How to Turn Off the Flashlight on iPhone, With Photos

Key Points

• You may need to learn how to turn off the flashlight from the lock screen, and this guide will show you how.
• You can turn it off through Siri, the control center, or the flashlight icon.
• Another trick is to use the camera app to turn off the flashlight.

Have you ever wondered how to turn off the flashlight on your iPhone? Maybe you accidentally turned it on, or maybe you knew what you were doing until it came to turning it off. No matter the case, there are three main ways to access the flashlight on an iPhone.

This guide will walk you through the steps of all three ways: from the Lock Screen, from the Control Center, or through a quick “Hey Siri.”

How to Turn the Flashlight On or Off from the Lock Screen

Skip the hassle of unlocking your phone and turn the flashlight on or off from the Lock screen. The exact method depends on the model of the iPhone you have.

For newer models, iPhone X or later, the flashlight icon will be accessible from your Lock screen. For older models, iPhone 8 or earlier, the flashlight is accessible from the Lock screen but only through the Control Center. Don’t worry, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process below for both options.

Access the Flashlight from the Lock Screen on an iPhone X or Later

If you own an iPhone X or later, you can turn off the flashlight from the Lock screen without the need to unlock the phone.

1. Activate the Lock Screen

There are two ways to do this: by pressing the power button on the side or by raising it to wake it.

2. Press the flashlight icon

The flashlight icon is located in the bottom left corner. Pressing it will turn the flashlight on. Press the icon again to turn it off.

Access the Flashlight from the Lock Screen on an iPhone 8 or Older

For older iPhone models, iPhone 8 or older, there is no flashlight icon located on the Lock screen. However, with a single tap, you can access the flashlight from the Control Center.

1. Access the Control Center

For older iPhone models, access the Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

2. Press the flashlight icon

The icon will light up when the flashlight comes on.

How to Turn the Flashlight On or Off From the Control Center

Another quick method is through the Control Center. With a single swipe, you can open the Control Center to access a variety of iPhone features, including the flashlight. A useful feature when you’re fumbling around in the dark.

To get to the Control Center, the methods vary based on the model of your iPhone. Read on for a step-by-step of how to access the Control Center on both newer and older models:

Access the Flashlight from the Control Center on iPhone X or later

The Control Center hosts an array of iPhone utility features in one place.

1. Start from the Home or Lock Screen

The Control Center can be accessed if your phone is locked or if it’s open to the Home Screen. Bypass the long, sometimes ornery facial recognition check by pulling down the Control Center from the upper right corner of the Lock screen.

2. Swipe down from the upper right corner

You should see a row of icons at the bottom depending on your Control Center customization.

3. Tap the flashlight icon

Tap again to turn it off. If the icon is still lit up, that means the flashlight is still on.

Access the Flashlight from the Control Center on iPhone 8 or earlier

For the iPhone 8 and earlier models, the Control Center is the easiest way to turn the flashlight on or off.

1. Access the Control Center

If you have an older model iPhone, you have to swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the Control Center.

2. Press the flashlight icon

Press it again to turn it off.

How to Add the Flashlight Icon to the Control Center

If you don’t see the flashlight icon anywhere in the Control Center, you may need to enable it. To add the flashlight icon, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Settings App

The Settings app can usually be found on the Home screen depending on your customization settings. If it’s not there, no need to fret. Simply swipe down from the middle of the screen to bring up the Search field. Type in “Settings” and it should come right up.

Another way to find the Settings app is to swipe left from the Home screen. This will reveal your App Library, which is searchable. Type in “Settings” and it will come to the top of the list.

2. Click on the Control Center

It should be close to the bottom of the viewable screen.

3. Scroll down to Flashlight

Tap the green circle with a plus mark in the center and voila! You’ve added the flashlight icon to your Control Center. Now you can turn the flashlight on and off with a swipe and click, no matter what model of iPhone you have.

How to Turn the Flashlight On or Off with Siri

Hands tied but do you still need to turn on the flashlight? Siri has your back. There are two ways to ask depending on your current “Hey Siri” options.

With “Hey Siri” enabled

1. Say “Hey Siri, turn on my flashlight.”

You can also try, “Hey Siri, will you turn on my flashlight?”

2. Say “Hey Siri, turn off my flashlight.”

“Hey Siri, flashlight off,” also works.

Without “Hey Siri” enabled

If you don’t have Siri enabled or it is currently unresponsive, the flashlight is still only a button click away.

1. Press and hold the Side button

Also known as the power button, it’s located on the side of your iPhone. After a second of pressure, Siri should wake up.

2. Ask Siri to turn on the flashlight

You can also try asking in different ways. Siri is versatile and understands most requests, within reason. Siri can handle a number of your regular iPhone requests, such as texting and making calls, should you choose to use it.

How to Turn Off the Flashlight with the Camera App

There’s one bonus trick that allows you to turn off your iPhone flashlight while the screen is still locked. Although not an official way, it works all the same.

1. Swipe slightly left from the Lock screen

You may already know that swiping left from the Lock screen opens the Camera App, which simultaneously shuts off the flashlight. By swiping only slightly left, then releasing, the flashlight turns off without the Camera app actually opening.

A reminder: don’t forget to turn the flashlight back off, as it will remain on until it is turned off again or until it drains the battery.

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