Flash notifications let your iPhone's camera flash blink when you get a call or message
Flash notifications make your iPhone's rear camera flash blink instead of playing a sound or vibrating. This is useful if you're in a loud environment, have your phone on silent, or are deaf or hard of hearing. The feature is built into every iPhone and takes about 30 seconds to turn on.
Flash notifications work for incoming calls, text messages, and other alerts depending on which apps you've allowed to send notifications. Once you turn on the setting, the flash will set up whenever a notification arrives — you don't need to do anything else.
Key Takeaways
- Flash notifications are found in Settings under Accessibility, not under Notifications.
- You turn on the feature once, and it then works for all incoming calls and messages automatically.
- The flash will only blink if your phone is locked or the screen is off — it won't flash while you're actively using the phone.
- You can use flash notifications at the same time as sound or vibration, or turn those off to use flash alone.
Open Settings and go to Accessibility
Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen — it's the gray icon with gears. Scroll down and tap Accessibility. This is where iPhone keeps features designed for different ways of using the phone, including flash notifications.
If you use an iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X and newer), you'll see Accessibility near the bottom of the Settings menu. On older iPhones with a home button, it may be labeled General first, then Accessibility inside that section.
Find and enable the LED Flash for Alerts setting
Inside Accessibility, look for a section called Hearing. Tap it to open that section. You'll see several options related to sound and alerts. Find the toggle labeled LED Flash for Alerts and tap it to turn it on. The toggle will turn green, indicating the feature is now active.
Some older iPhone models may label this setting slightly differently — it might say Flash on Silent or LED Flash — but the location and function are the same. Once the toggle is green, your camera flash will blink the next time you receive a notification.
Test the flash with an incoming call or message
To confirm the feature is working, lock your iPhone by pressing the side button (or top button on older models) and wait for the screen to go dark. Have someone call you or send you a text message. You should see your rear camera flash blink when the notification arrives.
If you don't see the flash, check that the toggle in Settings is still on. Also make sure your phone is actually locked — the flash only activates when the screen is off. If the flash still doesn't appear, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on, then test again.
Combine flash notifications with sound or vibration
Flash notifications work alongside your other alert settings, not instead of them. If you want the flash to blink and hear a sound, you don't need to change anything — both will happen. If you want only the flash with no sound or vibration, you'll need to adjust your notification settings for each app.
To silence notifications for a specific app while keeping the flash, go to Settings, tap Notifications, select the app, and turn off Sounds and Vibration. The flash will still blink for that app. This gives you fine control over which apps alert you silently with just the flash.
Troubleshoot if the flash isn't working
If you've turned on LED Flash for Alerts but the flash doesn't blink, first check that notifications are actually turned on for the app sending the alert. Go to Settings, tap Notifications, find the app, and make sure Allow Notifications is toggled on.
The flash also won't set up if your phone is unlocked or the screen is on — it only works when the device is locked or asleep. If you're testing with the screen on, lock it first. If the flash still doesn't work after checking these things, restart your iPhone and test again. A restart often fixes notification issues that settings alone won't solve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the flash drain my battery faster?
No. The camera flash uses very little power, and it only activates for a brief moment when a notification arrives. Turning on LED Flash for Alerts will not noticeably affect your battery life.
Can I make the flash brighter or longer?
No. iPhone doesn't offer settings to adjust the brightness or duration of the flash. It will blink at the same intensity and length every time. If the flash is too dim to see, make sure you're in a location where the rear camera is visible and not blocked.
Does the flash work for all notifications or just calls and texts?
The flash works for any app that sends notifications, including calls, texts, emails, and third-party apps like social media or messaging services. As long as the app is allowed to send notifications in your Settings, the flash will blink for it.
What if I only want the flash for calls, not for every message?
You can't limit the flash to calls only through one setting. Instead, turn off notifications for the apps you don't want to flash — like text messages or email — by going to Settings, Notifications, selecting the app, and toggling off Allow Notifications. The flash will then only blink for the apps you leave enabled.
Can I use flash notifications while my phone is charging?
Yes. Flash notifications work whether your phone is charging or not. The feature activates whenever your phone is locked and receives a notification, regardless of the charging state.