The LED flash located on the back of your iPhone, right next to the camera lenses, doubles as an incredibly bright, convenient flashlight. Whether you are searching for your keys in the dark or trying to read a menu in a dimly lit restaurant, the flashlight is always just a quick swipe away. However, many iPhone users do not realize that the flashlight is not limited to a simple on/off switch; Apple actually allows you to adjust the intensity of the light across several different brightness levels.
How to Turn the Flashlight On and Off
The fastest way to access the flashlight is through the iPhone’s Control Center, which can be accessed from any screen, even when the phone is locked.
- Open the Control Center:
- If your iPhone has Face ID (no home button), swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- If your iPhone has a physical Home button, swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen.
- Look for the icon that looks like a small Flashlight.
- Tap the Flashlight icon once to turn the light on. The icon will turn blue (or white, depending on your iOS version) to indicate it is active.
- Tap the icon again to turn the light off.
Note: If you have an iPhone with Face ID, there is also a permanent flashlight shortcut button located in the bottom-left corner of your lock screen. Simply press and hold that button for one second to activate the light.
How to Adjust the Flashlight Brightness
If you are trying to read a book in bed without disturbing your partner, the default flashlight setting might be blindingly bright. You can easily dim it down.
- Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom).
- Instead of just tapping the flashlight icon, press and hold your finger on the Flashlight icon for about one second.
- A large, vertical slider will appear on your screen, divided into segments.
- Slide your finger up or down on the slider to adjust the intensity. The bottom segment turns the flashlight off entirely, while the top segment sets it to maximum brightness.
The iPhone will remember your chosen brightness level. The next time you tap the flashlight icon to turn it on, it will automatically activate at the specific intensity you previously set.