Flashlight on Xiaomi notifications: how to turn on and configure blinking when calling/SMS

Have you ever missed an important call or message because your phone was in your bag or other room? Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) offer a handy feature – flashing a flashlight at notifications that visually alerts you to incoming calls, SMS or messaging messages from instant messengers. This option is especially useful in noisy places or when the phone is in No Sound mode.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate a flashlight for notifications, from standard MIUI settings to hidden features for older models. You’ll learn how to set up blinking for specific applications (like WhatsApp or Telegram only), why the feature may not work on some devices, and how to circumvent restrictions through ADB or third-party apps. We’ll also analyze the differences in how the feature works on different versions of firmware (MIUI 12 vs MIUI 14) and smartphone models (from Redmi Note 8 to Xiaomi 14).

If you want your Xiaomi to always draw attention to important notifications – even in your pocket or on the table with the screen down – this guide will help you set everything up in 5 minutes. And for advanced users, we have prepared a unique way to enable flashlight flashing on models where this feature is officially absent (for example, on POCO F1 or Redmi 9A).

1. Standard method: setting up through "Special features"

The easiest way to activate flashlight flashing is available on most modern Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 firmware and later, a feature originally designed for hearing-impaired users, but anyone can use it.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
Select the Hearing section (on some models – Sound and vibration).
Find the flash flash flash option (or flash at notifications) and activate it.
In the submenu, select which events the blinking should work for: 📞 Incoming calls 💬 SMS and MMS 🔔 Notifications from applications (additional configuration required)

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the path may be slightly different: Settings → Notifications → Flashing flashlight. If you don’t find this option, check the MIUI version – on older firmware (below MIUI 11), the feature may be missing or hidden deeper.

Update MIUI to the latest version | Check if the flashlight is manually running | Make sure there are no battery restrictions for the Settings app | Turn off the power saving mode-->

2. Blinking settings for specific applications

By default, the flashlight will flash on all notifications, which is not always convenient, for example, you may not need light alerts from games or news apps.

Go to Settings → Applications → Notification Management. Select the desired application (for example, Viber or Gmail) and activate the flash flashing flashlight option in its notification settings. On newer versions of MIUI (14+), this option may be called Light Indication.

Please note: some system applications (such as Messages or Phone) are set up separately through the Settings menu → Sound and Vibration → Call/Message Notifications.

Calls and SMS|Messages in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)|Notifications from social networks|All notices|Only important contacts.-->

Xiaomi model	Support for flashing flashlight	Minimum version of MIUI	Notes
Xiaomi 14/14 Pro	✅ Yes.	MIUI 14	Works with all notifications, including third-party messengers
Redmi Note 12	✅ Yes.	MIUI 13.5	Manual customization is required for each application
POCO X5 Pro	✅ Yes.	MIUI 14 (POCO Launcher)	The function is called "light signal."
Redmi 9A/9C	❌ No (officially)	—	A workaround is required (see section 5).
Xiaomi Mi 11	✅ Yes.	MIUI 12.5	The blink only works when the screen is locked.

3.Why the flashlight doesn't flash at notifications: common problems

If you have turned on the function but the flashlight is not working, check the following points:

🔋 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off in Settings → Battery: In economy mode, the system can block the flashlight.
📱 App Permissions: Make sure messengers have access to notifications (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).
🔦 Hardware limitations: On some models (e.g, POCO M3) The flashlight cannot physically flash at a high frequency.
🔄 Conflict with other features: Turn off Adaptive backlighting or Night mode in screen settings.

The most common reason is outdated firmware. For example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 11, the flashlight function only appears after upgrading to MIUI 12.0.3 and later. Check the relevance of the software in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

💡

If the flashlight flashes too weakly, try to clean the flashlight lens of dust and dirt - this can increase the visibility of flashes.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) flashing flashlights can drain the battery faster due to the high power consumption of the LED, in which case it is recommended to use the function only for critical notifications.

4. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If your Xiaomi model does not support flashing flashlights at the system level, you can use third-party utilities.

🔆 Flash Alerts 2 (Play Market) – allows you to configure blinking for any notifications, including selective contacts.
💡 Flash Notification – Supports customization of frequency and duration of flashes.
🔔 Light Flow – Extended settings for Xiaomi, including color schemes (on devices with a RGB-indicator).

When using third-party applications, consider:

Give them permission to display over other windows and access notifications.
Some applications require root rights to work fully on MIUI.
Newer versions of Android (13+) may require additional customization to Special Features → Special Opportunities Services.

Example of Flash Alerts 2:

Install the app from Google Play.
Run it and provide all the permissions requested.
In the main menu, select Flash on Call (for calls) or Flash on Notification (for notifications).
Set up a list of applications for which flashing should work.

How to check if MIUI does not block the work of third-party applications?

Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Special access → Battery optimization. Find your flashing flashlight app and select Unlimited.This will prevent the utility from automatically closing the system.

5. Advanced method: Incorporation via ADB (for power users)

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support flashing a flashlight at the software level (like POCO F1 or Redmi 7A), you can activate the hidden feature via ADB. This method requires connecting the phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) Enter adb shell settings put secure flash_notification_enabled 1
To apply the changes, restart the device.

After these commands are executed, a hidden flash flashing flashlight option will appear in the settings. Please note that this method does not work on all models and may reset after the MIUI update.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-commands can cause system failures. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

ADB-This method is only suitable for Android 9 and later devices, and on older versions (Android 8 and below), this command will not work due to limitations. MIUI.

6. Frequency settings: how to make blinking more noticeable

By default, the flashlight flashes at a fixed frequency, but on some Xiaomi models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro) you can adjust the flash settings:

🔄 Blinking interval: In applications like Flash Alerts 2, you can set a pause between flashes (from 0.5 to 3 seconds).
💡 Outbreak duration: Short outbursts (100-200 ms) save battery power but are less noticeable.
🔴 Color scheme: On devices with RGB-Indicator (e.g. Xiaomi Civi 3) can assign different colors for different types of notifications.

Changing system blinking settings (without third-party applications) will require editing the /system/build.prop file or using the Xposed Framework, which requires root rights.

Optimal settings for most scenarios:

Interval between flashes: 1 second (notable, but not annoying).
Flash duration: 300 ms (seen well during the day).
Repeats: 5-7 times (to avoid battery loading).

Energy consumption and optimization

Blinking a flashlight is not only convenient, it is also energy-intensive. According to our tests, constant flashes (for example, with a large number of notifications) can increase battery consumption. 5-12% In a day, minimize the impact:

🔋 Turn off blinking for unimportant apps (games, news, advertising).
⏱️ Set a time limit (for example, blinking only during the daytime).
🔄 Use the function only when the screen is locked (the setting is available in Flash Alerts 2).
📴 On devices with AMOLED Prefer the screen is always on (AoD) instead of the flashlight - it is less energy-consuming.

Comparison of power consumption on Xiaomi 12 Pro (test on 100 notifications):

Alert regime	Battery consumption (mAh)	Working hours 100%
Just sound.	15	—
Lantern (1 flash/second)	85	Cut by ~3 hours
AoD screen	40	Reduced by ~1.5 hours
Lantern + vibration	110	Reduced by ~4.5 hours

FAQ: Frequent questions about flashing flashlight on Xiaomi

❓ The flashlight flashes, but it's very faint?

Light flashing is usually associated with contamination of the flashlight lens or power restrictions. Try: Clean the flashlight lens with an alcohol wipe. In the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Performance Mode), select High Performance. If you use a third-party application, check the flash brightness settings in its settings. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro), the flashlight brightness is limited at the software level and is not subject to change.

❓ Can you configure different flashing colors for different notifications?

On most Xiaomi devices, the flashlight only flashes white light, as it uses a standard LED. RGB-Notification indicator (e.g. Xiaomi Civi 2 or Redmi) K50 Gaming can be assigned different colors through apps like Light Flow or Light Flow. AOD Notify. To do this: Install Light Flow from Play Market. Provide all the permissions you need. In the app settings, select Notifications. → Color LED. Assign colors for each application (e.g. red for calls, blue for calls). SMS).

❓ Why does the flashlight not flash when the phone is down screen?

This is normal behavior for most Xiaomi smartphones. The flashlight feature automatically turns off when: Approach Sensor detects that the device is lying down (to avoid blinding the user). Do not disturb or In your pocket mode is activated (Settings → Lock screen → Additional). The device is in a magnetic lock case (for example, the original Xiaomi cases with automatic lock function). To circumvent this restriction, turn off the option Auto Lock in your pocket or use third-party applications that ignore the proximity sensor.

❓ Does flashing flashlight work on Xiaomi with the screen off?

Yes, but with reservations: Most models will only flash when the screen is locked (if the screen is manually turned off or time-out). If the screen is turned off through Airplane Mode or Energy Saving, the flashing may not work. AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13) with the display completely off, the flashlight will flash with less brightness. Check the setting Blink with the screen locked in the menu Special features → Rumor → Flashing flashlight.

❓ How to turn off flashing flashlight for a specific time (for example, at night)?> There are several ways: Through system settings: C Settings → Notifications → Blinking flashlights turn off the option for the desired period of time (available on the MIUI 14+). Using Automate or Tasker: Create a task that turns off flashing flashlights at specified hours (like 23:00 to 7:00). Manual: Just turn off the function before bed and turn on in the morning (the most reliable way). → New Task! add Secure Settings action → Flashlight Notification. Set Disable. Set the time trigger (Profiles) → Time).