How to turn on flash notifications in Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 4 working ways

The camera flash that flashes when you make an incoming call or text is one of the most useful features for those who miss notifications often. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, this option is hidden in the depths of MIUI settings, and it is not always easy to find it. Especially if you update your firmware or reset your phone to factory settings, after such manipulations, the parameters are lost, and the flash has to be reconfigured.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate notification lights, from standard MIUI settings to custom firmware workarounds. You’ll learn why the feature may not work even after it’s turned on, how to check compatibility with your version of MIUI, and what to do if the flash flash flash flashes too weak or blinds your eyes. And a unique lifehack for Redmi Note 7 owners with an unlocked bootloader: how to make the flash work even on informal Android builds.

Compatibility Check: Does the flash work on your firmware?

Before you spend time setting up, make sure your version of MIUI supports the light display function. On the Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender), the flash on notifications officially works on:

• 📱 Global firmware MIUI 10.3+ (including MIUI 11/12/13/14)
• 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware (requires a russifier or knowledge of English)
• 🔧 Castom firmware based on Android 9-13 (LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others.)

If you have an older version of MIUI (below 10.3), the feature may not be available. Check the current firmware at Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Update through Settings → Software Update if a new version is available.

Also note that some Redmi Note 7 versions (e.g., Redmi Note 7 Pro with Snapdragon 675) may have different flash settings, so if your phone is bought in China, you may need to unlock the bootloader and flash the global version of MIUI.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI European region (EEA) Flash notifications are sometimes disabled by default due to local regulations, in which case changing the region to India or Russia in the Mi Account settings will help.

Method 1: Standard settings through “Special Features”

The most reliable and versatile method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which works on 90% of firmware without any additional manipulation.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section.
3. Select Hearing (or Audio/Visual Effects in new MIUI versions).
4. Activate the Flash switch at notifications (or Light Indication).
5. Click Flash Settings and select notification types: 📞 Incoming calls 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS) 🔔 Other notifications (optional)

After activation, check the function: ask a friend to call you or send a test SMS. the flash should flash at intervals of ~1 second for 10-15 seconds after receiving the notification.

⚠️ Warning: If the flash doesn't flash after it's turned on, check if the battery optimization is blocking it. → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Battery Optimization and Disable Optimization for the Phone Services System App.

Method 2: Configure with Notifications and Status String

In some versions of MIUI (especially custom firmware), the flash option is moved to the notification section, which is suitable if the first method did not work.

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Select Application Notifications.
3. Find the phone (for calls) or Messages (for SMS) in the list.
4. Tap the desired application and activate the Flash option when notified (may be called Light Indication or Blinking Light).
5. For fine-tuning, go to Additional Settings and select: 🔄 Frequency of blinking (fast/slow) 🌓 Brightness (if the flash is too bright) ⏱️ Duration (how many seconds will flash)

If there's no flash in the app list, your firmware doesn't support this method. Try the third method or update the MIUI.

💡

If the flash flash flashes too bright at night, reduce the brightness of the screen to 30% before bedtime. MIUI automatically reduces the intensity of the LED in low light.

Method 3: Use third-party applications (if standard methods don't work)

If the built-in MIUI settings don't allow the flash to turn on, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

For installation and configuration:

1. Download one of the applications at the link above.
2. Provide all necessary permissions (access to notifications, camera).
3. In the app settings, select Flashlight or Camera Flash.
4. Set up triggers (calls, SMS, instant messengers).
5. Test the work by sending a test notification.

If the application requests permissions through ADB (e.g. Flash Alerts 2), follow the command:

adb shell pm grant com.leedroid.flashnotifications android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

This command gives the application the rights to manage system settings. For more information about setting up ADB, see our ADB instructions for Xiaomi.

Method 4: Manually enable through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If none of the above methods worked, the last option is activation via the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for advanced users and requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337## This will open the MIUI engineering menu.
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → Flashlight Test.
3. Select Notification Flash and activate the option.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

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

##4636##

In the menu that opens, select Usage statistics → Miscellaneous → Flash notification.

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause the phone to run unstable. Do not edit other settings unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, incorrect settings of the camera module can cause overheating or flash failure.

💡

The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous. Always write down the initial values before you change them, so you can get your settings back to factory settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting it up correctly, the flash may not work properly, and let's look at typical situations and ways to fix them:

If the problem is not resolved, try resetting the notification settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the phone or messages.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data (will not delete SMS/calls!).
4. Reboot your phone and set up the flash again.

Additional settings: how to make the flash smarter

The standard MIUI implementation allows you to only turn on or off the blinking, but with automation, you can make the flash more flexible.

• 🕒 Turn off at night (so as not to wake up the household)
• 📱 Only work in silent mode.
• 🔋 Save battery power (blink less frequently at low charge level)

To do this, use the Tasker app or the built-in Automation Mode in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Automation mode.
2. Create new automation with the condition Time (for example, from 22:00 to 7:00).
3. Add the action to Disable the notification flash.
4. Save the rule and activate it.

For advanced users: Tasker can create a task that will:

• Blink different colors for different contacts (via flash) RGB-tape, if connected).
• Disable the function when connected to Bluetooth devices (for example, in a car).
• Activate the flash only for important contacts (groups in the phone book).

💡

If you have it installed RGB-You can set the backlight to flash with the flash through the Ambilight for Xiaomi app, and it will create a disco effect when you call in!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions