How to turn on the flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways with photos and videos

Why the Redmi 9 flashlight might not turn on – and how to fix it

The flashlight on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular features, but many users experience problems when they first turn on, most often due to non-activated resolutions, outdated firmware or hardware limitations. For example, if you recently upgraded MIUI to version 13 or 14, access to the flashlight may have reset in the security settings.

Another common cause is a contaminated light sensor connector (located next to the front camera) that can block automatic lighting detection, causing quick gestures to turn on the flashlight to stop working, and check if your smartphone has battery optimization apps (such as Security or Battery Saver) that sometimes limit background processes, including access to a flashlight.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to turn on the flashlight on the Redmi 9 in 2026, including hidden MIUI features, as well as fault detection. If none of the methods worked, there is a checklist at the end of the article to fix hardware problems.

Method 1: Quickly enable through the notification panel

The most obvious and universal method is to use the notification bar, which works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and does not require any additional settings.

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. If the panel is not fully opened, swipe down again to turn it around.
3. Find the flashlight icon (🔦) It's usually on the front page.
4. Touch the icon once, the flashlight will turn on. Pressing it again will turn it off.

If the flashlight icon is not in the panel:

• 🔧 Click on the "Edit" icon (pencil in the lower right corner).
• 🔍 Find the Lantern in the list of unavailable switches and drag it to the active area.
• 📱 Save the changes by clicking "Done".

💡

If the flashlight turns on but goes off immediately, check the battery settings. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization and add the Flashlight app to exceptions.

Method 2: Use the lock button (double press)

Redmi 9 has a hidden feature that allows you to turn on the flashlight by double pressing the lock button even when the screen is off, which is disabled by default, but it is easy to activate:

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the option Double press the lock button.
3. In the action list, find the flashlight and set the switch to the "Incl." position.

Now, to turn on the flashlight:

• 🔒 Twice press the lock button (even on a locked screen).
• 🔦 The flashlight will light up and a notification will appear on the screen.
• 🔄 Double pressing again will turn it off.

Important: This feature may conflict with some cases or safety windows if they block the proximity sensor. If the flashlight does not respond, remove the case and try again.

Method 3: Voice commands via Google Assistant or XiaoAI

If you have a voice assistant on (Google Assistant or Xiaomi's XiaoAI), you can activate the flashlight with your voice, which is convenient when your hands are busy or the screen is not available.

Through Google Assistant

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Tell one of the teams: 🎤 "Turn on the flashlight" 🎤 "Lights" 🎤 "Activate the flashlight"

via XiaoAI (for Chinese firmware)

If you have global firmware, it might not work. MIUI:

1. Hold the home button or say XiaoAI Tongxue.
2. Say it: 🎤 "" (dǎkāi shǒudiàntǒng —"flashlight")

Method 4: Gestures on a locked screen

MIUI 12/13/14 has a Gesture feature on a locked screen that allows you to control a flashlight without unlocking your phone.

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Gestures on the locked screen.
2. Turn on the flashlight switch.
3. Choose a gesture: This is usually holding two fingers on the screen or wiring upwards with two fingers.

To set up and configure:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give permission to access the camera (the flashlight uses its LED).
3. Add the app widget to the main screen for quick access.

💡

The side of the app can drain the battery faster than a standard flashlight, because it often runs in the background. Use them only when necessary.

Warning: Some apps request suspicious permissions (such as contact access or SMS) before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play.

Diagnosis of problems: why the flashlight does not turn on

If neither of these methods worked, it could be hardware or software.

If the problem persists, try resetting to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files).
3. After restarting, check the flashlight.

💡

Before reset, save important data! Use Mi Cloud or local backup in Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)