Many smartphone users strive for maximum customization of their device, turning a standard gadget into a unique tool to suit their needs. One of the most requested features is light indication incoming calls and messages, which is especially useful in noisy rooms or for people with hearing impairments. Owners of brand devices Honor often wonder how to activate this option, since the location of the settings may vary depending on the version of the shell Magic UI or EMUI.
Unlike some other manufacturers, the company Huawei and its sister brands sometimes hide this feature in non-obvious menu sections or only offer it through special accessibility modes. Understanding the logic of the system will allow you to quickly find the desired switch and configure visual alerts without installing third-party software. In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible ways to activate the flash, from standard settings to emergency modes.
It is worth noting that the efficiency of the LED directly depends on the charging state of the device and current energy-saving profiles. If your phone is running in severe power saving mode, the system may disable the flash to extend battery life. Therefore, before setting up, make sure that you have disabled aggressive power saving modes that may conflict with light signaling.
Standard system settings and accessibility section
The first and most logical step is to check the basic system settings, where the manufacturer usually places functions related to interface management and accessibility. In most modern models Honor with a shell Magic UI the path to this function lies through the "Special Features" section. You need to open the main settings menu and find the item responsible for simplifying interaction with the device.
Having entered the menu Accessibility features, pay attention to the subsection “Improving visibility” or “Hearing”. This is where the switch that activates the camera flashing when there is an incoming call is often hidden. The interface may differ slightly on different models, such as Honor 90 or older series Honor X, but the logic remains the same: the system groups functions to help users with disabilities in one place.
If you do not find the item you need in the accessibility section, try using the built-in search by settings. To do this, there is a magnifying glass at the top of the settings screen where you can enter the request “flash” or “blinking”. The system will automatically highlight the desired section, which will save time on manual search through deep menus. This is especially true if the manufacturer has changed the menu structure in the latest firmware update firmware.
Sometimes the function is called “Flash on notifications” and is activated by a separate toggle switch. After turning on, the system will prompt you to test the operation: the screen or LED will begin to flash, confirming successful activation. Make sure you give permission to use the camera for system notifications if prompted.
Setting through the calls and contacts menu
An alternative way to control the light indication can be located directly in the "Phone" application. Some versions of the software allow you to customize the flash behavior individually for contacts or globally for all incoming calls. Open the application Phone and click on the three dots in the upper right corner to open the drop-down menu.
In the list that opens, select "Settings". Here you will find the "Incoming Calls" section, where there may be options related to visual call accompaniment. If the manufacturer has integrated this function into the dialer menu, then the “Flash on call” switch will be located right here, next to the call recording or caller ID settings.
It is important to understand the difference between global settings and individual settings. The global setting makes the flash go off for any call, while the individual setting allows you to assign flashing to a specific person from the phone book. To set up an individual signal, open the contact card, click on the edit button or three dots and find the "Ringtone" or "Vibrate" field.
⚠️ Attention: On some Honor models, the individual light indication function for contacts may not be available due to limitations in the Android version or regional firmware.
If the call menu does not have the necessary options, this is not means that the function is completely missing. Manufacturers often transfer such settings to general system settings so as not to overload the Phone application interface. In this case, returning to the "Accessibility" section is the only correct solution to activate light alert.
☑️ Checking call settings
Using SOS mode and emergency alerts
A unique feature of smartphones Honor i Huawei is the presence of a powerful SOS mode, which also uses flash to attract attention. Although this feature is intended for emergency situations, the LED mechanism is similar to that used for regular calls. This mode is activated by quickly pressing the power button five times in a row.
In the SOS mode settings, which are located in the section Security and emergencies, you can enable the "SOS flash signal" option. When this mode is activated, the phone starts flashing its flashlight quickly and emitting a beep. This is useful to know, as it confirms the serviceability of the hardware part of the LED. If the flash works in SOS mode, but not when making a call, the problem is purely software.
Some users use this mode as a temporary solution, but this is not recommended for permanent use, since it is intended for critical situations. However, checking the LED operation via SOS is an excellent diagnostic method. If the flash does not fire here either, the physical camera module or LED may be damaged.
In the latest versions Magic UI SOS settings have been moved to a separate large block in the security menu. Make sure you have access to these settings as they may require you to confirm your screen unlock password. This is done to prevent accidental activation of emergency functions by children or in a pocket.
How does SOS diagnostics work?
If you activate the SOS mode and the flash starts blinking, this means that the physical LED is working and the camera drivers are working correctly. The problem in this case lies in the notification settings or a software conflict. If the flash does not blink even in SOS mode, a hardware malfunction is likely.
Third-party applications for customizing notifications
When the built-in system tools do not provide the desired functionality or are unstable, applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. There are many utilities created specifically to control the flash for calls and notifications. They often offer more flexible settings than the standard menu Honor.
- 📱 Flash Alert —one of the most popular applications that allows you to configure blinking not only during calls, but also when receiving SMS, messages from instant messengers, and even when the battery is low.
- 💡 Call Flashlight —a utility with a minimalistic interface that focuses exclusively on calls and allows you to select flashing modes (constant light, strobe, smooth fading).
- 🔔 Notification Flash - an application that allows you to assign different blinking colors (if the device supports RGB) or different patterns for different contacts.
When installing such applications, it is important to carefully monitor the requested permissions. To function, they need access to the camera, phone, and notifications. Without granting these rights, the app will not be able to track the incoming call and activate the LED. In your phone settings, you may need to manually grant all the necessary permissions in the "Applications" section.
It is worth considering that third-party applications consume more power than the system function. They work in the background, constantly polling the system for new events. This can drain your battery faster, especially if you have many notification filters set up. Use such solutions only if standard methods are not suitable.
Before installing a third-party application, check its rating and reviews: many free utilities are overloaded with advertising that may pop up at the most inopportune moment, for example, during an important conversation.
Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting
Even after correct settings, users may encounter a situation where the flash does not fire. There may be several reasons: from a banal software failure to a conflict with other applications. The first step is to perform a simple reboot of the device. This action clears the RAM and restarts all system services responsible for processing calls.
If rebooting does not help, check whether the Do Not Disturb or Silent mode is activated. In some system configurations, the visual indication is tied to the sound profile: if the sound is muted, the lights may not turn on. Also make sure that the case on the phone does not block the LED or the main camera if it is used as a light source.
The table below shows the main reasons for flash failure and how to fix them:
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The flash does not blink | Power saving mode | Disable the "Ultra-saving" mode in the battery settings |
| Only the screen blinks | Setting "Screen flash" | Switch to "Camera flash" in accessibility settings |
| Works with a delay | System overload | Clear the cache of the "Phone" application and restart the smartphone |
| Does not work in specific applications | Lack of access rights | Give permission for notifications in the application settings |
Particular attention should be paid to clearing the cache. Accumulated temporary files can cause conflicts in the operation of system services. Go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage and click the "Clear cache" button. This is a safe operation that will not delete your contacts or call history, but can solve the problem with functions not working correctly.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may change after major system updates. If you do not find the described items, check the current menu location in the help of your device or on the official support website.
The influence of the firmware version and device model
The functionality of the flash on a call directly depends on what version of the operating system and shell is installed on your Honor. Devices running older versions may have a different configuration algorithm compared to new models running data-i="121">and services. In addition, the presence of Google services sometimes changes the logic of notifications. EMUI, may have a different adjustment algorithm compared to new models based on Magic UI and services Google. In addition, the presence of Google services sometimes changes the logic of notifications.
On flagship models, such as the Honor Magicseries, more advanced light processing algorithms are often used, which can take into account the lighting in the room. The light sensor may block the flash if you are in a brightly lit room, deeming the light notification to be redundant. In budget models, this logic may be absent, and the flash will always fire.
Regional features of the firmware also play a role. China, Europe and Russia versions may have different pre-installed features due to local regulations or user preferences. If you purchased a device imported from another region, some menu items may be missing or named differently.
The main reason for the lack of a function is differences in firmware versions and regional settings of the device, so there is no universal instruction for all models.
For the most accurate information about the capabilities of your specific model, it is recommended to visit the official support section. Guides adapted for specific modifications of hardware and software are published there. This will eliminate the need to guess whether the lack of a function is a bug or a feature of this software version.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the flash blink only once and not constantly?
This behavior is usually set by default system settings to save battery power. In some versions Magic UI the number of blinks is limited. Check the settings in the "Accessibility" section, there may be an option for the duration of the signal. This may also be a feature of the operation of a specific optimizer application.
Is it possible to configure different flash colors for different contacts?
It is impossible to change the flash color (if it is a monochrome LED) using standard Android and shell tools. Honor . However, some third-party applications from Google Play allow you to emulate different colors due to the frequency of blinking or using the screen in combination with the flash, if the display supports Always On Display.
Does the turned on flash affect the quality of the photo during a call?
No, these processes are separate. Call flash uses LED in alarm mode, not in photo mode. However, if you decide to answer a video call, a running background alarm could theoretically put additional load on the power controller, but this will not affect the image quality.
Will the flash work if the phone is face down?
Yes, in most cases the proximity sensor or accelerometer will not block the light indication when the phone is upside down. On the contrary, in this position the flash is most noticeable. However, some cases with a thick back cover can block the light, making the signal invisible.
Does this feature eat up a lot of battery?
Modern LEDs are very energy efficient. Brief blinking during an incoming call consumes a negligible amount of energy, which has virtually no effect on the overall battery life of the smartphone. You should only worry if you use the constant light mode of the flashlight.