Modern smartphones, including popular Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, offer a variety of ways to alert incoming events. One of the most useful but often hidden or misconfigured features is using a camera flash as a notification indicator.This feature, known as Flash on Call, allows you to avoid missing an important call even in a noisy place or when the phone is lying down.
However, users often face a situation where standard settings do not work as expected. Flash may not light up at all, blink only once, or work only for some applications, ignoring others. In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the configuration of this feature on the current versions of the shells MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS. We will look at both the standard system tools and proven third-party solutions.
It is worth noting that the use of LED-It uses more power than the regular notification LED that was present in older smartphone models, so it's important to understand how to balance the convenience and autonomy of the device. We will also discuss why the feature can shut down on its own and how to fix it without losing personal data.
Staff setting flash through the system application Phone
In most cases, activating flashlights does not require installing additional software. Xiaomi developers built the necessary functionality directly into the system application Phone. This is the most stable and energy-efficient way, since it works at the core level of the system, not as a background process of a third-party application. However, the path to this configuration can vary depending on the firmware version and regional specifics.
First, you need to open a standard call app. Note that this is a system caller, not a contact or messenger. In the dial interface or call log, you need to find a three-dot or bar menu, which is usually located in the upper right or lower corner of the screen, and clicking on it, you will see a drop-down menu with options.
In the list that opens, select Settings, and then the system will suggest a list of parameters, among which you need to find the section "Incoming calls" or "Additional settings", and this is where the flash on call switch hides.
⚠️ Note: Some HyperOS models may have a different path. If you don't find the right option in the Phone menu, try going to general Settings. → Sounds and vibrations → Flash on notifications.
Once the function is activated, it is recommended to check its performance immediately. To do this, ask someone to call you or use a second phone. The screen during the test should be turned off, because on many models the flash does not work, if the display is active - this is done to save battery power. If the flashlight flashed, then the basic setting was successful.
Use the Security App for Extended Control
A unique feature of Xiaomi smartphones is the presence of a powerful system control center called Security, which is not just an antivirus, but a comprehensive tool to optimize the operation of the device. In some versions of MIUI, notification settings, including flash management, are duplicated or even fully migrated to this service to centralize control over permissions.
To check the settings through this module, look for the green shield icon on your desktop — that's the Security app. Once you run it, scroll down to the Tools section, or find Notifications. Depending on the shell version, you may need to click on the settings gear in the upper right corner of the Security app itself.
Within the settings menu, find the section associated with Notifications or Flash, where more detailed controls can be available, such as the ability to choose which contacts or call types the blink will trigger, and this section often adjusts the blinking duration or intensity if the phone hardware allows such settings.
Why can the settings be reset?
The use of security system tools is preferable to third-party ones, as they have deep access rights and will not be blocked by the energy saving system. However, if this functionality is cut in your region or firmware version, you will have to resort to alternative methods, which we will discuss below, the main thing is not to remove the system application Security, as this can disrupt the operation of other services.
Setting up a flash for messengers and social networks
The regular “Flash on a Call” setting in the Phone app often works only for regular ones. GSM-But in today's communications world, VoIP services like WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and Facebook Messenger play a huge role, requiring a separate configuration, as the system treats them as regular notifications rather than phone calls.
To set up blinking when calling through messengers, you need to consult the settings of the messenger application itself. For example, on WhatsApp you need to go to Settings → Notifications. There may not be a direct flash option, but there is an option called Light indicator. If it is on, and the system setting of the flash for notifications is active, the flashlight can flash. However, this method works unstable and depends on the Android version.
A more reliable way is to use Android notification system settings. Go to Phone Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Indicator Blink. In some versions of MIUI, you can turn on a global flash for all notifications. But beware: this will cause the flashlight to flash every time an SMS or social media message arrives, which can quickly drain the battery.
- 📱 WhatsApp: Settings → Notifications → Light (requires system support).
- ✈️ Telegram: Settings → Notifications and sounds → Light indicator.
- 📞 Viber: Settings → Notifications → Incoming challenges → Light indicator.
- 💬 Communications (SMS): Application settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Light indicator.
There is a nuance associated with working in the background: Messengers on Xiaomi are often “killed” by the system to save energy. To ensure that the flash works accurately when an incoming VoIP call is triggered, you need to go to the application settings (through a long press on the icon), select “Battery” and set the “No Limits” mode, which will prevent blocking the blinking process.
Third-party flash management applications
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t meet your needs or don’t work properly, Google Play Store apps come to the rescue, offering more flexible settings: flashing a certain color (if the flash is multicolored), different blinking patterns, reactions to specific contacts, and even using the screen as a flash.
One of the most popular and time-tested apps is Flash on Call. It is lightweight, contains no ads (in the basic version) and works perfectly on the Internet. MIUI. After installation, the application will request permission to use the camera and telephony – this is necessary to intercept the event of the incoming call and activate the phone. LED-Without these permissions, the program won't work.
Another worthy option is the appendix. LED Flash Alerts. It allows you to create profiles, for example, to work with frequent blinking, and for the night - rare and dull, so as not to wake others. Also, such applications often have a feature "Scream flash", which lights up the entire display in white, which is useful if the main color of the display is not visible. LED-module is broken or too weak.
☑️ Verification of rights for a third-party application
It is important to understand that third-party applications consume more resources. They should be constantly hanging in memory, waiting for a call. On Xiaomi smartphones with aggressive battery optimization, such applications can be closed by the system. So after installation, be sure to add the program to the exceptions (“No restrictions”) in the battery settings, otherwise the blink will only occur after the first manual opening of the application.
Problems with the outbreak in the mode "Do not disturb"
Do Not Disturb is designed to keep the phone as quiet as possible, and it makes sense that when it is activated, most notifications are blocked, but many users want the visual signal (flash) to continue to work even when the sound and vibration are turned off, and unfortunately, the behavior of the system in this mode can be contradictory.
In standard Android and MIUI settings, Do Not Disturb mode often suppresses visual indicators. If you turn on this mode, the system may ignore the flashing command, considering it a silence violation. To get around this, you need to set exceptions. Go to Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Do Not Disturb → People or Allow Notifications.
You can create a list of favorite contacts that will make calls even in quiet mode. If you add a contact to this list, there is a high probability that the flash will work for it, but for third-party applications that control the flash, Do Not Disturb mode can become an insurmountable barrier, since the system blocks access to the camera in this state.
| Situation | Outbreak behaviour | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Regular regime | Blinks according to the settings | Nothing to do. |
| Do Not Disturb mode | Often offline | Add contact to exceptions |
| Saving energy | Maybe it won't work. | Disable savings for the application |
| Camera's busy. | No flashing. | Close the camera app |
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Do Not Disturb mode takes precedence over flash settings. To ensure flashing in this mode, use only the system function, not third-party apps.
Diagnostics and Solving Typical Problems
Even if you set it up properly, you can crash. The most common problem is that the flash doesn't catch fire. First of all, check if the camera is being used by another app. If you have Instagram open, the scanner is available. QR-codes or just the camera is on, the system will not be able to use LED-Call module. Close all applications that use the camera through Task Manager.
The second common cause is a system UI or phone malfunction, in which case cache cleaning helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Phone (or Call Management) and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as this can delete your call history.
The third reason is hardware limitations or damage, and if the flashlight doesn't light up even when you're taking a photo, it's possible that the module is physically malfunctioning or overheated, and it's also worth checking if the Pocket mode is on, which locks the screen and some features when the phone is in your bag, although it rarely affects the flash.
- 🔦 Checking performance: Open the Camera app and turn on the flashlight manually. If it's on, the hardware is working.
- 🔄 Reboot: A banal but effective method of resetting notification services.
- 📉 Temperature: With a phone heated strongly, the system can block the flash to prevent overheating.
- 🔋 Battery Charge: At Critically Low Charge (less than) 5-10%) The function can be forcibly disabled.
⚠️ Note: If the flash stopped working after the firmware update, it may be a bug of a particular version. MIUI. In this case, waiting for a patch or rollback to the previous version is the only solution.
Sometimes the problem is that if you have multiple flash management programs installed, they can conflict with each other trying to access one resource, leave only one application (better system or one proven third party) and uninstall the others.
The effect of the setting on battery consumption and device resource
Many users fear that the flashing flashlight will quickly "kill" the battery or burn the LED itself. LED-The flash does consume a significant amount of current at the time of switching on, but the pulse duration of the call is usually a few seconds. 1-2% Day by day with active use of the phone.
As for the LED resource, modern LED-The modules are designed to last hundreds of thousands of hours, and the blinking mode of the call is not stressful for them, but if you use the screen flash function (when the entire display flashes), this can lead to pixels burning out (especially on the screen). AMOLED-Xiaomi matrices when using static white images at maximum brightness for a long time.
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Use the Timer feature in flash settings (if available) to limit blinking times.This will save the battery if you missed a call while away from the phone.
It's also worth mentioning heating. If you run a flashlight for a long time, it can heat the phone's body, but because it's in pulsed mode (blinks with pauses), the heat can dissipate. The only problem with heating is if you use a third-party buggy code app that doesn't turn the flashlight off after the call is over.
Comparison of features in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The interface and availability of features are heavily dependent on the shell version. Owners of older Android 9-10 and MIUI 11-12 devices often have easier access to hidden features through the engineering menu, which is closed in new versions.
With MIUI 13 and 14, the company has begun to implement more privacy policies, making it harder for apps to access the camera in the background without explicit user permission each time, which can lead to the system “forgetting” the permission for the flash application after the update, and having to issue it again.
Users of Global Versions (Global) ROM) They are more fortunate – they usually work more stable than users of the Chinese versions (CN ROM), If you have a Chinese version, the use of the standard "Flash on a Call" feature may be limited and you will have to rely on third-party software.