Owners of branded smartphones Xiaomi, including sub-brands Redmi and POCO, are often interested in the possibility of using the flash as a visual signal. This feature is especially useful in noisy environments, loud music, or for users with hearing impairments. The flash attracts attention instantly and does not allow you to miss an important incoming call.
However, the interface of the shell MIUI and the new HyperOS has its own characteristics. The default Sound and Vibration setting in Android often hides additional options that can only be found in dedicated menus or through accessibility settings. In this material, we will analyze in detail all possible ways to activate blinking, including hidden engineering menus and third-party utilities.
It is worth considering that in the latest firmware versions, manufacturers can move menu items or change the logic of equipment operation to save battery power. Therefore, if you do not find the desired option in the usual place, do not rush to get upset - the solution may be in the section for people with disabilities or require installation of a system plugin.
Normal setting through the accessibility menu
The most reliable and official way to make the camera blink when making a call on any device running Android is to use the accessibility section. On smartphones Xiaomi this path is a priority, as it guarantees stable operation without the need to obtain root access.
First, you need to go to the main system settings. Find the item Additional settings and scroll down the list. Here you will see a section Special features. It is in this menu that the tools that change the behavior of the phone’s hardware components are concentrated.
Inside the section, find the tab Hearing. This is where the switch responsible for visual notifications is hidden. Activate the option Flash flashing. After turning on, the system will prompt you to select an operating mode: only for notifications, only for calls, or for both events at the same time.
Please note that on some models, for example Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3, this The toggle may be called "Notification LED" or "Notification Flash." The operating logic remains the same: the system turns on the main LED when a signal arrives.
☑️ Checking accessibility settings
Using Google's Calls app
Many modern models Xiaomi come with a pre-installed set of applications Googleincluding a standard phone. Unlike the proprietary MIUI dialer, Google's application has a built-in visual notification function that is easy to activate.
Open the application Phone and click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen. In the drop-down menu, select Settings. Next, find the section Call notifications. There will be a switch here Flash on call.
This method is convenient because it works regardless of the system accessibility settings. However, there is a caveat: the function only works when this particular dialing is active. If you are using third-party dialers, this setting may be ignored.
It is also worth noting that certain permissions may be required for this feature to work correctly. Make sure the Phone app is allowed to use the camera and flash in the background. This can be checked in the menu Applications → Manage applications → Phone → Permissions.
If the switch in the dialer settings is inactive (gray), try clearing the cache of the "Phone" application through the app management menu and reboot the device.
Features of working in the shell HyperOS
With the release of the new operating system HyperOS, which replaces MIUI 14, the menu structure has undergone changes. Users of flagship models such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70may find that the usual paths no longer work.
In HyperOS, the peripheral management logic has become more stringent in order to save power. Now the flash function is often tied to the profile Do Not Disturb** or scenario modes. Check your profile settings: sometimes the visual signal is turned on only when the sound is completely muted.
In addition, the new shell has the “Smart Notifications” function. She analyzes the position of the phone. When the device is placed face down on a table, the flash may fire brighter to attract attention through an opaque surface.
⚠️ Note: In HyperOS 1.0 and later, flash algorithms may change with each security update. If the function disappeared after the update, check the presence of the switch in the “Battery and Performance” section.
The interface of new versions also allows you to customize blinking patterns. You can choose whether the flash will remain on continuously during beeps or flash at specific intervals. This is done through advanced accessibility settings.
Third-party applications for advanced settings
If standard methods do not give the desired result or you want to set up complex scenarios (for example, blinking in different colors for different contacts), applications from Google Playwill come to the rescue. There are many utilities that intercept the call event.
A popular solution is the application Flash Alerts or its analogues. These apps run on top of the system and have their own LED control drivers. They often require permission to access the call log and camera.
When installing such software, it is important to carefully read the permission requests. Some applications may require access to contacts or location, which is not necessary for the flash to work. Choose only proven utilities with a high rating.
- 📱 Flash Alert —a classic application with a minimalistic interface and low resource consumption.
- 🔔 Call Flashlight —allows you to configure different blinking modes for incoming calls and SMS.
- 💡 LED Blinker Notifications —advanced pattern settings, support for different LEDs (if any).
Using third-party software has one significant drawback: such applications run in the background and can slightly increase battery consumption. It is recommended to configure the auto-start of such apps with a delay or disable them at night.
Why may third-party applications not work?
Some versions of MIUI aggressively “kill” background processes to save energy. You need to go to the application settings, select “Activity control” and check the “No restrictions” box.
Function compatibility table on different models
Not all smartphones Xiaomi equally support the flash function when making a call. The presence of the physical LED, its location and software support depend on the specific model and year of manufacture of the device.
The table below shows data on the availability of the function on popular device lines. Please note that the presence of a hardware LED does not always guarantee that the function will work without third-party software.
| Device series | Presence of LED | Native setting | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi (8, 9, 10) | Yes (flash) | Available | Main flash is used |
| Redmi Note (8, 9, 10, 11) | Yes (flash) | Available | Possible activation delay |
| POCO (X2, X3, F3) | Yes (flash) | Via accessibility | Requires inclusion in the hearing menu |
| Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra | No separate | Limited | Uses a powerful flash cameras |
As can be seen from the table, in most cases the function works correctly. Problems may arise on devices where the manufacturer has decided to abandon a separate notification indicator, transferring this function to the Always On Display screen.
On models without a separate notification LED, the system uses the main camera flash, which consumes more power, but provides better visibility.
Problem solving and troubleshooting
There are situations when all the settings are made correctly, but the flash does not fire when making a call. Most often, the reason lies in an application conflict or a malfunction of the system process responsible for notifications. Xiaomi doesn't work. Most often, the reason lies in an application conflict or a malfunction of the system process responsible for notifications.
First of all, check if the mode is enabled “Energy saving”. In this mode, the system disables all non-essential functions, including visual cues, to extend battery life. Disable the mode and check the function again.
You should also make sure that there are no “cleaner” applications or antiviruses installed on your phone that block access to the camera in the background. Try disabling them temporarily and making a test call.
If all else fails, reset accessibility settings. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility, find the menu (three dots) and select “Reset settings”. This will return all accessibility settings to factory defaults.
⚠️ Note: Resetting accessibility settings will not delete your personal data, but will disable all enabled features for people with disabilities. You will have to manually configure them again.
In rare cases, the problem may be hardware. If the flash does not work even when taking a photo or in flashlight mode, the LED module may have failed. In such a situation, you will need to contact a service center.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does blinking the flash affect the life of the LED?
Modern LEDs are designed to last tens of thousands of hours of operation. Periodic blinking during calls will not have a significant impact on their resource. However, frequent use of the flash in flashlight mode can lead to its overheating and degradation of the crystal over time.
Why does the flash blink, but the screen does not light up?
This is normal behavior if the "Wake up on notification" option is disabled in the settings Lock screen or if the phone is in your pocket (proximity sensor locks the screen, but allows the LED to work).
Is it possible to set blinking only for certain contacts?
This is difficult to do using standard Android tools. To implement this function, it is better to use third-party applications from Google Play, which allow you to create notification profiles for specific numbers from the phone book.
Will the flash blink if the phone is turned off?
No, any electronics, including the LED, require power from the processor and operating system. When turned off, the phone cannot respond to incoming network signals.
How to turn off blinking if it is annoying?
Go back to the menu Settings → Additional settings → Accessibility → Hearing and turn off the switch Flash flashing. Or go to the settings of the “Phone” application and uncheck the corresponding item.