Flash when calling Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 ways to activate + problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with light-based notifications, but not everyone knows that its flash can be made to work when incoming calls. This option is especially useful in noisy rooms or for people with hearing impairments when vibration and signal sound are not enough. Unlike flagship models, where the function is often activated by default, on the Redmi 8 it has to be turned on manually - and here the difficulties begin.

The problem is that the manufacturer hid the setting in non-obvious MIUI sections, and in some firmware it is not in the standard interface at all. We tested all possible methods on Redmi 8 (including versions with MIUI 11, MIUI 12 and MIUI 12.5) and collected working solutions from official settings to workarounds using third-party applications.

Why is Xiaomi Redmi 8 not equipped with a “Flash on Call” option?

Many users find that the Settings → Notifications menu simply does not have an option to turn on the flash.

• 📱 Regional restrictions: on the global versions MIUI (for example, MIUI Global) feature is often disabled by default, whereas in Chinese firmware (MIUI China, it's available.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In old assemblies (MIUI 10 and below) the option may not be available at all. MIUI 11 added, but hidden in the submenu.
• 🛠️ Customization of the manufacturer: Xiaomi sometimes simplifies the interface for budget models, removing the “extra” features. Redmi 8 just fell into this category.
• 🔧 Hardware restrictions: On some batches of devices, the flash does not physically support intermittent glow mode (necessary for notifications).

If your firmware doesn't have this option, don't be too upset -- below we'll show you how to get around the restriction with hidden settings and third-party tools, and in the meantime, check if the feature is hidden under a different name.

Method 1: Standard activation via MIUI settings

If your Redmi 8 runs MIUI 11 or later, try flashing the standard method.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Notifications and Status bar section.
3. Select Call Notifications (or Incoming Calls in some versions).
4. Scroll down to the Light indicator block and activate the Flash switch when calling.
5. Adjust the flashing color (if available) and frequency (fast/slow).

Important! Some firmware may have a different name for the item:

• LED indicator → flash
• Additional settings → Call notifications
• Special features → Visual notifications

Update the firmware to the latest version

Make sure the flash is working in the camera

Check if the energy saving mode is turned off.

Restart your phone before setting up-->

If you don’t have any of these items on your menu, move on to the next option.

Method 2: Enabling engineering settings through a hidden menu

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a hidden CIT (Factory Test Mode) menu where you can force the flash to activate notifications, which works even on firmware where the feature is disabled in the standard interface.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337## (this is the code for Factory Test Mode login).
2. In the menu, select LED (or Light).
3. Find the Flashlight Test and click on it.
4. Enable Flash on Call (or similar in meaning).
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Critical detail: After leaving the engineering menu, do not click the Clear Data or Reset button – this can reset all phone settings to factory ones.

Method 3: Use Flash Alerts 2 (for all versions of MIUI)

If standard methods don’t work, installing a third-party app will be a universal solution. Flash Alerts 2 is the most reliable flash management app on Xiaomi, which works even on custom firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Flash Alerts 2 from Google Play.
2. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested (access to notifications, camera, phone).
3. In the main menu, activate the Flash on Call switch.
4. Set up the parameters: 🔦 Brightness of flash (recommended) 70-80% battery-saving). 🔄 Blinking mode (constant light or intermittent light). 🎨 Color (if supported by your camera). 🔕 Exceptions (you can turn off the flash for specific contacts).

Advanced

Run as Foreground Service

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI, including.
• ✅ Allows you to set up the flash separately for calls, SMS and notifications of applications.
• ✅ Pocket Mode – flash does not work if the phone is in your pocket.

1. Does the application block the battery optimizer (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Find Flash Alerts 2 → No restrictions).

2. Are notifications allowed for the application (Settings → Applications → Flash Alerts 2 → Notifications → Enable All).

3. Does the function overlap with another control application LED (For example, Light Manager).-->

Method 4: Activation through ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If you’re ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), this method will give you full control over flash settings.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of your device).
4. Give permission to change system settings: adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
5. Activate the flash when you call: adb shell settings put system flash_notification_enabled 1
6. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

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

adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1

💡

Using ADB is the most reliable way, but it requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. If you are not sure about your actions, use Method 3 with Flash Alerts 2.

Method 5: Manual editing of build.prop file (for power users)

This method involves changing the build.prop system file, which can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the phone.

What needs to be done:

1. Install a file manager with access to the root folder (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop.
3. Create a backup of the file (copy it to a safe place).
4. Open build.prop in a text editor and add a line to the end of the file: ro.miui.has_flashlight_notification=1
5. Save the changes, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: You can't edit build.prop without root rights. If you don't have any, use Magisk to temporarily get root access. Incorrect changes to this file can lead to bootloop).

Why does the flash not work even after switching on? 5 reasons and solutions

You've turned on the function, but the flash still doesn't blink when you call?

If none of the solutions worked, check the hardware health of the flash:

1. Open the camera and turn on the flashlight – if the light is dim or flickering, the problem is with the LED itself.
2. Try resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).
3. Install an alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) where the flash feature is implemented at the Android level.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up flash on Xiaomi Redmi 8