How to turn off the flashlight when calling Xiaomi: all ways

Have you ever found yourself in the awkward situation of a Xiaomi smartphone suddenly flashing a flashlight during an incoming call?This feature, designed to be convenient in dark rooms, often becomes a source of irritation — especially if you are in an important meeting, in a movie theater or just sleeping at night. Fortunately, you can turn off the automatic flashlight when you call in a number of ways, and we will discuss each of them in detail.

The problem is relevant for most models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 12/13/14, But the solutions may vary depending on the firmware version and regional settings, and in this article, you'll find not only standard methods through the settings menu, but also hidden features that are not mentioned in the official instructions. And if you have already tried to turn off the flashlight, but without success - pay attention to the section about the engineering menu and the following: ADB-team.

Why does the flashlight turn on when you ring?

The automatic incoming lighting feature was introduced in MIUI as part of the Smart Services system, originally designed to:

• 🔦 Comforts in the dark – to quickly find your phone on the table or in your bag.
• 📱 Visual call alert if the phone is down screen.
• 🚨 Additional signal in noisy places (such as in clubs or on the streets).

But in practice, it often works inappropriately, like if you put your phone in your pocket or use a magnetic lock case, a flashlight can drain your battery by 2 to 5 percent per night because of constant false alarms on the proximity sensor, and not all Xiaomi models correctly detect the level of illumination — sometimes the backlights are turned on even during the day.

In older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5), it was possible to turn off this feature in two clicks, but with the release of MIUI 13/14, the path to settings has changed, and in some regional firmware, the option is completely hidden.

Method 1: Disconnection through the Smart Services settings

This is the most obvious and safe method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12-14.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to Smart Services or Special features in global firmware.
3. Select Flash on Call or Incoming Call Light.
4. Move the slider to the off position. (Off).

If you have a global firmware (MIUI Global), the name of the item may differ, for example, in some versions the option is called Flash notification or Call flash. If you do not find the desired partition, search by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

Find the section "Smart Services" in the settings"|Make sure you have the latest version. MIUI|Check if the option is hidden in the "Advanced" submenu"|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) The option may be blocked by the carrier, in which case try resetting the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings) or use alternative methods from this article.

Method 2: Use gestures and quick settings

If the standard path didn’t work, try turning off the flashlight through the Quick Settings or Gestures panel, a technique that is suitable for devices where the function is tied to a proximity or motion sensor.

Steps:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Press the badge. ⚙️ Settings (or ✏️ Edit if the flashlight icon is in the fast buttons).
3. Find the Torch tiles and hold them with your finger.
4. In the menu that appears, select Torch settings.
5. Turn off the automatic activation option when you call.

If the lamplight tiles are not in quick settings, add it:

• Swipe down twice to open the full panel.
• Press. ✏️ Edit (or Add Tile).
• Find the flashlight in the list and drag it to the active area.

Through Smart Services |In quick settings |None, first encountered |Another way-->

On some models (such as the POCO F4 GT or Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the flashlight function is tied to the "Raise to wake up" gesture when you call.

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Gestures.
2. Find the option to lift to wake.
3. Turn it off or check for additional settings (sometimes there is a call response option).

Method 3: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail, you can try turning off the flashlight through the Engineering Mode, a method that requires caution, as improper changes can cause the phone to malfunction.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##3646633## (some models may require ##4636##).
2. You will be taken to the engineering menu. Go to the Hardware Testing → Sensors section.
3. Find the Proximity Sensor and check its current state.
4. If the sensor is not working properly (for example, it shows a value of 5.00 cm in the absence of obstacles), this can cause false flashlights.
5. Go back to the main menu of the engineering mode and find the Flashlight or Torch section.
6. Turn off the Auto Flash on Call option (if any).

⚠️ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose, such as incorrect module settings. RF If the phone starts to work unstable after the changes, reset settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

Method 4: ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, the most radical way is to disable the function through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version until you become a developer!

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).

ADB Tools

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

adb shell settings put global flash_on_call_enabled 0

Reboot the phone.

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

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings$FlashlightSettingsActivity

This will open a hidden flashlight settings menu where there may be a turn off option.

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. In rare cases, incorrect commands can cause the system to crash.

Method 5: Third-party applications (if nothing helps)

If all of the above methods fail, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, which intercept system signals and block the flashlight from turning on automatically.

• 🔧 Flash Alerts 2 allows you to flexibly adjust the flashlight response to calls and notifications, you can turn off the backlight completely or configure it only for certain contacts.
• 📱 NoFlash on Call is a dedicated app to turn off the flashlight when calling, works without root rights, but requires permission to access notifications.
• 🛠️ MacroDroid is an automatic tool that can create a rule that says “If an incoming call is made” → Turn off the flashlight. Suitable for advanced users.

How to set up Flash Alerts 2:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, camera, microphone).
3. Go to the Call Flash section.
4. Turn off the Enable Call Flash option.
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. MacroDroid) require special features (Settings) → Special facilities → MacroDroid: This can affect other phone features, such as gestures or voice assistant. Once set up, it is recommended to test the phone for lags.

💡

Third-party apps are the last option if system settings don't help.They can consume extra battery and conflict with MIUI, so use them temporarily until Xiaomi fixes the issue in updates.

What to do if the flashlight is turned on anyway?

If you’ve tried all of these methods, but the flashlight still works when calling, the problem may be:

• 🔄 Firmware: In some regional versions MIUI (For example, in India or China, the shutdown option is blocked. Try to flash the phone to the global or European version.
• 📱 Approximation sensor: If the sensor is contaminated or damaged, it may falsely fire. Rub the top of the screen with alcohol and check the sensor's performance in the engineering menu.
• 🔋 Hardware malfunction: In rare cases, the problem is with the flashlight controller, which can be diagnosed if the flashlight is switched on arbitrarily, not just when the bells are ringing.
• 📲 Application conflict: Some programs (such as Truecaller or Call Recorder) can intercept the flashlight.

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, perform the test:

1. Go to the engineering menu (see Method 3).
2. Select Hardware Testing → Sensors → Proximity Sensor.
3. Cover the sensor with your hand - the value should change from 5.00 cm to 0.00 cm.
4. Remove your hand – the value should return to 5.00 cm.

If the sensor does not respond or shows incorrect values, contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off flashlight on Xiaomi