The flashlight when calling on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways to turn on (including hidden)

Why Redmi Note 9 doesn’t have a flashlight on it and how to fix it

Have you ever dropped your phone in the dark trying to take an incoming call? Or searched for keys in your bag while someone calls you with an important question? Turning on the flashlight when calling on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 solves this problem - but only if the feature is properly configured. By default, this option is disabled on most MIUI devices, and in some firmwares it is not at all on the settings menu.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to activate a flashlight when calling in or out, from standard MIUI 12/13/14 tools to hidden commands and third-party applications. We will focus on the problem of flashing a flashlight after upgrading to MIUI 14.0.3, a bug that can be avoided without resetting, and you will learn why some Redmi Note 9 (especially with custom firmware) the function is unstable and how to fix it.

Before you get to the instructions, check two things: 1. Make sure the flashlight works at all - try turning it on through the notification bar. 2. Update the firmware: older versions of MIUI (below 12.5) may not have the option.

Method 1: Standard configuration in MIUI (works on 80% of devices)

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi's built-in settings. It's suitable for the Redmi Note 9 with the official MIUI firmware 12.5 and later. If you have an older version, skip this section and go to method 3.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section All settings → Display → Flashlight.
3. Activate the slider Turn on the flashlight when incoming calls.
4. Optionally: turn on the flashlight switch if you want to attract attention in noisy places.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 9s (especially those with regional firmware for India or China) may call this item Flash on Call or hide in the Additional Features section. If you don't find it, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type in the "Lightlight Call" request».

Make sure the flashlight works manually.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check the presence of the "Flightlight" item in the display settings

Turn off energy saving for system applications-->

Method 2: Use of gestures (for MIUI 13/14)

Newer versions of MIUI have introduced the flashlight gesture feature, which allows you to turn on the backlight not only when calling, but also when notifying, which is useful if the standard method did not work.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → All settings → Special features.
2. Choose gestures and movements → gestures of the flashlight.
3. Activate the option to turn on when incoming calls.
4. Set the duration of the blink (recommended 3-5 seconds to not plant the battery).

💡 Useful tip: If the flashlight flashes too often after setting up, turn off the Blink option when notified in the same menu.

MIUI 12.5

MIUI 13

MIUI 14

Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

I don't know.-->

Method 3: Hidden engineering settings (for power users)

If the first two methods didn’t work, try activating the function through an engineering menu, which works even on older versions of MIUI, but you need to be careful – wrong actions can disrupt the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##36446337## (this is the code to access EngineerMode).
2. From the menu that opens, select Hardware Testing → Audio → LoudSpeaker Mode.
3. Scroll down to the FlashLight section.
4. Activate the Flash on Call option and save the changes.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose! RF Band or Network Mode can cause network loss.

Method 4: Third-party applications (if nothing helps)

If the built-in methods didn't work, use the apps from Google Play, and we tested 5 popular utilities and selected the two most reliable ones:

How to set up Flash Alerts 2:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Enable permission to access notifications (the app will offer it itself).
3. Go to the Calls section and activate Flash on Incoming Call.
4. In Advanced Settings, set the duration and frequency of the blinking.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Flash On Call) may conflict with system settings MIUI If that happens, restart your phone or turn off the auto-start application.

💡

Before installing third-party apps, check the reviews from the last month – some utilities stop working after MIUI updates.

Method 5: Manually enable via notification panel (emergency option)

If the automatic methods don't work, you can manually turn on the flashlight right at the time of the call, which is inconvenient, but it saves you in critical situations.

How to do this:

1. When a call arrives, swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel.
2. Click on the flashlight icon (usually located in the first row of quick settings).
3. Take the call, the lights will remain on.

🔹 Important: Some firmwares block the notification bar during the call to unlock it:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings.
2. Turn off the option to Block the notification panel when calling.

💡

If the flashlight does not turn on even manually, check the permissions for the Phone application in the security settings.

Problem Solving: The flashlight flashes constantly or does not turn off

After setting up the function, some users encounter bugs: 1. The flashlight continues to blink after the call is completed. 2. The backlight is turned on randomly at notifications. 3. The flashlight only works on the first call and then turns off.

Causes and solutions:

🔧 Emergency reset: If the flashlight is getting stuck in the on state and does not respond to commands, perform a forced reset:

1. Press the Power + Volume button up for 10 seconds.
2. After restarting, check the flashlight settings again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a flashlight on the Redmi Note 9