How to remove the flashlight from the lock screen on Xiaomi

Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners are faced with an unexpected and sometimes annoying phenomenon: when a notification or lock screen is turned on, the LED indicator, often referred to as a flashlight, begins to flash or constantly burns on the device’s body. This feature, conceived by engineers to visually alert the user at night, in reality often leads to unnecessary battery consumption and attracts unnecessary attention.

It is worth noting that in modern models of Xiaomi, the physical LED notification indicator is often absent, replaced by software simulations or a flash of the main camera. In the interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, these settings can be scattered across different menus, which creates confusion. The user can search for the switch in the Screen section, while the desired parameter is hidden in the settings of special features or notifications. Understanding the logic of the system is the first step to successfully customizing your gadget.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of the indicator glow and how to turn it off. We will look at both standard methods available out of the box, and solutions for more complex cases where third-party applications or specific design topics are responsible for blinking. Competent setting will allow you not only to get rid of intrusive light, but also to optimize the power consumption of the device, extending its battery life.

Differences between Notification Indicator and Flash

Before you start looking for settings, you need to clearly identify the light source on your device. Redmi and POCO can use two fundamentally different alarm mechanisms. The first is a classic LED indicator (LED), usually located at the top of the screen or in the auditory speaker, and it can burn in different colors depending on the type of notification: green for missed calls, blue for messages, red for low battery charge.

The second option, which is often confused with a flashlight, is to use the main camera flash as an indicator, in which case, when an SMS or call comes, a powerful LED flash is briefly lit up next to the camera lenses on the back. The mechanisms for turning off these two functions are radically different, so it is important to correctly determine what is working on your phone. If the light is coming from the front panel, this is a system indicator, if the back one is a software emulation through the camera.

It is also worth mentioning the feature Always on Display (AOD), languid AMOLED-It can leave some of the pixels burning even when they're locked. Although it's not literally a flashlight, visually it creates a shining effect. AOD is made separately and allows you to choose the style of displaying the time or completely disable the permanent backlight, leaving it to turn on only by tap or raising the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the notification indicator with the proximity sensor. If the screen lights up in your pocket and warms up, the problem is not with the light settings, but with the sensor sticking or a case covering the top of the screen.

Understanding these differences will help you find the right switch faster in the bowels of the system. In most cases, users want to turn off the blinking of the LED when the screen is locked, because in the modern rhythm of life we are already constantly looking at the screen of the smartphone, and the additional light alert becomes redundant.

Configure the system indicator in MIUI and HyperOS

In MIUI and HyperOS shells, LED control is put into a separate menu that is not always obvious to a beginner. To access these settings, you will need to open the main Settings menu and search or navigate the way manually. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem.

Follow the step-by-step instructions to find the right setting. Open Settings, then go to the Additional section (or Advanced Settings in older versions). There you will find the Light indicator. This is where all the light control keys are concentrated. If you can't find this item, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu, querying "Indicator" or "LED".

You'll see some switches inside the Light Indicator menu, and the most important thing for our task is to "Blink at Notification." If you uncheck this box, you'll stop the system from using an LED to signal any event, and there's a frequent option called "Blink at low battery power," which is not recommended, because it's an important visual signal to help you know that the phone needs to be charged, even if it's on the screen down.

It's worth noting that in some firmware regions (e.g. Global or EEA), the path may be slightly different. In such cases, look for the Notifications section and the status bar. Sometimes developers hide the indicator control there, combining it with the status bar settings. Be careful and check both paths if the switch is missing in the first place.

• 🔦 Main switch: Responsible for turning on/off the blinking function as a whole.
• 📱 Event Indicator: Allows you to choose which applications are allowed to glow (calls, messages, mail).
• 🔋 Battery indicator: Manages low charge signaling or charging process.
• 🎨 Color scheme: In some models, it allows you to link the blinking color to a specific contact or application.

Disabling flash at notifications and calls

A feature that turns a flash of the main camera into an event indicator is worth special attention, which is often turned on by users accidentally or activated by third-party applications for calling. Unlike a small LED, the camera flash consumes significantly more power and can be very bright, which makes the question of how to remove the flashlight in this case especially relevant.

To manage this feature, there is a standard path in pure Android and MIUI shells through special features settings. Go to Settings menu, select Additional (or Special Opportunities) section. Find the Accessibility subsection. This is where the Flash At Notification or Flash At Call switch is hidden.

However, if the standard system means the flash continues to light up, the problem may lie in the settings of the Camera or Phone application itself. In some versions of HyperOS, flash settings for notifications may be duplicated in the Security -> Optimization application. Also check the personalization settings if you use third-party themes - they may force this feature to be enabled.

It is important to understand the difference between a flash on an incoming call and a flash on notification. The first one works rhythmically during the call, the second one blinks once the message arrives. You need to turn them off in the appropriate subsections of the special features menu. If you use third-party callers (for example, Truecaller or GetContact), the system flash settings can be ignored, and you will have to look for the switch inside the application itself.

Manage Always On Display (AOD) and Lock Styles

Modern Xiaomi smartphones with AMOLED-matrixes are often equipped with the function Always On Display. This is not a flashlight in the classical sense, but the constant glow of pixels on the off screen can be perceived by the user as an unwanted light source. AOD displays the time, date and icons of notifications while the phone is locked.

To control this mode, go to Settings -> Lock screen (or "Always on screen and lock screen"). Here you will find the Always On Display switch. You can completely disable this feature or adjust its behavior. Options are available: "Enable always", "Enable 10 seconds after touch" or "Schedule", the latter option is the most optimal: the screen will only burn during the day when you are active.

In addition, the lock screen glow is influenced by the installed themes. Some third-party themes from Themes store may contain their own animations and backlight elements that are not controlled by standard system settings. If you notice that a flashlight or strange backlight appeared after changing the theme, try going back to standard design.

Also worth checking is the Wallpaper Magazine section, which is often on by default and can block the screen with bright images, creating the illusion of a flashlight or simply interfering in the dark, and can be turned off in the same lock screen settings menu by removing the tick from the "Enable wallpaper carousel" item.

Third-party applications and software conflicts

If you've checked all the system settings, but the flashlight on the lock screen continues to bother you, chances are that the culprit is a third-party app. There are thousands of programs in the Google Play store and GetApps that require access to an LED or flash, from fitness trackers and pedometers to alternative calls and instant messenger clients.

Often, these apps have their own priorities and can ignore system bans. For example, Flash Notification or LED Blinker are designed specifically to make your phone blink. Check the list of installed apps for these utilities. If you don't need them, delete them. If you need them, go to their settings and turn off activation when the screen is locked.

⚠️ Attention: Memory cleanup apps and antiviruses from unknown developers often contain intrusive ads and hidden modules that can use the flash to attract attention.

Another reason is the software version conflict. After a major MIUI or HyperOS update, some settings may reset or, conversely, new features that you didn't know about will be activated, in which case it's helpful to check the About Phone section and make sure the system is updated to the latest version, as security patches often fix peripheral management errors.

To diagnose, try running your phone in Safe Mode, press the turn off button, and then hold your finger on the turn off button on the screen for a long time until you get a suggestion to go to Safe Mode, and if the flashlight stops burning in this mode, then the problem is exactly in one of the applications you installed.

Problems with the proximity sensor and “pocket mode”

Sometimes users mistake the behavior of the screen that lights up in their pocket for a flashlight, and it's not the work of the notification indicator, but a false alarm of the proximity sensor or the "Raise to Activate" function. When the phone is in a dark pocket, the fabric can press against the sensor, and the system thinks that you have held the phone to your ear, including the screen.

To fix this problem, you need to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors. Go to the Settings menu -> Lock screen. Find the items "Raise to wake" and "Double tap to wake." Try to disable these functions. This will prevent the screen from accidentally turning on the movements in your pocket or bag.

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Wipe the top of the screen (the area of the speaker) with an alcohol napkin. Fat and dirt often cause the proximity sensor to malfunction, causing the phone to “blind” or, conversely, constantly wakes the screen.

There is also a Pocket Mode feature that should, on the contrary, block random taps, make sure it is enabled in the lock screen settings or in the Security app. If the screen still lights up in your pocket, the sensor may be physically damaged or contaminated, in which case software methods may not help - cleaning or repair will be required.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the hardware: short circuit in the LED circuit or screen plume. If the phone fell, hit the water or was exposed to extreme temperatures, the "phantom" light can be a sign of incipient breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)