The flashlight toggle goes in Control Center through Settings on any iPhone or iPad
Your iPhone and iPad come with a flashlight feature built in, but it does not automatically appear in Control Center — the panel you pull down from the top right corner. You add it yourself by opening Settings, finding the Control Center section, and selecting the flashlight from a list of available controls. The whole process takes about one minute and works the same way on any recent iPhone or iPad model.
Once you add it, the flashlight icon appears in Control Center alongside other quick toggles like Wi-Fi and Do Not Disturb. Tapping it turns your phone's camera flash on and off when ready, without opening the Camera app or any other program.
Key Takeaways
- The flashlight does not show in Control Center by default — you must add it through Settings on your device.
- Open Settings, tap Control Center, then tap the plus sign next to Flashlight to add it to your quick-access panel.
- Once added, you can tap the flashlight icon in Control Center to turn your phone's camera flash on or off when ready.
- You can rearrange the order of controls in Control Center by dragging the three-line icon next to each one up or down.
- The flashlight control works on iPhone 6s and newer, and on all iPad models with a camera flash.
Where to find the flashlight control in Settings
Start by opening the Settings app on your device — the gray icon with gears that usually sits on your home screen. Scroll down and look for the option labeled Control Center. Tap it to open the Control Center settings page.
On this page, you will see two sections: one showing controls already in your Control Center, and another labeled More Controls showing controls you can add. Scroll through the More Controls section until you find Flashlight. Tap the green plus sign to the left of it.
The flashlight now appears in your Control Center. You can close Settings and pull down Control Center from the top right corner of your screen to see it there alongside your other quick toggles.
How to use the flashlight once it is added
Pull down Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of your screen. You will see a grid of icons — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, and others. The flashlight icon looks like a small flashlight or torch and will be somewhere in that grid, depending on where you placed it.
Tap the flashlight icon once to turn it on. Your phone's camera flash will light up and stay on until you tap the icon again to turn it off. You do not need to open any app or unlock your phone — the flashlight works from the lock screen too.
If you want to adjust the brightness of the flashlight on newer iPhone models, press and hold the flashlight icon instead of tapping it. A brightness slider will appear, letting you dim or brighten the flash.
Rearranging the order of your Control Center icons
Control Center icons appear in a specific order, and you can change that order to put the flashlight wherever you want. Go back to Settings, tap Control Center, and look at the section showing your active controls.
Next to each control is a three-line icon that looks like stacked horizontal lines. Press and hold that icon next to Flashlight, then drag it up or down to move the flashlight higher or lower in your Control Center grid. Release your finger to drop it in its new position.
This is useful if you use the flashlight often and want it near the top of Control Center for faster access, or if you want to group it with other utilities like the timer or alarm.
Removing the flashlight if you do not want it
If you add the flashlight to Control Center and later decide you do not want it there, removing it is just as straightforward. Open Settings, tap Control Center, and find Flashlight in the list of active controls at the top.
Tap the red minus sign to the left of Flashlight. It disappears from Control Center when ready. You can always add it back the same way if you change your mind later.
Devices that support the flashlight control
The flashlight control works on iPhone 6s and all newer iPhone models, including iPhone 7, 8, X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and later. It also works on iPad models that have a camera flash on the back, though not all iPad models include one.
If your device is older than iPhone 6s or does not have a camera flash, the flashlight option will not appear in the More Controls section of your Control Center settings. In that case, you can still use the flashlight by opening the Camera app and switching to the flashlight mode, though it will not be as quick.
Why the flashlight is not in Control Center by default
Apple includes many controls in the More Controls section that do not appear in Control Center automatically. This design lets you customize Control Center to match how you actually use your phone, rather than cluttering it with features you might never need.
The flashlight is one of the most commonly added controls, so most people add it within the first few weeks of owning their device. If you use your flashlight often, adding it to Control Center saves you from opening the Camera app or searching for a flashlight app every time you need light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add the flashlight to Control Center on an older iPhone?
The flashlight control is available on iPhone 6s and newer. If you have an older model, you can still use your phone's flashlight by opening the Camera app and tapping the flash icon, but you cannot add a dedicated flashlight toggle to Control Center.
What if the flashlight option does not appear in More Controls?
Your device may not have a camera flash, or you may already have the maximum number of controls in Control Center. Try scrolling down in the More Controls section to make sure you are not missing it. If it still does not appear, your device may not support this feature.
Does using the flashlight drain my battery faster?
Yes, leaving the flashlight on continuously will drain your battery noticeably over time, just like any other light source. Turn it off when you are done using it. The camera flash uses more power than the screen, so avoid leaving it on in your pocket or bag.
Can I use the flashlight while my phone is locked?
Yes. You can pull down Control Center from the lock screen and tap the flashlight icon without unlocking your phone. This is one of the main reasons people add it to Control Center — quick access without needing to open an app.
How do I make the flashlight brighter or dimmer?
On iPhone 11 and newer, press and hold the flashlight icon in Control Center to bring up a brightness slider. Drag it left to dim or right to brighten. On older iPhone models, the flashlight has only one brightness level and cannot be adjusted.