Flash when calling Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure the light indication

The flash of light when calling on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that helps you not miss an important call in noisy environments or when the phone is down, especially for users with hearing impairments or in situations where the sound is turned off due to etiquette (for example, in meetings). However, many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices face the problem of where to look for this setting in MIUI, why it may not be on the menu and how to activate it on different versions of the firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to turn on a flash when you call, from standard settings to hidden methods through the engineering menu. You’ll learn which Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box, how to get around the restrictions on budget devices and what to do if the option is lost after the update, and we’ll look at alternative solutions using third-party applications and give recommendations for optimizing the LED.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a flash when calling: possible reasons

Before you try to turn on a light indication, it is important to understand why it may not be present in your device.

• 📱 Smartphone model: Budget devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) Often lacking a separate LED notification, and the camera does not support software-based flash management during calls.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In the firmware older MIUI 12 option could be called differently or be in another section of the menu. MIUI 14+ The path to adjustment has changed.
• 🔧 Regional restrictions: On some devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM) The function is disabled by default and requires manual activation through the engineering menu.
• 🛠️ Hardware restrictions: Damage to the LED or flash controller (for example, after a phone falls) can make the feature unavailable.

If your Xiaomi doesn’t blink when calling, first check if it has the physical ability to do so. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi 11T models have a stable flash, but the POCO M3 may require additional tuning.

Standard way to turn on flash when calling MIUI

On most modern Xiaomi devices (starting with MIUI 12 and later), the function is enabled through standard settings.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Notifications and Status bar (some devices may call Notifications).
3. Select Light Effects or Notification Indicator.
4. Activate the Flash switch when you call (may be called Flash Flash or Light Signal).
5. If necessary, adjust the Blinking Color (if available) and Frequency.

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi K50), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Sound and vibration → Flash when calling

The phone model supports function (there is a flash and an LED)

The device is charged by more than 20%

MIUI Updates are installed (check in Settings → About Phone)

Resetting was not performed (may reset flash settings)-->

Important: If the flash call option is not on the menu, it does not always mean that the function is not available. It may be hidden and requires activation through an engineering menu or ADB-Teams (we will talk about it later).

Alternative ways to include the outbreak

If the standard method didn't work, try one of these options, and they'll work for devices where the function is hidden or disabled by default.

Method 1: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

The engineering menu allows you to enable hidden Xiaomi features, including flash management.Be careful: incorrect settings can disrupt the phone.

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## (some devices may run ##4636##).
2. Select the Hardware Testing option → Lights.
3. Find options related to Flashlight or Notification LED.
4. Activate Flash on call or LED blink on incoming call settings.
5. Save the settings and restart the device.

Method 2: Apps from Google Play

If the hardware methods didn't work, use third-party utilities.

• 🔦 Flash Alerts 2 supports color, frequency and blinking duration settings, even on devices without LEDs (using a screen).
• 📱 Flash On Call – Simple interface, minimal resolutions, compatibility with the MIUI 13/14.
• 🔄 LED Blinker Notifications – Advanced settings for flash and LED, including customized profiles for contacts.

Check reviews before installing – some apps may conflict with MIUI Optimization (disable it in Settings → Special Features → MIUI Optimization).

Method 3: ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If you're familiar with ADB, you can turn on the flash through the command line. Connect your phone to your PC, activate Debugging over USB, and do:

adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global flash_notification_call 1

To turn off, replace 1 with 0. This method works on most devices with MIUI 11+, but may require root rights on older versions.

Setting up flash for individual contacts

In MIUI, you can assign unique notification signals to different contacts, including light indications.

1. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Scroll down to Sound and Vibration Notifications (or Individual Settings).
4. Turn on the Light signal option and select the color/blinking mode.
5. Save the changes.

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) is available advanced setting:

• 🎨 Color gamut: blue for work calls, red for personal calls.
• ⏱️ Duration: Short flashes for messages, long flashes for calls.
• 🔁 Repeat: number of blinks (e.g. 3 times for important contacts).

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If individual settings are not saved, clear the Contacts app cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you set it up properly, the flash may not work, so let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to run out quickly after the flash is activated, check if it stays on after the call is complete. This may indicate a malfunction of the proximity sensor or camera controller.

How to turn off flash when calling Xiaomi

If the light indication irritates or discharges the battery, it can be deactivated:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Lighting effects.
2. Turn off the flash switch when you call.
3. To completely disable, also deactivate the notification light signal.

If the option is not disabled through the menu, use it. ADB-team:

adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 0

On some devices (e.g., POCO F4), you may need to disable the feature separately to:

• 📞 Calls.
• 💬 Communications
• 🔔 Other notifications

Comparison of flash performance on different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally good at light display, and we tested several popular models:

Conclusion: Flagship models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K60) offer maximum flexibility of settings, while budget devices (Redmi A-series, POCO C-series) often lack this feature or require workarounds.

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On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the flash when calling is more stable thanks to an optimized camera controller.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the flash when calling Xiaomi