How to set up flashing flashlight when calling Xiaomi: 5 proven methods

Do you miss important calls because you can't hear vibrations in a noisy room? Or just want your Xiaomi or Redmi to signal an incoming call with not only sound but also light? Turning on the flashlight function when you call is a simple but effective solution. This option is especially useful for users with hearing impairments, in loud environments or when the phone is lying down.

Unfortunately, in standard MIUI settings, this feature is often hidden or absent from new firmware versions. But we’ve compiled 5 working ways to activate a flash on incoming calls, from official settings to workarounds through third-party applications. In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for different Xiaomi models (including POCO and Black Shark), as well as solutions for cases where standard methods don’t work.

Why doesn’t the flashlight flash when calling by default?

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that the flash option when calling is either missing from the settings menu or is unstable, the reasons for this lie in the company’s policy and the features of the MIUI firmware:

• 📱 Battery optimization: Xiaomi limits background processes to extend battery life.Call flash refers to such processes.
• 🔄 Changes in MIUI 14/15: In newer firmware versions, some functions are moved or removed (for example, in Settings). → Special Opportunities no longer include "Notification flash").
• 🛠️ Hardware restrictions: On budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) There may be no support for flashlight software management.
• 📵 Regional differences: On smartphones for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Some features are disabled due to local regulatory requirements.

Interestingly, on older versions of MIUI (up to 12), the option was available by default in Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Flash on a call. Right now this path only works on selected models, such as the Xiaomi Mi 10T or POCO F3.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) Frequent flashing of a flashlight can cause the camera to overheat. If you notice that the back panel heats up strongly during long calls, turn off the function.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi smartphone is released before 2022 or runs on MIUI 12 or below, try turning on the flash through the standard menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Features section (on some models – Additional settings → Special features).
3. Find the Notification Flash or Light signals.
4. Activate the switch next to the Flash when you call.
5. Choose the color of the flash (if available) and the frequency (fast/slow).

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

1. Go to Settings. → Sounds and vibrations.
2. Stick on vibration and light signals.
3. Turn on the flash option when you call.

Make sure the flashlight is manually working (check in the notification curtain)

Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update)

Check if notifications for the Phone app are disabled

Remove the case – it can block the light of the flashlight-->

List of models where this method works:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14 (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12) The standard path may not work because of changes in energy saving policies, and then you can move on to the following methods.

Method 2: Use Flash Alerts 2 (for all models)

If the standard settings didn’t work, the most reliable solution is to install a third-party app. Flash Alerts 2 is one of the best in this category: it supports Xiaomi, does not require root rights and works even on the latest versions of MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Flash Alerts 2 from Google Play.
2. Open the app and provide all the permissions you request (access to notifications, camera, microphone).
3. In the main menu, activate the Flash on Call switch.
4. Set up the parameters: 🔦 Flash Color: White/Red/Blue (on some models). ⚡ Blinking frequency: 1 to 5 times per second. 📞 Exceptions: You can turn off the flash for specific contacts.

Test Flash

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 Works on MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14.
• 🔹 Supports individual settings for calls, SMS and notifications from messengers.
• 🔹 Low battery consumption (the flash is only activated when an incoming call is made).

💡

If the app doesn’t see a call notification, go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Phone → Notifications and turn on access for Flash Alerts 2.

On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Redmi K50 Pro models, when using Flash Alerts 2, there may be a conflict with the proprietary function "AI Camera Light". To avoid crashes, turn it off in the camera settings → Additional.

Method 3: Configure with Developer Mode (for advanced users)

If you don't want to install third-party apps, you can try to enable flash through hidden developer mode settings, which requires care, but doesn't need root rights.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

Settings

For developers

Symbolic flashing of notifications

LED-indicator

Camera (flash)

Save the settings and restart the device.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work on all models (for example, on the POCO F4 Xiaomi 11T Pro paragraph missing).
• ❌ After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• ❌ The flash may only flash once at the start of the call, not constantly.

For models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite or POCO X5 Pro) you can use a flash instead of a flashlight. In the Developer Settings, enable Blinking at notifications, the display will briefly light up white when the call is incoming.

Method 4: Automation with MacroDroid (for flexible customization)

If you need to fine-tune flash conditions (for example, only for unknown numbers or at certain times of the day), use MacroDroid, which allows you to create automatic scripts without root rights.

Algorithm of settings:

1. Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
2. Create a new macro (Add Macro).
3. In the Triggers section, select: 📞 Phone → Incoming Call (Incoming Call). 🔄 Please specify additional conditions (for example, only when screen is off).

Actions

• 🔦 Flashlight → Turn On (Enable the flashlight).
• ⏱️ Wait → 0.5 seconds (pause).
• 🔦 Flashlight → Turn Off (Switch off the flashlight).
• 🔄 Loop → Repeat 10 times (Repeat 10 times).
• Save the macro and test by calling your number from another phone.

The advantages of MacroDroid:

• 🔹 Flexible setting (you can add vibration, beep or notification on the lock screen).
• 🔹 Works on MIUI 15 and Android 14.
• 🔹 You can create separate rules for different contacts.

Standard settings of MIUI

Flash Alerts 2 appendix

Developer mode

MacroDroid

Another option-->

An example of a complex scenario: you can adjust the macro so that the flashlight flashes only when calls from contacts from the Family group, and only if the phone is lying down (using a proximity sensor).

Method 5: Manual control over ADB (for power users)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can manage your system settings directly through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires you to connect to a computer, but it gives you 100% results.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times). Go back to Settings → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

ADB

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

adb shell settings put system notification_light_pulse 1

Reboot the phone.

If the flash doesn’t work, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1

💡

ADB-Temporary commands – after resetting settings or updating MIUI They're going to have to be re-run. Root rights are going to have to be permanent.

For models with MIUI 14+, an additional command may be required:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.android.systemui.FLASH_NOTIFICATION --ez enabled true

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful setup, the flash may not work properly when calling, and consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

If the flash is working but drains the battery, check:

• 🔋 Is the function of the Permanent flash (should be only blinking).
• 📱 Are there any background processes that interfere with the work (check in Settings) → Battery → Battery utilization).
• 🔄 Does the flash app conflict with other utilities (e.g. Greenify or Battery Saver).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE) after major system updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) flash settings may be reset. To avoid this, back up the settings via Settings before updating. → Additionally. → Backup.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions