How to set up a flashlight on Xiaomi: adjust brightness, color temperature and quick access

The flashlight on Xiaomi smartphones has long ceased to be a simple on/off function. Modern models of Redmi, POCO and Mi line offer advanced settings: smooth brightness adjustment, color temperature change, quick gestures and even a strobe for emergency situations. However, many users still do not know how to squeeze the maximum out of this feature - especially after upgrading to MIUI 14/15, where the settings interface has changed again.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to adjust the flashlight on Xiaomi - from basic to hidden. You will learn how to enable smooth brightness adjustment (yes, it is not on all models!), adjust the warm/cold light, add a flashlight to the Control Panel or desktop, and what to do if the function suddenly stopped working. We will also focus on the unique feature of flashlights in models with an infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro).+), where the LED can operate in two modes simultaneously.

Note: instructions are relevant for smartphones on MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If you have a device older than 2019, some features may not be available, check the compatibility list at the end of the article.

1. Basic ways to turn on a flashlight on Xiaomi

Before adjusting brightness or color, you need to learn how to quickly turn on the flashlight. Xiaomi has 5 standard ways - choose the most convenient for yourself.

• 📱 Through the notification panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and tap the flashlight icon (if not, read section 3).
• 🔦 Double press power button: works on most models (starting with the Redmi Note 8). → Screen. → Double press of the power button.
• 🤏 The gesture “to hold your fingers”: it will work if you include in the Settings → Additionally. → Gestures (not available on all firmware).
• 🎤 Voice assistant: say “OK, Google, turn on the flashlight” or use Alice from Yandex.
• 🔧 Through the Quick Settings menu: Hold the flashlight icon in the notification panel – a brightness-adjusted menu will open (if supported).

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro) the flashlight is automatically activated during the scan QR-This is called the Autolighter, and it's configured into Settings. → Annexes → Camera. → Additionally.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) Long-term use of a flashlight at maximum brightness can cause burn-in pixels near the camera%.

Adjustment of the brightness of the flashlight: step-by-step instruction

Not all Xiaomi models support smooth flashlight adjustment, a feature that has been introduced since the Redmi Note 10 and Mi 11 on MIUI 12.5+. If you have an older model, skip this section – you only have fixed levels (usually 3-5 positions).

To change the brightness:

1. Open the Notification Panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Find the flashlight icon and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
3. You will see a brightness slider – move it to the left (dim light) or to the right (maximum brightness).
4. Some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) have an additional button Stroboscope – it includes flashing mode (useful for alarm in emergency situations).

If the slider doesn't appear, then your model doesn't support smooth adjustment, in which case, try an alternative way:

Settings → System → Additional → Flashlight → Brightness modes

Here you can select one of the predefined levels (for example, "Average", "Bright", "Maximum").

Keep the flashlight icon in the notification panel

Check for a slider.

Go to Settings → System → Additional → Flashlight

Update the firmware to MIUI 12.5 or newer-->

3. How to add a flashlight to the control panel or on the desktop

If the flashlight icon is missing from the Notification Panel, or if you need to control it even faster, you can add it manually. Here are two ways:

Method 1: Configure the control panel

1. Open the notification panel and tap the icon ⚙️ («Edit»).
2. Find the flashlight in the list and drag it to the active area (top of the screen).
3. Press Ready.

Method 2: Widget to the desktop

1. Press and hold the free space on the desktop.
2. Select Widgets → find “Tools”** or “Quick Settings”.

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the European region) may not have a flashlight widget, in which case use third-party apps like Flashlight Widget from Google Play.

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If the flashlight doesn’t turn on through the widget, try restarting your smartphone or clearing the Settings app cache (Settings → Applications → App Management → Settings → Clear the cache).

Adjust the color temperature of the flashlight (warm/cold light)

The color temperature change feature appeared in MIUI 13 and is available on flagship models (Xiaomi 12/13 series, Redmi K50 Pro and later) It is useful if you need softer light (for example, for reading) or, conversely, cold white for lighting parts.

To change the color:

1. Hold the flashlight icon in the Notification Panel.
2. If a menu with a brightness slider appears, look for an icon next to you. 🌡️ («Temperature»).
3. Slip it and select one of the modes: 🔆 Cold (6500K) — white-light. 💡 Neutral (4500K) — standardization. 🕯️ Warm (2700K) — yellowish light, gentle to the eyes.

Some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have an additional “Auto” mode, which adjusts the color temperature to the lighting in the room.

Settings → Screen → Color Mode → Adaptive Color of a Flashlight

⚠️ Warm light mode reduces the overall brightness of the flashlight by 15-20%. If you want maximum luminous flux, use either Cold or Neutral».

5. Hidden flashlight functions: strobescope, SOS and infrared mode

Beyond standard lighting, the flashlight on Xiaomi can work in special modes, which are often overlooked, but they are extremely useful.

• 🚨 stroboscope (SOS): flashing lights to attract attention, activated by holding the flashlight icon → Stroboscope button, flashing frequency — ~2 Hz (unregulated).
• 🔴 Infrared mode: available on models with an IR port (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+). Included through Settings → Connections → Infrared port → Flashlight mode. The light is invisible to the eye, but it's captured by cameras.
• 📱 Screen flashlight: if the main LED is broken, you can use the screen. → Special facilities → Screen flashlight (color and brightness are adjusted).

SOS is especially useful when hiking or in an accident, which can be seen several kilometers away in the dark, but remember that prolonged use of a strobe discharges the battery 2-3 times faster than a conventional flashlight.

For models with an infrared port there is an interesting life hack: if you turn on both a regular and an infrared flashlight at the same time, you can create the effect of “invisible lighting” (for example, for shooting in complete darkness without dazzling the object).

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Stroboscope and IR mode are not available on all models. Before using, check for these features in the flashlight settings or in the documents to the device.

6.Why the flashlight doesn't work: Diagnostics and solutions

If your Xiaomi flashlight stops turning on or doesn’t work properly, the reasons can be both software and hardware, and we’ll look at the most common problems and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods helped, check the physical condition of the LED:

1. Light a flashlight on a wall in a dark room – if there is light, but very dim, the driver is the problem.
2. Try turning on the flashlight through the Engineering Menu Mode (enter in the phone number ##4636## → Equipment Testing → Flashlight).
3. If the LED doesn’t respond at all, it may have burned out – in this case, repairs are needed.

⚠️ Note: On models with water protection (IP53/IP68) (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) A non-shatterable housing makes it difficult to repair a flashlight, and a self-disassembly will result in a loss of warranty and water protection!

7. Alternative methods of flashlight control

If you don't like standard methods, you can use third-party solutions, they give you more options, but they require additional adjustments.

• 📱 Flashlight applications: Flashlight, Tiny Flashlight or Super-Bright LED Flashlight lets you adjust blinking, color (on supported models) and even control a flashlight on a schedule.
• 🤖 Tasker/Automate: These apps can create automatic rules, like turning on a flashlight when you shake your phone or geolocate it (like entering a dark entrance).
• 🔧 ADB-commands: for advanced users, for example, the command to turn on the flashlight: adb shell input keyevent 268 (code may vary depending on the model).

When using third-party apps, be careful: some request excessive permissions (such as access to contacts or location) which may be a security risk.

To automatically turn on the flashlight at low light, you can use the built-in “Adaptive Backlight” function** (available on the Xiaomi 12/13 series):

Settings → Screen → Adaptive backlight → Turn on the flashlight in low light

FAQ: Frequent questions about flashlight on Xiaomi