How to permanently turn off the flashlight when calling on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

Are you tired of your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 automatically turning on the flashlight every time you call or notify?This feature, which the manufacturer added for convenience in the dark, is often a source of irritation — especially when the phone is lying down on the table, blinding others with bright light. Unfortunately, in the standard MIUI settings there is no obvious switch to turn off this option. But don’t be quick to accept the inconvenience: we will detail 5 working ways to remove the automatic flashlight, including hidden settings and engineering menus.

Complicating the problem, different versions of Redmi Note 4 firmware (including global, Chinese and custom builds) may have different paths to shutdown. Moreover, after system updates, settings are sometimes reset and the flashlight starts working again “by default.” In this article, you will find current solutions for all versions of MIUI 8-14, as well as alternative methods for cases where standard methods do not work.

Why the flashlight turns on when you ring: technical reasons

The automatic flashlight activation function for incoming calls or SMS was originally incorporated into the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware as part of the backlit notification system, and is activated in three cases:

• 📞 Incoming call – flashlight flashes at a frequency synchronized with vibration.
• 💬 SMS or notifications from messengers (if the option is enabled in the settings of the application).
• 🔔 Alarm clock in some versions MIUI The flashlight works with the sound signal.

Technically, this feature is implemented through SensorService, a system service that manages smartphone sensors, including the light sensor and LED backlight. In earlier versions of MIUI (up to the 10th), it was possible to turn it off via the Settings menu → Additional, but in new builds the option is hidden deeper or completely removed, the manufacturer explains this as “improved user experience”, although many owners of the Redmi Note 4 consider the feature useless.

Interesting fact: on some Redmi Note 4 versions (like the Helio X20 processor), the flashlight works differently when calling, it doesn't blink, it burns all the time. This is due to differences in the hardware platform and the version of the camera module. If your smartphone behaves like this, standard shutdown methods may not work, you will need to edit system files.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

Starting with the simplest method that works on most versions of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware (including global and European).Importantly, the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to Sound and Vibration (or Sounds and Vibrations in older versions).
3. Scroll down and find the Notifications Illumination item (in some firmware it is called Light Effects).
4. Turn off the slider opposite the flashlight option when you call or flash flash flashing flashlight.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone (it is imperative that the settings apply).

If you don’t have a notification highlight on your menu, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 Find the phone app (or calls) in the list).
• 🔧 Then, click on it, then select the notifications.
• 💡 Check if there is an option Light effects – if so, turn it off.

Attention! On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 4), the option may be hidden behind an additional menu. If you don't see the right item, try resetting the Phone app to factory settings:

⚠️ Note: Resetting the application settings Phone will delete the call history and individual settings of the beeps.We recommend pre-export the history through Settings → Google → Backup.

Method 2: Use of the Engineering Menu (without root)

If standard settings don’t work, you can try turning off the flashlight through the Engineering Mode, a method that doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires caution – incorrect changes can disrupt the sensors.

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## (or #4636### for older versions of MIUI).
2. You'll be taken to Engineer Mode. Go to the Hardware Testing tab.
3. Find the Sensor section and select the Light Sensor.
4. Scroll down to Flashlight Notification (or Torch Notification).
5. Turn off the option by setting the Disable or Off value.
6. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot to reboot.

If the combination ##36446337### didn’t work, try the alternative codes for Redmi Note 4:

Important: Do not change other settings on the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, disabling the Proximity Sensor can cause the screen to not go out during a call.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but does not need root rights.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the build number, then return to the Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi Note 4 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Use the command to turn off the flashlight when you call: adb shell settings put global flashlight_notification_enabled 0
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

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

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

Note: Some Redmi Note 4 firmware (especially custom ones) may have different paths to setup. If the flashlight continues to turn on after you have completed the command, check the current setting:

adb shell settings get global flashlight_notification_enabled

If answer 1 means that the setting didn't apply, in which case try the root-rights method (described below).

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Before using ADB, back up your data via adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Editing system files (root required)

If you have root rights, you can turn off the flashlight when you call by changing the system files, which is the most reliable method, but also the most risky one - wrong actions can lead to a bootloop.

You'll need:

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with unlocked bootloader and Magisk or SuperSU installed.
• 🛠️ Root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 📄 Backup of the system (required!).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go on the path: /system/cust/prop/local.prop If the local.prop file is not available, create it.
2. Add a line to the end of the file: ro.miui.has_flashlight_notification=false
3. Save the changes and set rights 644 (rw-r-----).
4. Reboot the phone.

If the flashlight still turns on after the reboot, try editing the file /system/build.prop (pre-back it up!):

1. Find a line: ro.miui.has_flashlight_notification=true
2. Replace true with false.
3. Save the file and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the build.prop file can cause a download failure if you make a syntax error.Always check the file for extra characters or line transfers.If the phone doesn't boot, restore the original build.prop via TWRP.

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Editing system files is the most effective way, but it is only suitable for root users. If you don't have root rights experience, you'd better use methods without superuser rights.

Method 5: Third-party applications for flashlight control

If you don't want to dig into settings or risk system files, you can use third-party apps, which aren't always reliable, but sometimes help you bypass the limitations of MIUI.

The best apps for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4:

• 🔦 Flash Alerts 2 - allows you to flexibly configure notifications with a flashlight, including completely disabling the feature.
• 📱 Flash Notification 2 supports separate settings for calls, SMS and instant messengers. Works without root, but requires permission to access notifications.
• 🛠️ MacroDroid – Automatically disable the flashlight by trigger (for example, when connecting to Wi-Fi or at a certain time).

Instructions for setting up Flash Alerts 2:

1. Install the app and provide all the permissions you have requested (including access to notifications).
2. Open the Settings. → Management of notifications.
3. Find the Phone app and turn off the Flash on Call option for it.
4. Reboot the phone.

Important: Some applications may conflict with MIUI system services, especially if you have unofficial firmware installed. If after installing the application, the phone starts to brake or overheat, remove it and use another method.

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with MIUI firmware 9 and below, some flashlight management applications may not work due to system limitations, in which case the only reliable way is to edit system files (mode 4).

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all of these methods, but the flashlight still turns on when you call, it’s possible that one of the following reasons is the problem:

If you're sure the hardware isn't the problem, the last chance is to roll back the firmware to an earlier version of MIUI, where the flashlight function was not yet tightly integrated into the system. For example, on MIUI 8 or MIUI 9, the shutdown works stably. You can find the rollback instructions in the official download section of Xiaomi.

Warning: Rolling back the firmware erases all data from the phone, including photos and contacts. Pre-backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off flashlight on Redmi Note 4