When a Xiaomi smartphone starts flashing actively during an incoming call, it often catches users off guard.In the dark or in a movie theater, it can create an awkward moment, and in some cases even scare away a pet or wake up a sleeping child.A feature conceived as useful for people with hearing impairments, for most becomes just an annoying factor that requires immediate shutdown.
Fortunately, in the MIUI and HyperOS shell, this parameter is easily adjusted, although the path to it is not always in a straight line. Notification flash can be activated through both standard system settings and third-party caller applications, which is often confusing. In this article, we will discuss all possible solutions to the problem, from basic switches to deeper interface settings.
Xiaomi’s interface is constantly updated, and the menu layout may differ on different Redmi Note or POCO models. We will look at universal methods that will suit the vast majority of devices, as well as touching on rare cases that require a special approach.
Standard settings for notification flash
The easiest and most obvious way to solve the problem is to check the system settings of notifications. This is where the main switch that causes the LED flash to light up when an incoming call or message is sent. In modern versions of MIUI, this control is often hidden in the special features menu so as not to overload the main interface with unnecessary options.
To get to the right place, you need to go through several menu levels in sequence. Don't be afraid of long partition names, because the system is logically structured, and the path to setup is always the same. It's important to do things consistently, without missing a single step, otherwise the right switch may not be found.
In some cases, after updating the firmware settings can reset or, conversely, activate by default, which is why it is worth checking this section, even if you have not previously enabled this feature, the system could interpret your actions in other menus as a request to activate visual signals.
Below is the exact sequence of actions that is relevant for most current versions of the shell:
- 📱 Open the Settings menu and find the Additional Settings section (or Advanced Settings»).
- 🔍 In the list that opens, select “Accessibility” (Special Opportunities).
- 👁️ Go to the Visual tab or immediately find the Flash for Notifications item».
- ⚙️ Turn off the switch opposite the "Flash for incoming calls" item».
Once you do this, the flashlight will stop responding to calls, but if you use a third-party call or sign-up themes, the settings may be duplicated elsewhere, and always check the result by making a test call from another number.
Configure through the application "Phone"
Sometimes system settings are powerless because flash management intercepts the call app itself. Xiaomi smartphones often use its own MIUI Dialer call, which has its own set of parameters independent of the system's global settings. This is for flexibility but creates confusion in practice.
To turn off the lights directly in the app, you have to go to the app's internal menu, which often hides the interface's behavior settings during a conversation, including visuals, and if you've previously set up any themes for calls, they can also bring their own blinking rules.
Note that depending on the firmware region (Global, Chinese, Indian) item names may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same: look for the section related to incoming calls or visuals. In some versions of MIUI, this option is placed in a separate submenu "Incoming Call Settings".
Why are the settings getting lost?
The process of disconnection through the application is as follows:
- Run the standard phone application (green handset).
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner or the menu button.
- Select “Settings” in the drop-down list.
- Find the section “Incoming Calls” or “Effects on Call”.
- Remove the tick from the item "Flash on incoming call".
If the flashlight still flashes after this manipulation, it is possible that a third-party application to determine the number or record calls causes the conflict, in which case it is worth checking the settings of these programs, since they may take precedence over system parameters.
Control through the "Do Not Disturb" mode
Do Not Disturb is a powerful tool that not only turns off the sound, but also completely shuts down any visual cues, including a flash. If your goal is to make the phone behave like a brick during sleep or movies, this method will be the most effective.
By activating this mode, you block not only the sound, but also the light indication for all incoming events, unless exceptions are configured, which is ideal for those who want to make sure that the phone does not give away its location or presence in a dark room by blinking.
It's important to understand the difference between a normal silent mode and a "Do Not Disturb" mode, in the first case, the phone may be silent, but still flashing the flashlight to attract attention, in the second case, absolutely everything that can disturb the user's peace is ignored.
To fine-tune this mode, perform the following actions:
- 🌙 Open "Settings» → «Sound and vibration» → «Don't disturb».
- 🚫 Make sure that the Allow Notifications section does not select apps that can activate the flash.
- ⏰ Set up a schedule so that the mode is turned on automatically at a certain time of day.
Using automation, you can forget about manual switching, so you can set your phone up to go quiet with the flash turned off when you go to bed or come to a certain place, like a movie theater.
Specificity of Redmi and POCO models
Owners of Xiaomi sub-brands such as Redmi and POCO may face slight differences in the interface, and although the basis is the same — MIUI or HyperOS — manufacturers sometimes add their own unique features or change the structure of the menu to optimize for a specific hardware.
For example, in some POCO models with aggressive game optimization, notification settings can be put into a separate game mode or utilities.It is also worth considering that Redmi budget models sometimes lack a separate LED indicator, and the camera flash is used as the only means of light signaling, which makes it even more important to turn off.
Below is a table that will help you navigate the differences in the configuration paths for different series of devices:
| Device series | Location of settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi (Mi/Number series) | Settings → Additional settings → Special. capabilities | MIUI Standard Pathway |
| Redmi Note | Settings → Special. opportunities → Visual | Frequently simplified menu |
| POCO (F/X/M series) | Settings → Notifications and Status Bar | Possible changes to HyperOS |
| Xiaomi (Civi/Lite) | Settings → Sound and vibration | Integration with sound profiles |
If you don't find the path you're looking for, search inside the settings menu, type in the word "flash" or "blink" and the system will tell you where the switch is on your particular model.
Problems after MIUI update and HyperOS update
With the release of newer versions of the operating system, such as HyperOS, based on Android 14, the menu structure often changes.What worked in MIUI 12 or 13 can be moved, renamed or removed. Users often complain that after the update, the flashlight began to flash on its own, although this was not previously observed.
This is because newer firmware versions can reset custom configurations to factory ones, where accessibility features are enabled by default, and notification algorithms are becoming smarter and can ignore older settings if they are deemed irrelevant to the current context of use.
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If you can’t find the old menu item after the update, try searching by settings. type in “notifications” or “accessibility” to quickly navigate to the desired section.
In such cases, it is recommended that:
- 🔄 Check for updates for system applications, especially Phone and Contacts».
- 🗑️ Clear the Settings app cache through the App Management menu.
- 🔍 Take advantage of the global search in phone settings by typing keywords in Russian and English.
Sometimes it helps to simply restart the device after the update, and the system must index the new parameters and apply the correct default settings if no manual intervention has been made.
Solving problems with third-party applications
Remember, not only system calls can flash, but apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Viber can flash if they have access to the camera and notification rights, and users often confuse the flash from a call with the flash from a message in the messenger that comes at the same time.
To rule out this option, you need to check the settings of each popular messenger separately. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, each application has its own set of permissions and notification options, which can override the system.
⚠️ Warning: Some smart themes downloaded from the Mi Store may force you to include a flash for beauty. If the problem comes after you change the theme, try returning the standard design.
Check the following points in the application settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps.
- Select the desired messenger (such as WhatsApp).
- Go to Notifications and find the category Incoming Calls.
- Make sure that the option “Lighting indication” or “Flash” is not activated.
Also worth looking at are memory cleanup or battery optimization apps, which can have their own "alarm" features that activate a flashlight when charged low or other events mimic the behavior of a call.