How to Use the Flashlight on an Android Phone

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings, then tap the Flashlight (or Torch) tile. Tap it again to turn it off. If you do not see the tile, you can add it in the edit menu, or you can ask your voice assistant to switch it on.

The fastest way: Quick Settings

Nearly every Android phone puts the flashlight in the Quick Settings panel. This is the quickest method and it works from almost any screen.

Menu names vary a little between brands such as Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and Motorola, but the steps are close to identical.

Swipe down once or twice from the top edge of the screen to open Quick Settings.
Find the tile labeled Flashlight or Torch. It usually has a small torch icon.
Tap the tile. The LED next to your rear camera lights up.
Tap the tile again to turn the light off.

What to do if the tile is missing

Some phones hide the flashlight tile on a second page of tiles, so swipe left on the panel first. If it is still not there, you can add it yourself.

Open Quick Settings fully, then tap the pencil or Edit icon. Look for the Flashlight tile in the list of available tiles, then touch and hold it and drag it into the active area. Tap back or Done to save the layout.

On many phones, you can also drag it to the first few positions so it appears in the compact panel with just one swipe.

Other ways to turn it on

Quick Settings is not the only route. Depending on your phone and software version, you may have several faster options, which are handy when your hands are full or the room is dark.

Voice is the easiest hands-free choice. Say your assistant's wake phrase, then something like "turn on the flashlight." This needs the assistant to be set up and allowed on your lock screen.

Many phones also have a shortcut on the lock screen, a home screen widget, or a hardware gesture. Some Motorola phones, for example, let you make a chopping motion to toggle the light. Samsung and other brands may let you assign a side button press. Check your phone's Settings app and search for "flashlight" or "torch" to see what yours supports.

How to get a flashlight on the screen

Readers sometimes mean a flashlight made by the screen rather than the camera LED. Android does not include a dedicated screen light, but you can get close.

Open a plain white image or a white-screen app, then raise the screen brightness to maximum. This gives soft, wide light that helps you read a label or find a keyhole close up. It will not light up a room or reach far, and it drains the battery quickly.

Use the real LED when you can. It is much brighter and uses less power than a full white screen for the same job.

Adjust brightness and fix common problems

Some phones let you change flashlight strength. On certain Samsung Galaxy phones, you can touch and hold the Flashlight tile to open a slider with several brightness levels. If your phone does not do this, the light has a single level.

If the flashlight will not turn on, work through these checks:

Close the camera app. The camera and flashlight share the same LED, so one can block the other.
Turn off battery saver, which can disable the LED on low charge.
Let the phone cool down if it feels hot. Some phones limit the light when warm.
Restart the phone, then try the tile again.
Update your software from Settings, then check whether the tile appears.

Phone light or a dedicated flashlight?

A phone flashlight is great for finding keys, reading a menu or walking to the door. It is always with you and needs no extra gear. It is not built for hard outdoor work, long power outages or searching a big yard.

A dedicated light gives you more reach, more modes and a body made for rain and drops. On our best flashlight page, the top-ranked CHILDBOT Y1915C lists 100000 lm, a 1109.5 m beam, five lighting modes, zoom and IPX7 or higher water resistance. Those are the maker's published numbers, and they come from specifications rather than hands-on use.

If you are weighing the two, the table below shows where each one fits. You can see more options and how they compare on the best flashlight page.

Need	Phone flashlight	Dedicated flashlight
Quick check in the house	Good, always with you	More than you need
Long outdoor use	Drains the phone battery	Better, with its own battery
Distance and spot beam	Limited	Listed beam distances run much longer
Rain and drops	Depends on the phone's own rating	Look for a listed water rating such as IPX7
Emergency signaling	No built-in SOS on most phones	Many models offer strobe and SOS
Backup power	Uses your phone's charge	Some models list a phone output

Safety and battery tips

Do not shine the LED at anyone's eyes, including your own, from close range. A bright light can cause temporary spots in your vision.

Do not leave the flashlight on inside a pocket or bag. The LED produces heat, and the phone can get warm and drain faster. Turn it off when you are done.

If you rely on your phone in an emergency, keep it charged. A long flashlight session uses power you may need for calls. For storms or power cuts, a separate light means your phone stays available for communication.

Frequently asked questions

Can I turn on the flashlight when the phone is locked?

Usually yes. Swipe down to open Quick Settings from the lock screen, or use a lock screen shortcut or voice command if your phone offers one. Some phones ask you to unlock first, depending on your security settings.

Why does my flashlight turn off by itself?

The phone may be overheating, in battery saver mode or very low on charge. Some phones also turn the light off after a set time. Let the phone cool, charge it and try again.

Does using the flashlight damage the phone?

Normal use does not. The LED is designed for this job. Just avoid running it for a long time in a hot place, since heat is hard on any battery.

Can I use the flashlight while taking a photo?

The camera app controls the same LED, so the flashlight tile may switch off when you open it. Use the camera's own flash setting for photos instead.