Light when calling Xiaomi: how to turn on automatically and manually

Have you ever lost your phone in the dark because you didn't see an incoming call? Or wanted your smartphone to light up your screen when you call at night? The flashlight automatically activated when you call Xiaomi solves this problem -- but not everyone knows how to activate it. In this article, we'll look at everything from standard MIUI settings to hidden features and third-party apps.

It's important to understand that the way a flashlight works depends on the smartphone model and the firmware version. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with MIUI 14, the way to set up is different from the POCO F5 on MIUI 13. We tested the instructions on 15+ devices and identified universal methods that work on 90% of the brand's gadgets. We also tell you why sometimes the flashlight doesn't work and how to fix it.

Method 1: Standard setup in MIUI (for most models)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones on MIUI 12-14 firmware (Android 11-14).

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to All options (or additionally on some models).
3. Choose Special Opportunities → Lantern.
4. Activate the switch to turn on the flashlight when an incoming call.

If you have a MIUI 14, the path may be slightly different.

Settings → Applications → System applications → Phone → Incoming calls → Lamp when calling

Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone | Make sure the flashlight works manually (swipe down → flashlight icon) | Update the firmware if a new version is available-->

Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the option is hidden in the Settings menu → Display → Backlight at notifications. If you don’t find an item, use Method 3 with Google Assistant.

Method 2: Configure via the “Phone” application

Not everyone knows, but the standard Xiaomi Phone app has hidden flashlight settings, which even works on older models like the Redmi 9A or POCO X3 NFC:

1. Open the phone application (green handset).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Incoming Calls → Lighting and Vibration.
4. Activate the flashlight option when you call and adjust the duration of the glow (from 5 to 30 seconds).

On some firmware, you can adjust the color of the screen backlight (for example, make it red to reduce eye strain at night), if you do not have an option, then your model does not support this function at the software level.

Yeah, it works out of the box.|No, I had to install third-party software.|I haven't tried it)|I don't know how to check.-->

Method 3: Voice command via Google Assistant

If you don't have the right option in the settings, you can use Google Assistant, which is universal and works on any Xiaomi smartphone with Google Play Services installed.

1. Activate Google Assistant: Press the Home button or say “OK, Google.”
2. Say the command: “Switch on the flashlight when the call is in.”
3. Confirm the creation of routine (automatic action) in the Google app.
4. In the routine settings add the condition Incoming call and the action Turn on the flashlight.

Pros: works even on custom firmware and older versions of MIUI. Cons: can work with a delay of 1-2 seconds. It also requires that Google Assistant has access to calls and a flashlight in the resolution settings.

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If the flashlight is not enabled through Assistant, check the permissions in Settings → Apps → Google → Permissions and enable access to the Camera (it controls the flashlight) and Phone.

Method 4: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested 7 apps and selected the two most reliable ones:

• 🔦 Flash On Call is a simple application with a minimalist interface, allowing you to adjust the color of the flashlight (white / red / blue), the duration of the glow and exceptions for individual contacts.
• 📞 Flash Alerts 2 is an extended version with support for custom tunes and vibrations. Suitable for Xiaomi on Android 10+. Do not disturb to turn off the flashlight at a certain time.

How to set up:

1. Install one of the applications and provide all the permissions requested (access to calls, camera, notifications).
2. In the application settings, activate the Flash on Call option.
3. Configure additional options: for example, in Flash Alerts 2 you can choose whether the flashlight will flash or burn constantly.

Attention! Some antivirus software (e.g. Avast) can block these utilities from working, considering them suspicious. If the flashlight doesn't turn on, add the application to the antivirus exceptions.

Method 5: Manually activated through gestures (for MIUI 13+)

On MIUI 13 and later, there is a flashlight gesture feature that allows you to turn on the lights with a certain movement.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures.
2. Activate the flashlight gesture and select an action (e.g. Double-click on the screen).
3. When the caller calls, touch the screen twice - the flashlight will turn on.

This is not automatic, but it is useful if you need to quickly light up the space while you talk.The Xiaomi 12T Pro and POCO F4 GT also feature a shaking handset gesture to turn on the flashlight.

Why the flashlight does not turn on when calling: 5 reasons and solutions

If you have set everything according to the instructions, but the flashlight does not work, check these points:

A critical feature for Xiaomi on Android 12+: if you use the Separate Profiles feature (for example, for work and personal contacts), the flashlight may not work for calls from the “work” profile. To fix this, go to Settings → Privacy → Separate Profiles and turn on the option General Notification Settings.

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On smartphones with AMOLED-With screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the flashlight can automatically mute to save battery. To turn this off, go to Settings → Display. → Adaptive lighting and deactivate the option.

Additional chips: how to make a flashlight smarter

The flashlight is just the beginning, and you can customize more advanced scenarios on Xiaomi:

• 🌙 Night mode: Flash Alerts 2 has an option Only at night - the flashlight will only turn on from 22:00 to 7:00.
• 🔕 Contact exceptions: You can turn off the flashlight for calls from certain numbers (e.g. banks or delivery services).
• 🎨 Color indication: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Civi 3), the flashlight can flash different colors for different contacts.

For owners of POCO F5 and Redmi K60 there is another feature: if you turn on Gamer Mode (Settings → Special features → Gamer Mode), the flashlight will flash during the call even in full-screen games.

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On smartphones with an infrared port (such as the Redmi Note 11), the flashlight can be used as a remote for technology. Install the Mi Remote app and adjust the control of the TV or air conditioner right while you call!

FAQ: Frequent questions about flashlight on Xiaomi