How to return a flashlight to the place of the wallpaper carousel in Xiaomi: 5 working ways

After the latest MIUI update, many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO found a nasty surprise: the flashlight button in the quick settings panel disappeared, giving way to the wallpaper carousel, a feature that automatically changes the background of the desktop, was not only unnecessary for most, but also took the place of a really important tool, especially annoying in the dark, when the flashlight is urgently needed, and instead a useless widget.

The problem has affected smartphone owners on MIUI 14 and later, including flagship models like Xiaomi 13 Ultra and the budget Redmi Note 12. Fortunately, you can return the flashlight to place in several ways, from standard settings to hidden developer features. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods (including those that work after the April patch of 2026), and explain why Xiaomi even implemented this controversial feature.

Before you get to the instructions, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some methods only work on certain builds, and on the HyperOS hyper shell (which replaces MIUI), the algorithm may differ. If your smartphone is still on MIUI 13 or older, the problem has not touched you yet - but it is better to prepare in advance.

Why Xiaomi has replaced the flashlight with a wallpaper carousel?

Xiaomi officially attributes this to “optimizing the user experience” and making the interface “visually appealing,” but the replacement has caused a wave of outrage — and here’s why:

• 🔦 A flashlight is a basic feature of a smartphone that is used daily (according to statistics, up to 80% of owners turn it on at least once a week.
• 🎨 Wallpaper widget takes up space in the quick-setting panel that users have been customizing for years.Automatic replacement disrupts the usual workflow.
• 📉 V MIUI 14 and HyperOS Xiaomi actively promotes its own services (for example, Xiaomi Cloud for wallpaper), which looks like an imposition.
• 🔄 In some models (for example, POCO F5) The wallpaper carousel cannot be turned off by standard means - only through ADB or modification of system files.

Interestingly, the Chinese versions of the firmware (China ROM) don't have this problem, the flashlight stays in place, which suggests that the replacement is related to regional marketing strategies, and fortunately, you can get around the restriction, and we'll show you how.

Method 1: Standard Replacement through Settings (works on 60% of models)

The easiest method is to try replacing the wallpaper carousel widget with a flashlight manually, which works on most MIUI 14.0.5+ devices, but does not work on POCO with custom firmware and some flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro).

1. Make a swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar, followed by another swipe for full disclosure.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ («Edit) in upper right corner.
3. Find the wallpaper carousel widget (may be called Wallpaper Carousel or Wallpaper Carousel).
4. Clip it and drag it up to the Unused section.
5. Now find the flashlight widget (or Flashlight) in the unused list and drag it back to the active bar.
6. Click "Ready" and check if the flashlight icon has appeared.

If the flashlight is not on the list of unused widgets, then Xiaomi has hidden it at the system level, in which case move on to the following ways.

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On some models (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the flashlight may be called "Flash" or "Torch." Check out all the similar icons!

Method 2: Disabling wallpaper carousel through hidden settings

If the standard replacement didn’t work, try turning off the wallpaper carousel itself, after which the system can automatically return the flashlight to its place.This method works on MIUI 14.0.2–14.0.8 and some HyperOS builds.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ («Settings) in upper right corner.
3. Find the option “Wallpaper Carousel” or “Automatic Wallpaper Change” and turn off the slider.
4. Reboot your smartphone (required!).
5. After the reboot, check the quick settings panel - the flashlight should appear in its original place.

If you don't have a wallpaper carousel option in your settings, it's integrated at the system level. ADB-command (method 4) or edit configuration files (method 5).

Method 3: Reset the notification panel settings (works on 80% of devices)

If previous methods didn't work, try resetting the notification panel to factory settings, which will return all the widgets to their original state, including the flashlight, and the only way to do that is to reset the panel.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Scroll down and select Reset the Notification Panel Settings (or Restore by Default).
3. Confirm the action.
4. After reset, check the panel - the flashlight should appear in the front row of widgets.

If there is no reset option, try an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Dots (⋮) → Application Resetting

⚠️ Note: This method will also reset notification settings for all apps (like priority alerts on Telegram or WhatsApp.

Method 4: Return the flashlight via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not help, you will have to use them. ADB-Android Debug Bridge works on all models, but requires a computer connection and developer mode.

Step-by-step:

Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC

Enable Developer Mode (7 times tap on “Build Number” in Settings → About Phone)

Activate “Debugging by” USB» In Settings → Additionally. → For developers

Connect the smartphone to the PC and allow debugging in the pop-up window-->

1. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Use the command to disable wallpaper carousel: adb shell settings put secure sysui_qs_tiles "$(settings get secure sysui_qs_tiles),flashlight"
4. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

If the flashlight does not appear after the restart, try an alternative command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.systemui.action.flashlight

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS 1.0), these commands may cause the system interface to crash. If the notification panel stops opening after execution, reset via Settings → Memory. → Resetting settings (without deleting data).

For POCO models with custom firmware (e.g., POCO Launcher), an additional command may be required:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.wallpaper

It completely removes the wallpaper app for the current user, but does not affect system files.

Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for experienced)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can edit the configuration files manually, which requires root rights or access to TWRP, so it is only suitable for advanced users.

Instructions for root devices:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path: /system/usr/qti_config.xml
3. Find the line with the parameter config_wallpaperCarouselEnabled and replace true with false.
4. Save the file and restart the device.

For devices without root, but with TWRP:

1. Download the modified file qti_config.xml (can be found on the forums 4PDA XDA-Developers for your model).
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. mount the System partition and replace the original file with a modified one.
4. Clean the cache (Wipe → Cache) and restart.

After this manipulation, the wallpaper carousel will be turned off at the system level and the flashlight will return to the quick settings panel. However, be careful: improper editing of system files can lead to a bootloop.

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Editing system files is an extreme method. If you are not sure about your actions, you should use ADB or wait for the official patch from Xiaomi.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, there are three options:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI. To do this, download the old firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware website and run through Fastboot or TWRP. Disadvantages – Lose new features and security updates.
• 📱 Use the flashlight widget on your desktop. Install an app like Flashlight Widget from Google Play and add it to your home screen.
• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi. Report the problem through the official channel (Settings) → Review or support.xiaomi.com.The more complaints, the higher the chance that the feature will be returned in the next update.

Also, keep an eye out for forums, because enthusiasts often find workarounds. For example, HyperOS has already introduced modified versions. APK-System application files that return flashlights without root.

If you decide to roll back on the old firmware, consider:

• Make a backup of data through Settings → Memory → Backup.
• Make sure the firmware version is compatible with your model (check Settings → About Phone → Model).
• Use official tools like the Mi Flash Tool to avoid a device breaking down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about returning a flashlight to Xiaomi