The fastest way to turn on your flashlight
The quickest way to turn on your Samsung phone's flashlight is to swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the full Quick Settings panel, then tap the Flashlight icon. On most Samsung phones, this icon looks like a small flashlight or torch. The light turns on when ready and stays on until you tap the icon again to turn it off.
If you only swipe down once, you'll see a smaller panel with fewer options. You may need to swipe down a second time or look for the Flashlight icon in that first panel—it depends on your phone model and Android version. Either way, the icon is usually in the top rows of the Quick Settings menu.
Your phone's camera flash, located on the back near the camera lens, produces the light. The flashlight will drain your battery faster than normal use, so turn it off when you're done.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings, then tap the Flashlight icon to turn it on.
- The flashlight uses your phone's camera flash and turns off by tapping the same icon again.
- On some Samsung models, you can add the Flashlight icon to your lock screen for one-tap access without unlocking your phone.
- If you can't find the Flashlight icon in Quick Settings, check your phone's Settings app under Display or Accessibility to confirm the feature is turned on.
Using the lock screen shortcut for faster access
Many Samsung phones let you turn on the flashlight directly from your lock screen without unlocking your phone first. Swipe up from the bottom corners of your lock screen—usually the bottom left or bottom right corner—and you'll see quick action icons including the flashlight.
If you don't see the flashlight icon on your lock screen, you can add it. Go to Settings > Lock Screen > Shortcuts and select the Flashlight option. The exact path varies slightly between Samsung models, but the Shortcuts or Quick Access menu is where you customize which icons appear on your lock screen.
This method is especially useful if your phone is locked and you need light in an emergency. You don't need to enter your PIN or pattern—the flashlight works from the lock screen itself.
Finding the flashlight in Settings if Quick Settings doesn't work
If the Flashlight icon isn't showing up in your Quick Settings panel, the feature may be hidden or turned off. Open your phone's Settings app and search for "flashlight" using the search bar at the top. This will take you directly to the flashlight settings on your phone.
Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps > Camera and make sure the Camera app has permission to use your phone's hardware. The flashlight feature depends on the Camera app having access to the flash. If permissions are blocked, the flashlight won't work even if you find the icon.
On some Samsung phones, the flashlight setting is under Settings > Accessibility > Visibility. If you've recently updated your phone's software, the menu structure may have shifted, so searching for "flashlight" is the most reliable way to find it.
Turning off the flashlight and saving battery
To turn off the flashlight, tap the Flashlight icon again in your Quick Settings panel or lock screen. The light will stop when ready. You can also turn it off by opening the Camera app and tapping the flash icon if you're using the camera—the flashlight and camera flash are the same hardware.
The flashlight uses a significant amount of battery power because the flash LED is bright and stays on continuously. If you've left the flashlight on by accident, your battery may drain noticeably faster than usual. Make it a habit to check your Quick Settings panel if your battery is dropping quickly and you haven't used your phone much.
Some Samsung phones have a battery saver mode that can limit flashlight brightness to extend battery life. If you need the flashlight for an extended period, check your battery settings to see if this option is available on your model.
Troubleshooting when the flashlight won't turn on
If you tap the Flashlight icon and nothing happens, the most common cause is that your phone's battery is critically low. Many Samsung phones disable the flashlight when battery drops below 5 or 10 percent to preserve power for emergency calls. Charge your phone and try again.
If your battery is not low, restart your phone by holding the power button and selecting Restart. This fixes temporary software glitches that can disable the flashlight. Wait for your phone to fully restart, then try the Flashlight icon again.
If the flashlight still won't work after restarting, check that the Camera app is not already open. You cannot use the flashlight while the Camera app is running—close the Camera app first. If none of these steps work, your phone's flash hardware may be damaged and you may need to contact Samsung support or visit a repair center.
Using voice commands to control the flashlight
If your Samsung phone has Google Assistant or Samsung's Bixby voice assistant enabled, you can turn the flashlight on and off by voice. Say "Hey Google, turn on the flashlight" or "Hey Bixby, turn on the flashlight" depending on which assistant your phone uses.
Voice control is useful if your hands are full or you're in the dark and can't easily reach your phone's screen. The flashlight will turn on the same way it does when you tap the icon—using your phone's camera flash. Say the same command with "off" instead of "on" to turn it off.
To use voice commands, make sure your chosen assistant is set up and listening. On most Samsung phones, Google Assistant is the default, but you can switch to Bixby in your Settings if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the flashlight while taking photos or videos?
No. The flashlight and the camera flash are the same hardware, so you cannot use the flashlight while the Camera app is open. If you want to use the flash while recording video, open the Camera app, switch to video mode, and tap the flash icon to turn on the flash for video recording. Close the Camera app to use the flashlight again.
Does the flashlight work if my phone is locked?
Yes, if you've added the Flashlight shortcut to your lock screen. Swipe up from the bottom corners of your lock screen to see the quick action icons. If the flashlight isn't there, you'll need to unlock your phone first and use the Quick Settings panel instead.
Why does my flashlight keep turning off by itself?
Your phone may have a battery saver or power saving mode turned on, which automatically disables the flashlight to save power. Check your Settings under Battery or Power Saving Mode and turn off power saving if you want the flashlight to stay on longer. If your battery is very low, the flashlight will also turn off automatically.
Is there a way to adjust the brightness of the flashlight?
Most Samsung phones do not have a brightness adjustment for the flashlight—it runs at full brightness when on. Some newer models may have this option in the Camera app settings, but the standard flashlight in Quick Settings has no brightness control. If you need adjustable light, consider using a flashlight app from the Google Play Store.
Can I set the flashlight to turn on automatically at a certain time?
The standard Samsung flashlight does not have scheduling features. If you want the flashlight to turn on automatically, you would need to use a third-party flashlight app from the Google Play Store that offers automation or scheduling options. The built-in flashlight is designed for manual control only.