How to turn on your Android phone’s flashlight
Android’s handy flashlight feature is particularly helpful during power outages or when checking dark corners for missing items. You can add a shortcut to your Android home screen or open it using a voice command.
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Customizing your lock screen offers the fastest access to the flashlight, followed by the Quick Settings panel. However, you can also activate it with simple gestures.
Our guide outlines all the best methods for turning on your flashlight or torchlight.
Take a page out of Apple’s notes, Google
Add a flashlight shortcut on the lock screen
Newer versions of Android (Android 14and Android 15) allow you to customize your Pixel’s lock screen with various clock styles, fonts, colors, and quick shortcuts.
With quick shortcuts, you may place a camera, Do Not Disturb (DND) mode, a QR code scanner, and a torch on the lock screen, among other features.
OnPixel phonesrunning Android 14 and 15, you can add a flashlight shortcut directly to your lock screen. Many other Android brands, likeSamsungand Realme, also offer this convenient feature.
You don’t need the latest software, as it supported the shortcut before Android 14. If your device doesn’t support it, use alternative methods. Here’s how to customize your lock screen to add and use a flashlight shortcut.
Steps will vary by phone. The exact location of settings and availability of certain features (such as lock screen shortcuts or specific gestures) can vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer (for example, Samsung, Pixel, Motorola) and its custom Android skin (such as One UI or stock Android).
How to add a torch shortcut to Google Pixel lock screen
How to add a torch shortcut to a Samsung Galaxy phone lock screen
While your phone’s LED flashlight is energy-efficient, keeping it on for extended periods (for example, hours) can cause your phone to warm up slightly and naturally consume more battery than a quick flick. It’s generally safe, but be mindful of prolonged use.
If the flashlight isn’t working even with the added shortcut enabled, ensure you check your camera permissions and restart your phone to rule out any interference from third-party apps.
Your accounts and device data might still be fair game
Use Quick Settings
TheQuick Settings panelis more widely supported than lock screen shortcuts on most Android phones. Plus, it’s the second-quickest way to turn on the flashlight.
Access it by swiping down from the top of your screen to expand it, then tapping the icon. Here’s how:
If you don’t see the tile, add it to the panel. Here’s how:
If you frequently use the flashlight on your phone, place it among the first four tiles for quick access. Tap thePencilicon to rearrange its position.
You can also adjust the brightness by long pressing the tile and using the slider, if your Android phone allows it.
QPR1 is where it’s at
Use the At a Glance widget
TheAt a Glance widgeton your home screen and lock screen shows information beyond the date, time, and weather.
You can customize it to show more, including delivery status for food orders, departure time for events, and upcoming events.
The flashlight is also on the list, but it’s limited to Pixel phones.
When activated from the At a Glance widget, it doesn’t help you turn on the flashlight. However, a reminder appears to tell you that it’s on. It’s best to use it with the lock screen shortcut.
You’ll use the shortcut to turn on the torch, then turn it off with the reminder. It’s helpful if you frequently forget to turn off the torch.
Here’s how to use the widget:
The next time your torchlight is on, your lock screen reminds you to turn it off. Tap the reminder to do so.
Use Quick Tap
Google introduced theQuick Tap featurewith Android 12, allowing you to double tap the back of your phone to perform certain actions. However, the flashlight option was missing.
With Android 13 and later, you can double tap the back of the phone to use the flashlight.
Use the following steps to access the Quick Tap feature and set it to turn on the flashlight:
Quick Tap may not work properly on phones with rugged or thick cases. Cases interfere with the sensors' ability to detect taps accurately.
Remove the case to use the feature as intended. Otherwise, replace the case with a lighter type.
When you quickly tap the back of your Android phone twice, the flashlight turns on. Do it a second time to turn it off.
If you accidentally trigger the flashlight, turn on theRequire stronger tapssetting. It makes your phone’s sensors less sensitive, requiring a firmer tap to activate Quick Tap and reducing accidental triggers.
Motorola phones have a “chop-chop” gesture, and some OnePlus phones have a “draw V” gesture that allows you to turn the flashlight on or off, similar to Google’s Quick Tap feature on Pixel phones.
There’s a lot you could do by tapping the back of your Pixel phone
Use the Google Assistant to turn on your flashlight
Google Assistantis your hands-free companion for getting things done quickly. Instead of fumbling for the flashlight on your phone, say the word, and Assistant illuminates the room.
It’s also useful if you have a disability that makes it hard to use your phone correctly.
Here’s how to use it:
Eventually, Google willreplace Google Assistant with Google Gemini. For now, if you are already using Google Assistant for voice commands, you can continue to use it until it becomes fully replaced.
Create a custom Google Assistant flashlight button
This method relies on using the previousGoogle Assistant command. This time, you’ll create a personalized button to turn on your phone’s flashlight with a single tap, skipping voice commands and manual navigation through settings.
You’ll make a custom Block action using Google’s Action Blocks accessibility app, which makes Google Assistant voice commands accessible from home screen buttons.
Here’s how to use the app:
Consider making a second action button to turn off the flashlight when you press it. Two buttons allow you to turn the flashlight on and off without manually bringing up Google Assistant.
To change the buttons, open theAction Blocks app, tap a block, and selectEdit.
Shake your phone to turn on the flashlight
The built-in flashlight feature on your phone is enough to help you find your way in the dark. Still, third-party apps add extra features you may find interesting.
Shake Flashlight makes you jiggle your phone to turn on the flashlight, which cuts out manual processes.
With over one million downloads, it’s been a popular option since 2015 among Android flashlight apps.
Light the way in different ways with Android
Your phone’s flashlight is useful for navigating in the dark, and now you know all the ways to use it.Increase its intensityif it isn’t bright enough.
LED flashlights consume little power, so leaving the light on doesn’t significantly drain the battery. However, your phone may overheat. So, only use the torch for extended periods when necessary.
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