Flash when calling Xiaomi 8 Pro: how to set up a light indication

Xiaomi 8 Pro is one of the flagship smartphones of the brand, which is still popular thanks to the powerful hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. However, not all users are aware that this device supports light indication of notifications, including flash when incoming calls. This feature is especially useful in noisy places or for people with hearing impairments, when the sound signal may go unnoticed.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate a flash on the Xiaomi 8 Pro, from standard MIUI settings to third-party apps, how to make the camera blink when you call, what the limitations are in different versions of the firmware, and what to do if the feature doesn’t work, and we’ll also answer the frequent questions: does this affect the battery, can you adjust the color of the flash, and how to turn off the feature if it interferes.

Why is there no flash on Xiaomi 8 Pro when calling by default?

Many users are surprised that the flash on the Xiaomi 8 Pro does not flash when you call out of the box. The reason lies in the MIUI policy: Xiaomi developers believe that constant use of the LED can reduce its life. In addition, on some versions of the firmware, the function is simply disabled at the system level and requires manual activation through hidden settings.

Another nuance – Xiaomi 8 Pro was produced with different modifications of the firmware:

• 📱 Global version (MIUI Global – often devoid of some features due to optimization for Western markets.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese version (MIUI China – usually has more settings, but requires Russification.
• 🔄 LineageOS (Pixel Experience) – may or may not support light indication.

If your smartphone doesn't blink when you call, it doesn't mean that the function is broken, but it probably just needs to be configured correctly, as we'll talk about later.

Method 1: Enabling flash through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. However, the path to settings may vary depending on the firmware version. We will look at the current options for the Xiaomi 8 Pro.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Special Features (or Additional Settings → Special Features).
3. Select the item Rumor.
4. Activate the notification flash switch.
5. In the menu that opens, tick the Calls.

If you have MIUI 11 or older, the path may look like this: Settings → System and device → Additional settings → Special features → Notification flash.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure the flash is not blocked in Battery Savings

- Check if the camera is working (if the flash is broken, blinking is impossible)-->

Important! Some versions of MIUI may not have a flash notification option, due to regional restrictions or a firmware modification by the manufacturer, so move on to the next one.

Method 2: Use of hidden settings (Engineer Mode)

If the standard path didn’t work, you can try activating the flash through an engineering menu, which requires caution, as the wrong actions can disrupt the smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##3646633## (for MTK-The second version will work on the Xiaomi 8 Pro with the Snapdragon 845 processor.
3. In the menu that opens, select Hardware Testing.
4. Go to the Audio section → Flashlight.
5. Activate the Flash on call option (if available).

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can cause the camera to run in an unstable way or flash. If the function fails after activation, reboot the device. Do not change the other options in this menu without understanding their purpose!

Method 3: Third-party applications for flash control

If the built-in methods don’t work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, not only enabling flash when a call is made, but also allowing you to customize its behavior: blinking frequency, color (on supported devices), and even response to SMS.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🔦 Flash Alerts 2 – Supports blinking settings for calls, SMS There's a "saving" flash mode to save the battery.
• 💡 Flash Notification – a simple interface, working with notifications from specific applications (for example, only WhatsApp or Telegram).
• ⚡ Light Flow – Advanced LED settings and flashes, including color schemes (does not work on all devices).

How to set up Flash Alerts 2:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and grant permissions to access notifications.
3. Turn on the Flash on Call switch.
4. In the Customize section, set the blinking frequency (it is recommended 1-2 times per second).
5. Activate the Run in Background option to keep the app running constantly.

Method 4: Configure with ADB (for advanced users)

If you are ready to dive into the technical details, you can activate the flash when calling through the phone. ADB-This method requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to unlock Developer Settings), then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect Xiaomi 8 Pro to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1
4. Reset the device.

To disable the function, use the command:

adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 0

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, you better use other methods. Also note that after you reset or update. MIUI parameter may reset.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting it up properly, the flash on the Xiaomi 8 Pro may not work, and let’s look at the typical causes and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The flash doesn't blink, although the settings are on.

• 🔋 Check if the function is disabled in battery saving mode: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery savings → Apps (find a flash management app and eliminate it from optimization).
• 📱 Make sure the camera isn’t being used by another app (for example, Instagram or TikTok can block access to the flash).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes it helps to reset driver conflicts.

Problem 2: The flash is working, but it drains the battery quickly.

• ⚡ Reduce the frequency of blinking in the application settings (optimally - 1 time in 2 seconds).
• 🔋 Disable the feature for unnecessary notifications (for example, SMS messenger).
• 📉 Check if the smartphone is warming up - if so, there may be a problem in the camera driver (flashing required).

Problem 3: The function is unstable (it turns on, then it doesn’t).

• 🔄 Update. MIUI until the latest version - in the old builds were bugs with flash control.
• 🛠️ Reset the settings of the application responsible for the flash (in Settings) → Apps find it and click Clear Data).
• 📲 Check if the feature conflicts with other services (e.g. Google Assistant or Xiaomi Services Framework).

💡

If none of the methods worked, the problem may lie in the hardware malfunction of the flash. Check its manual operation (open the camera and turn on the flashlight).

The impact of the flash on the battery and the resource of the smartphone

Many users worry that the constant flashing may negatively affect the battery or LED-Let's see if that's justified.

Battery consumption:

• 📉 When blinking 1 time per second, the energy consumption is ~0.5–1% per hour (depending on battery capacity).
• 🔋 If the flash is only active during the call (20-30 seconds), the effect on the battery is minimal.
• ⚡ With constant blinking (for example, for notifications from messengers), the consumption can reach 3-5% per hour.

2. Resource LED-flash:

• 💡 Modern LEDs are designed for 50,000-100,000 cycles on / off. When blinking 1 time per second, the resource will last for 10-20 years of continuous operation.
• ⚠️ The risk of failure is higher when overheating (for example, if the smartphone is lying in the sun or in a case with poor ventilation).
• 🛠️ If the flash started flashing unevenly or dimly, this is a sign of wear and tear, not a consequence of using the notification function.

Optimization tips:

• ⏱️ Configure blinking only for incoming calls, turning off the response to SMS and fluff.
• 🌙 Use the function only during the day (at night, light indication is less useful).
• 🔄 Check your smartphone’s temperature regularly – if it’s warmer than 40°C, turn off the flash.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions