The flashlight is already on your iPhone — you just need to know where to find it
Your iPhone comes with a flashlight feature built in. You do not need to read anything or buy an app. The flashlight uses your phone's camera flash — the small light on the back of your phone near the camera lens — to shine a bright beam. Once you know the quickest way to turn it on, you can have light in seconds.
There are three ways to access your flashlight. The fastest method takes about one second. The other two are backups if the fastest one does not work for you or if you prefer a different approach.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to turn on your flashlight is to swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center, then tap the flashlight icon.
- On newer iPhones without a home button, swipe down from the top-right corner instead to open Control Center.
- You can also ask Siri to turn on your flashlight by saying "Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight."
- Once the flashlight is on, you can tap and hold the flashlight icon in Control Center to adjust the brightness.
Using Control Center — the fastest method
Control Center is a menu that slides up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the top-right on newer models). It holds quick shortcuts to things you use often, including your flashlight.
On an iPhone with a home button at the bottom (iPhone 8 or older): Swipe up from the very bottom of your screen with one finger. Keep swiping until the Control Center menu appears. You will see a grid of icons. Look for the flashlight icon — it looks like a small flashlight or torch. Tap it once to turn the flashlight on. Tap it again to turn it off.
On an iPhone without a home button (iPhone X or newer): Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen. The Control Center menu will appear. Find the flashlight icon and tap it. The icon will light up to show the flashlight is on.
Adjusting the brightness of your flashlight
By default, your flashlight shines at full brightness. If that is too bright for what you need, you can make it dimmer.
Once your flashlight is on, go back to Control Center using the same swipe you used to turn it on. Find the flashlight icon. Instead of tapping it once, tap and hold it — press your finger on it and keep it there for about two seconds. A brightness slider will appear below the icon. Drag the slider left to make it dimmer or right to make it brighter. Release your finger when you reach the brightness you want.
Using Siri to turn on your flashlight
If you have Siri set up on your iPhone, you can ask it to turn on your flashlight without touching your screen. This is useful if your hands are full or if you cannot see the screen well.
Press and hold the home button (on older iPhones) or the side button (on newer iPhones) until you hear a chime and see "Listening" appear on your screen. Say "Turn on the flashlight" or "Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight." Siri will turn on your flashlight. To turn it off, say "Turn off the flashlight."
What to do if the flashlight icon does not appear in Control Center
On rare occasions, the flashlight icon might not show up in Control Center, or it might be grayed out and not respond when you tap it. This usually means your phone's camera flash needs a moment to reset.
Try closing Control Center by swiping down (or up, depending on your model) and then opening it again. If the icon is still grayed out, restart your phone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone, wait a few seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. Once your phone restarts, open Control Center and try the flashlight again.
Why your flashlight might not work even when the icon is active
If your flashlight icon is on but no light is coming from the back of your phone, the camera flash itself might be blocked or damaged. Check that the small light on the back of your phone — near the camera lens — is not covered by a case, dirt, or debris. Wipe it gently with a soft cloth.
If the light still does not work after cleaning, your phone's flash hardware may need service. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have it checked. In the meantime, you can use your phone's screen as a flashlight by opening a white page or a flashlight app from the App Store, though neither will be as bright as the built-in flash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add the flashlight icon to my home screen?
No, the flashlight is not a separate app and cannot be placed on your home screen. The fastest way to reach it is always through Control Center. You can also use Siri by saying "Turn on the flashlight" from anywhere on your phone.
Does using the flashlight drain my battery faster?
Yes, the flashlight uses your battery, but not dramatically. If you leave it on for hours, you will notice the battery drop. For normal use — a few minutes here and there — the drain is minimal. Turn it off when you no longer need it to preserve battery life.
Will the flashlight work if my phone is locked?
Yes. On newer iPhones, you can swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the flashlight icon even when your phone is locked. On older iPhones with a home button, you can swipe up from the bottom to reach Control Center while locked.
Can I use the flashlight while taking a photo?
No. The camera flash and the flashlight feature use the same light. When you open the camera app, the flashlight turns off automatically. Once you close the camera app, you can turn the flashlight back on.
What if I do not see Control Center when I swipe?
Make sure you are swiping from the very edge of your screen — the bottom edge on older iPhones or the top-right corner on newer ones. Swipe slowly and deliberately. If you are swiping from the middle of the screen, it will not work. Also check that you are not in an app that blocks Control Center access, such as a game or full-screen video.