Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the need for quick visual indication of incoming calls, especially when the device is in a bag, lying down screen or in a noisy room where the sound of the call may not be heard. Flashing flashlight allows you to instantly respond to an important call without missing it. However, in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, the location of this setting can change, and in some cases it is hidden in special menus for people with disabilities.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to activate a flash when an incoming call is made on different versions of firmware. We will touch on standard methods through system settings, using special applications for calling and solving common problems when a function simply stops working for no apparent reason.
It’s worth noting that some budget models may have different hardware implementations, but software usually allows you to get around these limitations. If you were looking for a simple answer to how to turn on blinking, then below are step-by-step action algorithms that will help you customize your gadget in a couple of minutes.
Standard Activation through System Settings
The easiest and most reliable way to enable blinking is to use the built-in features of the Android operating system with the MIUI add-on. The developers have provided this tool in the special features section, since it was originally created for visually impaired users.
To start, you need to go to the main settings menu of your device, find the option Advanced settings or immediately look for the section Special features, which is sometimes hidden in the submenu Additional. Depending on the version of the shell, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi models.
Once you log into the special features menu, look for the section that's associated with hearing or visual notifications, often called Auditory or Visual Alerts, and that's where the switch that activates the camera flash when a call comes in hides.
- 📱 Open Settings and select Advanced Settings.
- 👁️ Go to the section of special capabilities (Accessibility).
- 🔦 Find the Flash on Notification tab or Flash on Call tab.
- ✅ Activate the switch in front of the desired action.
⚠️ Note: On some models with AMOLED-The flash can flash less brightly than on devices with LED-screens, due to the characteristics of energy consumption and heat transfer.
It is important to understand that after activating this feature, battery consumption can increase slightly if you miss a lot of calls.The battery optimization system in MIUI can sometimes block the flashlight from working to save energy, so it is recommended to add a phone book to the exceptions.
Configure via the Phone app and Google services
If the standard way through the settings did not give a result, it is worth checking the parameters of the Phone application itself. In Xiaomi smartphones, different "callers" can be used: the standard MIUI Dialer or Google Phone. The interface of the settings in them is different, and the blinking function can be displayed in a separate menu.
If you use a standard Xiaomi app, you open the caller itself, click three dots in the corner of the screen, and select Settings. Next, look for Incoming Calls. There's often a Flash option that you want to move to active position, which is the most direct way for those who don't want to dig into the system menus.
For users who have installed Google Phone (which is common on global firmware versions), the algorithm will be different: you will need to open the application, click on three points, select Settings, then go to Additional and find Flash when notified. If this item is not available, your version of the application may not support this feature or it is hidden.
☑️ Checking call settings
Sometimes, after upgrading the system, the settings can reset to factory values, in which case even if the blinking worked before, now it needs to be turned on again, and it is worth checking whether there is a Do Not Disturb mode that can block visual signals.
| Type of application | The path to adjustment | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI Dialer | Settings → Incoming calls | Tall. |
| Google Phone | Settings → Additional | Medium |
| Third-party (Truecaller) | Internal settings of the application | Low. |
Use of third-party applications for calls
When Xiaomi’s built-in tools fail or the interface seems too complex, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue. There are many programs that replace the standard “bell ringer” and provide advanced flash management features, including strobe or color blinking modes.
One popular solution is the Flash Alert app or its analogues, and once you install it, you'll need to give it the permissions you need to access your camera, phone, and contacts, and without those permissions, the app won't be able to properly track the incoming call and activate the LED.
The advantage of third-party apps is that you have flexibility in settings, you can adjust the blinking frequency, the duration of the flash, and even the response to the flash. SMS-However, it is worth remembering that the installation of additional applications increases the load on the RAM and battery of the device.
- 📲 Download a proven application, such as Call Flashlight.
- 🔐 Provide all requested permissions at the first launch.
- ⚙️ Set your flashing mode according to your preferences.
- 📞 Conduct a test call to check the work.
⚠️ Note: Be careful when choosing third-party apps, some of which may contain excessive advertising or request access to personal data that is not related to their functionality.
Some users note that after installing third-party "calls" there may be conflicts with system contacts, in which case it is recommended to use the widgets of the third-party application only for dialing, leaving the system contact book unchanged.
Why does the app request access to geo-location?
Features of work in silence and "Do not disturb"
Special attention should be paid to the behavior of the flash when the smartphone is switched to “No sound” or “Do not disturb” mode. The logic of the Android system is that visual notifications often persist even when the sound is turned off, but MIUI can have its own nuances.
In Do Not Disturb mode, the system blocks most interrupts, including light signals, unless you explicitly add contacts to the exclusion list. To make the flash work even in this mode, you need to go to the Do Not Disturb settings and allow repeated calls or calls from selected contacts.
If you use silence mode just to turn off the sound, but want to see the blinking, make sure that the vibration slider is also not activated in combination with completely turning off notifications. In some scenarios, energy saving can turn off the LED, considering it an unnecessary energy consumer in sleep mode.
For critical calls, it is better to use the Favorites feature.Configure your phone so that calls from tagged contacts always cause blinking, regardless of the general profile settings, this ensures that you do not miss a call from loved ones or colleagues.
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Do Not Disturb mode can block a flash if contact is not added to exceptions or repeated calls are not allowed.
Solving the problem: why the flash doesn't blink
There are times when all the settings are right, the switch is active, but when the flashlight is ringing, it doesn't light up, it can be caused by a software failure, application conflict, or the features of the camera drivers. The first thing you try to do is reboot the device, which solves 80% of the time glitches of the system.
The second common reason is that applications run in the background. MIUI is known for its aggressive memory management and can kill the processes that monitor calls. Go to the battery settings, find the Phone or Special Opportunities app, and set Unlimited mode.
It's also worth checking if the charge saving mode is on. With active energy saving, the system forcibly shuts down the flash to extend battery life. Turn off the savings mode or add an exception for the call function.
- 🔄 Perform a full reboot of the smartphone.
- 🔋 Check the energy saving settings for the Phone app.
- 🚫 Turn off the energy saving mode during the inspection.
- 📸 Make sure that the other app is not using the camera right now.
If nothing helps, it may be the hardware or system files that have been damaged after a failed update, which may require a factory reset, but make sure to back up the data before you do so.
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If the flash flash flashes but is very dim, wipe the area around the camera lens. Fat fingerprints can significantly reduce the brightness and visibility of the signal.
The impact of MIUI and HyperOS versions on functionality
The interface and location of the settings depend on the version of the shell installed. Owners of devices based on MIUI 12 or MIUI 13 can find the settings in one place, while users of MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS will encounter a modified menu structure.
Recent Xiaomi firmware versions have seen a trend towards combining accessibility features, with flash items being moved to a deeper menu or renamed to align with international Android standards. If you’ve recently upgraded, don’t be surprised that the familiar path has gone.
In addition, on Global ROMs, some features may differ from the Chinese versions (China ROMs), and Chinese firmware often has more advanced customization settings, including complex blinking scenarios that can be cut out in the global.
⚠️ Note: When flashing devices from the Chinese version to the global settings, special features are often reset and must be configured manually.
Understanding your firmware version helps you find a solution online faster. If you can't find a setting, search for "flash when you call Xiaomi HyperOS" or "MIUI 14" to get up-to-date screenshots and instructions.