How to turn on the flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways + troubleshooting

The flashlight on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular features that helps in the dark, when searching for items or in emergency situations. However, not all users know that this device has several ways to activate the flash: from a standard swipe in the notification curtain to hidden gestures and voice commands. Moreover, depending on the version of MIUI and the firmware settings menu, which can cause confusion.

In this article, we will not only show you all the possible ways to turn on the flashlight on Redmi. 9 (including Redmi models 9A, 9C and 9T), But we're also going to look at the typical problems of why the flash doesn't work, why it blinks or shuts down on its own. MIUI 12/13, It allows you to activate light with one touch on the screen even on a locked phone.

1. Standard method: through the notification panel

The most obvious and universal method is to use a notification curtain, which works on all versions of MIUI and does not require any additional settings.

1. Unlock the Redmi 9 screen (any method is suitable: print, PIN or pattern lock).
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. If the curtain is not fully open, make another swipe down to see all the icons.
4. Find the flashlight icon (pictured as a pocket flashlight) and tap it. The flash will go on immediately.

If the flashlight icon is not in the visible area, it can be added manually:

1. Open the notification curtain and click on the icon ⚙️ Edit (or ⋮ → Edit the panel).
2. In the list of inactive icons, find the flashlight and drag it to the top of the screen.
3. Click Ready to save the changes.

Unlock the screen|Open the notification panel|Find the flashlight icon|Tap to turn on-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For Redmi 9, the flashlight icon can be hidden by default. If you don't find it in the edit list, upgrade to the latest version or use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Quick activation from the locked screen

Few people know, but MIUI 12 and later has a hidden feature that lets you turn on the flashlight without unlocking your phone, which is convenient when you need to light up quickly, and you don't have time to type in a PIN or use Face ID, and it activates like this:

• 🔦 Twice tap the flashlight icon in the notification curtain (even on a locked screen).
• 🔦 Hold the flashlight icon in the curtain for 2 seconds – a pop-up menu with the option “Fast Access” will appear".
• 🔦 On some firmware, it is enough to swipe down the flashlight icon (as when turning off notifications).

If this method does not work, check the security settings:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Quick action.
2. Make sure that the flashlight option is included in the list of available actions.
3. Activate the "Allow Quick Access" switch.

Every day |Several times a week |Rarely, if necessary |Never use-->

3. Voice control: "OK, Google" and Xiaomi Assistant

If you have a voice assistant on, you can activate the flashlight with a voice command, which works both through Google Assistant and through the built-in Xiaomi AI Assistant.

Method 1: Using Google Assistant

• 🎤 Say, “OK Google, turn on the flashlight” or “Hey Google, turn on the flashlight".
• 🎤 If the assistant does not respond, check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Google → Permits → Microphone.

Method 2: via Xiaomi AI Assistant (powered by Chinese firmware and global versions with MIUI 13+)

• 🤖 Hold the Home button or say Xiao. AI, Turn on the flashlight" (in Chinese: "").
• 🤖 If the assistant does not recognize the command, update the Mi app. AI Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: Voice flashlight control may not work if the battery settings for Google or Mi apps are in place AI It's power optimisation enabled. To fix this, go to Settings. → Battery → Optimize the battery and disable restrictions for assistants.

4.Gestural and Hidden MIUI Functions

Xiaomi has added a few hidden gestures to Redmi 9 that let you control the flashlight without unlocking, which are often disabled by default, but can be activated through settings.

Double-touch gesture (works on MIUI 12.5+):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Gestures (or Special Features → Gestures).
2. Find the option "Double touch for flashlight" and turn it on.
3. Now, to turn on the light, tap the screen twice (you don’t have to unlock the phone).

"Watch" gesture (available on some firmware):

• 📱 Enable the option in Settings → System system → Gestures → Shake for the flashlight.
• 📱 After activation, it is enough to shake the phone (as in restarting the flashlight) to turn on / off the flash.

⚠️ Warning: A shake gesture may accidentally activate a flashlight in your pocket, causing the battery to run out. If you notice that the flash is on by itself, turn off this feature or add the phone to a magnetic lock case.

5. Applications from Third Party Developers

If standard methods are not satisfied (for example, you want to adjust the flashing of the flashlight to the beat of music or control the brightness), you can use third-party utilities.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 9:

Before installation, check:

• 🔒 Permissions: App must request access to Camera and Lantern.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Add Utility to Exceptions in Settings → Battery → Optimization.
• 🛠️ Compatibility: Some applications do not run on custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS).

💡

If after installing a third-party flashlight, the standard one stopped working, clear the Camera app cache in the phone settings.

6. Problem Solving: The flashlight does not turn on

If the flash is on Redmi 9 It doesn't respond to any of the ways, it can be software or hardware.-5 malfunctions and their solutions:

Problem 1: The flashlight icon in the curtain is inactive (grey)

• 🔧 Check if Do Not Disturb or Battery Savings are on – they block access to the flash.
• 🔧 Reboot the phone: Hold the power + Volume up 10 seconds.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem 2: The flashlight turns on, but immediately turns off

• 🔋 Check the battery power – at a level below 5%, the system automatically turns off energy-intensive functions.
• 🔋 Clean the charger from dust: sometimes the phone “thinks” that it is connected to the RAM, and limits the operation of the flash.
• 🔋 Reset the camera settings: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Problem 3: The flash flash flashes or is not working smoothly

• 💡 This may be a hardware malfunction (the LED has burned out or the contact has left).
• 💡 Check if the moisture has entered the chamber - carefully dry the phone in rice for 24 hours.
• 💡 If the blinking started after a fall, contact the service center - the camera board may be damaged.

⚠️ Note: If the flashlight stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot. Instructions for Redmi 9 are available on the forum 4PDA model-themed.

💡

If the flashlight doesn't turn on in any way, but the camera is working fine, the problem is the firmware. If the camera doesn't work, the flash hardware module is defective.

7. Alternative methods: using a camera and SOS

If standard methods are not available (e.g., a broken screen), you can turn on the flashlight indirectly through other phone features.

Method 1: through the "Camera" app

1. Open the standard Camera app.
2. Switch to Video or Photo mode.
3. Slip on the flash icon (lightning) and select "On".
4. Close the application - the flashlight will remain on (on some firmware).

Method 2: SOS-signal (although it works with a locked screen)

• 🆘 Quickly press the power button 5 times in a row - the phone will start flashing and emit a loud signal.
• 🆘 To turn it off SOS, press Power. + Loudness up.

Method 3: through ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

adb shell cmd camera _flashlight on


adb shell cmd camera _flashlight off

These commands work only when you connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled (Settings → Developers → USB debugging).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the flashlight on Redmi 9