How to remove the flashlight from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all working methods

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 lock screen displays a flashlight icon all the time, even when you're not using it? This feature may seem convenient, but it interferes with many users - random taps include a flashlight in your pocket, draining the battery, or simply spoiling the lock aesthetic. Unfortunately, there is no obvious switch in the standard MIUI settings to turn off this icon, but there are several proven ways to remove it.

In this article we will discuss 3 working methods of removing a flashlight from the lock screen: through hidden system settings, using the help of the flashlight. ADB-We'll also find out why this icon appears on the Redmi Note 9 (and other Xiaomi models), and what nuances are important to consider before changing. If you don't want to risk the stability of the system, at the end of this article there are alternative solutions without deep interventions.

Why does the flashlight appear on the Redmi Note 9 lock screen?

The flashlight icon on the locked screen is part of the proprietary MIUI interface that Xiaomi integrates into its smartphones. On the Redmi Note series (including the Note 9/9 Pro/9T), this feature is activated by default and serves to quickly access the flashlight without unlocking the phone.

• 🔋 Battery consumption: Accidental taps in your pocket or bag include a flashlight, resulting in unnecessary discharge.
• 🎨 Visual noise: The icon takes up space on the screen, especially if you use minimalist wallpaper or widgets.
• 🔓 Security: In some versions MIUI The flashlight can be turned on even on a locked phone, which may not be desirable (for example, in a movie theater).
• 📱 Gesture conflict: On the Redmi Note 9, the sensor next to the flashlight icon sometimes works when you try to swipe your finger to unlock.

It is important to understand that in different versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 vs MIUI 14) the behavior of this icon may be different, for example, in old firmware it could be disabled through the Settings menu. → Lock screen, but newer versions often don't have this option, and some regional firmware (e.g. Global) ROM vs China ROM) The set of options may vary.

Method 1: Turn off the flashlight through hidden MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in, but hidden, system options, which don't require a super-user or PC connection, but don't work on all firmware versions. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Settings app on your Redmi Note 9.
2. Go to Lock Screen (or Lock and Password in some versions).
3. Scroll down and find the option for Additional Settings (may be called Advanced Settings or Icon Settings).
4. Look for the option of Shortcuts on the lock screen or Quick Actions.
5. In the list of available shortcuts, uncheck the flashlight (or drag it to the Unplugged section).
6. Save the changes and check the lock screen – the icon should disappear.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → System → Gestures and buttons.
2. Select Quick Actions on the locked screen.
3. Turn off the slider in front of the flashlight.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 9 with Android 12, this method may not work due to manufacturer limitations.

If none of these things work, then your version of MIUI blocks shortcut change through the interface, which is common on China ROM or customized firmware, and then only ADB or a launcher replacement will help.

Method 2: Remove the flashlight through ADB (without root)

If you don't have the default settings to disable the icon, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but doesn't need super-user rights. It works on most versions of MIUI, including MIUI 13/14.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🛠 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website of Android Developers).

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi Note 9: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable: Debugging over USB Allow debugging (when connected to this computer)
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global lockscreen_shortcut_torch 0

If the command is correct, restart the phone. The flashlight icon should disappear from the lock screen.

⚠️ Note: If the flashlight is gone after completing the command, but comes back after a while, then the system has reset. In this case, try repeating the command or use Tasker for automatic use when booting.

If ADB didn’t help, your firmware might have been modified (e.g. Xiaomi.EU or custom build), leaving the last method to change the launcher.

Method 3: Replacement of the standard launcher with a third-party

If previous methods have failed, a radical solution is to install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion) that will not only remove the flashlight from the lock screen, but also completely customize the appearance of the system.

• 🔄 Certain functions MIUI (Second Space or App Lock may not work properly.

Recommended launchers for Redmi Note 9:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher (Nova Lock Screen plugin).
• 🎨 Lawnchair 12 (with Android 12 support)+).
• 🛠 Hyperion Launcher (maximum customization).

Installation instructions:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher in Settings → Apps → By default.
3. If you need to change the lock screen, install an additional module (for example, Nova Lock Screen).
4. In the launcher settings, turn off the display of system icons on the lock.

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Before installing a third-party launcher, back up your home screen through Settings → Additional → Backup. This will help you quickly return the standard interface if something goes wrong.

If you don't want to change the launcher, but you're willing to sacrifice some features, you can try to roll back to the older version of MIUI, where the flashlight is turned off through settings, but this is an extreme measure, as it can lead to loss of data and stability.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of the above methods didn’t work, here are a few alternatives:

• 🔄 Resetting: Return the phone to factory settings via Settings → The phone. → Resetting. It's a radical step, but it sometimes helps to reset the system settings that are not correct!
• 📥 Firmware Update: Check for updates in Settings → Update the system, new versions MIUI Sometimes they can turn off labels.
• 🛡 Using Tasker: Automate the flashlight shutdown through a task that works when the screen is locked.
• 📵 Physical solution: If the flashlight turns on on its own, try using a magnetic lock case or turning off touch buttons in your pocket via Settings → Display. → Touch buttons → Locking in your pocket.

If the problem is related to a hardware malfunction (e.g., sticking the sensor next to the flashlight icon), repair may be required, in which case contact Xiaomi’s service center or check the phone for moisture/damage using the diagnostic code ##4636## (Equipment Testing section).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove a flashlight from a lock screen, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

On the Redmi Note. 9 firmware MIUI 14 (Android 12) Adb shell settings put global lockscreen_shortcut_torch 0 work 85% In some cases, but may require re-use after major system updates.

⚠️ Note: If you are using China ROM (Chinese Firmware, some teams ADB They can be blocked by the manufacturer, and the only way out is to change the firmware to Global. ROM or Xiaomi.EU.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If none of these methods worked, your firmware is probably heavily modified (castomy or regional), in which case the most reliable solution would be to change the launcher or roll back to the standard Global ROM.