How to remove flash blinking when calling Xiaomi Redmi 9: a detailed guide

Are you tired of the flash flashing every time a Xiaomi Redmi 9 receives an incoming call?This feature, designed to alert you to calls in noisy environments or for people with hearing impairments, is often a source of irritation — especially at night or in dark rooms. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to turn it off, but not all of them are obvious to the average user.

In this article, we will discuss three official methods of deactivating light indications: through standard MIUI settings, using hidden developer parameters, and alternative solutions for cases where standard methods do not work. You will also learn why this feature can spontaneously turn on after updates and how to prevent its re-activation. Instructions are relevant for Redmi 9 on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14 based on Android 10/11/12).

Why flash flashes when calling: function assignment

Incoming call lighting is part of Android’s special features system, known as Flash Notifications, which was originally designed to:

• 👂 People with hearing impairments as a visual alternative to calling;
• 🏭 Noisy workers where the sound of the bell is drowned out;
• 🌃 Night Alerts (such as in the bedroom where sound can wake people up).

On the Xiaomi Redmi 9, this feature is activated by default in some regional firmware (especially in Asian and European markets). Unlike vibration, which consumes minimal energy, a flash with prolonged blinking can drain the battery by 2-5% per hour of active use, and it puts a strain on the camera's LED module, which theoretically can reduce its life during heavy operation.

Interestingly, on some versions of MIUI, this function is called differently:

Global firmware: Flash notification light;

- In Chinese version: (incoming call + flash);

In the European assembly: Incoming call flash.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi 9 with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the path to settings may be different).

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The simplest method is to deactivate the feature in the special features menu, which works on all official MIUI versions for Redmi 9 (including MIUI 14).

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Special Features section (in some firmwares – Additional Features).
3. Select the item "Hearing" (Hearing in the English version).
4. Find the option of Flash notifications or Flash notifications.
5. Turn off the slider next to Incoming calls.

If you don’t have a Rumor item on your menu, try an alternative route:

Settings → System → Additional → Special features → Flash notifications

1. Call a test call to your phone (e.g., from a second device)

2.Make sure the flash does not flash.

3.Reboot the phone to apply the changes

4. Check again after rebooting-->

On some MIUI firmware, the option may be hidden under a different name. Here's a match table for different versions:

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI To avoid this, back up your settings through Settings before updating. → The phone. → Backup.

Method 2: Using Developer Parameters

If the standard method does not work (for example, the option is not in the menu), you can turn off the flash through the developer mode.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row (you will receive a notification "You became a developer").
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Scroll down and find the Notification Light option.
5. Turn off the flash slider when incoming calls.

Some firmware may have different paths.

• 🔍 For developers → Notifications → Notification flash
• 🔍 For developers → System system → Light indication
• 🔍 For developers → Debugging → Visual alerts

Once turned off, be sure to restart your phone, as changes to the developer settings only apply after the reboot. If the flash continues to blink, check if it is enabled in the settings of a particular application (for example, Truecaller or Google Phone may have its own light display options).

Method 3: Alternative solutions (if nothing helps)

In rare cases, standard methods fail because of firmware or system application conflicts, and alternative approaches come to the rescue:

1.Use of ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can turn off the flash through the terminal. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell settings put system notification_light_pulse 0

To check the current state, use:

adb shell settings get system notification_light_pulse

If the command returns 1, the function is active.

Third-party annexes

Applications like Flash Notifications or Light Manager allow you to flexibly configure light alerts, including turning them off completely, and note that these programs require notification and special features permissions to operate.

3. Physical disconnection (extreme case)

If software methods don't work, you can temporarily seal the flash with opaque tape (like tape), which is unaesthetic, but effective, and the main thing is not to block the autofocus sensor and do not use adhesive materials that can leave traces.

Why can the flash turn on on itself again?

Many Redmi 9 users experience the flash reactivating after the shutdown.

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After major system updates, some settings are reset to default values.
• 📱 Reset to factory settings: Any hard reset returns all parameters to the original state.
• 🔧 Application Conflict: Some programs (e.g. Truecaller, WhatsApp) have their own alert settings that can override system settings.
• 🛠️ Restore from backup: If an activated option was saved in the backup, it will be restored along with other settings.

To prevent spontaneous inclusion:

1. After each MIUI update, check the flash settings.
2. Turn off automatic settings recovery in Settings → System → Backup.
3. Check the settings of alerts in messengers and telephony applications.

💡

Create a shortcut to quickly disable the flash: add the Settings widget to the home screen and link it to the Special Features → Notification Flash section. This will enable/disable the function in two taps.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to turn off a flash, users often make common mistakes that lead to the opposite result.

Another common problem is that flashes only flash on certain types of calls.

• 📞 In normal calls – does not blink, but blinks when Viber calls.
• 🔔 Blinks only when you miss calls, not when you call.

In such cases, check the alert settings in each app separately. For example, on WhatsApp, the path will be: Settings → Notifications → Calls → Light indication.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

💡

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI 12-14 firmware, the most reliable way to turn off the flash is a combination of standard settings and developer settings. After applying the changes, always check the result with a test call and restart the device.