutes in a row. Check if the vent is blocked by a cover. Update the firmware - newer versions of MIUI optimize temperature control.