Many users smartphone users are faced with a situation where calls or important messages go unnoticed due to loud music, traffic noise, or simply because the phone is lying face down in a bag. In such cases, standard vibration is not effective enough, and sound notifications can be turned off in silent mode. The solution to this problem is the built-in function light indicationthat makes the flash camera blink with incoming calls and messages.
Fortunately, most modern devices based on the Android operating system support this option at the system level or through special applications. However, the location of the settings can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and firmware version. Below we will examine in detail all the possible methods for activating this useful feature for various phone models.
Standard Android system settings
Starting with Android 10, the flash function for notifications has been integrated directly into the accessibility settings. This means that owners of devices with a clean system or shells close to stock do not need to look for hidden menus. To activate, just go to the section Settings → Accessibility → Hearing → Flash on notifications. Here you can enable the option for both calls and messages.
In some cases, the path to the settings may differ. If you don’t find the “Hearing” item, try looking for it in the Settings → System → Accessibilitysection. The interface may vary, but the essence remains the same: the system suggests using a visual signal for people with hearing impairments, which is successfully used by all other users to increase the visibility of notifications.
Important to considerthat on devices with outdated versions of Android (below 9.0) this option may not be available in the standard menu. In such a situation, you will have to resort to third-party solutions or check the presence of this function in the manufacturer’s proprietary settings, which often duplicate system capabilities, but hide them in other sections.
⚠️ Attention: On some models of the budget segment, the flash may not fire when the screen is locked due to energy saving limitations. If the feature is enabled but does not work, check your battery settings.
If the standard setting does not activate the flash for all applications, try restarting the device after enabling the option - this will update the system notification services.
Setting up flash on Samsung smartphones
Samsung implements this feature through its own One UI interface, which is slightly different from stock Android. Owners of Galaxy smartphones need to go to Settings → Accessibility → Advanced settings → Notification flash. There is a switch here that activates the camera flashing during calls and messages.
A feature of the Samsung shell is the ability to fine-tune settings. You can choose whether the flash will flash only when the screen is off, or whether it will flash continuously even when the display is active. This is useful in situations where the phone is lying face down on a table and you might miss a visual notification on the display itself.
It's also worth noting that the flagship S and Note series models have a feature Edge Lightingthat illuminates the edges of the screen when notifications occur. Although it's not exactly a flash, the effect is often used in conjunction with flash to create maximum visual attention. Make sure that the "Show on locked screen" option is enabled in the notification settings for specific applications.
How to turn on the flash on Xiaomi and Redmi
The MIUI shell (and the new HyperOS) from Xiaomi has its own menu features. Here, the flash function is often hidden in the advanced functions settings section. Follow the path Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility → Flash on notifications. In some firmware versions, this item may be located in the section Settings → Sound and vibration → Advanced.
Xiaomi users often complain that after turning on Flash settings do not work for instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp. This is due to MIUI's aggressive battery optimization system. You need to go to the application settings, find the “Battery” item and select the “Unlimited” mode. Only after this the system will allow the application to use the flash in the background.
Another nuance concerns the double flash on modern models. The system usually uses the main high-power flash, ignoring the auxiliary flash. If you want both LEDs to flash, this may require obtaining root access or using specialized macros, since such a configuration is usually not available by standard means.
Secret code for checking the status of the flash
On some Xiaomi devices, you can enter the code ##6484## in the dialer to enter the engineering menu, where you can test the operation of the LEDs, but not change their behavior for notifications.
Using third-party applications
If the built-in tools of your smartphone do not provide the necessary functionality or work incorrectly, applications from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. There are many utilities, such as Flash Alerts, NotifyBuddy or Light On Callthat take over control of the LED. They have more flexible settings, allowing you to choose the blinking frequency and color (if using an on-screen flash).
When installing such an application, you will need to grant it a number of permissions. Access to the camera, access to notifications, and permission to run in the background are critical. Without these permissions, the app will not be able to track the incoming call and activate the flash on time. Follow the instructions on the screen when you first start.
- 📱 Flash Alerts 2 —one of the most popular solutions with support for customizing blinking patterns for different contacts.
- 🔔 NotifyBuddy —allows you to use not only the flash, but also the screen as a light source, saving battery power.
- 🎨 Color Flash Alert —an application that changes the color of the flash depending on who is calling or what application sent message.
It is worth remembering that using third-party software increases battery consumption. Applications constantly monitor the system in the background, which can lead to faster drainage of the device compared to the built-in system function. Use this method only if the standard settings are not available.
☑️ Checking permissions for the flash application
Configuring the flash for specific applications
Often users want the flash to fire only for certain instant messengers, for example, for work chats, and not distract with notifications from games or news feeds. In standard Android settings, this is implemented through notification management. Go to Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Notifications.
Inside the notifications menu, find a category, for example, "Messages" or "Calls". Make sure that the "Flash" or "Light Indication" switch is active for this category. On some devices, you need to click on the category itself to open additional options, where the checkbox for using the flash is hidden.
For third-party applications, this process may differ. For example, in Telegram the setting is located inside the application itself: Settings → Notifications and sounds → Flash. In WhatsApp the path is similar: Settings → Notifications → Indicator light. If the global phone setting is enabled, but this option is disabled in the messenger itself, the flash will not work.
| Application | Path to setting the flash | System dependent |
|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Settings → Notifications → Flash | Independent |
| Settings → Notifications → Light | Requires system permission | |
| Viber | Settings → Notifications → Flash | Partial |
| No built-in setting (system only) | Full | |
| Incoming call | Phone system settings | Full |
⚠️ Attention: The notification settings interface in applications often changes with updates. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in the settings inside the application itself.
Problems with operation and their solutions
Even with the correct settings, users may encounter the fact that the flash does not fire. One of the most common reasons is the power saving mode. When the phone enters power saving mode, the system turns off all functions, including notification lights, to extend the device's battery life.
Another common problem is related to access rights. After a major Android update, your system may reset accessibility permissions. In this case, you need to go back to the accessibility menu and turn the flash switch off and on again. This action will restart the service responsible for monitoring events.
It is also worth checking if the Do Not Disturb mode is enabled. While this mode typically blocks sound and vibration, in some implementations it can suppress visual signals as well, especially if you have strict notification filtering rules configured. Disable this mode or add the desired contacts to the exception list.
If the flash stops working after a system update, first check to see if the permissions in the "Accessibility" section have been reset.
Does turning on the flash affect the service life of the LED?
Modern LEDs in smartphones are designed to last tens of thousands of hours of operation. Periodic blinking during notifications does not have a significant impact on their resource. However, constantly using the flash as a flashlight for hours can lead to degradation of the crystal and loss of brightness over time.
Why does the flash blink when the phone is lying face down?
This is the normal behavior of the function. The proximity sensor or accelerometer usually does not block the flash, since its main purpose is to attract attention when the screen is not visible. If you want to disable this behavior, some third-party applications have a "Screen up only" setting.
Is it possible to set a different flash color for different contacts?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools, since the hardware flash is usually single-color (white or warm white). To implement color display, third-party applications that use on-screen flash are required, or phones with special RGB backlighting of the body, which is rare.
Does the notification flash work in airplane mode?
Yes, it does. Airplane mode disables only radio modules (cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). If the notification comes through a local app or if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi (which can be turned on manually in airplane mode), the flash will fire when it receives a signal.
How to turn off the flash if it's annoying in a movie theater?
The fastest way is to use the Do Not Disturb mode or the Silent profile, which often automatically turns off the light signals as well. You can also temporarily go into the accessibility settings and turn off the switch, or use the quick access widget if it was created by a third-party application.