Flash when calling Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure in 5 minutes

Are you missing important calls because you can’t hear the signal in a noisy room? Or just want your Xiaomi to catch your attention not only with sound, but also with a bright flash? Call light display is one of the most useful but often hidden features of smartphones on MIUI. Despite the fact that the option is available on most models (from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14), many users are not even aware of its existence.

In this article, you will find 3 working ways to enable flash when an incoming call is made, from standard settings to hidden firmware chips. We will break down the nuances for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), explain why the feature may not work on some devices, and give a checklist to check all parameters. And if you happen to see the flash flash flash flash flash flash flashing too weak or not working at all, at the end of the article there is a section with solutions to typical problems.

Why a flash on a call is useful (and who really needs it)

At first glance, light signaling may seem superfluous, but in practice, it solves a few real problems:

• 🔊 Noisy places: in clubs, concerts or construction, the sound of the bell is lost in the general range - and a bright flash is visible even through the cover.
• 👂 Hearing problems: For people with hearing loss or those who often listen to music with headphones, a visual signal becomes the main way to keep an important call from being missed.
• 📵 Silent mode: If you keep your phone in Do Not Disturb mode, but still want to receive call notifications from your favorite contacts, flash is the perfect compromise.
• 🚗 Driving: When the phone is lying on a torpedo, flashing lights attract attention faster than vibration or sound.

Interesting fact: on some Xiaomi models (like the POCO F5 or Redmi K60), flash can flash in different colors depending on the type of notification, for example, white light is a regular call, blue is a message on Telegram, green is a notification from WhatsApp, this feature is called Ambient Display 2.0 and requires a separate setup.

⚠️ Attention: Frequent use of flash as an indicator reduces its life. If you notice that the LED has become dimmer or flashes with delays, check it for overheating (touch the camera area after prolonged use).

Method 1: Standard settings through the menu "Special features"

The most reliable and versatile method is activation through system settings. It works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including budget Redmi and flagship Mi. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 firmware and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Features section (in some versions it may be called Additional Features).
3. Select Hearing → Notification flash (or Light Indication).
4. Activate the flash switch when you call.
5. Optionally: Turn on Flash at notifications if you want the LED to respond to SMS/messengers.

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13T), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → System → Advanced settings → Special features → Flash notifications

Important: If you don't have a Notification Flash on your menu, it doesn't mean that the feature isn't there. It may be hidden in another section - check Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Vibration and Light Indication.

Check that the flash is running in photo/video mode

Update the firmware to the latest version

Make sure the cover does not block the LED.

Turn off power saving modes (they may limit the operation of the flash)-->

Method 2: Hidden MIUI settings (for advanced users)

If the standard method didn’t work, try activating the feature via the engineering menu or hidden MIUI settings.This method is suitable for devices where the manufacturer has disabled the option in the main settings (often found on POCO and Redmi for the European market).

First, check if the engineering menu is available on your phone:

##4636##

If you have a service menu after you type this code, go to the steps below. If not, use an alternative method with ADB (described in the next section).

1. Open the engineering menu with code ##4636##.
2. Go to the Hardware Testing (or Hardware Testing) tab.
3. Select Flashlight (flash).
4. Enable the Flash on call option (if it is on the list).
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), the path may look like this:

Engineering menu → MTK Settings → Hardware → Flashlight → Enable flash on call

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the phone. If after activation of the flash when the call has problems with the camera or sensors, reset the settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the network settings.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for technically savvy teams)

If the first two methods didn't work, the last option is manual activation through ADB, which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it works on even the most "cut" firmware.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download it as part of Google’s Platform Tools).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list – continue.
4. Execute the command to activate the flash when calling: adb shell settings put global flash_notification_enabled 1
5. Reboot the phone.

If the function did not work after the reboot, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put system flash_notification_enabled 1

Note: Some devices (such as the Redmi Note 12) may require an additional command to unlock the restrictions:

adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Yeah, through standard settings.

Yes, but it didn’t work out – there is no function.

No, I just found out about it now.

I use third-party apps for this.-->

Compatibility table: on which models Xiaomi runs flash when calling

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support this feature out of the box. Below is a compatibility table for popular models. If your device isn't on the list, try the methods from the previous sections (especially ADB).

Important: On devices with a Snapdragon 4xx processor (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO C40), the function may not work stable due to hardware limitations, in which case it is recommended to use third-party applications.

What to do if the outbreak does not work: 5 ways to solve problems

You've turned on the function, but the flash still doesn't flash when you call? Here are the most common reasons and solutions.

• 🔋 Energy saving: Ultra-economic or battery modes in the settings can block the flash. → Battery → Power regimens.
• 📱 Cover or film: Check if the case covers the flash area. Even semi-transparent silicone covers can scatter light.
• 🔄 Application conflict: Some camera programs (such as GCam) can "capture" control of the flash. Close them through Settings → Annexes → Launched.
• 🔧 Resetting: If the feature stopped working after the update, reset the Special Opportunities settings via Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the settings of special opportunities.
• 🛠️ LED damage: If the flash doesn't work even in camera mode, the hardware is a problem. Check it through the engineering menu (#4636## → Hardware testing → Flashlight).

If none of these methods worked, try alternative applications:

• Flash Alerts 2 supports color and flash frequency settings.
• Flash Notification 2 works even on older versions of Android.
• Light Flow – allows you to assign different flash colors to different contacts.

⚠️ Warning: Flash control applications require permission Special access and can drain the battery faster. Check reviews in the Play Market before installation - some programs contain ads that interfere with the work.

💡

If the flash flash flashes too lightly, try cleaning the surface of the dust and grease with an alcohol napkin. On some Xiaomi models, the LED is coated with a protective layer that will dim over time.

How to set up a flash to your needs: extended chips

The standard setting includes a flash on all incoming calls, but what if you want to:

• 🎨 Change the color of the flashing (on supported models).
• 🔕 Disable flash for certain contacts.
• ⏱️ Set up the duration and interval of blinking.
• 📵 Activate the flash only in silent mode.

This will require additional tools:

1. Customization via Light Flow (for power users)

The Light Flow app allows you to flexibly control the light indication:

1. Install Light Flow from Play Market.
2. Provide all the permissions requested (including Special Access).
3. In the app menu, select Notifications → Calls.
4. Adjust the color, frequency and duration of the blinking.
5. Save the profile.

2. Using Tasker for Automation

With Tasker, you can create a rule where the flash will only work:

• At certain times of the day.
• For calls from selected contacts.
• When the phone is down.

Example of Tasker's task:

Profile: Incoming call → Status → Phone → Incoming call


Task:




1. Flash → On (color: white, duration: 500ms)




2. pause → 500ms




3. Go to step 1 (repeat 10 times)

3. Hidden MIUI settings for color indication

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F4 GT) You can activate the color backlight of the screen instead of flashing:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Ambient Display
2. Turn on Color Notifications.
3. Select Calls in the list of applications.
4. Assign a color (e.g. red for important contacts, green for others).

💡

On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), the path to flash settings may be different. If you don't find an option, use the settings search (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the flash when calling Xiaomi