Flashlight when calling Xiaomi: how to turn off annoying backlights forever

Have you ever been in the awkward situation of a flashlight on Xiaomi suddenly flashing on an important call, blinding you or others? This feature, designed to notify you of an incoming call, often becomes a source of irritation — especially at night or in dark rooms. The problem is compounded by the fact that the manufacturer does not always provide an obvious way to turn it off.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can deactivate your flashlight when you call, from standard MIUI settings to hidden menu options, why it can spontaneously turn on after updates, how it works on different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), and what to do if the usual methods don’t work, and how to return the backlight if it suddenly disappears.

Why does the flashlight light up when you call Xiaomi?

The flashlight activation feature for incoming calls was introduced in MIUI 12 as part of the notification system, originally designed to:

• 🔦 Visual alerts – not to miss a call in a noisy place or in silent mode.
• 📱 Comfort in the dark – backlighting helps you quickly find your phone on a desk or in your bag.
• 🚨 Emergency situations – a bright flash can attract attention (for example, if the phone is lying down the screen).

However, in practice, many users experience an uncontrolled flashlight even when the function is disabled in the settings.

• 🔄 Automatic updates MIUI, which reset user settings.
• 📲 Third-party application conflicts (such as Truecaller or Google Phone).
• 🔧 Firmware errors on some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in system settings, but the path to these may vary depending on the MIUI version and the smartphone model.

For MIUI 13/14 (relevant to Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and later):

1. Open the Settings. → Sounds and vibrations.
2. Go to Incoming Calls.
3. Find the flashlight option when calling in and turn off the slider.

For MIUI 12.5 and older (POCO X4, Redmi 10):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone.
2. Select Incoming Notices.
3. Deactivate the flash setting when calling.

Make sure you have the latest version. MIUI|Check if third-party calling apps are installed|Reboot your phone after the changes|Try calling from another test device-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global for the European market, the option can be called Flash notification or Call flash. If it is not on the menu, go to the next method.

Method 2: Use of the Engineering Menu (for experienced)

If the standard settings don't work, you can try turning off the function through the engineering menu, which requires caution, as incorrect changes can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##3646633##.
2. Go to the Hardware Testing → Lights section.
3. Find options related to Flashlight or Torch.
4. Turn off the Flash on call or Torch during call options (if any).

Some models (Redmi Note 11, POCO F4) may have different paths. If you don't find the right partition, try the alternative code:

#4636## → Battery information → Menu (three dots) → Hardware test

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose! This can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the camera / sensors.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option remains, requiring the phone to be connected to a computer, but guaranteed to turn off the flashlight at the system level.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to your PC, install ADB drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell settings put global flashlight_on_call 0

To check the current state of the parameter, use:

adb shell settings get global flashlight_on_call

If the command returns 1, the function is active, 0 is disabled.

💡

Once you have completed the ADB-command, restart your phone. If the flashlight lights up again, repeat the procedure and add settings put global. flashlight_notification_disabled 1.

Method 4: Reset the settings of the Phone application

Sometimes the problem is that the standard call app is failing, and then you can reset it to the factory settings.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone (or dialer) app.
3. Open Warehouse → Clear the data and Reset the settings.

After discharge:

• ✅ Check if the option to turn off the flashlight appeared in the call settings.
• ⚠️ Restore important contacts from backup (if any).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete the call history and user settings of the Phone app. If you use Google Contacts, the data is synced automatically after re-entering.

Method 5: Third-party applications for flashlight control

If none of the system methods worked, you can use third-party utilities that allow you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the flashlight, including turning it off when you call.

When using third-party applications:

• 🔒 Check permissions (access to notifications, camera, microphone).
• 📱 Test in Safe Mode to Avoid Conflicts.
• 🔄 Update apps regularly – some stop working after updates MIUI.

💡

Third-party applications may conflict with system settings. If the flashlight starts to light up more often after installation, delete the program and reset the settings.

What to do if the flashlight does not turn off

If all methods have been tried, but the flashlight still lights up, the problem may lie deeper:

• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings is a last resort, but often helps!
• 📲 Fastboot flashing – if the failure is caused by damage to system files. Use the official firmware from Xiaomi website.
• 🛠️ Contacting the service center - if the problem is hardware (for example, closing the contacts of the flashlight).

Before taking radical measures, check:

• 🔋 Is the battery not discharged - at low charge (<15%) MIUI You may be able to ignore some of the settings.
• 🔄 Are there any beta versions installed? MIUI — They often contain bugs.
• 📡 Are there any interference from magnet covers - they can affect sensors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about flashlights when calling