Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often experience unexpected device behavior: when an incoming call or notification flashes a flashlight. This feature, designed to attract attention in noisy environments, can be annoying β especially at night or in public places. Unfortunately, in standard MIUI settings, the option to turn off the flash is not always obvious, and on some models it is not at all on the menu.
Complicating the problem, the logic of this feature depends on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14), the device model (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X5), and even regional features of the software. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable flashing flashlights β from basic settings to hidden settings and commands for developers.
Why flashlights flash when ringing: the reasons and logic of the work
The flash on call feature is called Flash on Call and was originally intended for hearing-impaired users, but in MIUI, it is activated by default on many devices, regardless of the owner's needs, and here are the key reasons why it works:
- π Incoming call β blinking starts at the same time as the vibration and melody.
- π SMS Notifications on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) The flash is triggered by messages.
- π Silent mode β the function can work even if the sound is turned off, which confuses many people.
- π Update MIUI β After upgrading the firmware settings can be reset.
I wonder what on the devices with AMOLED-The display itself can flash instead of a flashlight, a separate feature called Screen Flash, which is different from controlling a physical flash.
It's important to understand that flashing a flashlight is not dependent on the flashlight app on the quick menu, it's a system function that is managed at the MIUI level, not the individual software, so turning off the flashlight icon in the notification curtain will not affect the flash when you call.
Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for most models)
Letβs start with the simplest method, which works on 80% of Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12-14, the instructions are relevant for the models of Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro, Xiaomi 12 Lite and many others:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to the section Sound and vibration.
- Scroll down and find Flash on Call (or Flash on Call in English firmware).
- Move the slider to the off position.
If this is not the case, try an alternative route:
Settings β Special features β Hearing β Flash at notificationsβοΈ Check before switching off the flash
On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for the European region), the option may be called differently:
- π¦ Flash notifications (Flash Notifications)
- π³ Lighting display (on older models like Redmi) 9A)
- π Visual Alerts (in Global Versions)
β οΈ Note: On custom firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), the path to customization may be different. If you don't find an item on the menu, move on to the next way.
Method 2: Disconnection through "Special Opportunities" (hidden path)
If the standard method didnβt work, the function can be hidden in the special features settings, which is suitable for devices with MIUI 12.5 and later, including POCO F4, Redmi K50 and others:
- Open the Settings. β Special facilities.
- Select the Rumor section (or Audio & On-screen in English).
- Find Flash at Notifications or Flash Notifications.
- Turn off the slider and uncheck the notification types (calls, messages, alarms).
On some devices, you can also adjust the blinking color (white or color) and frequency. If the option is gray and inactive, this means that it is managed at the system application level - you will need to use ADB (mode 4).
| Model of the device | The path to setting up the flash | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | Settings β Sounds β Flash when calling | The global firmware may not be available |
| POCO X3/X4 | Settings β Special. opportunities β Hearing | Reboot is required after changes |
| Xiaomi 12/13 | Settings β Notifications β Additional | This function may be called βVisual Alertsβ. |
| Redmi 9/9A | Settings β System β Advanced settings | Only on older versions of MIUI |
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If after turning off the flash continues to flash, check the settings of the application "Phone" - sometimes there is duplicated notification option.
Method 3: Use the Security App (for Chinese firmware)
On devices with Chinese MIUI firmware (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 for the domestic market), flash settings can be hidden in the Security app.
- Open the Security app (shield icon).
- Go to the Optimization or Battery section.
- Click on the gear icon (βοΈ) top-right.
- Find Call Notifications or Flash Alerts.
- Turn off the Flash option.
This method also works for some POCO-If you don't have one on your menu, try searching by settings:
- Open the Settings.
- Pull down the screen to activate the search bar.
- Enter the flash or flash request.
β οΈ Note: On Chinese firmware without root rights, some settings may be blocked. ADB or a change of firmware to a global.
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods donβt work, the most reliable way is to disable the function via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI, including the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi K60.
You'll need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
- π± USB-cable (preferably original).
- π§ Included Debugging by USB developer-setting.
- π¦ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode: Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (click 7 times)
- Return to Settings β Additional β For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
- Open the command line (or Terminal) macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices If the device is defined, follow the command: adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 0
- Reboot the phone.
To return the blinking back, use the same command, but with 1 instead of 0.
What if the ADB canβt see the device?
For MIUI 14, an additional command may be required:
adb shell settings put global flash_notification_allowed_packages ""This command completely clears the list of apps that are allowed to use the flash, which is guaranteed to disable the feature for all notifications.
Method 5: Use of third-party applications (without root rights)
If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use third-party utilities.
- π± Flash Notifications β allows you to flexibly configure blinking (including disabling).
- π§ MacroDroid β Creates a rule to block flash when calling.
- π οΈ Tasker β Advanced Automation Tool (Requires customization).
Example of settings in MacroDroid:
- Create a new macro.
- As a trigger, select the phone β incoming call.
- Add the action Turn off the flash (or turn off the flashlight).
- Save and activate the macro.
β οΈ Note: Some apps (e.g. Flash Alerts 2) require permission to access notifications, which may affect privacy.
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The side of the application may conflict with the system settings of MIUI. If after using them, the flash stopped working completely (even manually), reset the settings of the Camera application or restart the phone.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of these methods worked, the problem may be as follows:
- π Firmware failure β try resetting to factory settings (Settings) β The phone. β Reset).
- π¦ Application conflict β check if the flash is controlled by third-party software (for example, Truecaller or WhatsApp).
- π§ Restrictions of regional firmware β on some models for India or China, the function is blocked at the software level.
- π οΈ Hardware malfunction β if the flashlight flashes chaotically, it may be damaged by an LED or plume.
For devices with an unlocked bootloader, the last option is to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where there are no MIUI-related features, but this requires technical skills and voids the warranty.
If you suspect a hardware problem, check the flashlight manually:
- Open the camera and switch to flashlight mode.
- If the LED does not turn on or flashes intermittently, contact the service center.