How to Turn on the Flashlight on an Android Phone

The Evolution of the Smartphone Torch

In the early days of smartphones, turning on the LED camera flash to use it as a makeshift flashlight required downloading questionable, ad-filled third-party applications from the app store. These apps were notoriously invasive, often requesting access to your contacts and location just to turn on a lightbulb.

Today, Google has integrated flashlight controls directly into the core operating system of every modern Android smartphone (including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola, and OnePlus devices). You never need to download an app to use your flashlight.

Because different smartphone manufacturers customize their versions of Android slightly differently, there are three primary ways to turn on the flashlight depending on what phone you own.

Method 1: The Quick Settings Panel (Works on All Phones)

This is the standard, universal method designed by Google. It will work on absolutely any modern Android smartphone regardless of the brand.

1. Turn on your phone’s screen. (You do not need to unlock the phone to do this).
2. Place your finger at the very top edge of the screen and swipe down. This will open the notification shade and a single row of circular icons.
3. Swipe down a second time to reveal the full “Quick Settings” grid.
4. Look through the grid for an icon shaped like a torch, labeled Flashlight (or simply “Torch” in some regions).
5. Tap the Flashlight icon. Your LED flash will immediately turn on.

To turn it off, simply pull down the menu again and tap the icon a second time to deactivate it.

Pro Tip: If you cannot find the icon in the first grid, you may need to swipe left to see the second page of Quick Settings. You can also tap the small “Pencil” icon at the bottom of the grid to rearrange the icons, moving the Flashlight to the very first spot for faster access in the future.

Method 2: Google Assistant (Hands-Free Method)

If you are walking in the dark and have your hands full, or if you are wearing gloves and cannot easily use the touchscreen, you can ask Google’s artificial intelligence to turn the light on for you.

1. Wake your phone up by saying your wake phrase clearly: “Hey Google.” (Alternatively, you can press and hold the power button for two seconds on most modern phones to activate the assistant).
2. Wait for the Google Assistant interface to pop up at the bottom of the screen.
3. Simply say, “Turn on the flashlight.”

The Assistant will verbally confirm the action and instantly turn the LED flash on. When you are finished, you can simply say, “Hey Google, turn off the flashlight.”

Method 3: Manufacturer-Specific Gestures (The Fastest Method)

Some smartphone manufacturers build unique physical gestures into their phones to make turning on the flashlight instantaneous, without even looking at the screen.

For Motorola Phones (The “Chop” Gesture):
Motorola is famous for its physical gestures. Simply hold your phone firmly in your hand and perform a quick “double chop” motion downward (as if you were holding a small axe). The phone will vibrate slightly, and the flashlight will instantly turn on. Do the exact same double chop to turn it off.

For Samsung Galaxy Phones (The Side Key):
Samsung allows you to remap the power button (which they call the Side Key) to perform specific actions when double-pressed.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Advanced features.
3. Tap on Side button.
4. Ensure Double press is toggled On.
5. Select Open app, then tap the small gear icon next to it and select the Flashlight from the list of available tools.

Now, whenever you double-click the power button quickly, the flashlight will activate immediately.