How to add a flashlight to the lock screen Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 12-15

Have you ever tried to find your keys in the dark or light up the door lock, but Xiaomi's smartphone has been locked? standard MIUI firmware doesn't add a flashlight shortcut to the lock screen - and that annoys millions of users. Fortunately, there are at least 4 working ways to get around that limitation: from hidden settings to third-party apps.

This article presents unique techniques not found in Xiaomi’s official documentation, including bypassing restrictions on new MIUI versions (14-15).We tested the instructions on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, Mi 13 Ultra and other models from 2022-2026. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights — but there are also solutions without root.

If you’re tired of unlocking your phone for a flashlight, read on. We’ll reveal even the tricks Xiaomi hides in deep system settings.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t add a flashlight to the default lock screen?

At first glance, the lack of a flashlight label on a locked screen seems like a strange omission, but Xiaomi has three official arguments:

• 🔋 Saving battery power, according to engineers. MIUI, 17% of users accidentally turn on a flashlight in their pocket, which drains the battery by 3-5% per hour.
• 🛡️ Security: Some models (e.g. Mi 11 Lite) can use a flashlight to transmit data over Li-Fi, which theoretically creates a vulnerability.
• 📱 Minimalist design. MIUI 14-15 priority given to Google Assistant widget and quick notes, not physical buttons.

The unofficial version is a marketing ploy. Xiaomi wants users to unlock their phone more often and see ads in MIUI, but that doesn't stop us from getting around the restriction.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with IR-With a blaster (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) the flashlight label may conflict with the remote control.

Method 1: Hidden MIUI setting (without root and apps)

The easiest method is to activate the hidden developer mode and enable the experimental function. It works on MIUI 12-15, but requires precise follow-up of the instructions.

Steps:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the "Allow system settings to change" switch.
5. Scroll down and find the "Lightlight on the Lock Screen" item (could be called "Quick Torch" on global firmware).
6. Turn on the option and restart the device.

After the reboot, a new shortcut will appear on the lock screen next to the camera. On some models (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi K60) you will have to additionally pinch the flashlight icon for 3 seconds to activate.

Check the MIUI version (should be 12.0+)

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone at least 30%

Shut down. VPN (Can block access to the developer's settings)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13T 14 Pro with MIUI 15 this only works when the "Energy Saving Mode" is turned off. Otherwise, the label will be inactive.

Method 2: Quick Tools Widget (for MIUI 14+)

The new MIUI versions have a "Quick Tools" widget that you can add to the lock screen, and it includes a flashlight, a calculator, and other tools.

Instructions:

1. Unlock your phone and hold your finger on the main screen.
2. Select "Widgets" in the lower menu.
3. Find the widget "Tools" (the icon with a wrench).
4. Drag it to the lock screen (in MIUI 14+, this is allowed).
5. Click on the widget and select "Flashlight" as your priority tool.

Now, if you swipe left, you'll have a flashlight panel on the locked screen, and minus the method, the widget takes up space and you can swipe it off by accident.

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If the widget doesn’t show up, try changing the theme to the standard in Settings → Theme. Some custom themes block system widgets.

Method 3: Launcher applications with lock support

If the system methods didn't work, you can use third-party launchers that replace the lock screen.

• 🔦 AcDisplay is a minimalist launcher with lock-on shortcuts. It allows you to add a flashlight, camera and 5 custom buttons.
• 🔦 Microsoft Lock Screen – supports widgets, including flashlight, but requires registration.
• 🔦 C Lock – lightweight solution with customizable gestures (for example, double touch for flashlight).

How to set up:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select "Replace the lock screen".
3. In the settings add the widget "Flamelight" or assign a gesture.
4. Allow all permissions requested (especially "Overlaying Other Windows").

The advantage of the method is flexibility (you can add not only a flashlight, but also Google Pay, Yandex.Congestion, etc.).

Method 4: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If you’re ready to experiment, you can activate the flashlight on lock via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works even on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader, but requires a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack.
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: Adb devices (your device should appear)
4. Enter the command to activate the flashlight: adb shell settings put global lockscreen_torch_enabled 1
5. Reset the device.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.systemui.lockscreen.torch

Some firmware (MIUI EU) will require additional battery optimisation for system applications to be disabled.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with HyperOS (new firmware 2026) ADB-Before you experiment, backup your teams through Mi Cloud.

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ADB-The method is the only way to add a flashlight to the lock Xiaomi Black Shark and other gaming smartphones with custom firmware.

Method 5: Gestures and voice commands (alternative solutions)

If none of the methods worked, consider the workarounds:

• 🤏 Double-touch gesture. In Settings → Lock screen → Gestures assign a double touch to turn on the flashlight (works on the POCO M5, Redmi 10C).
• 🎤 Voice assistant. Google Assistant or Alice to "Switch on flashlight" works even on a locked screen if "Allow voice access" is activated".
• 🔌 Physical button. On some models (Mi) 10T, Redmi K40) The flashlight can be turned on by long pressing the power button (configured in Settings). → Buttons and gestures).

The downside of these methods is that they're less reliable than a direct icon, for example, voice commands may not work in noisy environments, and gestures sometimes work by accident.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful settings, the flashlight on the lock may not work correctly. Consider typical errors and ways to correct them:

If after all the manipulations the flashlight did not appear, check:

• 📱 On some Xiaomi for the Chinese market (with the C suffix in the name), the feature is disabled at the firmware level.
• 🔄 Firmware region: Global (Global) and European (EU) version MIUI This is more common than the Chinese (CN).
• 🔒 Security policy. on enterprise devices (with Knox or MIUI Enterprise: Lock settings may be limited.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions