Lighting to call Xiaomi: how to turn on automatic lighting when calling

Are you missing important calls because you can't hear the vibration or the melody in a noisy room? Xiaomi's MIUI-based smartphones let you solve this problem in an original way -- automatically turning on the flashlight when you call in -- a feature that not only attracts attention with bright lights, but also helps you find the phone in the dark when it starts ringing.

Unlike standard vibrations or audio signals, light display works even in silent mode and does not depend on the volume of the speakers. However, many users do not know that this option exists - it is often hidden in the depths of the MIUI settings. In this article, you will find the current ways to activate the flashlight on the call for all modern Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13.

Why the flashlight does not turn on when calling: 3 reasons

Before you set up a function, you need to figure out why it might not work, and most of the time, the problem is one of three things:

  • 🔧 Lack of hardware support – on budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1) The flashlight may not synchronize with the call module.
  • 📱 An outdated version MIUI — firmware MIUI 12.5 The option is either missing or not operating smoothly.
  • 🚫 Conflict with third-party applications – programs like Truecaller or Call Recorder sometimes block system functions.

If your smartphone is released after 2020 and runs on MIUI 13/14, the problem is likely software, and in the next section we will discuss how to fix it.

📊 Your Xiaomi smartphone supports the flashlight function on the call?
Yeah, it works out of the box.
Yeah, but I had to adjust.
No, I didn't find that option.
I don't know, I haven't.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for most models)

The most reliable method is to use the built-in system tools, the instructions are relevant for Xiaomi on MIUI 12.5-14:

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to the section All settings → Applications → Calls.
  3. Slap on the Incoming Calls item.
  4. Activate the flashlight switch when you call (or camera backlight in some firmware).
  5. Choose the color of the flash (if available): white, blue or red.

On some devices (e.g., POCO F4), the path may be different:

Settings → System and device → Additional settings → Lantern when calling

Make sure the flashlight works manually (check through the notification panel)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Close all third-party call apps (Truecaller, WhatsCall, etc.)

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 2: through the Special Options menu

If the standard path didn't work, try an alternative method through accessibility settings, which is especially useful for disabled users who need visual call indications.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
  2. Select Hearing (or Sound and Vibration in the newer versions).
  3. Activate the Visual Alerts option.
  4. Turn on the flashlight switch and adjust the blinking frequency.

This method often works on devices where the function is hidden in the main settings, for example, on Xiaomi 12T Pro, the flashlight option appears only after the visual alerts are activated.

💡

If the special features menu does not have a flashlight, try first to turn on the option "Visual alerts", then restart the phone - sometimes the item appears after the reboot.

Method 3: Using Automatic Rules (for Advanced Users)

For flexible backlight settings, you can use the built-in Automation tool in MIUI, which allows you to turn on the flashlight only for certain contacts or at night.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open Settings → All settings → Automation.
  2. Click Create a rule and select If.
  3. As a trigger, specify an incoming call.
  4. In the block, then add the action Turn on the flashlight.
  5. Save the rule and activate it.

The advantage of this method is that it can be fine-tuned, for example, if you want to make sure that the flashlight only works when you call from contacts in the Family group or when the phone is down.

Xiaomi modelSupport for flashlights on the callRequired version of MIUINotes
Redmi Note 11/12✅ Yes.12.5+It works through call settings.
POCO X4/X5✅ Yes.13+You need to activate in Special Opportunities.
Mi 11/12/13✅ Yes.12+Supports colored lighting
Redmi 10A❌ No.—Budget model without hardware support
Black Shark 5⚠️ Partially.13+It only works through automation.

Method 4: Third-party applications (if system methods don’t work)

If your Xiaomi model doesn't support the feature at the firmware level, you can use third-party utilities.

  • 🔦 Flash On Call is a simple utility with a minimalist interface that allows you to adjust the flash frequency and backlight color.
  • 📞 Call Flash Alert supports not only flashlights, but also a flash screen.
  • 💡 Flash Alerts 2 - advanced settings, including silent mode and integration with messengers.

Before installing, check the application permissions:

Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Camera (allow)


Settings → Applications → Autostart (include)




Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization (disable for the selected application)

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast) may block such applications from operating, considering them suspicious because of access to the camera.

Method 5: Manual activation via ADB (for power users)

If you’re ready to dive into the technical details, you can enable the hidden flashlight function via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that’s suitable for devices where the option is blocked by the manufacturer.

Instructions:

  1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the build number in Settings → About phone).
  2. Enable USB debugging in the developer menu.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global flashlight_on_call 1
  4. Reset the device.

To cancel the change, use the command:

adb shell settings put global flashlight_on_call 0

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause phone malfunctions. Before executing commands, back up your data via Settings. → System system → Backup.

What to do if after ADB-The flashlight teams are always blinking?
If, after application, ADB-The flashlight started flashing without even calling, follow the following steps: 1. Return the parameter value to 0 Adb shell settings put global flashlight_on_call 0 2. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode") 3. If the problem persists, reset your phone to factory settings (pre-saving data).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you set it up properly, users are faced with typical challenges, and here's how to solve them:

  • 🔋 The flashlight doesn't turn on when the battery is low - Xiaomi locks the feature when it's under 15% charge.
  • 📵 Does not work in Do Not Disturb mode – disable this mode or add an exception for calls in the Do Not Disturb settings.
  • 🔄 Flashlight flashes too fast/slowly – in some firmwares, the blinking speed is adjusted via Settings → Additionally. → Frequency of alerts.
  • 🔒 The function disappears after the update MIUI — Reset the settings of the Phone application in Settings → Annexes → Phone. → Warehouse → Reset the settings.

If none of these things work, check the hardware serviceability of the flashlight.

  1. Open the camera and switch to flashlight mode.
  2. Try to turn on the flashlight through the notification panel.
  3. If the LED does not light up, it may be necessary to repair the camera module.

💡

On devices with AMOLED-With screens (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the flashlight may not work smoothly due to conflict with the Always On Display feature. AOD screen-setting.

Can I set up a flashlight for a call only for certain contacts?
Yes, it's possible in two ways: through Automation in MIUI: create a rule with the condition "Call from [Contact]" and the action "Enable flashlight." With third-party applications (e.g. Flash On Call), which have a whitelist feature. Note that the MIUI system function does not support election work - it works on all incoming calls.
Why does the flashlight turn on with a delay (in 2-3 seconds after the call)?
The delay is related to optimizing power consumption in MIUI. To reduce it: Turn off battery optimization for the Phone application. In the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → Build Number), activate the option Do not turn off background processes. Use third-party applications - they usually fire faster than the system function. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro), the delay can be due to slow operation of the proximity sensor. In this case, only the custom recap firmware will help.
Will the flashlight work if the phone is down?
Yes, but with reservations: On most Xiaomi models, the proximity sensor turns off the screen when calling if the phone is down, but the flashlight continues to work. AMOLED-In the automation settings, you can create a rule that will ignore the proximity sensor for the flashlight, which can be triggered by the Turn the screen down for silent mode, which sometimes blocks the flashlight.
How to turn off the flashlight on the phone if it becomes annoying?
The methods of disabling depend on the activation method: If enabled through settings MIUI: Go back to Settings → Annexes → Calls. → Incoming calls and deactivate option. If you used automation: delete the created rule in Settings → Automation. For third-party applications, delete the program or disable notifications in its settings. ADB: Adb shell settings put global settings flashlight_on_call 0. After shutting down, restart your phone so that the changes take effect.
Are there alternatives to a flashlight for alerting calls?
If the flashlight doesn’t fit, Xiaomi has other ways of visual alerting: Screen flash – display blink (configured to Special Features) → Visual alerts. Backlit vibration - combination of tactile and light indication (available on models with RGB-lighting POCO F4 GT). Notifications on smartwatches – if you have a Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch, the call will be duplicated on them. Voice alerts – text voice number (included in Settings). → Sound. → Voice alerts: For maximum effect, several methods can be combined, such as a flashlight. + vibration + flash.