Flashlight when calling Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure the flash for incoming calls

Have you ever missed an important call because your phone was on the screen down or in silent mode? A camera flash on an incoming call on Xiaomi solves this problem β€” flashing flashes of a flashlight will attract attention even in a noisy room or in a distance. This feature is especially useful for people with hearing impairments, in an office setting or when a smartphone is in a bag.

Despite the obvious benefits, many Redmi, Poco or Mi owners don’t know how to activate this option β€” it’s hidden in the depths of MIUI settings and may vary depending on the shell version. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn on a flashlight when you call, including hidden methods for older firmware and models without official feature support. You’ll also learn how to adjust the blink frequency, disable the option for specific contacts, and solve typical problems.

Why the flashlight doesn’t work when calling Xiaomi

Before we get to the settings, it's important to understand why the feature might not be available.

  • πŸ“± An outdated version MIUI: On firmware older MIUI 10 Options Often Not in Standard Settings.
  • πŸ”§ Lack of support on budget models: Some Redmi Go or Poco C-series do not have hardware to control the flash software.
  • πŸ”„ Resetting: After updating or resetting, flash settings may reset.
  • 🚫 Manufacturer restrictions: Some regional firmware versions have the feature artificially disabled (e.g., Xiaomi). EU ROM).

If your smartphone falls under one of these points, don’t despair. In the β€œAlternative methods” section, we will explain how to circumvent restrictions using third-party applications or hidden commands.

πŸ“Š What is your Xiaomi model?
Redmi Note 10/11/12
Poco X3/X4/X5
Mi 11/12/13
Black Shark
Another model

Official method: turn on the flashlight through the MIUI settings

On most modern devices (MIUI 12-15), the function is activated via the special features menu.

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (sometimes called Universal Access).
  3. Select Rumor β†’ Flash at notifications.
  4. Activate the flash switch when calling.
  5. Set the Blinking Frequency (options available: slow, normal, fast).

On some models (Poco F3, Redmi K40) the path may be slightly different:

Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Special. features β†’ Flash at notifications

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure the flashlight works manually (check through the notification panel)

Turn off the power saving modes

Check if permissions for the Phone application are blocked"-->

Important: Once activated, the feature will only work for incoming calls. SMS and other notifications will require a separate setup (for this, see the next section).

Advanced settings: frequency of blinking and exclusions

MIUI allows you to fine-tune the flash behavior. Here's what you can change:

ParameterDescriptionWherever
Frequency of flashingRegulates the interval between flashes (0.5-2 seconds)Special Opportunities β†’ Flash β†’ Speed
Flash colorOn some models, you can choose white or colored light.Camera settings β†’ Additional
Contact exemptionsDisables flash for selected numbersContacts β†’ Settings β†’ Notifications
Working silentlyTurns on blinking even when the sound is offSound settings β†’ Modes β†’ Additional

To create exceptions:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Choose the right contact β†’ Edit.
  3. Click More (three points) β†’ Notifications.
  4. Turn off the flash option when calling.

πŸ’‘

If the blinking frequency seems too high, select Slow mode, which will save battery power and reduce the heating of the camera module.

Even after you set it up properly, the function may not work. Here are the typical scenarios and their solutions:

  • πŸ”‹ Low battery charge (less than 15%): MIUI It automatically turns off the power-intensive functions.
  • πŸ“΅ Do Not Disturb Mode: Turn it off in Settings β†’ Notifications.
  • πŸ”’ Blocked permissions: Go to Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Phone. β†’ Permits and enable access to the camera.
  • πŸ”„ Conflict with other applications: Uninstall programs like Flash Alerts or Flash On Call if they are installed.

⚠️ Attention: On models with AMOLED-In the case of the camera module, when the screens (for example, Mi 11 Ultra) are used frequently, the flash can cause the camera module to overheat. If the body near the lens becomes hot, reduce the flashing frequency or turn off the function.

If the problem persists, try resetting the special features settings:

Settings β†’ System β†’ Resetting settings β†’ Resetting special. capabilities

Alternative methods for older models

On devices with MIUI 9 and below or budget smartphones (Redmi 5A, Redmi 6), the standard option may not be available.

Method 1: Apps from Google Play

Install one of these apps (tested for compatibility with Xiaomi):

  • πŸ”¦ Flash Alerts 2 – supports color and rhythm tuning.
  • πŸ“ž Flash On Call – works even on a locked screen.
  • πŸ”” Flash Notification – allows you to assign different colors to different contacts.

After installation:

  1. Open the app and provide access to Notices and Camera.
  2. In the settings, select Calls as a notification type.
  3. Activate the option to use a flashlight.

Method 2: ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If you have experience with ADB, you can force the function:

adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global flash_notification_call 1

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system failures. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. β†’ Additionally. β†’ Backup.

How to check for ADB support on your Xiaomi
1. Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings). 2. Return to Additional Settings β†’ For developers and activate Debugging via USB. 3. Connect your phone to your PC and enter adb devices in the command line – if the serial number appears, you’re done.

Battery savings: how to reduce energy consumption

The constant flashing of a flashlight can reduce battery life by 5-15%, here's how to minimize the impact:

  • πŸ”‹ Use Slow Blinking Mode (Engineering 2 Seconds).
  • ⏱️ Set up a flash shutdown 30 seconds after the call starts.
  • πŸŒ™οΈ Turn off the function at night (via the Schedule in the special features settings).
  • πŸ”Œ Connect charging if the battery is below 30%.

On models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as Poco X3 Pro), power consumption will be lower than on devices with MediaTek (Redmi 9A), due to more efficient power management.

πŸ’‘

The optimal balance between visibility and economy is the β€œNormal Blinking” mode with an interval of 1 second and a shutdown after 20 seconds.

Safety: When not to use flash

Despite the convenience, there are situations where a function can cause harm:

  • πŸš— Driving: Bright flashes distract attention and can cause temporary blindness.
  • πŸ’Š Epilepsy: Frequent flashing of light can trigger an attack in people with photosensitive epilepsy.
  • πŸ›Œ Sleeping nearby: Flashes can interfere with others, if the phone is lying on the nightstand.
  • 🎭 Important Events: In a theater or conference, flashing a flashlight breaks etiquette.

On some models (Mi 10T, Redmi K30 Pro) you can configure geofences, where the function will automatically turn off.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Location β†’ Geozone.
  2. Create a new area (such as β€œHome” or β€œWork”).
  3. In the zone settings, turn off the Flash at notifications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a flashlight when calling

πŸ”¦ Can you customize different flash colors for different contacts?
Most Xiaomi models have standard settings that allow only white. However, with apps like Flash Notification, you can assign: Red for work calls Green for personal contacts Blue for notifications from messengers To do this, select Color profiles in the app settings and assign each color to a particular contact or group.
πŸ“± Why my Redmi Note 8 doesn’t have a flash on calls"?
This model has a firmware limitation. Solutions: Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings β†’ System Update. Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) where the feature is unlocked. Use third-party applications from the "Alternative Methods" section. Before firmware check compatibility on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum.
πŸ”‹ How much does the battery burn from constant flashes?
Tests show the following effect on autonomy: Blinking mode Consumption in 1 hour (mAh) Approximately reduction in operating time Fast (0.5 s) 120-150 ~8-10% Normal (1 s) 80-100 ~5-7% Slow (2 s) 40-60 ~3-4% For comparison: 1 hour of 4G conversations consumes ~180 mAh, and video viewing - ~250 mAh.
πŸ”§ Can I turn on the flash when SMS and notifications from messengers?
Yes, but the setting is different: For SMS: Settings β†’ Special. features β†’ Flash at notifications β†’ Messages. For messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram): Go to the settings of a particular application. Select Notifications β†’ Sound and vibration. Activate the option Light display or flash. On MIUI 14+ you can configure separate rules for each application through Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ App Rules.
πŸ› οΈ What to do if you update after the update MIUI flash stopped working?
This is a typical problem when you upgrade to a new firmware version. Order of action: Reset special features settings (Settings β†’ System β†’ Reset). Check if the permissions for the Phone application have reset. If it doesn't, roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot or go to the service center. Xiaomi forums often post patches to restore the feature after updates. Search for "model name + flash on call fix."