How to turn on a flashlight when calling Xiaomi: a complete guide to MIUI and HyperOS

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone users face a situation where they need to quickly find a device in the dark or understand that an important challenge is coming from without taking the gadget out of their pocket. In such cases, flash flashing when an incoming call becomes extremely useful. However, in modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS shells, this option is often hidden in the depths of the system menu or renamed, which causes confusion among device owners.

Activating a light alert is not just a matter of aesthetics, but an important part of accessibility for people with hearing impairments, and a handy tool for those who often forget their phone in a bag or in another room. Unlike older versions of Android, where settings were primitive, modern systems offer flexible use cases. You can customize the flash response to all calls or only to contacts from the favorites list.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to activate this feature, from standard system settings to advanced methods for power users. We will look at the differences between the versions of the shell so that you can find a solution for your smartphone model, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi 14.

Standard Activation through System Settings

The easiest and safest way to make a flash flash flash flash when you call is to use the built-in MIUI shell functionality. Xiaomi developers have hidden this option in the special features menu so as not to overload the standard call interface with unnecessary switches. You do not need root rights or third-party programs to access the desired partition.

Go to the main Settings of your device and find a section that can be called “Additional Features” or “Extended Settings”, depending on the firmware version. Inside this menu, you should look for the item “Special Features”, and this is where the tools that make it easier to interact with your smartphone for different groups of users are concentrated.

After you enter the special features section, look for the "Hearing" or "Audio" tab. In some versions of HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Special. features → Audiovisual effects. Find the "Flash on Notifications" or "Flash on Call" switch and activate it. The system may request confirmation to use the camera in the background - allow this action.

• 🔦 Open the Settings menu on the main screen.
• 🔦 Go to the section "Special features" or "Additional features».
• 🔦 Find the "Hearing" or "Audiovisual Effects" subsection».
• 🔦 Activate the switchboard "Flash at notifications».

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with a simplified shell may not have this item in the standard menu. If you do not find the path described, try searching by settings by typing the phrase "flash" or "blink».

It’s worth noting that activating this feature can lead to faster battery discharge if you expect a lot of calls throughout the day, but with standard use, the difference in autonomy will be almost invisible to the eye.

Configure through the application "Phone"

The second method is relevant for users who use the standard Google Phone app or a modified version of it from Xiaomi. Often, call personalization settings are placed directly into the call interface, which allows you to flexibly manage the behavior of the device during a conversation, which is especially convenient if you want to adjust different reactions for different contacts.

Open the Phone app (green handset) and click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. In the drop-down menu, select Settings. Next, look for Incoming Calls or Personalization. This may include the Flash Blink option, which works independently of special features system settings.

If you use a third-party call, like from Truecaller or CallApp, the algorithm will be similar, but the path to settings may lie through the menu of the app itself. It is important to understand that third-party programs require additional permissions to access the camera and contacts to work correctly.

Remember that using third-party calls can conflict with the system’s power saving settings. If the flash stops working after installing a new app, check its permissions in the Battery and Performance section.

Use of third-party applications for customization

When standard tools aren’t enough or they don’t work on your version of Android, Google Play’s dedicated tools come to the rescue. There are many apps that take over flash management by offering advanced scenarios: flashing a certain color, rhythmic patterns, or responding to specific system events.

One of the most popular solutions is Flash Alerts, which allows you to set up a flash not only for calls, but also for SMS, instant messengers, and even low battery power, and once installed, you will need to give the app the necessary permissions and choose the types of events that the camera should respond to.

Another powerful tool is MacroDroid or Tasks, which are automation programs that allow you to create a macro: If incoming call → Turn on flash, which gives you maximum flexibility, for example, to turn off the flash at night or when the phone is down.

• 📲 Download the flash control app from the store.
• 📲 Provide all the requested permissions (camera, telephone, contacts).
• 📲 Select the mode of operation (constant, rhythmic, on a schedule).
• 📲 Test the function by making a test call.

Try to choose programs with minimal resource consumption and good reviews about optimization.

💡

When using third-party flash apps, add them to the power saving exception list (No restrictions) so that the system doesn’t “kill” the process in the background.

Features of work in HyperOS and MIUI 14

With the release of the HyperOS shell and the upgrade to MIUI 14, the menu structure has undergone significant changes, many items have been renamed or moved as part of the new design philosophy and logic of the system, users who have updated from older versions can search for familiar switches for a long time.

HyperOS focuses on ecosystems and smart scripts. Call flash is now more often integrated into general notification settings. If you didn't find it in the Specials section, check the Settings path → Sound and Vibration → Additional audio settings. Here, switches associated with visual event indications may be hiding.

Also, new firmware versions have tightened the rules for background processes, and the system can automatically turn off the flash if it thinks that this action consumes too much energy or interferes with the user, in which case it helps to create a profile "No Sound" or "Meeting", where you can write a blinking rule separately.

If the feature stopped working after the firmware update, try resetting special features, which will not delete your personal data, but will return system parameters to factory values, which often resolves software conflicts.

Advanced methods and automation

For those who like full control of their device, there are more sophisticated customization methods. Using automation scripts allows you to create a really smart notification system. For example, a flash can only flash if the phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, but the caller is marked as Favorites.

You can use the built-in Auto Tasks app (if available in your area) or powerful tools like Tasker to implement these scenarios. It takes a few minutes to create a script, but it's worth it. You can adjust the color of the blink (if the smartphone has a two-tone flash) or the pulse duration.

Another interesting method is to use the mode of operation: create a profile "Night" or "Party", which by default turns on the flash at notifications. By switching between profiles, you will automatically activate or deactivate this feature without having to climb into the deep settings menus each time.

⚠️ Note: When using complex automation macros, make sure they do not conflict with other system processes. avoid creating cycles that could cause the interface to freeze or the camera module to overheat.

Remember that frequent use of flash in flash mode can cause the camera module to heat up.Take breaks or do not use this feature constantly if your smartphone is in a dense case that prevents heat transfer.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

There are times when all the settings are correct, but the flash does not light up when the call is made. The first reason is usually power saving restrictions. The system aggressively freezes the background processes, and the application responsible for the flash simply does not have time to respond to the incoming call.

To solve the problem, go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Management. Find the Phone app or installed flash utility and select No Limits mode. This will allow the process to run in the background without power restrictions.

The second common cause is conflict with other applications that use the camera. If you run the Flashlight as a separate application or you have a video call in the messenger, the system flash may not work when you call, because the camera is already busy.

If nothing works, try restarting your smartphone in safe mode to help you know if a third-party app is causing the conflict, and if the flash is running in safe mode, look for the culprit among the newly installed programs.

💡

The main cause of a failed outbreak in 90% of cases is aggressive energy saving MIUI, which blocks the background activity of the call application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)