What flash notifications do and why you might want to turn them off
Flash notifications are a built-in iPhone feature that makes your phone's camera flash blink when you get a call, text, or other alert. Instead of (or in addition to) sound or vibration, the flash on the back of your phone pulses to grab your attention. This is useful if you're in a loud environment, have your phone on silent, or are deaf or hard of hearing — but many people find it distracting or straightforward don't need it.
The feature is called LED Flash for Alerts in iPhone settings. It's separate from your regular notification sounds and vibrations, so you can turn it off without affecting those other alerts. The setting applies to all incoming notifications at once — you can't turn it on for texts but off for calls, for example.
Key Takeaways
- Flash notifications are controlled through Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, not through your regular notification settings.
- The feature is called LED Flash for Alerts and applies to all notifications — calls, texts, and app alerts — at the same time.
- Turning off LED Flash for Alerts does not affect your sound or vibration settings; those remain independent.
- You can turn the feature back on at any time using the same settings path if you change your mind.
How to turn off LED Flash for Alerts in three steps
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Accessibility, which is usually in the middle section of the settings menu. Then tap Audio/Visual.
You will see a toggle switch next to LED Flash for Alerts. If the toggle is green and switched to the right, the feature is on. Tap the toggle to switch it off — it will turn gray and move to the left. That's it. Your flash notifications are now off.
If you ever want to turn them back on, follow the same path and toggle the switch back to green. The setting takes effect when ready; you don't need to restart your phone.
Why this setting is in Accessibility, not Notifications
Apple groups LED Flash for Alerts under Accessibility because the feature was originally designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and need a visual alert instead of sound. Over time, other people found it useful too — anyone in a loud bar, a movie theater, or a meeting where they don't want noise.
Because it's in Accessibility rather than the main Notifications settings, many people don't realize the feature exists or don't know where to find it. The location makes sense from Apple's perspective, but it does mean you have to dig a little deeper than you might expect.
What still works after you turn off flash notifications
Turning off LED Flash for Alerts does not change your sound or vibration settings. If you have notification sounds turned on, you'll still hear them. If you have vibration turned on, your phone will still buzz. The flash is just one of three ways your iPhone can alert you — the other two keep working independently.
You can also still see notifications on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as banners at the top of your screen. The visual notification on the screen itself is separate from the LED flash on the back of the phone.
Turning off flash for specific apps instead of all notifications
If you want the flash to stay on for some apps but off for others, you'll need to use a different approach. Go to Settings > Notifications, then tap the specific app you want to adjust. Look for the Sounds or Alerts section and turn off sound and vibration for that app only. This won't control the flash directly, but it will reduce the overall alert intensity for that app.
Unfortunately, iPhone doesn't let you control the LED flash on a per-app basis — it's all or nothing. If you need the flash for some notifications but not others, your best option is to turn it off entirely and rely on sound and vibration instead.
If your flash isn't working even when it's turned on
If you've turned on LED Flash for Alerts but your phone's flash isn't blinking when you get notifications, a few things could be wrong. First, check that your phone isn't in Do Not Disturb mode — that setting silences all alerts, including the flash. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open Control Center and look for the Do Not Disturb icon (a moon symbol). If it's on, tap it to turn it off.
Second, make sure the app sending the notification actually has permission to send notifications. Go to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and check that Allow Notifications is turned on. If notifications are blocked for that app, you won't get any alert at all, including the flash.
If both of those are fine and the flash still isn't working, try restarting your phone. Hold down the power button and volume up button together until you see the power-off slider, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This fixes most notification issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off LED Flash for Alerts save battery?
Not meaningfully. The LED flash uses very little power, and turning it off won't extend your battery life in any noticeable way. The main reason to turn it off is because you find it annoying or distracting, not for battery savings.
Can I turn off the flash for calls but keep it for texts?
No. LED Flash for Alerts is an all-or-nothing setting — it applies to every type of notification at once. If you want different alerts for different types of messages, you'll need to adjust sound and vibration settings per app instead.
Will my phone still light up when I get a call if I turn off the flash?
The LED flash on the back will not blink, but your screen will still light up and show the incoming call. You'll also get sound and vibration if those are turned on. The phone will still alert you — just without the camera flash.
Is LED Flash for Alerts the same as the flashlight?
No. The LED Flash for Alerts uses the same physical light as your flashlight, but it's a separate feature controlled by different settings. Turning off LED Flash for Alerts does not affect your ability to use the flashlight manually.
What if I have an older iPhone — is the setting in the same place?
The setting location is the same on iPhone models going back several years: Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual. If you can't find it, your iPhone model may be older than when Apple added this feature, but most iPhones from the last decade support it.