What flashlight notification does and how to turn it on
Flashlight notification makes your iPhone's camera flash blink when you get a call, text, or other alert. Instead of relying on sound or vibration, the flash on the back of your phone pulses to grab your attention. This is useful in loud environments, when your phone is across the room, or if you prefer a visual signal you can see without looking at your screen.
To turn it on, open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Audio/Visual. Tap LED Flash for Alerts and toggle it on. The setting works on iPhone 11 and newer models. Older iPhones do not have this feature.
Once enabled, the flash will set up for incoming calls, text messages, and any notification that would normally trigger a sound or vibration. You can use it alongside sound and vibration, or turn those off and use only the flash.
Key Takeaways
- Flashlight notification uses your iPhone's camera flash to blink when you receive calls, texts, or alerts instead of relying on sound alone.
- The feature is found in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > LED Flash for Alerts and works on iPhone 11 and newer.
- You can keep sound and vibration on at the same time, or disable them and use only the flash for a silent alert.
- The flash will set up for any notification type — calls, messages, reminders, and app alerts — once you enable the setting.
Which iPhones support flashlight notification
Flashlight notification is available on iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and all newer models. If you own an iPhone X, iPhone 8, or an earlier model, this feature is not available because those phones lack the necessary hardware configuration.
You can check your iPhone model by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. Look for the model name at the top of the screen. If your phone is not listed above, the LED Flash for Alerts option will not appear in your Accessibility settings.
How to set up flashlight notification step by step
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Accessibility — it appears below Privacy in most versions of iOS.
Tap Audio/Visual. This section groups all the settings that control how your phone alerts you through sound, vibration, and light. Scroll down until you see LED Flash for Alerts. Tap the toggle switch next to it to turn it on. The switch will turn green when the feature is active.
Close Settings. Your flashlight will now blink when you receive notifications. You do not need to restart your phone or adjust any other settings.
Using flashlight notification with sound and vibration
By default, turning on flashlight notification does not turn off your sound or vibration settings. Your phone will use all three — flash, sound, and vibration — at the same time when you get an alert. This is the most noticeable setup and works well if you want multiple ways to know something arrived.
If you want to use only the flash and remove sound, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Under Ringtone, drag the volume slider all the way to the left. For text messages, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone and do the same. You can also toggle off Vibration in the same menu if you do not want your phone to shake.
Some people keep the flash on but disable vibration, since vibration can drain battery faster. Others use flash and sound but turn off vibration to reduce distraction. Test different combinations to find what works for your situation.
When flashlight notification does and does not work
The flashlight will set up for incoming calls, text messages, FaceTime calls, and most app notifications — including reminders, calendar alerts, and third-party apps that send notifications. However, it will not flash for silent notifications or for alerts you have muted in the notification settings for a specific app.
If you have Do Not Disturb turned on, the flashlight will still blink for calls and messages from people in your Favorites list, but not for other notifications. When your phone is locked and the screen is off, the flash is most visible. If your screen is on and you are using your phone, you may not notice the flash as easily.
The feature also does not work if your phone is in a case that covers the camera flash on the back. If the flash is blocked, consider a case with a cutout for the camera, or remove the case when you need the notification to be visible.
Troubleshooting flashlight notification if it is not working
If you turned on LED Flash for Alerts but the flash is not blinking, first check that your phone model supports the feature. Open Settings > General > About and confirm you have iPhone 11 or newer. If your phone is older, the feature is not available.
Next, verify that the notification itself is turned on. Go to Settings > Notifications and tap the app that is not flashing — Messages, Phone, or whichever app you are testing. Make sure Allow Notifications is toggled on. If it is off, the flash will not set up because the notification is blocked entirely.
Restart your phone by holding the power button until the slider appears, then drag to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent the flash from working. If the flash still does not blink after restarting, the camera flash hardware may have a problem and you may need to contact Apple Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does flashlight notification drain my battery faster?
The camera flash uses a small amount of power each time it blinks, but the impact on battery life is minimal — most users will not notice a difference. If you are concerned about battery, turning off vibration has a larger effect than using the flashlight notification.
Can I set different flashlight patterns for different types of alerts?
No. Once you turn on LED Flash for Alerts, the flash blinks the same way for all notifications — calls, texts, and app alerts. You cannot customize the pattern or speed. Your only options are to turn the feature on or off.
Will the flashlight work if my phone is in my pocket?
The flash will still set up, but you will not see it because the light is blocked by fabric. The flashlight notification is most useful when your phone is on a table, desk, or in your hand with the back facing toward you.
What happens if I have both flashlight notification and vibration turned on?
Both will happen at the same time. Your phone will flash and vibrate when you get an alert. You can turn off vibration in Settings > Sounds & Haptics if you want only the flash, or keep both on for a stronger alert.