How to turn off the flashlight when calling on Xiaomi Redmi Note: all ways

The flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones is a useful feature that automatically activates when an incoming call or notification is sent, but for many users, it becomes an annoying factor: the LED fires at inappropriate moments, drains the battery or simply interferes with the battery. This is especially true for Redmi Note owners. 10/11/12, where the function is enabled by default and it is not always obvious how to deactivate it.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to turn off a flashlight when you call, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer settings and third-party utilities. You’ll learn how to remove automatic lighting without losing functionality, and what to do if the option isn’t displayed on the menu. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 firmware and are adapted to specific models of the Redmi Note series.

Why does the flashlight turn on when you call Xiaomi Redmi Note?

The automatic flashlight on incoming calls came to MIUI as part of a notification system that was originally designed for convenience: in a dark room or outdoors, an LED helps you quickly find your phone. However, over time, many users have complained about unpredictable triggers, as the flashlight lights up not only when you make calls, but also when you send a SMS, push notifications or even an alarm clock.

Reasons for activation of the flashlight:

  • πŸ“± The default setting in the firmware MIUI (Especially on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Note 11 and later).
  • πŸ”„ Update the system, after which the function is automatically enabled.
  • πŸ“² Third-party apps (such as Truecaller or Google Phone) that override settings.
  • πŸ› οΈ Developer mode or experimental functions MIUI, randomly activated.

It’s important to understand that the path to shutdown may differ from Redmi Note model to model, for example, on Redmi Note 8, the option is hidden in the Settings β†’ Screen menu, and on Note 12, in Additional Settings β†’ Special Features. Next, we’ll look at the universal and model-dependent ways.

πŸ“Š Xiaomi Redmi Note: Which model is yours?
Redmi Note 10/10 Pro
Redmi Note 11/11 Pro
Redmi Note 12/12 Pro
Redmi Note 9/9T
Another model

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in options of the system. However, there is a caveat: depending on the version of MIUI, the path to customization can change. Below is the algorithm for the latest firmware versions (relevant to MIUI 13/14).

Instructions:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
  2. Go to the Notifications and Status bar section.
  3. Select Call Notifications (or Call Settings on some models).
  4. Find the flashlight option when you call (may be called Notifications Backlight or Light Indicator).
  5. Move the slider to the off position.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

  • πŸ” Settings β†’ Additional settings β†’ Special facilities β†’ Lantern.
  • πŸ” Settings β†’ Screen. β†’ Notifications highlighting (for Redmi Note 9).

β˜‘οΈ Pre-switch check

Done: 0 / 4

Important! On some firmware, the option is hidden under Settings Call β†’ Additional. If you don't find it, move on to the next way.

Method 2: Using the Developer Mode

If the standard settings didn't work, you can use the hidden developer settings, which works on all Redmi Note models, but requires activation of the mode.

Steps to shut down:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings β†’ About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").

Settings

For developers

USB debugging

Light on notice

Call lighting

Turn off the slider and restart the phone.

On the Redmi Note 10 Pro and Note 11, the option may be called Notify Light, and it must also be deactivated.

What to do if there is no developer mode?
Some of the firmware (e.g., global versions) MIUI For Europe, the "Developers" section may be hidden, in which case try resetting the network settings to Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Reset the network settings. After the reboot, the partition should appear.

Method 3: Disconnect via the "Phone" application

In some cases, the flashlight is not controlled by the system, but by the Google Phone app or the standard MIUI bell. To check this, follow the following steps:

For the standard MIUI call:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
  3. Go to Call Settings. β†’ Additionally.
  4. Find the flashlight option when you call and turn it off.

For Google Phone (if installed as a default call):

  1. Open the phone β†’ Settings β†’ General settings.
  2. Choose vibrations and sounds when calling.
  3. Turn off the light display or flashlight.

πŸ’‘

If you use a third-party call (like Truecaller), check its settings: often these apps override system settings and turn on the flashlight themselves.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities, for example, MacroDroid allows you to create automatic rules to turn off the flashlight when you call.

Instructions:

  1. Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
  2. Create a new macro command: Trigger: Incoming Call. Action: Turn off the flashlight (or turn off the LED).

Save the rule and activate it.

Alternative annexes:

  • πŸ“± Tasker – for advanced users (requires script customization).
  • πŸ“± Flash Alerts 2 – allows you to flexibly configure notifications with a flashlight.
  • πŸ“± Light Manager – manages LED indicators.

πŸ’‘

Third-party applications may require permission to access notifications and special features, and be careful when granting permissions to unfamiliar utilities!

Method 5: Resetting settings to factory

If none of these things work, the last thing you can do is reset your phone to factory settings, which will delete all user data, but it will return the system to its original state, where the flashlight is turned off by default when you call.

How to reset:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Select Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Network Resettings!).
  3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Warning: Before reset, be sure to back up your data through Settings β†’ Additional settings β†’ Backup and Reset.

πŸ’‘

After reset, check if the flashlight function is back on. If so, update the firmware to the latest version via Settings β†’ System Update.

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

MethodPlusesConsSuitable for
Standard settingsQuick, no rights required.Not always available.MIUI 12–14, Redmi Note 10/11/12
Developer modeIt works on all models.Requires activation, risk of failureAny version of MIUI
Call settingsLocal solutionIt does not help with system notificationsGoogle Phone, standard phone call
Third-party annexesFlexible setupSafety risk, battery consumptionAdvanced users
Resetting settings100%Deletion of all dataExtreme case

Recommendation: Start with standard settings (Method 1), then try the Developer Mode (Method 2). If the problem remains, use third-party utilities or reset.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the flashlight, you often have typical problems, and here are the most common ones and the ways you can solve them:

  • ❌ The option is not on the menu: ⚠️ Attention! On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global for Europe) flashlight function is locked at the system level, in which case only software update or reset will help.
  • ❌ The flashlight is only turned on when SMS: Check the settings in Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Messages. Turn off the light display option.
  • ❌ After updating MIUI function returned: This is standard system behavior. After the update, check the settings again or use MacroDroid to automatically disable.
  • ❌ The flashlight flashes but doesn't burn constantly: This is a sign of the LED notification indicator working. β†’ Screen. β†’ Illumination of notifications.

If you encounter another problem, check if your action conflicts with energy-saving mode or optimization apps (like Security or Battery Saver) that sometimes block changes to settings.

Can I turn off the flashlight only for specific contacts?
Yes, but only with third-party apps like MacroDroid or Tasker, which is not a feature in standard MIUI settings, so you need to create a rule that will check the caller's number and turn off the flashlight for the selected contacts.
After the flashlight was turned off, the lights stopped working.
Light notifications and flashlights are often controlled by one setting when calling, so to return the backlight to SMS, but leave the flashlight off, use the Light Manager app from Google Play. It lets you split the functions.
My Redmi Note 8 doesn't have the option to turn off the flashlight.
On older models (Redmi Note 8/9), the function can be hidden deeper. Try the path: Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Notifications β†’ LED settings. If it isn’t, upgrade to the latest version or use Developer Mode (Method 2).
The flashlight turns on even when the phone is down. Is that normal?
No, it's a sign of a proximity sensor malfunction. Try calibrating it: Go to Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ All Specifications β†’ Sensors. Press the Approximation Sensor and follow the instructions on the screen. If it doesn't work, reset the settings or go to the service center.
Will turning off the flashlight save battery power?
Yes, but not much. The flashlight consumes about 0.1-0.3% of the charge per turn on. If it works often (for example, 50 times a day), then in a month it can add up to 5-10% of the additional consumption. For significant savings, it is better to optimize the background processes through the Settings β†’ Battery.