How to permanently turn off the flashlight when calling Xiaomi Redmi 4: detailed instructions

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 often face an unexpected feature: when an incoming call or notification automatically turns on the flashlight. For some, this is convenient - for example, in a dark room you can immediately see where the phone is located. But most users find this "feature" annoying, especially if the smartphone is lying down the screen or in your pocket. The bright light of the flashlight can distract, drain the battery and even cause discomfort to others.

Complicating the problem is that the standard MIUI settings don’t have an obvious switch to turn off the feature, and the manufacturer doesn’t document it, so many users put up with automatically turning on the flashlight for years without knowing it can be deactivated. In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways — from official settings to hidden engineering menu commands — to help get rid of intrusive light once and for all.

Why does the flashlight turn on when you call Redmi 4?

The automatic flashlight feature appeared on MIUI firmware 8 and older as part of the notification system, originally intended as a “useful little thing” for users, but has over time caused complaints, and here are the main reasons why this happens:

• 🔦 Hardware feature: In the Redmi 4 (mido model), the flashlight is connected to the same controller as the vibration motor, so the system can activate it at any event (bell, SMS, alarm-clock).
• 📱 Settings MIUI: In some versions of the firmware, the function is hidden in the menu Additional settings → Special features or call settings.
• 🔄 Firmware error: after updating MIUI (especially from 8 to 9 version, the settings are reset, and the flashlight starts to work by default».
• 🛠️ Third-party apps: Some programs (such as Truecaller or Call Recorder) may force flashlights to “enhance the experience».

Interestingly, other Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 4 or Mi A1) this function is not at all – it is unique to the line of Redmi 4/4X/4A. This is due to the optimization of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 hardware platform, where LED control is implemented at the core level.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (official method)

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. However, the path to the right option is not obvious, and depending on the firmware version, it may differ.

For MIUI 8-9:

1. Open the Settings. → Sounds and vibrations.
2. Scroll down and select Additional settings.
3. Find the flashlight item when calling (or Light Indication) and turn off the slider.

For MIUI 10-12:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, enter the Phone and select the standard call app.
3. Open Notices → Additional → uncheck the flashlight.

If these items are not, then your firmware does not support disabling through the GUI. In this case, move on to the following methods.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

If the standard settings didn't work, you can use the Engineering Mode, which is a hidden part of Android where you can access low-level settings on the device.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##3646633###
2. You will be taken to EngineerMode. Go to Hardware Testing → LED.
3. Find Flashlight Control or Torch Mode options.
4. Turn off options related to Incoming Call or Notification.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If the LED partition is missing, try an alternative path: EngineerMode → MTK Settings → Hardware → Flashlight. On some firmware, the option may be called Torchlight Auto-On.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If previous methods have failed, you can turn off the flashlight via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, and the advantage of the method is that it works on any version of MIUI and does not require root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect Redmi 4 to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
4. Use the command to turn off the flashlight when you call: adb shell settings put global flashlight_notification 0
5. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.android.server.flashlight.CANCEL

This command forcibly turns off the flashlight at the system level, but after the MIUI update, the settings may reset, and the procedure will have to be repeated.

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If ADB-When you don't have any teams working, try using the AppOps app from the Play Market, which allows you to manage the permissions of system applications, including access to a flashlight.

Method 4: Third-party applications for flashlight control

If you don’t want to dig into the settings or are afraid to use ADB, And these are the tools that will come to the rescue, and they allow you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the flashlight, including turning it off when you call.-3 tested applications:

Example of settings in Flashlight Notifier:

1. Install the app and give it access to notifications.
2. In the Call Settings section, turn off the Flash on Incoming Call option.
3. In Advanced, add the Phone app to the blacklist.
4. Save the settings and restart the application.

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (such as Avast or Dr.Web) may block these utilities from working as “suspicious.” Add the app to the exceptions if the flashlight continues to turn on.

Method 5: Manual editing of system files (root only)

If you have root rights, you can turn off the flashlight at the system file level, which is the most reliable method, but also the most risky one, because an error can lead to a bootloop. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/cust/property/.
3. Find the local.prop file and open it in the text editor.
4. Add the line: ro.vendor.flashlight.notification=0
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone.

If there is no local.prop file, create it manually. An alternative way for some firmware is /system/build.prop — add the same line to the end of the file.

⚠️ Note: Before editing system files, be sure to make a backup copy through TWRP Change build.prop can disrupt some functions, for example, OTG or NFC (If they are on your model).

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Editing system files is a last resort, and if you are not sure what you are doing, use methods 1-4 or contact the service center.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the light is turned off, the flashlight may continue to turn on, and the reasons and ways to eliminate them are:

• 🔄 Resetting settings: After the update MIUI Repeat the deactivation procedure (see Method 1 or 2).
• 📱 Application conflict: Remove or disable call apps (e.g. Truecaller, Drupe) They can force the flashlight to activate.
• 🔋 Hardware failure: If the flashlight is switched on randomly (not just when calling), check the charging connector for contamination or oxidation. Sometimes the contacts close, simulating a command to turn on.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: Unofficial builds (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not support flashlight management. MIUI Or contact the firmware developer.

If none of these methods worked, the reason could be a hardware malfunction of the flashlight controller, in which case only repairs in the service center will help, the average cost of replacing the flashlight module with a Redmi 4 is 800-1500 rubles (as of 2026).

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