How to turn on the light indicator on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones in the mid-range segment, but many users face a problem: the device does not have the usual notification light indicator. LED-The diode is built into the case, where the manufacturer has saved on hardware. However, this does not mean that you are doomed to miss important messages! In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to enable visual alerts - from standard settings. MIUI Up to hidden functions and third-party applications.

Itโ€™s important to understand that the Redmi Note 9 Pro doesnโ€™t have a separate LED, but it can simulate how it works through a screen (Always-on Display), a camera (flash), or software solutions. Each method has its pros and cons โ€“ root access is required somewhere, and a couple of clicks on the menu will suffice somewhere. Next, a detailed guide with illustrations (in text format) and warnings about possible risks.

1.Enable Always-on Display (AOD) โ€“ โ€œbacklightโ€ screen

The easiest way to get visual notifications is to activate Always-on Display (AOD), which displays the time, date and icons of the alerts on the screen off, simulating how the LED works. On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, AOD is officially supported, but can be hidden in the depth of settings.

To include:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the Settings. โ†’ Display.
  • ๐Ÿ” Scroll down to the Screen Lock section and select Always-on Display.
  • โš™๏ธ Adjust the display style (e.g. Digital Watch or Analog Watches).
  • โœ… Turn on the switch Show notifications.

An important nuance: AOD significantly increases battery consumption (up to 5-7% per hour in standby mode).If you are critically autonomous, use this method only when connecting to charging or activate it on a schedule (for example, from 20:00 to 8:00).

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you check notifications on your smartphone?
Every 5-10 minutes.
Once an hour
Only when I hear a sound
Always a laptop/PC nearby

2. Use of camera flash as indicator

If you want a physical light signal, you can use a camera flash, and this method works through special settings and does not require root rights, it is suitable for alerts about calls, SMS and messages from messengers.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Special Opportunities โ†’ Hearing.
  2. Activate the Notification Flash option.
  3. In the Applications section, select which programs the flash will trigger (for example, Phone, Messages, WhatsApp).
  4. Set the frequency of blinking (we recommend Slowly so as not to miss).

Check that the flash is not covered with a cover

Make sure the battery is charged (>20%)

Turn off the power saving mode

Test in a dark room (the flash is not visible during the day)-->

โš ๏ธ Attention: Frequent use of flash can overheat the camera module and shorten its life.Do not turn on this feature for all notifications - limit yourself to important (calls, SMS Also note that in brightly lit rooms, the blinking will be invisible.

3. Third-party applications for light notifications

If standard methods don't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, imitating LEDs through a screen (flashing pixels), vibration, or even sound.

AnnexFunctionsNeed root?Battery consumption
Light FlowColor setting, blinking frequency, instant messenger supportNo.Medium.
LED BlinkerSimulation of LED through the screen, customization of animationsNo.High-pitched
Always On AMOLEDAOD with notification support and customizationNo.Low.
Notification LightFlashing pixels on the edges of the screen, working in the backgroundYes (for extended features)High-pitched

The most balanced solution is Light Flow, which does not require root rights, supports most messengers (Telegram, Viber, Facebook Messenger), and allows you to customize the individual colors for each application, such as green for SMS, blue for WhatsApp, red for missed calls.

โš ๏ธ Note: LED imitation applications may conflict with MIUI, Especially if you have power saving activated. Check Redmi Note 9 Pro user reviews before installing - some programs are optimized for only the power saving mode. AMOLED-screens (in your model โ€” IPS).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the app doesnโ€™t work, add it to the battery optimization exception list: Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery Optimization โ†’ All Apps โ†’ Find the right one โ†’ Select โ€œNo Limitsโ€

4. Set up notifications via MIUI Launcher

Few people know, but the MIUI shell can highlight app icons on the home screen when notifications arrive. It's not a full-fledged LED, but it visually resembles its operation. It's called Notifications on icons, and it's turned on like this:

Steps:

  • ๐Ÿ  Click and hold the empty space on the main screen.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Select Launcher Settings (or Home Screen Settings).
  • ๐Ÿ”” Activate the option to Show notifications on icons.
  • ๐ŸŽจ In the Style section, select Colored Dots or Numbers.

This method doesnโ€™t waste battery, but it has a limitation: it only works for apps installed on the home screen. If you use folders or hide icons, notifications wonโ€™t show up, and the feature may not work for some messengers (like Signal) because of their privacy policies.

5. Hidden functions through the engineering menu (for advanced)

For those who arenโ€™t afraid to dig into system settings, thereโ€™s a way to activate the hidden mode of light notifications via an engineering menu.This method isnโ€™t officially documented by Xiaomi, but works on many Snapdragon-powered devices (including the Redmi Note 9 Pro).

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
  2. In the engineering menu, select Hardware Testing โ†’ Lights.
  3. Scroll to the Notification LED section (if any).
  4. Set the settings: LED Mode: Breath (Breath) LED Color: Custom (Select Color) LED On Time: 1000 ms LED Off Time: 1000 ms

Save the settings and restart the phone.

โš ๏ธ Note: Not all versions MIUI Some firmware may not have an engineering menu or a Lights partition, and the wrong settings in this menu can disrupt sensors or cause system failures.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
If the combination ##36446337## It doesn't work, try it: 1. Install the application MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm EngineerMode (for Snapdragon). 2. Use it. ADB-Command: Adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings 3. Check if access to the engineering menu is blocked by the operator (relevant for branded devices).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To facilitate the choice, we will summarize all methods in a comparative table on the key criteria:

MethodVisibilityBattery consumptionDifficulty setting upNeed root?
Always-on DisplayGood (in the dark)High-pitchedLow.No.
Camera flashGreat (even during the day)Medium.Low.No.
Third-party annexesDepends on the app.High-pitchedMediumSometimes.
Notifications on badgesWeak (on screen only)Low.Low.No.
Engineering menuUnstable.Low.Tall.No.

For most users, the best solution is to combine AOD + flash for important notifications. If you want maximum customization, try Light Flow. If the battery comes first, limit yourself to notifications on icons.

๐Ÿ’ก

The Redmi Note 9 Pro doesnโ€™t have a hardware LED, but its function has been successfully replaced by software and hardware alternatives, and the key is not to sacrifice autonomy for visual effects.

FAQ: Frequent questions about light notifications

๐Ÿ”น Why my Redmi Note 9 Pro doesnโ€™t have an LED like the old Xiaomi?
Xiaomi began to save on hardware components with mid-size models, starting with the Redmi Note 8. LED was replaced with software solutions (AOD, flash) to reduce cost. This is not a defect, but a feature of the design.
๐Ÿ”น Can you install a physical LED on your own?
Technically possible, but highly discouraged. It requires disassembly, soldering and firmware modifications. Risks: loss of warranty, damage to plumes, overheating. Alternatively, use a case with an integrated LED (for example, from the Spigen or Ringke brand).
๐Ÿ”น Why the flash doesn't flash when notified by Telegram?
Some messengers (including Telegram and Signal) block access to system alerts by default. Solution: Open Telegram settings. Go to Notifications and Sounds โ†’ Notification Channels. Select Message Channel and activate the Blinking Flash option.
๐Ÿ”น How to turn off Always-on Display at night?
Use automation through the MacroDroid app or the built-in MIUI Sleep Mode: Go to Settings โ†’ Display โ†’ Sleep Mode. Set a schedule (e.g. 23:00 to 7:00). Enable the option to Turn off Always-on Display.
๐Ÿ”น Why After Updating MIUI Notifications on the screen have stopped working?
Xiaomi regularly changes the logic of AOD in new firmware versions. After updating: Reset the Always-on Display settings to factory. Check if the mode is turned off in Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery Optimization. If the problem persists, roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.