How to turn on a flashlight during a call on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face the need for quick visual alerts of an incoming call. Especially relevant is the question of how to turn on the flashlight during a call, for people with hearing impairments or in situations where the phone is lying down screen in a noisy room. The built-in functionality of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS allows you to flexibly adjust the notification settings, turning the LED flash into a powerful alarm.

However, standard settings can be hidden in non-obvious menu sections, and on some models this option is disabled by default to save battery power. Flash activation requires sequential execution of several actions in system parameters or the use of specialized software. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard system tools to third-party solutions that ensure maximum alert efficiency.

Consider that the Android operating system algorithms on Xiaomi devices have their own peculiarities, such as aggressive energy savings that can block flash operation in the background if the appropriate permissions are not set, and understanding these nuances will help to avoid situations where the phone is silent and does not blink at the right time, which is critical for important calls.

Standard flash settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The first and most reliable way to activate blinking is to use the built-in shell features. In the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, developers have moved some menu items, so it is important to know the exact path. Usually, the control of light indicators is in the special features section, since this feature was originally created for hearing-impaired users.

To start, you need to open the main settings menu of your smartphone, find the option Additional Features or Advanced Settings, which is often indicated by the plus-plus or three-point gear icon, and within this section, you should look for the category associated with accessibility, where the desired switch is hidden.

If the standard path didn't work, your firmware version may have a slightly altered menu structure, so use the settings search: type the word "flash" or "blink" into the search bar, and the system will suggest you go to the desired item.

• 🔦 Open Settings and go to the Additional Features section.
• 🔦 Select the option “Accessibility).
• 🔦 Find the Hearing tab or Audiovisual Alerts.
• 🔦 Activate the flash switch at notifications.

⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may call it Flash on alerts or Flash for notifications. Make sure that the call option is enabled, not just for messages.

Once the function is turned on, you should make a test call from another number, and if the flash flash flash flashed several times when the call came in, then the setup was successful. Now you know how to turn on the flashlight on Xiaomi during the call with regular means without installing any extra software.

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The built-in feature in the Special Opportunities section is the most energy efficient way to activate a flash, as it does not require third-party processes.

Configure via the application "Phone" and Contacts

Sometimes system settings can conflict with the settings of the call app itself. MIUI uses either the standard Google Dialer or the proprietary MIUI Dialer, each with its own call display settings, which are worth checking to ensure the feature works.

Go to the Phone app and click on the three dots in the top right corner (or the settings button). In the menu that opens, select Settings. Here you need to look for the section related to incoming calls or response to a call. In some versions of the interface, there is a separate flash on incoming call switch.

If it is critical to not miss a call from a certain person, you can assign a special ringtone and, in some cases, an individual visual effect to him, although it is more difficult to assign a flash to a contact with regular Android tools than for all calls at once.

Remember that updates to the Phone app via Google Play can reset some user preferences, so after a major system or app update, it’s worth checking if the flashlight is still working when calling on Xiaomi.

• 📞 Launch the Phone app and open the settings menu.
• 📞 Find the Incoming Calls or Answer and End.
• 📞 Check for the Flash option and activate it.

Using third-party applications to flash

If the built-in methods don’t work or your model’s functionality is limited, third-party apps from the Google Play Market come to the rescue, providing more flexible settings: you can set the blinking frequency, color (if you have one). RGB-lighting, although it is a flash, duration and reaction to different types of events.

A popular solution is Flash Alerts 2 or its counterparts, such as Flashlight LED, which creates a service on top of the system that intercepts an incoming call and forces the LED to activate, especially for older Xiaomi models, where the native feature is cut out in the firmware.

Play Market: "Flash on Call"

However, using third-party software has its downsides: these applications are constantly hanging in memory and can consume more battery, and MIUI is known for its aggressive process killer, so for stable application operation it must be added to exceptions and autorun.

⚠️ Warning: When installing flash applications, read permissions carefully. Don't give access to contacts or microphones unless the flashlight app requires it to work.

To set up such software, it is usually enough to install it, give permission to use the camera / flash and enable the option "Incoming Call", and then the application will guide you through the process of calibrating the pulse duration.

Solving problems with the operation of the flash when calling

There are times when all settings are correct, but the flashlight on Xiaomi does not light up during the call, most often the problem lies in the energy saving system. The smartphone can block the flash if the battery level has dropped below 15-20%, considering this to be an inappropriate energy consumption.

Another common reason is the Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode mode with vibration. In some system configurations, the visual signal is also turned off along with the audio one so as not to attract attention in a movie or meeting. Check the side mode switch (if your model has one) and the status in the notification curtain.

Also, you should rule out a physical malfunction. Try taking a photo with the flash on through the camera. If the LED doesn't light up even there, it may be a hardware problem, and the software settings are powerless, and then you'll need a diagnostic at the service center.

If the problem is only observed in certain applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), then the settings should be searched inside these messengers themselves, since they may have their own notification rules, independent of the system call.

Comparison of Android models and versions

The interface and availability of features can vary significantly depending on the device model and Android version. Owners of the flagship Xiaomi 13, 14 or Ultra series have access to more advanced HyperOS settings, while the budget Redmi Note series on older versions of Android 10-11 may require additional action.

Below is a table that helps you navigate the features of activation of the function on different devices:

It is important to understand that on devices with AMOLED-The screen function is Always on Display (AOD) It can visually replace the flashing of a flash, showing a large clock or a bell icon, which in the dark also effectively attracts attention.

Battery Optimization and Impact on Autonomy

Active use of LED flash certainly affects battery life. LED consumes significantly more power than screen indicator or vibration. If you plan to use this feature constantly, you should be prepared for more frequent charging of the device, especially on days with high activity.

MIUI tries to optimize this process by limiting the number of blinks or their duration when charged low. However, third-party applications may be less effective in this regard. It is recommended to periodically check the battery consumption statistics in the Settings → Battery section to identify the “voracious” processes associated with alerts.

To minimize battery damage, you can customize scenarios, such as turning on a flash only during the day or only when the phone is in vibration mode, which will reduce the number of false positives and save battery life for more important tasks.

• 🔋 Use energy saving only when necessary.
• 🔋 Turn off the flash at night to avoid draining the phone.
• 🔋 Watch for heating the body during long conversations with blinking.

⚠️ Warning: Prolonged flash operation in a confined space (pocket, case) can cause the camera module to overheat locally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)