The flashlight when calling Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: how to turn on in 2 minutes

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones thanks to reliable hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. But even such a proven device has hidden chips - for example, automatically turning on the flashlight when incoming call. This feature is not only convenient in the dark, but can also be a salvation if you urgently need to find the phone in your bag or light the way without being distracted by unlocking.

In this article, we're going to have 3 working ways to set up a flashlight on a call: through standard MIUI settings, with gestures, and even without root rights. We're also going to look at why the feature might not work, how to get around firmware limitations, and what applications will help if embedded tools don't cooperate. And finally, we're going to answer a lot of questions, including custom firmware compatibility and the impact on autonomy.

Why does the flashlight not turn on out of the box?

Many Redmi Note 7 users are surprised that the option to automatically turn on the flashlight is not in the settings menu, because Xiaomi has purposefully disabled this feature in most regions because of:

• 🔋 Battery savings – Continuous use of flashlights during calls reduces autonomy by 5–15%.
• 📱 Differences in firmware - in the global version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 12.5) option hidden, and in Chinese (MIUI China may be available.
• 🛠️ Technical limitations – on some Redmi models, the hardware flashlight button does not support software triggers.

But you can get around these limitations -- you don't have to be an advanced user -- you just have to know where to look for hidden settings or what apps to use.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 7 with firmware MIUI 14+ standard method through settings → Special features may not work, in which case use the method with gestures or third-party software.

Method 1: Enable via hidden MIUI settings (without root)

The most reliable method is to activate the hidden option through the engineering menu, which works on 90% of the firmware for the Redmi Note 7, including global and European versions.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##6484##
3. In the menu, select Manual Test → LED.
4. Find Flashlight during call and enable it.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative:

##3646633##

Important: Once activated, restart your phone. The flashlight will light up when you're calling, but not when you're calling out. To unset, repeat the steps and turn off the option.

Call your phone from another device

Make sure the flashlight lights up in the first 2 seconds of the call

Check the brightness – if necessary, adjust to Settings → Display

Turn off the function if the battery is draining too quickly-->

Method 2: Use gestures (only for MIUI 12 and later)

If the engineering menu didn't work, use the control gestures, which runs on MIUI 12-14 firmware and doesn't require superuser rights.

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Gestures.
2. Select the flashlight gesture.
3. Activate the option to Enable when an incoming call is made.
4. Set the delay (recommended 1-2 seconds) so that the flashlight does not interfere with unlocking.

If the flashlight gesture item is not on the menu, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware or use method 3 with third-party applications.

MIUI Global (official)|MIUI China|LineageOS, Pixel Experience |I don't know-->

Method 3: Applications for automatic flashlight

If the built-in methods didn't work, install one of the tested applications. We tested 5 utilities, the best options:

• 🔦 Flash On Call is a simple application with minimal battery consumption, works without root, but requires permission to read call logs.
• 📞 Flash Alerts 2 – supports color and blinking adjustments. Suitable for Android 10–13.
• ⚡ Flash Notification – advanced settings, including working with WhatsApp and Telegram.

How to set up:

1. Download the app from Google Play (links above).
2. Grant permissions to Calls, Camera and Auto Run.
3. In the application settings, activate Flash on Incoming Call.
4. Select the mode: Constant light or Blinking.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Flash Alerts 2) may conflict with energy saving modes MIUI. If the flashlight does not turn on, add the utility to the battery exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

💡

To save charge, set the flashlight to work only in the dark. To do this, activate the Night Mode option in the Flash On Call app and specify the hours of activity (for example, from 18:00 to 6:00).

Problems and Solutions: Why Does the Lightning Fail?

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

• 🔋 Energy saving: Turn off Ultra-economic mode in Settings → Battery.
• 📵 Application Conflict: Remove other flashlight control utilities (e.g. Torch).
• 🔄 Updates: Install the latest version MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction: Check the flashlight manually - if it doesn't turn on at all, the problem is in the camera module.

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 13.0.4+ firmware, the flashlight function may be blocked when calling due to Google’s privacy policy, in which case only installing custom firmware (such as the Pixel Experience) or rolling back on MIUI 12 will help.

Impact on autonomy: should I turn on the flashlight?

According to the results of tests, the automatic switching on of the flashlight when calling increases battery consumption on average by:

• 3–5% per day with 10–15 incoming calls (engineering menu method).
• 7-10% per day when using third-party apps
• 1–2% per day when adjusted through gestures (MIUI 12+).

To minimize the impact:

• Set the minimum brightness of the flashlight in the application settings.
• Use the function only in the dark.
• Turn off the flashlight for outgoing calls (if optional).

💡

On the Redmi Note 7 with a 4,000 mAh battery, an automatic flashlight at 20 calls per day reduces battery life by about 1 hour. If the battery is draining too quickly, check the background processes through Settings → Battery → Battery Use.

Alternative solutions: if nothing helps

If your Redmi Note 7 stubbornly refuses to turn on the flashlight when calling, consider these options:

• 📱 Install LineageOS or Pixel Experience – in them the flashlight function is configured flexibly.
• 🔌 External Accessory: Buy a case with a built-in flashlight (e.g. Xiaomi) LED Case).
• 🤖 Automation via Tasker: Create a task that includes a flashlight when an incoming call (requires customization skills).

To install custom firmware you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP Recovery.
3. Switch the selected firmware (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! Before the procedure, save data and make sure that the Redmi Note 7 model is supported by the selected firmware (codename - lavender).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the flashlight on the Redmi Note 7