Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners face the challenge of skipping an incoming call or message in a noisy place or in the dark. A standard feature that flashes with an LED (as it is often absent in modern models) or screen is not enough. This is where Flash Notification comes to the rescue, which causes the flash camera to briefly light up when a new event arrives.
With the new MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, activation is much easier, but many users are still looking for hidden settings or downloading unnecessary apps. In fact, the system functionality allows you to flexibly adjust flash behavior for different types of events without resorting to third-party software.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where to find the flashlight notification switch, how to configure it only in silent mode, and what nuances exist for different versions of the firmware. You will learn how to make the flash work even when the screen is off, and what to do if the standard settings are not activated.
Where to find flash settings in the system
It can take time to find the right switch if you don't know the exact path in the menu. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the location of the elements may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. The main path is usually hidden in the special features section, since this feature was originally created for people with hearing impairments.
To get to the menu, open Settings and scroll down to Advanced Settings (some versions simply call it “Advanced”). Next, select the Specials section, and this is where the interface adaptation tools and physical reactions of the device are concentrated.
- 🔍 Find and click on Audiovisual Notifications (or Flash for Notifications»).
- 📱 In the menu that opens, activate the Camera or Flash switch.
- ⚙️ Check if the Phone app or Messages are selected in the list below if customization is required.
It's important to note that some global versions of firmware may have a different path. Sometimes the option is hidden directly in the Sound and Vibration menu → Additional audio settings. If you don't find a feature in Special Opportunities, try searching by settings by typing in the phrase "flash" or "notification."
Setting up the operation in silent mode
One of the most useful features is the ability to make the flash work only when the phone is quiet, eliminating the need to constantly turn on and off visual signals manually, which is ideal for cinemas, meetings or night time, when the sound should be turned off, but you can not miss an important call.
The Audiovisual Notifications menu often features an additional switch called "Only in Silent Mode" or "On Only When the Sound is Off." Activating this setting creates a logical link: if the call volume slider is zero, the flash lights up. If the phone rings with the sound on, the flash is silent to keep people from blinding.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (This option may not work properly with third launchers. If you use a third-party shell, such as a Nova Launcher, the system may ignore the status of the sound when activating the flash.
To check the performance, turn the side volume swing to vibration or No Sound mode. Call your number from another phone. If the flash flash flashes, the setup was successful. If not, make sure that the phone app is selected in the notification list, and not some third-party call.
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If the flash flash flashes but the screen doesn’t light up, check the “Elevate to Turn on” settings in the “Screen Lock” section, they may conflict.
Use of third-party applications for extended control
Xiaomi’s regular tools are good, but sometimes they aren’t functional enough, such as the standard system doesn’t always allow you to adjust the number of flashes, the duration of the flash, or the color of the glow (if you have a multi-LED flash), and in such cases, specialized apps from Google Play come to the rescue.
One of the most popular solutions is Flash Alerts, or its analogues, which intercept system notifications and control the flash using their own algorithms, and allow you to create complex scenarios, like double flashing for an SMS and long blinking for a missed call.
- 📥 Download a proven app like Flash Alert 2 or NotifyBuddy.
- 🔐 Provide the necessary permissions to access notifications and camera.
- 🎨 Configure blinking patterns for each application separately (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber).
It is worth considering that the use of third-party software increases battery consumption. Apps must constantly hang in the background and poll the system for new events. In addition, the aggressive energy saving policy of MIUI can “kill” the process of such an application, so it must be added to the autoboot and remove battery restrictions.
☑️ Checking the settings of the third-party application
Specifics of work on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
MIUI is known for its frequent updates that can change menu layouts or function algorithms. With HyperOS, Xiaomi has rebranded and optimized many system processes, including notification management.
In older versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, flash settings were often in the “Advanced” section without explicitly specifying special features. In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, logic became more unified, but new bugs appeared. For example, on some Redmi Note series models, the flash for notifications in the turned off screen stopped working after the update.
| Shell version | Location of settings | Features of work |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 11-12 | Advanced settings → Special opportunities | Stable work, there is a delay in waking up |
| MIUI 13-14 | Settings → Sound and vibration → Flash | Possible conflicts with the topic of design |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Special capabilities → Audiovisual | Improved response on the off screen |
| Android 14 (Stock) | System → Accessibility | Android Behavior Without MIUI Improvements |
If the feature stopped working after the firmware update, try resetting the special features settings. This will not delete your personal data, but will return the configuration of accessibility services to the factory state, which often resolves software conflicts.
Why are there no LED lights on the new models?
Solving the Problem: Why the Flash Doesn't Work
Even with the right settings, users may find themselves in a situation where the flashlight doesn't light up. The most common reason is the Pocket Mode function or the proximity sensor, where if the phone is lying down screen or in an opaque case that covers the sensors, the system can block the flash, believing that the device is in the pocket.
Another common problem is energy saving: If Ultra-Energy Saving or Sleep is on, the system limits background activity, including access to the notification camera, and it’s worth checking whether Do Not Disturb mode is on, which can suppress visual signals even if the sound is off.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged use of flash notifications can cause the camera module to heat up. Although modern LEDs are energy efficient, in hot weather or high screen brightness, additional heating is undesirable.
For diagnostics, try the following steps: restart your smartphone, check for system updates in the About phone menu, and make sure there is no protective film or contamination on the main camera lens that can scatter light and make the notification invisible.
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If the flash doesn’t work in any application, the problem is most likely a system bug or proximity sensor lock, not a sound setting.
Impact on the autonomy and resource of the device
Many users fear that the constant flashing flashes will quickly land the battery. In fact, modern LED flashes consume extremely little power at short pulses. One blink lasts a fraction of a second, and even with a hundred notifications a day, battery consumption will be minimal, amounting to less than 1% per day.
But there's a nuance about wake-up: Every time a notification comes in and a flash comes on, the processor goes out of deep sleep, and if notifications come in very often (like group chats), it can prevent the phone from going into deep energy saving mode at night.
- 🔋 Battery consumption per flash notification is negligible.
- 🌡️ Heating of the body is possible only with very frequent continuous signals.
- 💡 The resource of the camera LED is practically not consumed with this use.
To minimize the impact on autonomy, it is recommended to use this feature only for important contacts or applications. In the MIUI settings, you can choose which applications will work for visual alert, leaving messengers and games without attention to the flash.