Many smartphone users are faced with a situation where, when there is an incoming call, the device begins to blink intensively with the flash. This feature, known as flash on notifications, is useful for people with hearing loss or in noisy places where you might miss the sound of a ringtone. However, in the dark or at meetings, it becomes intrusive and annoying, attracting unnecessary attention.
Manufacturers of Androiddevices implement this functionality differently. In some firmware it is hidden deep in the special features menu, in others it is available directly in the call settings, and still others require the installation of third-party software. In this article, we will analyze in detail the action algorithms for the most popular shells and explain why sometimes the slider simply does not work.
Disabling this option will not only give you back peace of mind, but also will save battery power. Constant operation of the LED module in strobe mode consumes energy, although not as much as the screen, but during the day it matters. Let's move on to specific instructions.
Standard settings for Android and Google Phone
If you have a smartphone with “pure” Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) or you use a standard application Google Phone, the path to the settings will be the most logical. Google developers have included this feature in the assistive tools section because it is considered an accessibility feature.
You need to open the application Phone and find the three dots in the upper right corner. After clicking, select item Settings. In the menu that opens, look for the section Special. capabilities. This is where the switch responsible for visual signals is hidden.
Please note that in some firmware versions this item may be called differently, for example, “Visual notifications”. If you don't find it in the dialer application, try repeating the search in the general system settings. Follow the path Settings → Accessibility → Listening (or “Rumor”). There should be a toggle switch Flash on notification.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with pure Android, this function can be tied only to the alarm clock and timer, ignoring incoming calls. In this case, you will need a third-party solution.
Disable the flash on Samsung smartphones (One UI)
Shell One UI from the company Samsung has its own unique menu structure. Here, accessibility settings are placed in a separate large section, which simplifies the search for people with disabilities, but can confuse the average user.
Go to general Settings devices and scroll down to the item Accessibility. Inside this section, find the subsection Advanced settings. This is where the switch Flashis located. Activate it to see additional options, or disable it completely.
Interestingly, new versions of One UI now have the option fine tuning. You can choose whether the flash will work only for incoming calls or also for notifications from instant messengers. This allows you to flexibly configure the behavior of the device to suit your needs without completely disabling the function.
If you are the owner of the flagship series Galaxy S or Note, also check the settings of the dialer itself. Sometimes a duplicate switch is located in the menu Phone → Three dots → Settings → Flash on call. Having two switches can be confusing: if one is on and the other is off, the phone's behavior can be unpredictable.
☑️ Checking Samsung settings
Settings in MIUI and HyperOS shells (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
Device users Xiaomi often face the fact that standard paths do not work due to deep customization of the system MIUI or new HyperOS. In these firmwares, the flash function is often integrated directly into the “Phone” application, which is a system application and cannot be deleted.
Open the application Phone (green tube). Click on the icon with three bars or a gear to enter the menu. Select item Incoming call settings. In this list you will find the option Flash on call. Switch it to the inactive state.
It is worth noting that in some regions and firmware versions this item may not be available. Then you should turn to the system settings. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility → Hearing tab. Here is the global switch Flash on notifications.
Owners of budget models Redmi i POCO You should know one feature: on cheap devices without a full-fledged LED flashlight, the system uses the screen to simulate a flash. This causes the screen to suddenly turn white when making a call. Disabling this function is done in the same way, but the battery saving in this case will be more noticeable.
Why is the setting reset after the update?
Sometimes after a major update to the MIUI firmware, accessibility settings are reset to factory settings. This is done to ensure that users with disabilities do not lose important functions after the update. Just check the settings again.
Specifics of Honor and Huawei devices (EMUI/MagicOS)
Smartphones of brands Honor and Huawei use shells EMUI and MagicOS, which have similar menu construction logic, but different item names. Here the function is also categorized as helping people with disabilities.
The algorithm of actions is as follows: go to Settings, find the section Accessibility. Inside, select a category Hearing. You will see the item Flash on notifications. Disable it to stop the flashlight from flashing during calls.
On some older models with shell EMUI the path may differ. Try logging into the application Phone → Settings → Flash on call. If there is nothing there, then the control is placed exclusively in the system accessibility section.
It is important to understand the difference between flash on call and flash on alarm. In the Honor/Huawei accessibility menu, these functions may be combined into one switch, but in new versions of MagicOS they are separated. Carefully read the captions under the toggle switches so as not to disable the visual alarm signal if you need it.
| Brand / Shell | Path in the dialer menu | Path in system settings | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung (One UI) | No (usually) | Special. capabilities → Advanced | There is a setting for notifications |
| Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) | Phone → Incoming settings | Advanced → Hearing | Frequent confusion between menus |
| Pixel (Stock Android) | Phone → Settings → Special. possible | Special. capabilities → Hearing | May not work for calls |
| Honor (MagicOS) | Phone → Settings | Special. capabilities → Hearing | Separation of call and alarm |
Using third-party applications to control the flash
What to do if your phone’s settings do not have the required switch, or it does not work correctly? Applications from the store Google Playcome to the rescue. There are many utilities that intercept the event of an incoming call and control the flashlight programmatically.
One of the popular solutions is the application Flash Alert or its analogues. After installation, you will need to give the application permission to use the camera (flashlight) and access to the call list. This is necessary so that the app understands exactly when to blink.
The advantage of third-party applications is the flexibility of settings. You can set: Blinking mode (frequency and duration of flashes). data-i="154">🌙 Schedule (works only at night or during the day).
- 📱 Flashing mode (frequency and duration of flashes).
- 🔋 Economy mode (shutdown when battery is low).
- 📞 Select contacts (flashing only for important subscribers).
- 🌙 Schedule (works only at night or during the day).
However, this approach also has disadvantages. A third-party application runs in the background and consumes RAM. In addition, aggressive energy saving systems (especially on Xiaomi i Huawei) can “kill” the application process, which is why the flash will not fire at the right time. You will need to add the application to the battery exceptions.
If you are using a third-party application, be sure to lock it in memory (lock in the recent applications menu) so that the system does not close it when clearing the RAM.
Why the setting is not saved or does not work
Sometimes users complain that they turned off the flash, but On the next call it lights up again. This may be due to several factors. First, check whether you have Do Not Disturb mode or profiles with special notification settings enabled. In some cases, the “Meeting” or “Night” profile may have its own priorities.
Secondly, the problem may lie in an application conflict. If you have several apps installed for calling or managing notifications (for example, Truecaller, various callers), they may overlap system settings. Try temporarily disabling third-party dialers and test the function on a standard application.
The third option is a bug in the firmware itself. In rare cases, after an Android update, accessibility settings crash or do not work correctly. In such a situation, resetting accessibility settings helps. Go to the menu Special. capabilities, find the gear or menu icon at the top and select Reset settings. This will return all accessibility settings to factory defaults, after which you can configure them again.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the specific phone model. If you do not find the exact name of the item, look for synonyms: “Blinking”, “Light signal”, “LED indicator”.
If the system setting does not work, the problem most often lies in a conflict with third-party applications or a firmware bug that requires resetting accessibility settings.
The impact of flash on health and battery
The constant use of a flash when making a call is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also the technical condition of the device. The LED module of the flashlight is designed for operation in pulse mode (photo/video), but not for long-term stroboscopic operation for a minute or more.
During a long conversation with the flash on, the module can heat up significantly. This creates additional load on the power controller and the battery itself. Although modern LEDs are quite reliable, regular overheating can shorten their service life, which will lead to loss of brightness of the flashlight in the future.
In addition, for people with photosensitive epilepsy or simply highly sensitive eyes, bright flashes in the dark can be dangerous. They cause discomfort, headaches and temporary blindness. If you use your phone in bed before going to bed, disabling this function is a must to preserve the quality of your sleep.
The table below shows approximate data on energy consumption when actively using the flash:
| Operating mode | Current consumption | Impact on heating | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photography (flash) | High (short-term) | Minimum | Safe |
| Flashlight (constant) | Average | Average | Up to 30 min |
| Ring (flashing) | Low/Medium | Local heating | It is advisable to disable it |
Is it possible to disable the flash only for certain contacts?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools. Flash on Notifications works globally for all calls. To implement selective blinking, you will have to use third-party applications like Flash Alert, where you can configure a white list of contacts.
Why does the screen blink instead of a flashlight?
Budget smartphones often lack a separate notification LED or a powerful flashlight. In such cases, the system uses the display to flash white. This function is disabled in the same accessibility menu.
Does turning off the flash affect the ringer volume?
No, these are completely independent parameters. Turning off the visual signal does not change the audio stream in any way. The volume is adjusted separately using buttons on the case or in the sound settings.
What should you do if, after turning off, the flash still blinks?
Check the installed applications. Some cleaners, antiviruses or call managers may have their own notification settings that override the system ones. Also try rebooting the device.
Is there a difference between Android 10, 11, 12 and newer in these settings?
There is no fundamental difference, only the menu location changes. In new versions of Android, Google seeks to unify the accessibility menu, making it more accessible from the main settings screen.