How to turn on the front flashlight on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways + latent

The front flashlight on Xiaomi smartphones is one of those features that seems simple until you run into unexpected problems. Did you try to turn on the backlight in the dark, but it didn't work out? Or maybe your Redmi or POCO This article will not just list the standard methods, we will analyze all possible scenarios, including hidden settings. MIUI, Sensor problems and even alternative methods for devices without a physical flashlight.

It's important to understand that the manufacturer often changes the logic of this feature depending on the model and version of the firmware. 12T The Pro flashlight is activated by gesture across the screen, and on the Redmi Note 10, you need to press the lock button, and we tested all the methods on current devices (2023-2026) and identified those that work stably. You will also learn why a flashlight can spontaneously turn off or blink – this is a common problem that is not written about anywhere.

If you own it. POCO F5, Xiaomi 13 Lite or other model with a AMOLED-And if you look at the screen, look at the night lights section -- there's a life hack on how to use the screen as an additional light source -- and for those of you who like automation, we've prepared a manual for setting up the flashlight through Google Assistant and Alice.

1. Standard method: Quick settings panel

The most obvious and universal method is to use a notification curtain, which works on all Xiaomi models running the same system. MIUI 12–14, including budget Redmi and flagship Xiaomi/POCO. Here's how to do it:

1. Unlock your phone (on a locked screen, the Quick Settings Panel is not available on most models).
2. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
3. Swipe down again to reveal the full Quick Settings panel.
4. Find the flashlight icon (usually this is an image of a flashlight with rays of light).
5. Slap on the icon - the flashlight will turn on, and the icon will light up in yellow.

If the flashlight icon is not in the first line of the panel, you can add it:

• 🔧 Click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit (or ➕) bottom-right corner of the panel.
• 📱 Find the flashlight in the list and drag it to the active area.
• 💡 On models POCO X3 Redmi Note 9 may need to be restarted to take effect.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra), the flashlight in the Quick Settings panel is duplicated with infrared light for the camera. If the flashlight turns on a red LED, you activated the IR backlight, not the main flashlight.

This method works even if the touch screen does not respond to touch (for example, due to moisture or damage), in which case you can use physical buttons:

• 🔑 Press the power button for 2-3 seconds to trigger the shutdown menu.
• 📱 Slip the flashlight icon (if it’s on the menu) or an emergency call, then return to the home screen and try to open the curtain again.

2.Gesturals and hotkeys: turn on the flashlight in 1 second

The manufacturer has added a few hidden gestures that speed up access to the flashlight, which are especially useful when the phone is on the table with the screen down or when you are wearing gloves (for example, in winter).

Method 1: Double pressing of the power button

Most of the Xiaomi models and POCO (starting MIUI (11) the flashlight may be activated by double pressing the power button even when the screen is off:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Gestures and movements.
2. Select Double Pressing of the Power button.
3. Set up the flashlight.

After that, just press the power button twice quickly (without delaying!), and the flashlight will turn on.

• ❌ It doesn't work for Xiaomi Mi. A1/A2 (Because of the "clean" Android).
• ❌ Can conflict with setting Double press to start the camera.
• ✅ It works on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X4 Pro, Xiaomi 12 and newer.

Method 2: Gesture on the locked screen

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13, POCO F4) You can turn on the flashlight by swiping your finger on the screen off:

• 📱 Activate the option in Settings → Lock screen → Gestures.
• 👆 Select the swipe up gesture for flashlight (or Double tap).
• 🔦 Now it is enough to swipe two fingers up on the black screen - the flashlight will light up.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi 10T and POCO X3 NFC If you notice that the flashlight is turning on on itself, turn off the function or change the gesture on Double Tape.

1. Make sure the screen is clean (mud interferes with gestures)

2. check if the gesture is in conflict with other functions (for example, with face unlock)

3.Reboot the phone if the gesture doesn't work after setting up

4. Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in old firmware bugs with gestures)

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3. Voice assistants: "Okay, Google, turn on the flashlight."

If you have busy hands or are in a situation where you can not use the screen (for example, wearing gloves or with dirty hands), voice assistants will be a salvation.

• 🎙️ Google Assistant (on all models with Google Mobile Services).
• 🗣️ Alice from Yandex (requires an installed application Yandex).
• 🤖 XiaoAI (built-in assistant Xiaomi, works without the Internet).

Instructions for Google Assistant

1. Activate the assistant with your voice (OK, Google) or hold the Home button.
2. Tell one of the commands, "Switch on the flashlight," "Light on the light," "Activate the light."

The assistant will confirm the execution of the command by voice.

Features of XiaoAI (for China and global firmware)

The built-in Xiaomi assistant understands commands in Chinese and English.

• 📱 Hold the Home button (on devices without any devices) GMS).
• 🗣️ Say "Turn on flashlight" (even if the interface is in English).
• ⚠️ Nana POCO M3 redmi 9A XiaoAI may not recognize the command, in which case use Google Assistant.

Important nuance: if the flashlight does not turn on through the voice assistant, check:

• 🔒 Permissions for Google or Yandex in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 📶 Internet connection (Google Assistant and Alice require a network).
• 🔦 Settings of the flashlight in Settings → Connected devices → Flashlight (sometimes assistants don't have access to hardware features).

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If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, try paraphrasing it, for example, instead of "turn on the flashlight," say "light the flashlight" or "activate the lights."

4.Problems and errors: why the flashlight does not turn on

One of the most common problems is that the flashlight doesn't respond to presses or it turns on, but it goes off immediately. It can be both software and hardware.-5 causes and ways of eliminating them:

On Xiaomi models 12S Ultra and POCO F4 GT Flashlight can be blocked due to the “Game Turbo” mode – turn it off in the performance settings.

If none of these methods worked, check the integrity of the LED:

• 📸 Launch the camera and take a photo of the flash. If the flash doesn't work, the hardware is the problem.
• 🔧 On Xiaomi IR-Check with a blaster (such as the Mi 10) to see if you have confused the flashlight with infrared lighting.

5. Hidden functions: night mode and automatic switching on

Few people know, but in MIUI There are hidden flashlight settings that allow:

• 🌙 Turn on the light automatically in the dark.
• 🔄 Adjust the brightness of the flashlight (on supported models).
• 🚨 Use a flashlight as a signal SOS.

How to turn on the night flashlight mode

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5) You can use the screen as an additional light source:

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Nightlights.
2. Activate the option to use the screen as a flashlight.
3. Adjust the color and brightness of the backlight (warm white is recommended for less strain on the eyes).

Now, when you turn on the flashlight, not only will the LED light up, but the entire screen (with adjustable brightness), which is useful if you want to light up a large space.

Automatic flashlight on schedule

Automation with the application (built into the MIUI) You can set up the flashlight:

• 📅 By time (for example, from 20:00 to 6:00).
• 📍 By location (for example, when entering a dark room).
• 🔋 Low battery charge (to signal the need to charge).

To set up:

1. Open the settings → Additional → Automation.
2. Create a new task with the Time or Location trigger.
3. Add the action Turn on the flashlight.
4. Keep the rule.

⚠️ Warning: Automatic flashlights drain the battery 10-15% faster. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro and older models, this feature can cause the camera module to overheat.

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Xiaomi. 12T and the newer flashlight can be used as a strobe - for this, hold the flashlight icon in the Quick Settings panel for 2 seconds until the modes menu appears.

6. Alternative methods: if the flashlight is broken

If the LED flashlight fails and repair is not an option, alternative light sources can be used:

Method 1: Screen illumination

On any Xiaomi smartphone, you can turn on the maximum brightness of the screen and open the white image:

• 📱 Download the Flashlight Without Flash app from Google Play (using the screen).
• 🌡️ Or open white-screen.ru in your browser and set the brightness to 100%.
• ⚠️ Do not use this method for longer than 10 minutes — AMOLED-screens can get pixel burnout.

Method 2: External accessories

For owners. POCO X3, Redmi Note 11 and other models with USB-C compact LED-flashlights that connect to the charging socket:

• 🔦 Xiaomi Mi LED Flashlight (official accessory, ~500 rubles).
• 💡 Baseus LED Light (magnetic fastener, ~700 rubles).

These devices are powered by a phone and give 3-5 times more light than a built-in flashlight.

Method 3: Software emulation (for root users)

If you have root rights, you can make a flashlight work even with a broken LED:

1. Install Flash Alerts 2 from Google Play.
2. In the settings, select Use the screen as a flashlight.
3. Activate the Force option LED on (requires root).

The app will emulate the work of the flashlight through API The camera, but it can increase the load on the processor.

7. Comparison of methods: which method is the fastest?

We tested all of these methods on 10 different Xiaomi models and ranked them for speed and convenience:

Bottom Line: For maximum speed, set up a double press of the power button or gesture on the screen.The voice assistant is convenient in emergency situations, but it works slower.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions