close
Video
NEW
You can now listen to Fox News articles!
Most people treat their
phone flashlight
like a basic on and off switch. You tap it when you drop something under the couch or walk through a dark parking lot. That’s it.
But with the latest software updates, both iPhone and
Samsung phones
have quietly turned the flashlight into something much more useful. You can control how bright it is. On some devices, you can even change how wide the beam spreads.
Once you know where to look, it feels like you just upgraded your phone without spending a dollar.
10 IOS 26 TRICKS THAT HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR IPHONE
iPhone flashlight features you’re probably missing
Your iPhone flashlight does more than turn on and off, and a few hidden controls can completely change how you use it.
How to adjust iPhone flashlight brightness
On almost all iPhones:
Swipe down
from the top right to open Control Center
Press and hold
the flashlight icon
Drag the vertical slider
up to increase brightness or down to lower it
This has been around for years, but many people still tap instead of holding. That’s where the real control lives.
How to change iPhone flashlight beam width (Pro models)
This is the feature most people have never seen. On
newer Pro iPhones
running the latest software:
Swipe down
to open Control Center
Press and hold
the flashlight icon
When the flashlight control appears at the top of the screen,
swipe left or right
to adjust the beam width
You can go from a narrow, focused beam to a wide flood of light.
That means:
Narrow beam
= better for seeing farther ahead
Wide beam
= better for lighting up a full area
This feature was introduced in iOS 18 and is still available in iOS 26.4, but it only works on iPhone 14 Pro and newer Pro models, including iPhone 15 Pro and later versions. You won’t see it on standard models.
How to turn on iPhone flashlight from the Lock Screen
You don’t even need to unlock your phone:
Press and hold the
flashlight icon
on the Lock Screen
It turns on instantly, which is faster than digging through menus.
How to use Siri to control your iPhone flashlight
You can say:
”
Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight.”
“Set flashlight to 50 percent.”
”
Hey Siri, turn off the flashlight.”
It’s one of the fastest hands-free options when your hands are full.
Bonus: Use iPhone flashlight for alerts and notifications
Your iPhone can use the flashlight as a visual alert:
Go to
Settings
Tap
Accessibility
Tap
Audio/Visual
Scroll down and turn on
Flash for Alerts
Your flashlight will blink for calls and notifications, which helps if your phone is on silent or in a noisy place.
Samsung flashlight features you should know
Samsung takes a different approach and, in some ways, gives you more flexibility right out of the box.
Note: Settings may vary depending on your Samsung device model and One UI version.
How to adjust Samsung flashlight brightness
On most Samsung Galaxy phones:
Swipe down
to open
Quick Settings
Press and hold
the
flashlight icon
Use the
brightness slider
(labeled “Brightness”) to adjust the light level
Many people miss this because a quick tap only turns the flashlight on or off. The brightness controls appear after you press and hold, giving you more control depending on your situation.
How to turn on the Samsung flashlight with your voice
If you use
Google Assistant
:
“Hey Google, turn on the flashlight.”
“Hey Google, turn off the flashlight.”
It works well when your hands are full or when you need quick access.
10 INCREDIBLY USEFUL IPHONE AND ANDROID TRICKS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
How to customize Samsung flashlight access
Samsung gives you a few ways to keep the flashlight within easy reach. To keep it in your main Quick Settings panel:
Swipe down from the top of the screen
to open
Quick Settings
If you do not see the flashlight icon in the main panel, tap the
pencil icon
to edit
Tap
Edit
Find
Flashlight
in the available buttons
Hold and drag the flashlight icon
into the main Quick Settings area
Tap
Done
or
Save
if prompted
Bonus: Use the Samsung flashlight for alerts and notifications
Samsung phones can also use the flashlight for visual alerts:
Go to
Settings
Tap
Accessibility
Tap
Advanced settings
Tap
Flash notifications
Turn on
Camera flash notification
You can also turn on
Screen flash notification
if you want your display to light up instead.
When iPhone and Samsung flashlight features actually matter
This is where it becomes practical:
Walking at night:
a narrow beam helps you see farther ahead
Power outage:
a wide beam lights up more of the room
Looking for something nearby:
lower brightness avoids harsh glare
Emergency situations:
faster access can save time
Once you start adjusting the light instead of just turning it on, it becomes far more useful.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here:
Cyberguy.com
Kurt’s key takeaways
The flashlight is one of the most used features on your phone, yet most people never go beyond the basics. Apple improved control with hardware and software, while Samsung focused on flexibility and customization. Both approaches make a simple tool far more capable.
Have you ever discovered a hidden feature on your phone that made you wonder what else you’ve been missing? Let us know by writing to us at
Cyberguy.com
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit
CyberGuy.com
trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to my
Ultimate Scam Survival Guide
free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.