Set up the notification indicator on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from basic parameters to hidden features

The LED notification indicator on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a small but extremely useful element that helps you not to miss important messages, calls or reminders. However, many users face problems: the indicator does not burn at all, then flashes the wrong color, then drains the battery in the background. In this article, we will analyze all possible LED settings, from standard parameters in MIUI to hidden functions through the engineering menu.

The Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) features a front-facing camera called a “dot LED” under the screen that supports up to 7 colors and can flash at different frequencies, but not all features are available out of the box, for example, the default indicator does not respond to notifications from Telegram or VK, although this is easy to fix.

If you want to not only turn on the indicator, but also adjust the unique colors for each application or turn it off overnight to save charge, this guide will help you do everything in 5-10 minutes.We will also look at common errors (for example, why the indicator does not work after the MIUI update) and give tips on how to optimize battery consumption.

1.Where is the notification indicator on Redmi 9 and how it works

On the Xiaomi Redmi 9, the notification LED is located to the right of the front camera, a small dot that is illuminated through the screen. Unlike older models (such as the Redmi Note 4X), where the indicator was a separate element, here it is integrated into the display, which affects its brightness and visibility in bright light.

Technical characteristics of the indicator:

• 🔴 Colors: red, green, blue, yellow, purple, turquoise, white (configurable through third-party apps).
• ⚡ Nutrition: Consumes ~0.01-0.03% charge per hour in active mode (test data from the MIUI 12.5).
• ⏱️ Modes of operation: constant glow, blinking (1-3 times per second), pulsation.
• 📱 Application Support: Defaults with Calls, SMS, WhatsApp, Mi Mail, but not Telegram or Instagram.

It's important to understand that the indicator only activates when the screen is off. If the display is on, the LED will not burn - this is done to save energy, and it does not work in Do Not Disturb mode (unless an exception is configured).

2. How to turn on or off the notification indicator in MIUI

By default, the indicator on Redmi 9 is turned on, but if it doesn’t work, check the basic settings first:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Scroll down and select the Notification Indicator (or LED in older versions of MIUI).
3. Activate the switch Show notifications with LED.

If the Notification Indicator is not in the menu, it means:

• 📱 You have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS) where the function is disabled.
• 🔄 MIUI Updated to version 13+ — settings have been moved to Settings → Notifications → Additionally.
• 🔧 The smartphone is in power saving mode (disables the LED to save charge).

To turn off the indicator completely, just deactivate the same switch, which can come in handy if you notice that the battery is running out faster than usual (although the effect of the LED on autonomy is minimal).

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If the indicator does not burn after updating MIUI, Try resetting the settings of the application Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙️) → Reset settings. This will return the standard notification settings without losing data.

3. Customize colors and blinking styles for different applications

The standard MIUI settings allow you to select only one color for all notifications. To assign unique colors to WhatsApp, Telegram or calls, you will need a third-party app. We recommend Light Manager (free but with ads) or Notification Light (paid, without restrictions).

Instructions for Light Manager:

1. Download the app from Google Play and provide all permissions (including Special Access).
2. In the main menu, select the Apps and add the ones you want to set up the indicator for (such as VK or Gmail).
3. For each application, specify: 🎨 Color (e.g. green for WhatsApp, blue for Telegram). ⏱️ Blinking style (constant, slow, fast). 🔕 Exceptions (do not show at night or in "Do not disturb" mode").

Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

If the app doesn’t appear in the Light Manager list, check:

• 📵 Notifications from this application are not blocked in the settings MIUI (Settings → Notifications → [Annex] → Allow notices).
• 🔄 The application is updated to the latest version (older versions may not support it). API light-emitting).

Make sure the indicator is included in MIUI|Check the permissions for Light Manager|Update the problem app|Reboot the smartphone after the changes-->

4.Why the notification indicator doesn't work: Diagnostics and solutions

If the LED does not burn at all settings, the problem may be a software failure or hardware malfunction.

If none of the methods helped, check the hardware serviceability of the indicator:

1. Run the equipment test using code ##4636## (select Equipment Test → LED indicator).
2. If the test fails, the display plume or the LED itself may be damaged (repair is required).

5. Hidden indicator settings through the engineering menu

MIUI hides some of the LED parameters in the engineering menu to change them:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##6484## (to test the LED) or ##4636## (total engineering menu).
2. In the Hardware Testing section, select LED or Notification LED.
3. Here you can test all colors, change the frequency of blinking or reset the settings to the factory.

⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose, for example, setting a blinking frequency too high (Blink Frequency). > 1000 ms) can cause the LED to overheat.

Through the engineering menu you can also:

• 🔦 Enable night indicator mode (automatic shutdown from 23:00 to 7:00).
• 🎚️ Adjust the brightness of the LED (by default - 50%, you can increase to 100%).
• 🔄 Reset color calibration (useful if the indicator shows the wrong shades).

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Changes to the engineering menu are not saved after resetting or updating MIUI. To return the user settings, they will have to be reconfigured.

6. Battery consumption optimization: how to reduce the impact of the indicator

Although LEDs consume little power (~0.01-0.03% per hour), when used actively (e.g. if you get a lot of notifications), their impact on autonomy can become noticeable.

• ⏳ Reduce burning time: In Light Manager, set blinking instead of constant glow (saves up to 40% energy).
• 🌙 Turn off overnight: Use the automatic rule in Light Manager or Tasker to deactivate the indicator from 23:00 to 7:00.
• 📴 Limit applications: Set the indicator only for important notifications (calls, SMS, WhatsApp, by disabling it for social media.
• 🔋 Use dark colors: Blue and green consume less energy than red or white.

For maximum savings, you can turn off the indicator completely and replace it with a vibration or a camera flash (configured in Settings → Sounds and Vibration → Vibration at notifications). However, this is less convenient - you will not see the notification type without unlocking the screen.

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If you use Always On Display (AOD), turn off the notification indicator – these functions duplicate each other and waste power.

7. Alternatives to the LED indicator on Redmi 9

If the indicator is broken or you are not satisfied with its functionality, consider alternative ways of alerting:

• 📱 Always On Display (AOD): Shows the time, date and notification icons on the screen turned off. → Display. → Always on Display, battery consumption: ~1-2% per hour.
• 🔦 Camera flash: Flashes when an incoming call or SMS. Configured in Settings → Special facilities → Notification flash.
• 🎵 Sound cues: Assign unique tunes to different contacts in Settings → Sounds and vibrations → The sound of notifications.
• 🤖 Voice Alerts: Apps like Google Assistant or Voice Notifications can voice incoming messages.

Comparison of warning methods:

For maximum convenience, you can combine methods, for example, use the indicator for messages and the flash for calls, and turn off AOD altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)