Xiaomi Notification Flash: How to Enable and Configure on Redmi, POCO and Mi

Are you missing important messages because of quiet mode, or just want a Xiaomi smartphone to signal new notifications more prominently? a camera flash is a great solution for those who often miss calls or SMS in noisy places. This feature is available on most Redmi, POCO and Mi models, but many users are not even aware of its existence or do not know how to activate it correctly.

In this article, we will not only discuss the standard way to enable flash notifications through MIUI settings, but also alternative methods for older firmware versions, and also consider how this feature affects battery autonomy and whether it can be optimized. If your Xiaomi does not respond to settings or the flash is not working correctly, at the end of the article you will find a section with the solved problems.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure your smartphone supports this feature. LED-The flash (even on budget models like Redmi) 9A or POCO M3), but may be absent on some flagships without a physical flash (e.g., the Mi 11 Ultra with a subscreen camera).

Why flashing on notifications is helpful (and when it gets in the way)

The flash flash notification feature was originally intended for hearing-impaired users, but has become popular with anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on important events.

• 🔔 Visual alerts in noisy places (concerts, construction sites, transport) where vibration or sound is not audible.
• 📵 Battery savings compared to constant vibration (flash consumes energy only during blinking).
• 🚨 Additional security: A bright flash can attract attention in emergency situations (for example, when missed calls from loved ones).
• 🎮 Game mode: Some gamers use it as an indicator of important game events (for example, the end of a match in the game). PUBG Mobile).

However, there are also disadvantages to remember:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption with frequent notifications (especially if flash flashing for longer than 5 seconds).
• 😴 Irritation in the dark (bright flashes can interfere with sleep).
• 📱 Wearing LED-element during intensive use (flare designed for the ~50,000 inclusions, but constant blinking shortens that time).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the flash can overheat with prolonged blinking. If the case of the smartphone becomes hot, turn off the function for 10-15 minutes.

If you still decide to use this feature, let’s figure out how to configure it correctly.

Standard method: Enable via MIUI settings

The easiest method to activate the flash on notifications is to use the built-in MIUI settings. The instruction is suitable for most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with the MIUI firmware version 12, 13 or 14. If you have an older version (MIUI 11 or lower), move on to the next section.

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the Settings app** (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Special Features section (some models may call it Additional Features or Universal Access).
3. Select the item Hearing (or Functions for the hard of hearing).
4. Activate the switch next to Flash at notifications (or Blinking Flash).
5. Click on the flash settings bar to adjust the blinking options.

In the flash settings menu, you can:

• 🔄 Select the type of notifications (calls, SMS, messenger).
• ⏱️ Set the duration of blinking (from 1 to 10 seconds).
• 🌈 Change the color of the flash (on some models white or color mode is available).

If you don’t have Special Opportunities on your menu, try an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Notification Management → Additional settings → Flash at notifications

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) the function may conflict with Do Not Disturb mode. If the flash does not work, temporarily turn off this mode in the audio settings.

Alternative methods for older versions of MIUI

If you have a smartphone with MIUI 11 or earlier (such as the Redmi 7 or Mi A2), there may not be a standard way to turn on the flash on notifications.

Method 1: Use the Flash Alerts app

Download Flash Alerts 2 (or similar, for example, Flash Notification) from Google Play, which allows you to configure flash flashing even on devices where this feature is not supported at the system level.

Instructions:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Provide all necessary permissions (access to notifications, camera).
3. Turn on the Enable Flash Alerts switch.
4. In the Apps section, select the applications for which you need to activate the flash.
5. Set the intensity and duration of the blink in the Settings section.

Method 2: Activation through the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

This method is suitable for experienced users and requires caution. Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to malfunctions in the smartphone.

Steps:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##36446337## (for MediaTek) or ##4636## (for Qualcomm).

If none of these methods worked, your Xiaomi model may not support this feature at the software level, so you only need to use external accessories (such as smart wristbands with vibration).

Compatibility table: which Xiaomi models support flash on notifications

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with this feature. Below is a compatibility table for popular models. If your device is not listed, check for the feature through settings or apps from Google Play.

If your model is marked as incompatible but has a physical flash, try using third-party apps (e.g. Flash Alerts). on some devices, the feature may be blocked by the manufacturer due to overheating or energy savings.

💡

In the models with AMOLED-Instead of flashing, you can use flash screens (such as Xiaomi 13) in special features settings. This feature is less noticeable, but does not consume battery power.

How to reduce battery consumption when using flash

One of the main drawbacks of flashing is the increased battery consumption. If you notice that the smartphone has become discharged faster, try the following optimization methods:

• ⚡ Reduce the duration of blinking to 1-2 seconds (in the Flash settings at notifications).
• 📵 Disable the feature for unnecessary apps (such as games or newsletters).
• 🔄 Use Lock Only mode to allow the flash to only work when the screen is off.
• 🌙 Activate the function only during the day (some firmware has a schedule).
• 🔋 Connect the charger if you expect many notifications (e.g. during an important chat).

Also, consider that color flashes (if supported by your model) consume more power than standard white light. If autonomy is critical, select the minimum settings.

To check the actual effect on the battery:

1. Charge your smartphone to 100%.
2. Turn on the flash on notifications and use the device in normal mode.
3. After 4-5 hours, check the consumption statistics in Settings → Battery → Battery use.

💡

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ active flash notification tests (5 seconds of blinking), battery consumption increased by ~8-12% in 8 hours at an average load. Without optimization, this figure can reach 15-20%.

If even after optimizing the discharge is too fast, consider alternatives:

• 📳 Vibration with unique patterns (you can customize for different contacts).
• 🔊 Sound signals with increasing volume.
• 💡 Smart lamps (e.g. Yeelight) synchronized with a smartphone.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you set the flash to notifications correctly, it may not work properly. Here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The flash does not flash when notified

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔕 Do Not Disturb Mode is on → Turn it off in the notification curtain or in Settings → Sound.
• 📱 The application does not have rights to notifications → Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Management of notifications.
• 🔋 Energy saving mode blocks the function → Disable it or add the app to exceptions.
• 🛠️ Firmware failure → Restart your smartphone or reset your Special Opportunities settings.

Problem 2: The flash flash flashes too long or short

If the duration of the blinking does not correspond to the settings:

1. Check if a third-party flash control app is installed (it can override system settings).
2. Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI.
3. Reset the Special Opportunities settings to factory.

Problem 3: The flash only works for calls, not messages

This problem is common in some models (e.g. Redmi 9).

• 📲 Install a third-party application (such as Flash Alerts) and configure it separately for SMS.
• 🔄 Enable Notifications from all apps in flash settings.
• 📝 Check if notifications for a specific messenger (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) are disabled).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smartphones with custom firmware (such as LineageOS) may not have a flash notification function due to the lack of drivers.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions