How to set up a light indicator on Xiaomi: instructions from A to Z

Why you need a light indicator on Xiaomi

The light indicator on Xiaomi devices is a small but extremely useful element that helps to receive visual notifications about missed calls, messages or other events. In an era of constant flow of information, such an indicator allows you to quickly assess the situation without unlocking the screen. For example, flashing blue can signal a new message in Telegram, and red can signal a low battery charge.

However, not all users know that the light indicator functionality on Xiaomi can be flexibly adjusted: change colors, blink frequency, attach to specific applications or even turn off for the night. Moreover, on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5), the indicator is integrated into the display or uses camera lighting. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from basic settings to solving typical problems.

If your device doesn't have a physical LED, don't worry: modern MIUI and HyperOS firmware offer alternative solutions, like screen notifications or vibration signals, but everything in order.

What Xiaomi devices support light indicator

Not all Xiaomi gadgets have a hardware LED. Its availability depends on the model and year of release. For example, flagship smartphones Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3 often lack the traditional indicator, replacing it with software solutions. POCO (Like Redmi. 10C or POCO X5 Pro) retain this element.

To check if your device has a light indicator, follow the following steps:

• 🔍 Look at the top panel of the body (near the speaker or front camera).The physical indicator usually looks like a small dot.
• 📱 Go to Settings. → Notifications → Light indicator. If partition is missing, your device does not support hardware. LED.
• 💡 Run the test: Call the device from another phone and see if the indicator flashes during the call.

If there is no hardware indicator, don’t despair: MIUI has a feature called Screen Notifications, which simulates how it works using the display, and we will discuss this in one of the following sections.

How to turn on and configure the light indicator in MIUI

The basic setting of the light indicator in the firmware MIUI (or the new HyperOS) takes no more than a minute.

1. Open the settings on your device.
2. Go to Notifications (or Notifications and Status bar in older versions).
3. Find the Light indicator (may be called the Notification indicator or LED-indicator).
4. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
5. Select Notification Colors and adjust shades for different types of events (calls, messages, alarms, etc.).

In some firmware (for example, on the POCO F4 GT) additional options are available:

• 🔄 Frequency of blinking (slow/fast/constant).
• 🕒 Schedule (turning off the indicator at night).
• 🎨 Color customization for individual apps (e.g. green for WhatsApp, purple for Viber).

If your version of MIUI does not have a Light Indicator section, try updating your firmware or using alternative methods described below.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) continuous use of the light indicator may cause pixels to burn out; it is recommended to limit its operating time or use flashing mode.

Alternatives to the light indicator: screen notifications and third-party applications

If your device doesn't have a hardware LED, you can use software alternatives, and the easiest way to do this is to turn on the notification screen:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Screening notifications.
2. Activate the function and select the display style (for example, Blinking icon or screen edge highlighting).
3. Set Duration and Colors for different types of notifications.

For more flexible settings, you can use third-party apps from Google Play:

• 📱 Light Manager – allows you to assign unique colors and blinking patterns for each application.
• 🎨 LED Blinker Notifications – supports indicator customization even on devices without hardware LED.
• 🔧 Always On Display – displays notifications on the off screen (works on the screen) AMOLED).

When using third-party apps, be aware that they can drain the battery faster due to constant activity in the background, and some features require special permissions (for example, access to notifications).

💡

If the screen notifications don’t work, check if the power saving mode blocks them. Add the app to the exception list in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization

Color decoding of the light indicator on Xiaomi

By default, MIUI gives the light indicator standard colors for different types of notifications, but these can be changed manually.

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), you can reassign colors, for example, you can make the indicator burn pink when you notice from Instagram or blue for VK.

1. Open Settings → Notifications → Light indicator → Application colors.
2. Select the app from the list.
3. Assign the desired color and save the changes.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the path to settings may be different. If you don't find the App Color section, try updating your firmware or using third-party software like Light Flow.

Solving problems with the light indicator

If the light indicator on your Xiaomi doesn’t work, the reasons can be different, from trivial settings to hardware malfunctions.

1.The indicator does not flash at notifications

Check the following points:

• 🔧 Make sure the function is included in the settings → Notifications → Light indicator.
• 📵 Check if notifications for a particular app are disabled (for example, WhatsApp may be blocked in Settings). → Annexes → Permits).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes helps to reset temporary crashes.

2. the indicator burns constantly (does not blink)

This may indicate:

• 🔋 Charging the battery (for example, the indicator is lit green at 100% charge).
• 🚨 System Error (try to clear the Settings app cache) → Annexes → Systemic → Settings).
• 📲 Third-party application conflict (disable recently installed notification management utilities).

3.The indicator does not work after the MIUI update

Firmware updates sometimes reset settings.

1. Reset the indicator settings to factory settings (Settings → Notifications → Light indicator → Reset).
2. Clear the Settings app data (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear data).
3. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI if the problem occurs after the update.

Hidden functions of the light indicator: what your Xiaomi can do

Few people know, but the light indicator on Xiaomi can be used for more than just notifications.

• 🎵 Musical lighting: on some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) the indicator flashes in time to the music. → Sound. → Sound effects.
• 🔋 Charging Indication: You can adjust the color change depending on the level of charge (for example, red at 0-30%, yellow at 30-80%, green at 80-100%).
• 🚨 SOS-signal: in emergency situations, the indicator can flash at a high frequency to attract attention. → Emergency functions.
• 🎮 Game mode: in some games (for example, PUBG Mobile indicator signals low health or new chat messages.

On HyperOS devices (such as the Xiaomi 13T), the light indicator can be synchronized with other Xiaomi ecosystem gadgets, such as the Yeelight smart lamp, connecting both devices to the same Mi Account account and configuring automation in the Mi Home app.

Another interesting feature is that you can set the indicator up via ADB, which allows you to assign unique colors for system events that are not available on the standard menu, for example, you can make the indicator burn turquoise when you connect to a VPN, and this will require a computer and commands:

adb shell settings put global notification_light_pulse 1


adb shell settings put global notification_light_color 0xFF00FFFF

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect commands can cause system failures. Before experimenting, back up your data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about light indicator on Xiaomi