How to remove a flashlight when calling Xiaomi: all ways to turn off the flash

A flash camera that automatically turns on when you call on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone is a useful feature for some users, but an annoying factor for most. The flashlight in the dark can be confusing, distracting, or simply draining the battery. Unfortunately, in standard MIUI settings, the option to turn off this feature is often hidden or absent — especially on budget models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to remove the flashlight when calling on any Xiaomi device – from official settings to hidden commands of the engineering menu. You'll also learn why this feature even exists, what models support turning it off out of the box, and what to do if none of the methods work. MIUI 14/15 and newer versions of the firmware.

Why does Xiaomi have a flashlight when you call?

The automatic flashlight feature for incoming calls was introduced in Xiaomi back in 2018, first as an experimental option for the Chinese market, and later expanded to global firmware, with the main goal of capturing the user’s attention in noisy or dark conditions, such as if the phone is lying down on the table, a flash will help keep an important call from missing.

In practice, however, the function often interferes with rather than helps:

• 🔋 Battery discharges – even short flashes with frequent calls are summed up in a noticeable energy consumption.
• 😴 Wakes at night – bright lights can wake you or loved ones if the phone is lying next to the bed.
• 📱 Overheats the camera module – with long conversations, the flashlight can heat up, especially on budget models.
• 🚫 It is triggered by accident – sometimes the flash is turned on when notifications or SMS, If the settings are broken down.

Interestingly, on flagship models (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3), this feature can be disabled through the standard menu, while on budget models (Redmi A2, POCO M6) it is often sewn into firmware. This is due to Xiaomi’s marketing strategy: on cheap phones, they leave “useful” features by default to create the illusion of additional functionality.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

On some Xiaomi models (mainly flagship or global firmware), the option to turn off the flashlight when calling is available in the settings menu.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select Incoming Calls.
4. Scroll down and find the flashlight item when you call (or flash when you call).
5. Move the slider to the off position.

If there is no such item, then your model does not support disabling through the standard interface, in which case move on to the following methods.

Important! On some firmware (MIUI for Russia or EU-Roma), the item may be called differently:

• 🔦 Flashing flash (in the section Special features)
• 📞 Call notifications (in submenu Additional)
• 💡 Lighting effects (on older versions) MIUI)

Method 2: Use of the Engineering Menu (code ##)

If standard settings don’t work, try turning off the flashlight through the engineering menu, a hidden section for testing hardware components that works on 80% of Xiaomi models, but it requires caution: improper changes can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484### (or #64663## on new models).
3. You will be taken to the MTK Engineer Mode (or Qualcomm Service Menu, depending on the processor).
4. Choose Hardware Testing → Camera.
5. Find Flashlight Test or Torch Mode.
6. Turn off the Auto Flash on Call option (if any).
7. Save the changes and restart the phone.

Warning: If there is no explicit flashlight item on the engineering menu, do not change the other settings. This can cause the camera or sensors to crash.

💡

Before entering the engineering menu, write down the current camera settings (resolution, HDR, night mode) - after changes, they can reset.

Method 3: Disconnection through ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If previous methods have failed, you can try turning off the flashlight when calling using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install Xiaomi USB Drivers and download ADB Tools.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices


adb shell settings put global flashlight_on_call 0

If the command is correct, restart the phone. The flashlight should be turned off when you call.

Attention! Some Xiaomi firmware features parameter flashlight_on_call It can be called something else. To find out the exact key, type in:

adb shell settings list global | grep flashlight

This will show all the parameters associated with the flashlight, look for the mention of call or ring.

💡

ADB-The best way to do this is to connect to a PC, and if you reboot the flashlight, it resets the settings, and then you'll only get a root or custom firmware.

Method 4: Third-party applications to turn off flashlight

If you don't want to go through the settings or connect your phone to your computer, you can use specialized applications that block the flashlight from turning on automatically at the system level.

Top.-3 tested:

• 📱 Flashlight Notifications Off is a simple program that disables the flash when you send notifications and calls, and it works without root permissions, but requires permission to access notifications.
• 🛠️ MacroDroid – Automatically create the rule “If an incoming call is made” → Turn off the flashlight. Suitable for advanced users.
• 🔧 Tasker is a powerful tool for automation, and you can set the trigger for the "Phone Rings" event and the "Switch off the flashlight" action».

How to set up in MacroDroid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Create a new macro team (Add Macro).
3. Select Phone → Incoming Call as a trigger.
4. In actions add Flashlight → Turn Off.
5. Save the macro and activate it.

Attention! Some applications (such as Flashlight Notifications Off) may conflict with Xiaomi system services. If after installation the phone starts to slow down or quickly discharge, delete the program and use another method.

Method 5: Root rights and editing system files

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is to obtain root rights and manual editing of system files, which is only suitable for advanced users, since the wrong actions can lead to a phone blink (breakdown).

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader on your phone via Xiaomi’s official website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install Custom Recavers (TWRP) and get root rights through Magisk.
3. With a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer), follow the path:

/system/csc/others.xml

or (on new firmware):

/system/system/csc/feature.xml

Find a string that contains FlashOnCall or TorchOnCall and replace the value from true to false. Save the file, set 644 rights, and restart the phone.

Warning: Editing system files without backup may result in:

• ⚠️ Losing warranty (if the phone is warranty, Xiaomi will refuse repairs).
• ⚠️ Cyclical reboot (bootloop), if you are mistaken in the edits.
• ⚠️ Violation of camera or sensors.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the flashlight when calling Xiaomi still turns on, there are a few alternative solutions:

1. Physical dimming of the flashlight

• 🎨 Put a piece of black tape or opaque tape on the flash, and it doesn't turn off the function, but it makes it invisible.
• 🛡️ Buy a case with a camera cap (for example, from Spigen or Ringke).

2.Use of the second SIM-slot

• 📱 If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, try rearranging it. SIM-Sometimes the flashlight only works on the main number.

3. Update or roll back firmware

• 🔄 Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update the system, new versions MIUI Sometimes add the option to turn off the flashlight.
• 🔙 If the problem has occurred after the update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version via the Mi Flash Tool.

4. Appeal in support of Xiaomi

• 📧 Write to the official support chat with a request to add the option to disable. If there are many complaints, the function may be removed in the next updates.

5. Reset to factory settings

• ⚠️ Extreme method: perform reset to Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. Sometimes it helps to reset the flashlight's "stuck" settings.

If you have decided to put up with a flashlight, but want to reduce its irritation, try:

• 🔕 Set silent mode for important calls (the flashlight will not blink if the phone is in vibration).
• 🌙 Use the night mode (Settings) → Screen. → Night mode – this will reduce the brightness of the flash.

FAQ: Frequent questions about flashlight when calling Xiaomi