How to Turn Off Flashlight On iPhone: 3 Easy Ways (iOS 17)

What to Know

  • Tap the flashlight icon in the lower left corner of your Lock screen to switch your flashlight on and off.
  • You can also use Siri voice commands or tap the flashlight icon in your iPhone's Control Center. 

Where's my flashlight? You can access your iPhone flashlight from your Lock Screen, Control Center, or by asking Siri. We'll show you how to use each method to turn the flashlight on and off. As an added bonus, we'll also show you how to adjust the brightness of your iPhone flashlight.

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Where Is the Flashlight on iPhone & iPad? 

You can find the flashlight icon in the Control Center, or you can access it from your Lock Screen. You can also ask Siri to turn the iPhone flashlight on or off. The LED flash in your iPhone's camera doubles as a flashlight. That means all iPhones have the flashlight feature, including older models like the iPhone 4, all the way up through the newest iPhones. There's also a flashlight on the iPad, iPad Pro, and the discontinued iPod Touch; you can turn the flashlight on and shut off the flashlight in almost the same ways as the iPhone. 

How to Turn the iPhone Flashlight On & Off Using Siri

Asking Siri to turn the flashlight on can save you from fumbling with your iPhone in the dark. To turn the flashlight on and off with Siri; you can either say, "Hey Siri," or just say "Siri" if you have iOS 17 or later, or press the Side or Home button to wake Siri up. Here’s how to turn your flashlight on and off using Siri:

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Use Siri to Shut the Flashlight Off & Turn It Back On

  1. To turn on flashlight, say, "Siri, turn on my flashlight" or "Hey Siri, flashlight on, please."

    To turn on flashlight, say, "Hey Siri, turn on my flashlight." or "Hey Siri, flashlight on, please."
  2. To turn it off, say something like, "Hey Siri, turn off the flashlight," "Hey Siri, switch off my flashlight," or "Siri, shut off the flashlight."

    To turn it off, say, "Hey Siri, turn off the flashlight," "Hey Siri, turn off my flashlight," or "Hey Siri, shut off the flashlight."

Pro Tip: If you have iOS 17 or later installed, but Siri doesn't activate when you say "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri," open the Settings app, and tap Siri & Search. At the top, tap Listen for and make sure the option to listen to "Siri" or "Hey Siri" is selected. Now both voice commands will activate Siri!

Turn iPhone Flashlight On & Off with Side Button

If you don't have Siri enabled, you can still ask Siri to turn the flashlight on and off. If voice commands to activate Siri aren't working, or you haven’t enabled Siri on your iPhone, try this method instead:

  1. Press and hold the Side button and ask Siri to turn the flashlight on.

    Press and hold the Side button and ask Siri to turn the flashlight on.
  2. Press and hold the Side button and ask Siri to turn the flashlight off.

    Press and hold the Side button and ask Siri to turn the flashlight off.

How to Turn the Flashlight On & Off in the Control Center

You can access your flashlight from the Control Center of any iPhone or iPad Pro, but the method for getting to the Control Center differs depending on which model iPhone you have. Here's how to turn the flashlight on and off from the Control Center.

  1. Swipe down from the upper right corner of your Home Screen.

    Swipe down from the upper right corner of your Home.
  2. Tap the flashlight icon turn it on.

    Tap the flashlight icon turn it on.
  3. Tap the flashlight icon again to turn the flashlight off.

    Tap the flashlight icon again to turn the flashlight off.

Flashlight Icon Missing? How to Add the Flashlight Icon to the Control Center

If your flashlight icon is missing from the Control Center, you will need to re-enable the flashlight icon in the Control Center menu of the Settings app. To get your missing flashlight icon back:

  1. Open the Settings app. 

    Open the Settings app. 
  2. Tap Control Center. 

    Tap Control Center. 
  3. Scroll down to Flashlight and tap the green circle.

    Scroll down to Flashlight and tap the green circle.

How to Turn on the Flashlight on iPhone & Turn Off Flashlight on iPhone from the Lock Screen

By turning the flashlight on from the Lock screen, you can skip the trouble of having to unlock your iPhone in order to light the way. If you like tips like this about using your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!

How to Turn on the Flashlight on an iPhone (Or Turn Off the Flashlight)

If you own an iPad Pro or an iPhone X or later, you can also turn your flashlight on from your Lock screen without opening the Control Center.

  1. On the Lock Screen, press the flashlight icon to turn the flashlight on.

    On the Lock Screen, press the flashlight icon to turn the flashlight on.
  2. Press the flashlight icon again to turn the flashlight off.

    Press the flashlight icon again to turn the flashlight off.

The iPhone flashlight will remain on while you use your iPhone until you turn off the flashlight or open your Camera app.

A Lock Screen Trick to Shut Off the Flashlight on iPhone

Opening the Control Center and fumbling for the right icon to turn off the flashlight can feel like too many steps—especially if you prefer not to allow access to Control Center from your Lock screen or don't have Siri enabled. Here’s how to turn off your iPhone’s flashlight without opening the Control Center. Your iPhone’s camera flash and flashlight use the same bulb, so opening the Camera app turns the flashlight off. However, to do this, your phone must be unlocked first. 

  1. From the Lock Screen, swipe left as though to access the Camera and release before reaching the halfway point.

    From the Lock Screen, swipe left as though to access the Camera and release before reaching the halfway point.
  2. The Flashlight will turn off, and you’ll still be on the Lock Screen.

    The Flashlight will turn off, and you’ll still be on the Lock Screen.

How to Change the Flashlight Brightness on Your iPhone

Did you know that you can use 3D Touch to change the brightness of your iPhone’s flashlight. Haptic Touch is similar to 3D Touch, except it doesn't rely on pressure. It instead registers a long press and then sends a vibration of confirmation. Here's how to adjust the brightness of your iPhone flashlight:

  1. Open the Control Center.

    Open the Control Center.
  2. Press and hold the Flashlight icon.

    Haptic Touch the Flashlight icon by pressing firmly.
  3. A segmented bar will appear on screen. Swipe up on the bar to turn up the flashlight's brightness. 

    A segmented bar will appear on screen. Swipe up on the bar to turn up the flashlight's brightness. 
  4. Swipe down on the bar to dim the flashlight. 

    Swipe down on the bar to dim the flashlight. 
  5. Select the brightness you desire, then tap the screen to return to the Control Center.

    Select the brightness you desire, then tap the screen to return to the Control Center.

FAQ

  • Can I remove the flashlight from the Lock Screen on my iPhone? No, there is no way to remove the flashlight from the lower left corner of your iPhone Lock Screen. You also cannot disable the flashlight icon on your Lock Screen.
  • How can I get the flashlight on my iPhone? You don't need to download a flashlight app for your iPhone! This is because your iPhone flashlight uses your camera flash. You can access the iPhone flashlight by tapping the flashlight icon on your Lock Screen or in your Control Center. 
  • Does the iPad have a flashlight? Yes. The iPad, iPad Pro, and the Apple Watch all have flashlights. On the iPad, you can turn the flashlight on and shut off the flashlight in almost the same ways as with the iPhone. 
  • Can Siri dim my flashlight for me? You can't ask Siri to make your flashlight brighter or dimmer yet, but it's possible that the option will be available in a future operating system. 
  • Is there a shortcut to turn on the iPhone flashlight? Yes. If you set up Back Tap in your iPhone’s accessibility settings you can turn your flashlight on and off just by tapping the back of your phone

And that's everything you need to know about operating your iPhone's flashlight. Now, you'll never have to stumble to the fridge at midnight in the dark!

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Author Details

Sarah Kingsbury's picture

Author Details

Sarah Kingsbury

As the Editorial Director at iPhone Life, Sarah Kingsbury manages the online editorial team and oversees all website content. She is a long-time Apple enthusiast who never goes anywhere without her Apple Watch and owns way too many HomePods. Since joining iPhone Life in 2013, Sarah has done everything from writing hundreds of how-to articles to founding the Daily Tip newsletter. She even co-hosted the early episodes of the iPhone Life Podcast. When not at work, Sarah can be found hiking in the mountains and canyons around Las Vegas, where she lives with her partner and dogs.