Flash when calling Xiaomi: how to enable, configure and fix problems

Are you missing important calls because you can't hear the vibration or the melody in a noisy room? A camera flash on Xiaomi can be your salvation - bright lights won't go unnoticed even in your pocket or bag. This feature is available on most Redmi models, POCO and Xiaomi Mi/Xiaomi 11/12/13 lines, but many users don't know how to activate it or why it suddenly stops working.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can turn on a flash when calling, from standard MIUI settings to hidden options for older firmware versions. You'll learn how to adjust color, blink frequency, and even make a flash work when you're notified by messengers. And if the feature refuses to turn on, there's a checklist at the end of the article to troubleshoot the step-by-step solutions.

We warn you right away: on some budget models (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO C31), the hardware flash may be physically absent, in which case the alternative will be screen lighting – how to set it up, too, we will explain below.

1. Standard method: setting up through "Special capabilities"

The most reliable method is to use the built-in special features of MIUI. It works on all current versions of the firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open the Settings. → Special capabilities.
2. Select the Hearing section (on some models – Notifications and sounds).
3. Scroll down to the Notification Flash block and activate the switch.
4. In the menu that opens, tick the boxes: 📞 Incoming calls 💬 Communications (optional) ⚠️ Other notifications (if necessary)

Flash color

Once activated, check the function: ask a friend to call you or use a second phone. The flash should flash in sync with the vibration (if it is on) or the beep. AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi) K50) You can additionally turn on the screen flash - it will highlight the display with a bright color.

Battery charge > 15% (at low charge, the function may be switched off)

The camera is not used by other apps (e.g. Instagram)

The flash is not covered with a cover or finger

The phone is not in "Do Not Disturb" mode.

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⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the path to settings may be different. → Flash notifications.

2. Alternative method: through call settings

If the Features section does not contain the flash option (relevant to older versions of MIUI 11 and below), try enabling it through the phone app menu:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Incoming Calls → Call notifications.
4. Activate the Flash switch when you call (if any).

If you don't have these options in your phone menu, your model uses unified settings through Special Opportunities (see previous section). Try updating your firmware, as newer versions of MIUI may change the interface.

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If the flash only works when the screen is unlocked, check the power saving settings. In Battery → Power saving mode, turn off the restrictions for the Phone application.

3. Flash setting for messenger notifications

Flash on Xiaomi can flash not only when calling, but also when messages on WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber.

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram).
3. Activate the notification flash switch.
4. Set notification priority to High (otherwise the flash may not work).

For WhatsApp, the path is a bit different:

1. In the app itself, go to Settings → Notifications.
2. Select the Notification Tone → Light Indication.
3. Set the color and duration of the blink.

Note that some messengers (e.g. VK) do not support system-level flash integration, and a third-party app will help in this case, as discussed in the next section.

4. Third-party applications for advanced settings

If standard MIUI tools don’t suit you (for example, you want to adjust individual colors for different contacts or blink modes), install one of these applications:

• 🔦 Flash Notifications 2 — supportive MIUI 12-14, It allows you to assign unique signals to each contact.
• 💡 Flash Alerts 2 – runs without root, has a mode of “quiet flash” (blink without sound.
• 📱 Light Flow is the most functional solution with support LED-indicators and AMOLED-The paid version opens the advanced settings.

After installation:

1. Open the app and provide access to Notices and Camera.
2. Select Add rule → specify application (for example, Calls).
3. Adjust the color, frequency and duration of the blinking.
4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

Important: Some applications (like Light Flow) require you to disable system optimization of the battery to work properly. do this in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Find the application and select No Limits.

Frequent problems and their solutions

The flash isn't working? TOP-7 causes and ways of eliminating them:

• 🔋 Low battery (less than 15%) – the system automatically turns off the flash to save power.Solution: charge your phone or turn off the restriction in Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 📵 Flash is blocked by another app (e.g. camera or flashlight) Solution: Close all programs using the camera or restart the phone.
• 🔇 Do Not Disturb mode turns off all notifications, including lights.Solution: check your settings Do not disturb in the notification curtain.
• 🛠️ Firmware failure after update. Solution: Reset the Special Opportunities settings to factory (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the settings of special opportunities).
• 📱 No physical flash (relevant to Redmi) 9A, POCO C31). Solution: Use Screen Flash in Special Options settings.

If the problem persists, check the system logs for errors.

1. Install the Logcat Extreme app from Google Play.
2. Repeat the problem (ask to call you).
3. Open Logcat and find entries with flash, torch, or notification keywords.
4. If you see errors like E/CameraService: Torch status false, then the problem is in the camera driver – you need to flash the firmware.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Mi) A2, Mi A3) With "clean" Android One, the way to set up a flash is different.Look for Settings section → System system → Gestures → Notification flash.

6. flash on old models (MIUI 9-11)

If you have a smartphone 2017-2019 Years of release (Redmi Note) 5, Mi 8, POCO F1), The interface of the settings may be very different. Here's the guide for the older versions. MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Special features.
2. Select Call Notifications (or Auxiliary Features).
3. Activate the flashing light or flash when you call.
4. If there is no option, install APK-Flash Notifications from APKPure (for the purpose of MIUI 9 will fit version 1.5.3).

Xiaomi with MIUI 10 and below may require manual permission to control the flash.

adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.CAMERA


adb shell pm grant com.android.phone android.permission.FLASHLIGHT

These commands are executed via ADB (plug your phone to your PC and use Google’s Platform Tools).

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On older Xiaomi smartphones (until 2018), flash calls may conflict with the button lighting function. If touch keys stop working after the flash is activated, turn off the backlight in Settings → Screen → Button highlighting.

7. Screen flash for models without LED

If your Xiaomi doesn't have a physical flash (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3), use the screen light. It works by making the display brighter and flashing white.

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Hearing.
2. Activate Screen Flash (or Visual Notifications).
3. Adjust the color (white/yellow/red) and the intensity of the blinking.

A screen flash consumes more power than an LED, so:

• 🔋 Turn it off when the battery is low.
• 🌙 Use dark themes to reduce the load on the AMOLED-screen.
• ⏱️ Set a short blinking interval (for example, 1 time in 2 seconds).

In the models with LCD-screens (e.g. Redmi) 8A) The flash is less visible because of the lighting of the entire display, and in this case, it is better to use vibration with unique rhythms for different contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the outbreak on Xiaomi