Modern smartphones often lie on the table with the screen down so as not to distract the user from work or rest. In this situation, it's easy to miss an important notification if the sound is muted or the room is noisy. This is why the function light alert becomes incredibly useful.
Unfortunately, in the latest versions of the operating system Android 12-14 Google has removed the standard flash setting from the general menu, making life more difficult for device owners. Now the activation of this option depends on the specific shell manufacturer or software version.
In this guide, we will look in detail at how to make the flash camera blink with incoming calls, SMS and messages from instant messengers. We will consider both standard methods for Samsung and Xiaomi, and universal solutions for other models.
Standard settings for Samsung owners
The company Samsung has retained this function in its shells One UI, hiding it quite deep in the accessibility menu. This is done to prevent casual users from turning it on by mistake, since constant flashes can annoy others.
To activate the option, you need to follow the path Settings → Accessibility → Advanced settings. This is where the switch responsible for visual signals is located. In some older firmware versions, the path may differ, for example, through the section Notifications.
- 🔦 Find the item “Flash for notification” and move the toggle switch to the active position.
- 🔦 Make sure the checkbox next to “Enable camera flash.”
- 🔦 Test the function by asking someone to send you a test message.
Please note that on some models of the series Galaxy A or M interface may differ slightly. If you do not find the item you need, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu by entering the query “flash.”
⚠️ Attention: The function only works when the screen is locked or when the phone is face down. When actively using your smartphone, the flash will not blink.
Setting up the flash on Xiaomi and Redmi devices
Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are faced with the fact that in clean firmware MIUI or HyperOS this function is often missing in the basic settings systems. The developers have shifted responsibility for visual notifications to third-party applications or hidden engineering menus.
However, in some versions of the shell you can still find the required switch. Try going to Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility. If the required item is not there, the only working option is to install the utility from the official store Google Play.
There is a popular misconception that the flashlight should work in the background all the time. In fact, the system only triggers a short pulse of light when a data packet about a new event arrives. This saves battery power, but requires stable operation of the notification service.
If the standard settings do not help, try the "Flash Notifications" application. It works on top of the system and intercepts events even on a locked screen.
When using third-party apps, be sure to give them all requested permissions, including access to the camera and display on top of other windows. Without this alert mechanism it simply won’t work.
Solution for pure Android and Google Pixel
On smartphones with “pure” Android, such as Google Pixel, Motorola or Nokia, the situation is most complicated. Starting with version Android 12, Google engineers have completely removed native support for flash blinking for notifications.
The only solution for owners of such devices is to use specialized intermediary applications. These apps monitor the notification panel and, when a new icon appears, send a command to turn on the camera's LED matrix.
| Application | Weight (MB) | Advertising | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Alerts | 5.2 | Yes | Android 8+ |
| Blink LED Flash | 3.8 | No | Android 10+ |
| Call Flashlight | 4.5 | Yes | All versions |
When choosing software, pay attention to reviews and the date of the last update. Applications that have not been updated for more than a year may not work correctly on new versions of the operating system, causing process conflicts.
☑️ Checking access rights for the application
⚠️ Warning: Installing too many applications for the flash may drain the battery. Use only one proven utility.
Setting up notifications for specific applications
Often users enable a general function, but forget to configure permissions for specific instant messengers, such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber. System settings may block third-party software from accessing notifications from these apps for privacy purposes.
Go to the settings of the installed flash application. There should be a section called “App Selection” or “Notification Filter.” You need to manually check the boxes for those services, when receiving messages from which the flashlight should light up.
Sometimes additional settings are required within the messenger itself. For example, in Telegram you need to make sure that important contacts are not set to silent mode, since some utilities ignore “silent” notifications.
- 📱 Open the settings of the flash app.
- 📱 Go to the application filtering section.
- 📱 Activate the switches next to the desired messengers.
If you use corporate email or specific work chats, check whether they fall into the “Not important” category. The system filter may consider them spam and not transmit the signal to the diode.
Problems with operation and ways to solve them
Even with correct settings, users may encounter a situation where the flashlight stops blinking. Most often this is due to an aggressive energy saving system that “kills” background processes to save battery.
Go to the section Settings → Battery → Battery optimization. Find your flash app in the list and select No Optimize or No Restrictions mode. This will give the app the right to work constantly without being turned off by the system.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interfaces may change with the release of new versions of Android. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in the settings.
Another reason may be overheating of the device. If the smartphone gets very hot, the system can programmatically block the use of the flash to prevent damage to the camera sensor or battery.
Why is the flashlight constantly blinking?
If the flash does not stop lighting after a notification, the application may be frozen. Try closing it through the multitasking menu or rebooting your device. In rare cases, resetting the application settings is required.
Alternative methods of visual notification
If the standard camera flash does not suit you or drains the phone too quickly, you can consider alternatives. Many modern smartphones are equipped with an LED event indicator (LED), which is located at the top of the screen or under the glass.
For devices without such an indicator, there are applications that change the color of the screen or use on-screen flash (a white background on the entire display). This is less noticeable in the dark, but is much more economical for the resource of the main camera.
You can also use smart watches or bracelets. Setting vibration and lighting on your wrist is often a more effective way to avoid missing a call than searching for a flashing phone on your desk.
The most reliable way is a combination of the manufacturer's standard settings and one lightweight application added to the power saving exceptions.
Frequently asked questions
Does it affect frequent blinking of the flashlight for the life of the camera?
Modern LEDs are designed to last tens of thousands of times. Short-term impulses during notifications have virtually no effect on the resource of the camera module. However, constantly using the flashlight as a flashlight for hours at a time can shorten its lifespan.
Why does the flashlight blink when the phone is face down?
This depends on the settings of the specific application or firmware. Some systems turn off visual signals by default if the proximity sensor or accelerometer detects that the screen is active and facing the user, so as not to dazzle the eyes.
Is it possible to set a different flash color for different contacts?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools. To implement such a function, advanced third-party applications with paid functionality are required that allow you to associate blinking patterns with specific numbers from the phone book.
Does the function work in Do Not Disturb mode?
Usually no. Do Not Disturb mode blocks all visual and audio signals except for permitted exceptions. If it is critical for you to see the flash in this mode, add the necessary contacts to the list of exceptions in the mode settings.
Are settings reset after a system update?
With major Android updates (for example, from 13 to 14), accessibility settings and application permissions may be reset to factory settings. After the update, it is recommended to double-check the operation of the function.