How to turn on flashing flashlight on Xiaomi when calling: all ways

Are you missing important calls because your phone is in your bag or in another room? Flashing a flashlight on an incoming call can be a lifeline β€” a bright light will catch your attention even in noisy rooms or silent mode. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is not always available out of the box, but it can be activated in several ways, from standard MIUI settings to third-party applications.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hidden options for different versions of the firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14), as well as alternative solutions for models where the function is disabled by the manufacturer, you will learn how to make the flashlight flash not only when calling, but also when notifying from messengers, and avoid common errors that cause the configuration to fail.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t flash a flashlight when calling by default?

Many users of Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi are faced with the fact that the flashlight option is not in the settings menu, the reason is the company's policy:

  • πŸ”Ή Energy saving: The constant blinking of the LED drains the battery, so Xiaomi turns it off on budget models (for example, Redmi). 9A or POCO M3).
  • πŸ”Ή Regional restrictions: Some firmware for European and Asian markets is hidden due to local standards (e.g., in the European and Asian markets). MIUI EU It might not be).
  • πŸ”Ή Hardware Restrictions: Older models (until 2019) do not physically support software flashlight control during a bell.

In addition, MIUI 13/14 changed the LED control algorithm to link the blinking to the notification system, not the call module, which means that activating the function will require settings β†’ Notifications, not Settings β†’ Sounds and vibrations, as before.

⚠️ Attention: On models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi) K50) flashing flashing flashlights can cause artifacts on the display due to the proximity of the LED to the matrix. Before setting up, check if colored spots appear when you turn on the flashlight in the dark.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi supports flashing flashlights out of the box, you can activate it in 3 steps:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Notifications and Status bar.
  2. Select the Notification Indicator (or LED indicator on older versions).
  3. Activate the flashlight switch when you call (may be called Call Light Indication).

On some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the POCO X3 Pro), the option is hidden deeper:

Settings β†’ Special features β†’ Hearing β†’ Blinking notifications β†’ Turn on the flashlight

If you don't have a point, your firmware doesn't support the function with standard tools.

Make sure the flashlight works manually (test through the notification panel)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check if the LED is turned off in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Energy saving mode

Reset notification settings (if blinking used to work but is gone)-->

Method 2: Hidden settings through the engineering menu (for advanced)

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 11 or Redmi K40), flashing flashlights can be enabled through the engineering menu, which requires caution – incorrect actions can disrupt the camera module or sensors.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##3646633## (some models run ##4636###).
  2. Go to the Hardware Testing β†’ Lights section.
  3. Select Flashlight Test and activate the Blink on Call option.
  4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: After using the engineering menu, do not press random buttons - this can cause the light sensor or the camera autofocus to fail. If the flashlight stopped working at all after the changes, reset the settings through Settings β†’ System system β†’ Resetting settings.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
If the combination ##3646633## It doesn't work, try it: 1. Install the app MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm EngineerMode (for Snapdragon). 2. Use it. ADB-Command: Adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings 3. On some firmware, the engineering menu is blocked - you will need to unlock the bootloader (not recommended for beginners).

Method 3: Apps from Google Play for flashing flashlight

If the standard methods didn’t work, use third-party utilities.The best apps for Xiaomi:

AnnexSupport for MIUIAdditional functionsCons
Flash Alerts 212–14Blinking with SMS, messengers, low chargeAdvertising requires permission to notify
Flash On Call9–14Frequency setting, work in the backgroundPlugins for some models are purchased separately
Light Flow10–14Integration with 50+ apps, color schemesA complex interface that can conflict with MIUI

How to set up (for example, Flash Alerts 2):

  • πŸ“± Install the app and provide access to Notices and Camera.
  • πŸ”¦ In the settings, select Incoming Calls and activate Flashlight Flashing.
  • βš™οΈ Adjust the frequency of blinking (recommended 1-2 times per second, so as not to overheat the LED).
  • πŸ”’ Add the application to Autostart (in Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Permits), otherwise MIUI will close it.

πŸ’‘

If the flashlight flashes too weak, check to see if the case covers it. On the POCO F3 and Redmi Note 11 models, the LED is located in the upper left corner - even a small ledge of the case can block the light.

Method 4: Automation via Macrodroid (for flexible configuration)

Macrodroid allows you to create an automatic rule for flashing a flashlight when you call, even if the MIUI does not directly support this function, and the advantage of the method is flexibility: you can configure blinking only for certain contacts or at night.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install Macrodroid from Google Play and provide all the permissions you request.
  2. Create a new macro: press + β†’ Add a trigger.
  3. Select Phone β†’ Incoming Call (specific numbers can be specified).
  4. Add action: Multimedia β†’ Flashlight β†’ Turn on.
  5. Set a delay (e.g. 500ms) and add a second action: Flashlight β†’ Turn off.
  6. Activate the cycle (Repeat Action option) for continuous blinking.

To save charge, adjust the restrictions:

  • πŸ”‹ Turn off macros at charge level below 15%.
  • ⏰ Set a schedule (for example, blinking only from 20:00 to 8:00).
  • πŸ“΅ Eliminate contacts from the favorite (so that the flashlight does not flash when calling from loved ones).

Macrodroid

Tasker

Automate

Other (I will write in the comments)

I don't use automation.-->

Method 5: Manual blinking through ADB (for technical users)

If you are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can force flashing of the flashlight through system commands. This method is suitable for models where the function is locked at the firmware level (for example, Xiaomi Mi A3 or Redmi 7 on Android One).

Instructions:

  1. Activate USB Debugging in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Additional Settings β†’ For Developers).
  2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1
  3. To check, enter: adb shell settings get global flash_notification_enabled (should be returned 1).
  4. Reset the device.

On some MIUI 14 firmware, this option is reset after the update. To fix the setting, create a task in Macrodroid that will repeat the command when the system boots.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB The commands above are secure, but if you plan to edit build.prop or other configs, back up through adb backup.

Frequent problems and their solutions

If the flashlight doesn’t flash when you ring, check out these points:

Problem.Reason.Decision
The flashlight is not responding to callsConflict with the energy saving regimeTurn off optimization for the flashlight app in Settings β†’ Battery
The blinker only works 1 timeMIUI kills background processesAdd the application to Autostart and Without Restrictions
The flashlight is overheatingBlinking too highSet a minimum of 1000 ms interval between inclusions
The function disappeared after the updateResetting MIUI settingsRepeat the setting or use it ADB-team-up

If none of the methods worked, check the hardware serviceability of the flashlight:

  • πŸ”¦ Turn on the flashlight manually - if it doesn't burn, the problem is in the LED or plume.
  • πŸ› οΈ In the models with IR-Blinking with a blaster (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) can be blocked due to conflict with the infrared port.
  • πŸ“± If the phone fell or got wet, the contacts of the flashlight could oxidize - repairs are required.

πŸ’‘

On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), flashing a flashlight can cause the camera to freeze due to a shared power controller. In this case, use only third-party applications with limited time.

Can a flashlight flash different colors when calling?
No, the standard flashlight on Xiaomi is a white LED, and it's not software-enabled to change its color. RGB-Notification indicator (for example, Black Shark 4) can be configured to flash backlights through the Light Flow app.
Why does the flashlight flash even when the phone is down?
This is a feature of the proximity sensor. To turn off blinking in this position, use a Macrodroid with the condition Approximation Sensor β†’ Not closed. Or physically seal the sensor (located next to the front camera) with a thin strip of tape.
Will the flashlight flash if the phone is in "Do Not Disturb"?
Depends on settings. In Do Not Disturb mode, MIUI defaults to block all notifications, including blinking. To allow it for calls, go to Settings β†’ Do Not Disturb β†’ Allow exceptions β†’ Calls and activate the Light Effects option.
How to turn off the flashlight if it becomes irritating?
If you’ve used standard MIUI settings, simply deactivate the option in Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Notification Indicator. For third-party apps (Flash Alerts, Macrodroid), delete them or disable notification permissions.
Does flashing flashlight on Xiaomi work with custom firmware (like LineageOS)?
On most custom firmware, the function is disabled by default, but it can be activated through file editing. /system/build.prop. Add a line. ro.miui.has_flashlight_notification=1 Attention: this requires root rights and may disrupt the stability of the system.