Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where a standard melody is not enough to notify an important call. This is especially true in noisy places or when the phone is lying down. The flash feature when calling, which many are used to seeing on devices of other brands, in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, is not always obvious or requires activation through hidden menus. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to make the LED flash during an incoming call.
It’s worth noting that standard system settings can vary depending on the Android version and the specific firmware modification. In some cases, Xiaomi developers remove the native feature by relying on third-party solutions, and in others, hide it deep in the engineering menu. We’ll look at both software methods and the use of third-party applications that are guaranteed to work on modern models.
Before you start complex manipulations, you need to check the basic settings of the phone, as in the latest software updates some options have been moved. Make sure that your smartphone is charged, as active use of the flash can significantly accelerate battery drain. It is also important to understand the difference between the flash (LED-camera module) and indicator (small LED on the end of the case), if it is present in your model at all.
Native settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The first step that any Xiaomi user needs to take is to carefully check the built-in capabilities of the system. In the MIUI shell, the logic of the menu often changes, but the main path is usually hidden in the settings of the “caller” itself. You need to open a standard call app and find the settings menu, which is often represented by three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen.
Inside the settings menu, you should look for the section associated with incoming calls, and it can be "Call flash" or "Call Indication." If you use HyperOS, the structure may be a little different, but the principle remains the same: look for the sections responsible for visual notifications. In some regions of the firmware, this feature may be blocked by the carrier or the manufacturer.
If you don't find the right switch in the standard menu, it doesn't mean that the feature isn't available, and manufacturers often hide these options in the feature section or even in the engineering menu.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models with AMOLED-screens and without separate LED-The flash function of the call can be software limited to save the life of the camera module.
For those who like to experiment with codes, there is an option to log into the engineering menu, but using codes like ##6484## requires caution. Changing the parameters in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable device operation, and we strongly advise you to try standard customization methods first.
📊 Have you found a native flash setting on the menu?
Found immediately / Found after searching / No such option / Not searched, using the application
The CIT (Customer Information Test) Menu is a powerful tool for diagnosing and testing hardware components in a smartphone, where you can check the flash and, in rare cases, activate hidden features. This menu uses a universal code that works on most Redmi and Xiaomi devices.
Open the Phone app and dial ##6484##. If the menu opens, you'll see a list of tests. Find Flashlight or Torch. You can click on it to check if the flashlight is on, which will confirm that the hardware is working. However, you often need to log in to the wok menu via #4636# to adjust the response to the call.
In the Testing menu (accessible under #4636##) you can find the "Phone information" section, which is where the switches control the behavior of the network and notifications are located. Look for the option "Turn off screen during call" or similar, but most often the flash is the "LED Flash for alerts" option.
It is worth noting that in modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), access to these settings through the engineering menu is often closed by the developers of Google and Xiaomi for security reasons. If the code does not work or the necessary items are missing, then your firmware is blocked, in which case do not try to “patch” the system without proper knowledge.
What if the code doesn't work?
If nothing happens when you enter the #4636### code, you may have a third-party dialer installed. MIUI Dialer through installation APK-file to access system call functions. Third-party applications as an alternative When regular means MIUI They don't let you turn on the flash when you call, and they come to the rescue from specialized applications from Google Play, and they intercept the incoming call event and force activate it. LED-It's the most reliable way for old and new models, where the feature is cut out software, and one of the most popular solutions is the Flash Alerts app, which is lightweight, root-free, and has flexible settings. After installation, you will need to give the app permission to access the phone and camera. In the settings, you can select the mode of operation: only for calls, only for SMS Or for all notifications. Another good option is to «LED Flash for Calls. This app lets you adjust the blink frequency, the duration of the flash, and even exclude certain contacts from the notification list.This is convenient if you want the flashlight to flash only when you call your boss or close relatives. 🔦 Flash Alerts is a simple and effective solution with minimal resource consumption. 📞 LED Flash for Calls – Extended schedule settings and contact exceptions. ⚡ Calls Flash – an application with support for themes and the ability to adjust color (if the screen allows you to use it). 🔔 NotifyBuddy turns a part of the screen or flash into a smart notification indicator. Apps run in the background and constantly monitor the status of the phone. To minimize the impact on autonomy, add such programs to the list of power saving exceptions. ☑️ Check the application Work Install the application from Play Market/Give all permissions requested/Enable Flash on Call in settings/Test call/Check flashlight: 0 / 1 Set up a notification flash for specific apps In addition to regular phone calls, users often want to see a flash when calling via Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram. MIUI And HyperOS has an Accessibility mechanism that allows applications to control the flash. → Advanced settings → Special features. Here you'll see a list of installed programs. Find your call app (like Viber) and click on it. In the menu that opens, look for Flash on Notification or Flash on notification. If you have one, activate it. If you don't have the option in the specials menu, you may have settings inside the messenger app itself. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings. → Notifications and look for the Light Indicator switch. However, due to the limitations of Android, this switch often controls only a small LED, not the main flash. Third-party flash app (described in the previous section) + Configure the notifications of the messenger itself. Make sure that notifications from the application are not blocked by the system in the Application section → Application management → [Your appendix] → Notifications. Application Native support Third-party software Battery consumption Phone (GSM) Partially Required Low WhatsApp No Medium Telegram No Medium Viber No Medium Energy Saving and Optimization Issues One of the main reasons why the flashlight doesn’t turn on when calling even after setting up is aggressive battery optimization in the phone. MIUI. The system can kill the flash process to save charge, which is especially true for background applications. To solve this problem, you need to set up auto-start and no restrictions for the selected application. → Annexes → All applications. Find the flash program (or the Phone system app if you configure the native feature) in the list. Click on Energy Saving. Select No Limits mode». Also remember to enable Autostart for this app. Without these settings, Xiaomi will likely turn off call monitoring service minutes after unlocking the screen. ⚠️ Note: Setting “No Limits” mode for a large number of applications can lead to a noticeable reduction in the smartphone’s life from a single charge, and also check whether the “Energy Saving” or “Ultra-Energy Saving” mode is on. In these modes, the system forcibly disables all functions, including the notification flash, regardless of your settings. Features of working on different Xiaomi models The implementation of the flash function depends heavily on the specific device model. 13/14) often have more advanced algorithms for working with notifications, including adaptive flash brightness. The Redmi Note series and POCO M may not have a separate controller to control the flash in standby mode, relying solely on software crutches. In such cases, third-party applications are less stable. LED-flashes (rarely, but in the ultra-budget segment) are obviously physically impossible to turn on, and in such cases the only visual indicator is the screen if the display settings have the option of "Always On Display" or "Screen Flash at Notifications". Users of models with a notch in the screen or a “leaky” display should be careful: some flash applications may conflict with front camera drivers, causing a short-term darkening of the screen during a call. 💡The success of the setup depends on the combination: the phone model + version MIUI/HyperOS + Right access rights for the application. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Does frequent outbreak affect lifespan LED-Modern LEDs have a life of tens of thousands of hours, but frequent use at maximum brightness can cause the camera module to overheat locally. It is safe to make reasonable calls, but leave the mode on. 24/7 Why does the flashlight flash but the screen doesn't light up? That's normal for many settings. If you want the screen to light up, check the Screen Flash settings in the special features section or in the settings of the call app itself. Often these functions are separated. Does the flash work when the phone is down? Yes, that's the main use case. The proximity sensor does not block the work LED-But if the phone is in a tight case or on a soft surface, the flash can overheat because the heat sink is difficult. Can you adjust the different flash colors for different contacts? Xiaomi standard means — no, LED has a fixed color (usually white or yellowish). LED, But they can mimic it with different blinking frequencies, and do the flash settings reset after the update? MIUI? Yes, major system updates (e.g. transition from the MIUI 13 by 14 or HyperOS) often reset access rights and customize special features. After updating the firmware, the configuration procedure must be repeated.