How to put a flashlight on Xiaomi notifications: step-by-step setting

Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face the need to visually alert them when they miss calls or messages. In loud music, noisy traffic, or simply when the phone is down, the sound signal may not be heard, and it is in these situations that a flash when notified becomes an indispensable tool for instantly detecting an incoming event.

Unlike older push-button phones, where LEDs flashed, modern smartphones use the main or secondary camera module to provide light signals. However, in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this feature is often hidden in the non-obvious menu or completely disabled by default to save battery power. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to activate the indicator.

It's worth noting that settings may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware, but the algorithm remains the same for most of the Chinese brand's devices, a feature called "Flash at Notifications" and is in the special features section. Let's get to the specific steps.

Where to look for flash settings in the MIUI menu

The first place you should look at Xiaomi or Redmi is the classic system settings menu, and the developers have put this option in the special features section, which is logical, since the feature is designed to improve the availability of the interface, you need to open the main menu and find the item "Extended settings" or immediately go to special functions.

Once you enter the section, you need to be careful, because there are many items. Look for a category related to hearing or vision. In some versions of the firmware, the path may look like Settings → Advanced Settings → Special. In other, newer versions of MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the item can be entered separately in the main settings menu called "Special Opportunities".

If you can't find the right item by name, search by settings. Just type in the search bar the word "flash" or "notification." The system will highlight the desired section. This is the fastest way that works even with a changed menu structure after major updates.

Step-by-step instruction for activating the indicator

Once you have found the "Accessible features" section, you will see a list of categories, and we're interested in the "Vision" section, and that's where all the settings associated with visual display of information, including font zoom and color inversion, are hidden.

Inside the Vision section, you need to find the "Flash at Notifications" item. Click on it. You'll see a menu with one master switch. Activate it by moving the slider to "On" position. Immediately after that, your smartphone will start flashing the LED whenever you call and text.

• 🔦 Open the settings of your device.
• 👁️ Go to the Special Opportunities section (or Advanced Settings) → Special opportunities).
• 👀 Select the Vision tab at the top of the screen.
• ⚡ Find the Flash bar at notifications and activate the switch.

It’s important to understand that activating this feature can slightly increase your power consumption, especially if you get hundreds of notifications a day. However, modern LEDs are quite energy efficient, and there will be no significant impact on the autonomy of the smartphone in standby mode.

Setup of camera and applications

Sometimes it seems that the feature is turned on, but the flash does not light up in specific applications, such as Viber, Telegram or WhatsApp, because the system can restrict the background operation of applications or access to equipment, in which case additional setting of access rights is required.

Go to the settings of a particular application that doesn't flash. Find the Notifications section and make sure they're enabled. Also check the Permissions section. Make sure the messenger has permission to work in the background, although direct access to the flash through standard Android resolutions is not usually requested.

⚠️ Warning: If the flash flash flash flashes chaotically or doesn't stop burning after a call is reset, try restarting the device.This often resolves software conflicts between the system notification service and the camera driver.

In some cases, cleaning the cache of the Security app or the notification system itself helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find system services, and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse "Clear Data" with "Clean Data" so you don't mess up your personal settings.

Using third-party applications for blinking

If Xiaomi or POCO are not able to achieve the desired result, or you want more flexible configuration (for example, flashing different colors for different contacts), Google Play apps will come to the rescue. There are many utilities that intercept system notifications and manage the flash using their own algorithms.

One popular solution is the Flash Alert app, which allows you to set up flashing not only for calls, but also for low battery power, charger connection, and other system events, and these applications often have more subtle settings for the frequency and duration of flashes.

When installing third-party software, be sure to give it all the permissions you ask for. Without access to the contact list and notifications, the application will not work correctly. Also, be sure to add the program to the battery exception list so that the system does not "kill" its process in the background.

Problems with the outbreak in the mode "Do not disturb"

Special attention should be paid to the behavior of the smartphone in the mode “Do Not Disturb” (Do Not Disturb), users often complain that when you turn on this mode, the flash stops flashing even when incoming calls from favorite contacts, this is due to the priorities of the system.

In silent mode, the system blocks all visual and sound effects, considering them a disturbance of the user's rest. To circumvent this limitation, you need to configure exceptions. Go to the Do Not Disturb settings and find the "Allow notifications from" section. Add the desired contacts or applications.

However, even with exceptions, the visual indicator may not work if the global settings of the mode prohibit light effects, in which case it is easier to use the "In your pocket" mode or simply turn the volume down, leaving the flash function active, which ensures that you do not miss the emergency call.

• 🌙 Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
• 🔕 Select the item Do not disturb.
• 📞 Set up exceptions for calls from selected.
• ✅ Check if the "Total Silence" check box is worth it, which blocks the lights.

It is worth remembering that the power saving mode can also affect the performance of the indicator. If the battery charge is critically low (less than 10-15%), the system can automatically turn off the notification flash to extend the device's standby time.

Specifics of POCO and Redmi Note models

Owners of POCO and Redmi sub-brands may experience slight interface differences, such as in the POCO Launcher shell, some system settings can be put into a separate Security app or hidden in the design theme. If the standard path doesn't work, try updating the MIUI System Service Components app.

The Redmi Note series models with AMOLED-Sometimes you see "Always On Display" on the screen, and then the flash of the main flash may be less noticeable because the screen is already on.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi budget models, the flash notification can only work for incoming calls, ignoring messages from instant messengers.

Also on devices with a notch-drop-shaped cutout or hole in the screen, the flash module is located next to the lens. Make sure you do not glue this area with a tight cover or a protective glass with improper perforation, otherwise the light will scatter inside the case.

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If the flash flash flashes too brightly and blinds in the dark, seal it with a small piece of translucent tape, which will reduce the intensity of the light, making it softer and more pleasing to the eyes.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

There are times when the software settings are fine, but the flash doesn't physically light up. The first thing you need to do is check the LED itself. Try turning the flashlight on through the notification curtain or voice command. If the flashlight doesn't work anywhere, maybe the hardware is the problem.

A common cause of failure is a conflict of newly installed applications. If the problem occurs after installing a new program, try to uninstall it. It's also worth checking if Screen Tracking or the proximity sensor is on, which can block the light sensor from operating if they use common interrupt resources.

In extreme cases, if nothing works, you can reset your system to factory settings, but before that, make sure to back up your data in the Mi Cloud or on your computer, and reset all system files back to their original state, eliminating possible software errors.

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Notification flash is a standard feature of Android, hidden in the "Special Features" section, and it doesn't need root rights or complex manipulations, just activate one switch.