How to turn on the flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi 4: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, which is still actively used due to its reliability. However, many users have questions about basic features, such as how to quickly turn on the flashlight. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to activate the flashlight on Redmi 4, including hidden MIUI chips, and also solve typical problems when the LED refuses to work.

The flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi 4 is implemented through an LED flash of the main camera. Unlike the flagship models, there is no separate hardware button, but there are several software methods for turning on, from standard to alternative. It is important to consider that the logic of the work may differ depending on the version of MIUI (global, Chinese, custom firmware) and the state of the firmware.

Method 1: Through the notification panel (fastest)

This is the basic method that works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 4.

1. Unlock the screen of the smartphone (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. Find the flashlight icon (🔦) If you don't have one, see the section "What to do if there is no flashlight icon».
4. Slap the icon once to turn on, repeat tap to turn off.

On some firmware, the flashlight icon may be hidden under the “More” button» (⋮) Or "edit." In this case:

• 📱 Click on the icon. ⋮ or “Edit” in the notification panel.
• 🔍 Find the flashlight list and drag it to the active quick settings area.
• 💡 Save the changes – now the icon will always be at hand.

💡

If the notification bar does not open with a swipe, check your gesture settings in Settings → Lock screen and password → Gestures. Full screen mode may be enabled.

Method 2: Through a widget on the desktop

If you use a flashlight a lot, it makes sense to add a flashlight widget to the home screen, so you don't have to open the notification bar.

1. Press and hold your finger in the free space of the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select "Widgets".
3. Find the flashlight widget (usually called Torch or Flashlight).
4. Drag it to a comfortable spot on the screen.

The widget may look like:

• 🔦 The button with the flashlight icon (one click – on, the second – off).
• 📱 Slider or switch (in some custom firmware).
• 🔋 Widget with additional options (for example, flashing in mode) SOS).

Widget added to desktop|When pressed, the LED lights up.|No errors such as "Application stopped"|The widget retains its state after rebooting-->

If the widget doesn't work, try:

1. Reboot the smartphone.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (see the "Firmware Update" section).
3. Install a third-party widget from Google Play (e.g. Flashlight Widget).

Method 3: Use of gestures (hidden MIUI function)

MIUI on Redmi 4 supports hidden gestures for quick access to the flashlight, but they are disabled by default.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Gestures (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → System and device → Gestures).
2. Find the option “Flash” or “Flash” (Torch gesture).
3. Turn on the switch and select a gesture (usually double-clicking the Home button or a pattern of the letter M on a locked screen).

Once set up, you can turn on the flashlight even from the locked screen!

⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), gestures may conflict with other features. If the flashlight is activated spontaneously, turn off the gesture in the settings.

Method 4: Party of application (if standard methods do not work)

If the built-in methods don't work (for example, after a firmware update), you can use third-party utilities.

Before installation, check:

• 🔒 Application permissions (no access to the application should be available) SMS or contact).
• 📥 User reviews (especially compatibility with Redmi 4).
• 🔄 Ability to work in the background (so that the flashlight does not turn off when the screen is locked).

What to do if the flashlight does not turn on: diagnosis of problems

If neither of these methods worked, the problem could be hardware or software, and let's look at the typical causes and solutions.

1. Programmatic failures

• 🔄 Rebooting your smartphone – often helps with temporary glitches MIUI.
• 📲 Resetting settings (not data!) through Settings → System system → Resetting settings.
• 🔧 Cleaning the Camera app cache (affects flash operation): Settings → Annexes → Application management → Camera. → Clear the cache.

Hardware malfunctions

• 💡 LED damage - if the flashlight never worked, the diode may have burned out.
• 🔌 Contact oxidation – if the smartphone fell or came into contact with moisture, the connection of the flash board with the motherboard could be disrupted.
• 🔋 Weak battery – at a discharge below 5%, some firmware blocks the flashlight to save energy.

⚠️ Warning: If the flashlight is turned on but flashes or is not operating smoothly, this may indicate a faulty flash power controller.In this case, self-repair is not recommended - contact the service center.

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Before you visit the service, check the flash through the camera app. If the flash does not work there, the problem is precisely hardware.

Update firmware: how to return the flashlight

Often flashlight problems occur after updating MIUI or unofficial firmware, to return to work:

1. Check out the current version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. If the version is outdated (below MIUI 12), update it via Settings → System Update.
3. If the update does not help, try to reflash your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions for Redmi 4 are on the official Xiaomi forum).

To run through the Mi Flash Tool, you will need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 📁 Firmware for Redmi 4 (download from the official website).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if the firmware is not official).

💡

Before you firmware, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save contacts, messages and application settings.

Alternative ways of lighting without a flashlight

If the flashlight on Redmi 4 finally fails, you can use temporary solutions:

• 📱 Screen at maximum brightness – open a white background (such as a blank page in the browser) and point the screen to the desired object.
• 💡 Flashlight on another device – if there is a second smartphone, tablet or even a smartwatch nearby (for example, Mi Band with flashlight function).
• 🔦 External accessory – a plug-in LED flashlight for smartphones (attached to a 3.5 mm connector or USB-C).

For emergency cases, even a regular flashlight in a case is suitable - many cases for Redmi 4 have a built-in LED that is charged from a smartphone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi 4