How to turn on a flashlight on Xiaomi with a double press of the power button: the complete guide

Turning on the flashlight on Xiaomi smartphone with a double press of the power button is one of the most convenient features that saves time in the dark. But not all users know that this option is hidden in the settings and requires activation. Depending on the version of the MIUI and the phone model (for example, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13), the setup process may vary.

In this article, we will discuss how to enable a flashlight to run quickly across Xiaomi devices, including old and new versions of firmware, which models support this feature, how to configure it if it is not on the menu, and what to do if double-pressing does not work, and we will also look at alternative ways to control the flashlight through the notification panel, gestures and even voice commands.

If you use a flashlight frequently in your daily life, this guide will help make it as quick and intuitive as possible, and for owners of devices without a hardware flashlight button (for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), we have prepared separate recommendations.

Why does double-pressing the flashlight not work by default?

Many Xiaomi users wonder why the dual-press power button function to turn on the flashlight is turned off out of the box. The reason lies in the MIUI philosophy: developers strive to minimize accidental positives that can drain the battery or cause discomfort (for example, in the pocket).

• 🔄 Double press to start the camera (relevant to the POCO F5 redmi K60)
• 📱 Screen wake-up gesture (like double-touching on Xiaomi) 12T)
• 🔋 Quickly activate the energy saving mode (on older versions) MIUI 11)

Another reason is the differences in hardware platform, for example, on smartphones with an infrared port (for example, the Redmi Note 11), double-pressing can be reserved to control equipment through the Mi Remote, and on some models (for example, the Xiaomi Civi 3), the flashlight function is tied to a separate button on the sidebar, which makes double-pressing redundant.

Finally, in the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the dual-press setting has been moved to the Special Features section, making it difficult for beginners to find it. If you didn’t find it in the standard settings, don’t be too upset – below we’ll show you where to look.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the flashlight with a double press on Xiaomi

The activation process depends on the version of MIUI and the smartphone model. We have prepared a universal guide that will be suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. If your model does not support this feature directly, at the end of the section we will talk about alternative methods.

To start, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest firmware. To check this, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If an update is available, install it, as newer versions of MIUI often add hidden features.

Update the firmware to the latest version

Charge your phone at least 30%

Make sure the flashlight works through the notification panel

Check if the double press is occupied by another function.-->

Method 1: Through button settings (MIUI 12–14)

1. Open Settings and go to the Screen section (on some models – Display or Lock and Protection).
2. Select Power Button (or Quick Power Button Actions). If there is no such section, try Settings → Special Features → Physical buttons.
3. In the action list, find Double Press and select the Flashlight (or Turn on the flashlight).
4. Save the changes and check the function by pressing the power button twice on the locked screen.

Method 2: Through Gesture Settings (HyperOS)

In the new HyperOS shell, which replaced MIUI, the path to customization has changed. Here are the current instructions for Xiaomi 14, Redmi Turbo 3 and other models in 2026:

1. Go to Settings → Convenience and special features → Physical buttons.
2. Select the Power button and find the Double Press section.
3. In the list of available actions, select Flashlight. If this option is not available, try Other Settings → Quick Actions.
4. Activate the switch and confirm the choice.

If the flashlight doesn’t turn on after setting up, check if the double tap is in conflict with other features. On the POCO X6 Pro, for example, the default double tap can be tied to the Google Assistant launch.

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If your model does not have a double-press option for the flashlight, try using a gesture on the screen. To do this, go to Settings → Screen → Lock screen gestures and assign a swipe up or down to turn on the flashlight.

Compatibility table: Which Xiaomi models support double-tap?

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support flashlights with a double press of the power button. Below is a compatibility table for popular models. If your device is not on the list, this does not mean that the feature is not available - try following the instructions from the previous section.

Note that on some models (such as the Xiaomi Mix 4 or Black Shark 5), the dual-press function may be blocked due to the features of the hardware platform, in which case we recommend using the flashlight widget on the lock screen or voice commands through Google Assistant.

What to do if the double pressing does not work?

If you have followed all the steps from the instructions, but the flashlight still does not turn on with a double press, the problem may lie in one of the following factors:

• 🔧 Conflict with other gestures – check if you have a dual tap on another feature (such as launching a camera or voice assistant).
• 📱 Manufacturer restrictions – on some models (for example, Xiaomi Pad 6) the function is disabled due to the lack of a physical power button.
• 🔄 Firmware failure – try resetting buttons to factory (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset button settings).
• 🛠️ Hardware button damage – if double pressing doesn’t work even for other features, repairs may be needed.

If the problem persists, try the following steps:

1. Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it helps to reset temporary gesture errors.
2. Check for firmware updates – newer versions of MIUI often fix button management bugs.
3. Install a third-party flashlight management app (such as Flash Alerts 2 or Torchie) that lets you assign your own gestures.
4. Reset the settings to factory settings (pre-backup data) is a last resort, but it helps 90% of the time.

If none of these methods worked, your Xiaomi model may not support this feature at the software level, in which case consider alternative flashlight switching methods, which we will discuss later.

Alternative ways to turn on a flashlight on Xiaomi

If double-pressing the power button is unavailable or uncomfortable, you can use other ways to quickly turn on the flashlight.

1. Through the notification panel

The most universal method that works on all Xiaomi models:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the flashlight icon (usually located in the front row). If it is not, click Edit and add it to the panel.
3. Tap the icon once to turn on the flashlight, and again to turn off.

2. By gesture on the lock screen

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO M5) you can assign a gesture to turn on the flashlight:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Lock screen gestures.
2. Choose Double Touch or Swipe up/down and assign the Flashlight action.
3. Save the settings and check the gesture on the locked screen.

3. Voice commands (Google Assistant or Xiao AI)

If you have a voice assistant on, you can control the torch voice:

• For Google Assistant: Say, OK, Google, turn on the flashlight.
• For Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware): tell (or configure a Russian-language command in the Mi AI app).

4.The widget on the lock screen

On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, you can add a flashlight widget directly to the lock screen:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the lock screen.
2. Select Widgets and find the Lantern.
3. Drag the widget to a convenient location and save the changes.

These methods will allow you to quickly turn on the flashlight even without double pressing the power button. Choose the most convenient option for yourself and customize it to your needs.

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The most reliable way is the notification bar, as it works on all Xiaomi models regardless of the firmware version.

How to turn off double pressing for flashlight?

If you decide to return the standard behavior of the power button or double-pressing started to work accidentally, you can turn off the function in a few steps. This is true, for example, if you often carry your phone in your pocket and the flashlight turns on spontaneously.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings and go to Screen or Special Features (depending on the model).
2. Select the Power button or the Physical buttons.
3. Find Double Press and select No Action or Disable.
4. Save the changes and make sure that the double tap no longer turns on the flashlight.

If the feature continues to work after disabling, try resetting the button settings (as described in the previous section) or check if the phone has third-party apps that can intercept clicks (such as MacroDroid or Tasker).

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If you want to completely disable all power button gestures, go to Settings → System → Gestures and deactivate the Quick Actions Power button option.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up a double-press flashlight, users often encounter common errors that interfere with the function's proper functioning, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) double pressing of the power button may conflict with the emergency call function. If the flashlight only turns on when the screen is unlocked after setting up, check the emergency call settings in the Settings of the emergency call. → Memory and emergency situations.

• 🔋 The flashlight is turned on spontaneously in the pocket, because of the high sensitivity of the button. Solution: turn off the function or increase the delay in the button settings.
• 📵 Double-press does not work on a locked screen – check if the option is only enabled when unlocked in the gesture settings.
• 🔄 The flashlight turns on, but does not turn off - this is a bug of some versions MIUI 12.Solution: Update the firmware or use the notification panel to turn off.
• 🛠️ The function disappeared after the update – reset button settings or reset the cache through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Resetting application settings.

If you’re facing another problem, try looking for a solution in the official Xiaomi community or forums (like 4PDA or Mi Community).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions