Flash when calling Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: where it turns on and why it does not work

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 smartphones are equipped with bright LED-It's a flash that you can use not only to shoot, but also as a visual alert for incoming calls, and it's especially useful in noisy places or for people with hearing impairments. MIUI The option is often hidden or not working correctly – users complain that the flash does not flash despite the option turned on.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate a flash when calling, from official settings to hidden commands via ADB. You will learn why the function may not work even after turning on, and how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI 12/13/14.

If you've tried to turn on the option through Settings → Special features, but the flash does not light up, don't rush to reset your phone. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved without radical measures. Next, we will take a Step-by-step look at each method, starting with the simplest one.

1.Official method: customization through Special Opportunities

The most obvious way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI options, which in theory should be on the feature menu, but the location of the feature would vary depending on the firmware version. Here's how to find it on the Redmi Note 8:

Open the Settings app (cog icon) and follow the following steps:

1. Go to the Special Opportunities section.
2. Select Hearing (or Sound and Vibration in MIUI 14).
3. Scroll down to the Flash block at notifications.
4. Activate the flash switch when calling.

If you don't have Flash on notifications, your version of MIUI is hiding it, which is typical of Android 10 firmware (MIUI 11-12), so move on to the next section.

Is the original firmware Xiaomi used?| MIUI version not lower than 11?| Flash is good (check in camera)| No active energy-saving modes-->

⚠️ Note: On some versions of the Redmi Note 8 (for example, for the Indian market), the option may be called Flash Alerts and be in the Accessibility sub-menus. → If you have English firmware, look for these terms.

2. Alternative method: through notification settings

If the standard path didn’t work, try turning on the flash through the notification menu, which works on MIUI 13+, but may not be available on older versions:

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Select Additional Settings (or Advanced Settings).
3. Find the Notification Indicator or Light Effects.
4. Activate the Flash option when calling.

If there is no item, your firmware is not supporting this path, and then there are two options: ADB-commands (section 4) or third-party applications (section 5).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro (model with Mediatek Helio) G90T) This method may not work because of differences in the hardware platform. ADB.

3.Why does the flash not flash even after switching on?

A common problem: the user turns on the option, but the flash doesn't work when the call is made, and the reasons can be both software and hardware.

• 🔋 Energy saving: If Ultra-Saving or Battery mode is activated in the power settings, the system can block the flash to save charge.
• 📱 Update MIUI: After updating the firmware settings can be reset. Check if the option is automatically disabled.
• 🔧 Application conflict: Some optimizers (e.g. Clean Master) or antiviruses block access to the flash.
• 💡 Hardware malfunction: If the flash does not work in the chamber, it is possible that the LED has burned out or the contact has left.

To exclude programmatic reasons, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off all energy saving modes in Settings → Battery.
2. Remove third-party optimizers (if installed).
3. Restart your phone – sometimes resetting temporary data helps.

Software failure | Hardware breakdown |I don't know why |I'm working-->

Critical information: On the Redmi Note 8 with firmware below MIUI 12.0.3, the flash function for calls can be completely disabled at the kernel level, in which case only firmware through Fastboot or custom software installation (for example, Pixel Experience) will help.

4. Including through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can activate the flash via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it's 100% effective.

• A computer with Xiaomi and ADB drivers installed.
• USB-cable (preferably original).
• The USB debugging on the phone is enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access to debugging on the smartphone screen.
4. Open the command line (cmd) on your computer and type: adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1
5. Reboot the phone.

Once you run the command, the flash should start, and if it doesn't, check if it's blocked by antivirus or MIUI Optimization (in some regional firmware, the service disables non-standard features).

5. Third-party flash control applications

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use third-party utilities. The best options for the Redmi Note 8 are:

Check reviews before installing – some applications may not work on MIUI 14 due to tightened restrictions on access to system features.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Flash Alerts require permission to display over other windows and access notifications. Without those permissions, they won't be able to manage the flash. → Annexes → Management of rights.

6. Problems with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If you have installed an informal firmware (like LineageOS 18.1 or Pixel Experience 12), standard flash-on methods may not work.

• 🔧 Check if your firmware supports LED notifications (information is available on the forum) XDA Developers for a specific build).
• 📱 Install a Magisk module called FlashLight Notification – it adds flash support for custom software.
• 🔄 If nothing helps, try reflashing the kernel with support. LED control (e.g. FrancoKernel).

On the Pixel Experience for Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo), the flash function when calling works out of the box, but may require additional settings in Settings → System → Gestures.

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Before you run custom software, back up the persist partition via TWRP, which stores calibration data for the camera and flashes that can get lost after changing the firmware.

7. Hardware diagnostics: if the flash does not work at all

If the flash doesn't work on the phone or the camera, it's probably hardware.

1. Open the Camera app and try to take a photo with a flash. If the LED doesn't light up, move to step 2.
2. Install a test app like Phone Doctor Plus and check the flash in the Hardware Test section.
3. If the test shows an error, take the phone apart (or contact the service) and check: Integrity of the plume from the motherboard to the camera, no oxidation on the flash contacts, voltage on the LED contacts (should be ~3.3V when activated).

Typical causes of hardware breakdowns:

• 💧 Moisture ingestion (even if the phone hasn’t sunk – condensation can oxidize contacts).
• 🔨 Mechanical damage after falling (especially if the impact occurred on the upper part of the body).
• ⚡ The voltage jump when charging with unoriginal RMS.

The cost of repairing a flash on the Redmi Note 8 in service centers is from 800 to 1500 rubles (depending on the cause).If you decide to fix it yourself, be careful: the camera plume is very fragile and easily breaks when you carelessly handle.

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Before disassembling the phone, be sure to turn off the battery (or wait for a full discharge). flash contacts are under voltage, and a short circuit can disable the motherboard.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the outbreak on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8