Notification indicator on Xiaomi Redmi 10 C: how to configure, turn on and change the color

Xiaomi Redmi 10C is a budget smartphone with good functionality, but many users face a problem: the standard LED notification indicator does not work as you would like. Someone can not find it in the settings, someone does not blink at all, and some want to reassign colors for different applications. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to configure the indicator to Redmi 10 C – from basic parameters to hidden functions through ADB.

It’s important to understand that in the Redmi 10C (as in many modern Xiaomi smartphones), the classic LED is replaced by a software backlight called “Ambient Display,” which means that instead of using a physical diode, a part of the display is used to display notifications, but even in this format, you can flexibly adjust the behavior of the indicator, if you know where to look.

We'll look at this.

  • 🔍 Where in the settings is the indicator management
  • 🎨 How to change the color of flashing for different applications
  • 🛠️ Why the indicator may not work and how to fix it
  • 💡 Hidden opportunities through ADB and third-party applications

Where is the notification indicator in Redmi 10C?

Unlike older Xiaomi models, where the LED was a separate element, the Redmi 10C uses Ambient Display technology (or “The screen is always on” in Russian firmware), which means that notifications are displayed not using LED, but through a short-term turn on of part of the screen.

To find the settings:

  1. Open the Settings → Screen.
  2. Scroll down to the Ambient Display section (or "The screen is always on").
  3. Switch to the Ambient Display settings.

Here you will see the main parameters:

  • 🔄 Show notifications – turning on/off backlights for new messages.
  • 🌈 Color theme – color selection for different types of notifications.
  • ⏱️ Duration – How long will the screen burn.

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If your firmware does not have the option “Ambient Display”, upgrade MIUI to the latest version or check for this section in Settings → Additional → Special Features → Screen.

2. How to turn on the notification indicator if it does not work

If the notifications are not working, the problem may be in one of three places:

  1. Ambient Display is disabled – check if this mode is activated in the screen settings.
  2. Energy saving – in the mode of Ultra-Economic or Battery backlight can be turned off automatically.
  3. Application settings – some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) have their own notification options that may conflict with system ones.

To check the energy saving:

  1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
  2. Select Battery Mode.
  3. Make sure that the ultra-economic mode is not activated.
📊 How often do you use the notification indicator?
Constantly.
Only for important communications
There is always a smartphone nearby, I don’t need it.
I turned it off because it's burning the battery.

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the notification settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select Messenger] → Notifications → Reset Settings

3. Set up indicator colors for different applications

By default, Redmi 10C uses one color for all notifications, but it can be personalized.

  1. Open Settings → Screen → Ambient Display → Ambient Display Settings
  2. Tap the color of the notifications.
  3. Select the app from the list (e.g. WhatsApp, SMS, Missed Calls).
  4. Assign color from a palette or create your own with RGB sliders.

Please note:

  • 🔴 Not all apps support custom colors – some use default system settings.
  • 🟢 If the messenger is not on the list, try updating it through Google Play.
  • 🔵 Colors may not be displayed correctly on AMOLED-low-brightness screen.

Is Ambient Display | open?

Selected the right color for the application|

Is Dark Theme mode on (can distort colors)|

Checked on real notification (not all colors are visible in preview)-->

AnnexThe default colorCan we change?Note
WhatsAppGreen.Yes.The latest version of the application is required
SMSBlueYes.Color may depend on the operator.
Missed challengesRed.Yes.It doesn't work in "Do Not Disturb" mode.
TelegramBlue.Partially.Requires manual configuration in the Telegram
GmailYellow.No.Uses system settings

4.Indicator problems and their solutions

If the notification indicator on Redmi 10C doesn’t work at all or behaves strangely, here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

  • 🔋 Battery discharge – at a charge level below 15%, the system automatically turns off the Ambient Display to save energy. ⚠️ Note: If you use non-original firmware, the shutdown threshold may be different (e.g. 20% or 10.
  • 📱 Update MIUI — after major updates to the indicator system, settings may be reset. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
  • 🛑 Conflict with other applications – some battery-saving software (such as Greenify or AccuBattery) may block Ambient Display.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the screen settings:

Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset screen settings
What to do if the indicator flashes the wrong color?
If the notification color doesn’t match the settings, the problem may be in the system’s cache. Try: 1. Clear the Settings app cache (Settings → Apps → App Management → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache). 2. Restart the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Reboot in Safe Mode) and check if the problem persists. 3. If nothing helps, the firmware may be damaged – try reflashing the phone via Fastboot (for power users only!).

5. Advanced settings via ADB (for power users)

If standard features are not enough, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to fine-tune the indicator, a method that is only suitable for those who are willing to work with the command line.

What can be done through ADB:

  • 🔧 Change the indicator blinking speed.
  • 🎚️ Adjust the brightness of the lighting.
  • 🔄 Enable indicator for applications that are not supported by default.

Instructions:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
  2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global ambient_display_colors 255,0,0;200,100,50 (where 255,0,0 — Red for the first type of notification, 200,100,50 — orange-for-second).

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB You can crash your system. Before you experiment, back up your data through your Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

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Using ADB allows you to adjust the indicator more flexible than through the standard menu, but you need to be careful. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to the basic settings.

6. Third-party applications for indicator management

If the built-in MIUI features aren't enough, you can install third-party utilities.

  • 🔹 Always On AMOLED — It allows you to configure a constant display of time, notifications and even custom images on the screen. AMOLED-displays (at Redmi's) 10C screen IPS, Therefore, the functionality is limited).
  • 🔹 Notification Light emulates LED indicator for devices without physical LED. Can flash a screen or use a camera (flash) for alerts.
  • 🔹 Edge Lighting – adds backlighting at the edges of the screen when notifying (similar to the function of Samsung).

Before installation, check:

  • Compatible with your version of MIUI (some applications don’t work on new firmware).
  • User reviews – some utilities can drain the battery or conflict with system services.
  • Advertising availability – many free apps show banners that interfere with work.

Example of Notification Light settings:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Provide all necessary permissions (access to notifications, auto-start).
  3. In the application settings, select the indicator type → Screen backlight.
  4. Assign colors for each application manually.

7. How to turn off the notification indicator completely

If the notification highlighting irritates or quickly drains the battery, it can be turned off:

  1. Go to Settings → Screen → Ambient Display
  2. Turn off the Display Notifications switch.
  3. For a complete shutdown, also deactivate Lift to wake up and Double Touch to wake up (if they interfere).

If the indicator still works after turning off, check:

  • 🔄 Settings for specific applications (for example, WhatsApp may ignore system settings).
  • 🔋 Power saving mode – sometimes it temporarily turns on the backlight.
  • 📱 Updates MIUI — In some versions of the firmware bugs lead to spontaneous inclusion of Ambient Display.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the notification indicator on Redmi 10C

Can the indicator be flashed only for certain contacts?
Yes, but not through system settings. You'll need to: Install Notification Light or something similar. In the app settings, select Notification Filters, whitelist contacts and assign unique colors to them. Note: this only works for messengers that support notification filtering (like WhatsApp or Telegram).
Why does the indicator not flash when missed calls?
This is a common problem with settings for the Phone app. To fix: Open Settings → Apps → App Management → Phone. Go to Notifications → Missed Calls. Make sure the Show as a pop-up button is turned on. Go back to Ambient Display and check if the color is assigned for missed calls.
How to keep the indicator on fire, not flashing?
At Redmi. 10C There is no permanent backlight feature (as in Always On Display on flagships), but you can use a workaround: Install the Always On app AMOLED (Despite the name, it works on IPS-screens but with limitations. In the application settings, select Mode → Constant display of time. Turn off the option to Blink at notifications if it interferes. Note that this greatly increases battery consumption - the screen will be turned on constantly.
Can I return a physical LED to a Redmi 10C?
No, the Redmi 10C doesn't have a physical LED light, instead it uses Ambient Display, which is a hardware limitation that you can't change. All the instructions for returning LEDs online are a hoax or refer to other Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 5 or Mi A2). The only way to get an LED analogue is to use third-party apps like Notification Light that emulate it through a screen or flash.
The indicator only works when the phone is on the screen up. Is that normal?
Yes, this is a feature of the Ambient Display in MIUI. The system detects the position of the phone using the proximity sensor and the accelerometer. If the device is down, the backlight is turned off to: Save battery power. Eliminate accidental touches of the screen. Prevent overheating (in the downward position of the screen, the heat sink deteriorates).