How to permanently remove the flashlight from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 8

The flashlight icon on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 lock screen is one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware, which the manufacturer stubbornly does not want to turn off through standard settings. For many users, this element is not only useless, but also interferes: random taps include a flashlight in your pocket, and the constant presence of the icon spoils the minimalist kind of lock. Especially a problem for owners of Redmi 8 on versions of MIUI 11-14, where the developers removed the ability to hide the item through the Quick Setting menu.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to remove a flashlight from a lock screen, from simple changes in settings to deep modifications to the system. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can affect the warranty and security of the device. We will specify the risks for each option and provide alternatives for users without technical skills, and you will learn why the flashlight appears even after resetting and how to prevent it.

Why flashlight appears on the lock screen and whether it can be turned off normally

The flashlight icon on the Redmi 8 lock is part of the MIUI proprietary shell that is integrated into the com.android.systemui system application. In early versions of the firmware (before MIUI 10), it could be hidden through the Settings menu → Lock screen → Control elements, but since MIUI 11, Xiaomi has removed this option “to improve the user experience.”

The main reasons for the appearance of the icon:

• 🔄 Update: After upgrading to the new version MIUI The settings are reset and the flashlight returns.
• 📱 Reset to factory settings: Even a full reset doesn’t always remove an item, as it’s written in system files.
• 🔧 Sync Errors: If you use a Mi Account, lock settings can be restored from the cloud.
• 📦 Pre-installed apps: Some system services (e.g. MiuiDaemon) force the icon to be added.

You can't normally remove the flashlight in MIUI 12-14 -- there's just no switch in the settings, but there are workarounds that we'll look at below. The only official way to do that is to roll back to MIUI 10, but that's fraught with security and app compatibility issues.

⚠️ Note: Before any manipulation of the system, back up your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Some methods can cause firmware to fail.

Method 1: Disconnect from the hidden developer menu (without root)

This method works on Redmi 8 with MIUI 11-12.5 and doesn't require superuser rights. We'll use the hidden settings that Xiaomi left for the interface testing, and it's important that once the device is restarted, the flashlight can come back, you have to repeat the procedure.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will receive a notification "You became a developer").

Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

ADB

adb shell settings put secure sysui_qs_tile_default 0

Reboot the device. The flashlight icon must disappear.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put global settings_provider_model false

Install ADB-PC drivers|

Enable debugging over USB on your phone |

Download the Android SDK Tools| platform

Create a backup copy of the data-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI through OTA To avoid this, execute adb shell settings delete secure settings before upgrading. sysui_qs_tile_default.

Method 2: Using third-party launchers (the safest method)

If you don't want to interfere with system files, you can just replace the standard lock screen with an alternative one, which does not require root rights and is completely reversible. MIUI (For example, quick notifications may not work properly.

The best apps to replace the lock screen:

• 🌟 Always On Edge – Supports customization of items, including removing unnecessary icons.
• 🔒 LockScreen X – allows you to completely redefine the appearance of the lock.
• 🎨 Hi Locker – a simple launcher with support for themes and widgets.
• 🛠️ Lock Screen (from Microsoft) – minimalist design without unnecessary elements.

How to set up:

1. Install the selected application from Google Play.
2. Run it and grant permissions to Overlay over other windows and the Device Administrator.
3. In the application settings, find the Control Elements or Widgets section and turn off the flashlight display.
4. Activate the new lock screen as the main one in the security settings.

💡

Before installing a third-party launcher, check out Redmi 8 user reviews – some apps may conflict with MIUI gestures (e.g. swipe up to return to the home screen).

Method 3: Editing system files (root required)

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to get root rights. We will delete the files responsible for displaying the flashlight directly from the system partition. Risk: wrong actions can lead to a bootloop, so follow the instructions carefully.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install custom TWRP recovery for Redmi 8 (the version should match your model – olivelite for global firmware).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. With Root Explorer or Solid Explorer, go to /system/priv-app/SystemUI/SystemUI.apk/res/layout/
5. Find the files: keyguard_bottom_area.xml keyguard_status_bar.xml

<com.android.systemui.qs.tileimpl.QSTileView android:id="@id/flashlight" />

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If the lock screen stopped working after editing, restore the original files from the backup or reflash SystemUI.apk via TWRP.

Method 4: Reverse the firmware to an earlier version of MIUI

If the flashlight came after the upgrade, the logical solution would be to return the old firmware version, where it could be disabled normally. For Redmi 8, the appropriate version is MIUI 10 (Android 9).

• ⚠️ Data loss: When you roll back all user files will be erased.
• 🔒 Security issues: Older versions MIUI They do not receive vulnerability patches.
• 📱 Application incompatibility: Some programs may not work on Android 9.
• 🔄 Blocking Updates: Xiaomi May Ban Recoils Through Anti-Rollback.

How to perform rollback:

1. Download the archive with MIUI 10 firmware for Redmi 8 (codenamed Olivelite) from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack. ZIP-archive and place the file update.zip root.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Please specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.

After rollback, go to Settings → Lock screen → Controls and turn off the flashlight. To prevent automatic updates, block the Updater app through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Updater → Disable.

💡

Firmware rollback is an extreme method. If you're not willing to sacrifice security and functionality, use methods 1, 2 or 5.

Method 5: Using ADB to modify system settings (advanced)

This method is suitable for users who do not want to get root, but are ready to work with the Internet. ADB. We will change the system settings that display elements on the lock screen, the advantage is that you do not need to unlock the bootloader, but the changes will reset after the update. MIUI.

Required commands:

adb shell


su




settings put global hide_lockscreen_flashlight 1




pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.systemui/.qs.tileimpl.FlashlightTileService

Explanation to the teams:

• settings put global hide_lockscreen_flashlight 1 — Creates a global parameter that hides a flashlight.
• pm disable-user – disables the service responsible for the icon.

If the flashlight returned after restart, follow the additional command:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.android.systemui.RESTART

To get it back, use:

settings delete global hide_lockscreen_flashlight


pm enable com.android.systemui/.qs.tileimpl.FlashlightTileService

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI These commands may cause the system interface to fail. Check the settings on forums before executing (e.g., for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove a flashlight, Redmi 8 users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have any forced elements from Xiaomi.However, this will require unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of some features (like IR Blaster or Mi Account).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions