Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where when a call is made, the device begins to actively blink a flash. This feature, conceived as useful for people with hearing impairments or for use in noisy places, can cause discomfort in everyday life. This is especially true for the Redmi 9 model, where the optical module is located on the back and when you call in hands-free mode or lying on the table blinds your eyes. There are several ways to remove the flashlight when calling on the Xiaomi Redmi 9, but it is important to understand the nature of this behavior of the system.
In some cases, blinking is a regular MIUI feature that is easy to disable in standard settings. However, users often confuse the system notification function with the work of third-party applications that intercept control of the camera. That is why, if standard methods do not help, you need to conduct a deeper diagnosis. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes and provide step-by-step solutions to eliminate unwanted flash.
Before you start changing your settings, it’s worth noting that a flash when you call can be a sign of both a software failure and a specially installed theme. The MIUI interface installed on Redmi 9 has many hidden options that are not always obvious, so following instructions consistently will help you pinpoint the source of the problem and return the device to normal behavior.
Standard settings of the MIUI system
The first step in solving the problem should always be to check the basic settings of the operating system. In the MIUI shell, there is a built-in option that allows you to activate or deactivate flash blinking. To find it, you need to go to Settings, then select Additional Settings. In the list that opens, look for the Special Options subsection.
Inside the special feature menu is the Hearing tab. This is where the Flash on notification switch is located. If the slider is active, the system will make the LED blink for any incoming calls and messages. Disabling this feature should instantly solve the problem. However, if the switch is already off and the flashlight continues to work, then it is not the Android system settings.
- 📱 Go to the menu Settings of your Xiaomi Redmi 9.
- 🔍 Find the Additional Settings section and select Special Opportunities.
- 👂 Open the Rumor tab and make sure the Flash option is disabled when notified.
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If the system switch is turned off, but the flashlight flashes, then the control intercepted a third-party application or theme of design.
Note that menu layouts may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI firmware installed on your device. In older versions of the interface, the path may look different, but the keywords "special features" and "hearing" remain the same. It is also important to check whether Pocket Mode or other gesture functions that may indirectly affect sensors and flash are activated.
Impact of Design Themes and Third-Party Applications
One of the most common reasons why a flashlight blinks when you call Redmi 9 is to use custom themes from the Mi Themes store. Many enthusiasts create themes with unique call screens that include flash animation. Even if you changed the theme back to standard, some files may have remained in the cache or conflicted with system files.
And the culprits can also be apps for calling that are downloaded from Google Play. Programs like Truecaller, Dialer One, or various number-definitions often have their own call visualization settings. They can ignore system bans and force flash to turn on. To verify this, you need to analyze the list of newly installed applications.
⚠️ Note: If you have installed a theme shortly before the problem occurs, try temporarily reverting to the standard theme "Classic" or "Default" in the "Themes" app to eliminate the conflict of styles.
To diagnose, do the following: open the application manager and look at the list of programs that have access to the camera and phone. If you find an application for calling that you have not used before, try to delete it or turn off the flash on a call feature. Often users forget that they have installed some "cool number detector" that was the source of the problem.
- 🎨 Go to the Topics app and select a standard design profile.
- 📞 Check the settings of the installed number determinants and alternative "calls".
- 🧹 Clear the phone app cache through the application management menu.
Also worth paying attention to flashlight apps, some of which have an "SOS" function or a strobe mode that can be activated incorrectly. If your Xiaomi Redmi 9 has multiple utilities installed, remove the extra ones by leaving only one checked, or use the built-in tool in the notification curtain.
Settings of the Phone and Google Dialer application
Modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi 9 model, often use the standard Google Phone app instead of the native MIUI Dialer. In this application, call visualization settings can be located in a separate menu. Open the Phone app, click on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
In the settings menu, find Incoming Calls. There may be a flash option on a call. If it's active, just put the switch in an inactive state. Google Dialer interface is minimal, so it doesn't usually take long to find the right option. However, if there's no such option, then the application is not the source of the problem.
The way to the Google Phone menu:
Three points (Menu) → Settings → Incoming calls → Flash when callingIt is important to understand that updates to the Google Phone app can return old settings or add new features. So if a problem occurs after an update, it is worth checking this section again, and resetting the application settings to factory values can help if there is an error in the configuration file.
If you use third-party launchers or shells, they can also affect the behavior of the call screen, in which case it is recommended to temporarily switch to the standard MIUI launcher to check if the blinking disappears, which will help isolate the problem and understand whether the error is in the system or in the add-on.
Problems with the proximity sensor
Sometimes flashing flashlights are not a function, but a symptom of a malfunction or contamination of the proximity sensor, which is located at the top of the screen and is responsible for turning off the display when you bring the phone to your ear. If the sensor is contaminated, closed with a protective film or is not working correctly, the phone may "think" that it is lying on the table and activate the light indication.
On Redmi 9, the proximity sensor is virtual or software in some versions, making it sensitive to software failures. Calibration of the sensor can help correct the situation. To do this, you can run sensor testing on the engineering menu or through special applications. If the test shows errors, you may need a software reset or call the service.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The flashlight only flashes in your pocket. | False sensor operation | Sensor calibration or film replacement |
| Constant blinking when calling | Set up a system or application | Disabling the option in the settings |
| The outbreak lights up chaotically | Driver Failure or Software Conflict | Resetting or flashing |
A protective glass or low-quality film often overlaps the sensor area, especially if they don't have a special cutout. In the case of the Xiaomi Redmi 9, where the screen has a drop-shaped cutout, it's important that the accessory is matched exactly to the model. Try gently wipe the top of the screen with a microfiber, removing the fat and dust that can distort the sensor readings.
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Use the Testing app (code ##6484##) to check all sensors on your smartphone, a built-in MIUI utility that doesn’t require third-party software installation.
Resetting and calibration of the system
If none of the above methods helped to remove the flashlight when calling Xiaomi Redmi 9, it is possible that the system has accumulated configuration errors, in which case an effective solution can be to reset the settings to factory values.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. Once the phone is restarted, it will go back to the “out of the box” state. If the flashlight behaves normally before any applications are installed, then the problem was in the software conflict. If the blinking is left even on a clean system, this may indicate a hardware malfunction.
☑️ Preparation for full discharge
Also, calibrate the proximity sensor through the engineering menu. Enter the code ##6484## in the dialer. In the menu that opens, select the Proximity sensor and follow the instructions on the screen. Usually, you need to close the sensor with your hand and then remove it several times. Successful calibration is confirmed by the corresponding message of the system.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.This can lead to malfunctioning of communication modules or camera.
Additional advice and prevention
To prevent the flashlight problem from returning, it is recommended to adhere to several operating rules of Xiaomi Redmi 9. Regularly update the system through the About Phone menu, as the developers of MIUI constantly fix bugs related to peripheral management.
Avoid installing questionable software to “speed up your phone” or “clean up memory” from unverified sources. These often contain ad modules that can use the flash to get attention. Use only proven tools from the official GetApps store or Google Play.
Hidden functions of the engineering menu
If you like to experiment with themes, create restore points, or just remember which theme was set before the glitches appeared, this will save time on finding the culprit. Remember that stable smartphone performance is more important than beautiful but buggy effects.