The problem: the flash does not flash when notified - why and what to do?
Are you missing important calls or messages because the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is silent in your bag or pocket? a camera flash could be a rescue — a bright flashing signal that you won’t miss even in a noisy room. But by default, this feature is often disabled or hidden in the depths of MIUI. Worse, on some firmware, the option is not on the menu at all, although hardware support is available!
In this article, 3 working ways to activate the flash on notifications, including hidden settings for MIUI 12-14 firmware, bypassing restrictions through ADB, and even a solution for cases when the phone does not see the option. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 9 (models M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS) - guarantee the result without the risk of "bricking".
If you have custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the algorithm may be different. For stock MIUI, read on.
Method 1: Standard Enablement through Settings (MIUI 12-14)
To start with, the official path is the easiest one, and most versions of MIUI have the option hidden in the special features settings, but it's been repositioned with the updates. Here's the current route for the Redmi Note 9:
- Open the “Settings” (cog icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Special Features section (sometimes called Additional Features).
- Stick to the item Hearing (or Sound and Vibration in MIUI 14).
- Find the Flash option at notifications (may be called Flash or Light Indication).
- Activate the slider and select events: Calls, Messages, Other Notifications.
If Flash is not listed at notifications, don't panic. That doesn't mean your Redmi Note 9 doesn't support the feature. It's likely that the option is hidden because of regional firmware restrictions (e.g., European versions of MIUI EU often remove it). Go to Method 2.
☑️ What to check before setting up
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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13 Global only comes up when you plug in your headphones. Try inserting wired headphones into a 3.5mm connector and re-entering the settings, and the item may appear".
Method 2: Hidden settings via engineering menu (#3646633##)
If the standard path didn't work, it's time to dig deeper. There's a hidden engineering menu in Redmi Note 9 where you can force the flash to activate, and this method works even on firmware where the option is removed from the interface.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##3646633## (some firmware may require ##4636##).
- You will be taken to EngineerMode. Go to Hardware Testing → Audio → LoudSpeaker Mode.
- Scroll down to Flashlight Notification (or Torch Notification).
- Set the Enabled value and save the changes with the Set button.
- Restart your phone – the flash should start.
If the engineering menu doesn't open (the Connection problem is a bug), your firmware has blocked access, and only Method 3 with ADB will help.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
On some versions of MIUI (especially Chinese ones), access to the engineering menu is blocked. Alternatively, use the MTK Engineering Mode app from Google Play. Install it, open it and repeat the steps from the instructions above.
Method 3: Forced inclusion via ADB (for advanced)
This is the most reliable method, but it requires connecting the phone to a computer, and if previous methods have not worked, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help bypass the limitations of firmware.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- 📱 Cable USB (preferably original)
- 🔧 Installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website)
- 🛠️ ADB Tools by Google
Step-by-step:
- Turn on your phone to USB Debug: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stick 7 times until you say “You’re a developer”). Then: Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging by USB.
- Connect Redmi Note 9 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1 adb shell settings put global flash_notification_led 1
- Reboot the phone.
After you restart, check the flash -- call your phone or send yourself a message. If the flash doesn't blink, try the extra command:
adb shell settings put global flash_notification_duration 1000(This will set the blinking duration to 1 second).
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If ADB can't see the device, try switching USB mode to Charge Only and then back to File Transfer, and check if the access is blocked by antivirus or firewall.
Table: comparison of flash inclusion methods
| Method | Difficulty | PC required | It works on all the firmware. | Risk of failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ❌ Only some of them. MIUI | ❌ No. |
| Engineering menu | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (except for blocked firmware) | ⚠️ Low. |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes, all versions) | ⚠️ Average (for errors in teams) |
| Third-party annexes | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ❌ No. | ✅ Partially. | ⚠️ High (risk of viruses) |
Conclusion: For most users, Method 1 or Method 2 will suffice. ADB should only be used if the first two methods fail, as it requires technical skills.
Frequent problems and solutions
Even after a successful setup, the flash may not work, and here are the typical causes and solutions:
- 🔋 Weak battery charge: At below 15%, the Redmi Note 9 automatically turns off the flash to save power.Plug in charge.
- 📱 Do Not Disturb: The flash won’t work if the mode is on DND. Check in the notification curtain.
- 🔦 The flashlight is on all the time: If the flash is already on (like a flashlight, for example), it won't blink. Turn off the flashlight.
- 📲 Application conflict: Some programs (such as Greenify or Battery Saver) block the flash.
- 🔄 Failure after update: If the flash stopped working after the update MIUI, Reset the Special Opportunities settings to the factory.
⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14 with Ultra Battery Saver, the flash is automatically turned off when notified. To return it, turn off Ultra Battery Saver in the battery settings.
Third-party apps: an alternative if nothing helps
If all of the above methods didn't work, the last option is to use third-party utilities, and we tested 5 popular apps and selected the two most reliable ones:
- Flash Notifications 2 (free, no ads): 🔹 It works without root rights. 🔹 Customized blinking frequency 🔹 Redmi Note 9 Support Confirmed
Download: Google Play
Flash Alerts 2
- 🔹 Additional effects (color screen illumination)
- 🔹 It's working in energy saving mode.
- 🔹 Android support 10-13
In extreme cases, reset the settings of Special Opportunities:
Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting special features