How to Fix an iPhone Flashlight That Isn’t Working

Get your flashlight on again with these easy tips

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: June 13, 2024 Fact Checked

Is your iPhone flashlight not turning on? If the button is grayed out, or if tapping it does nothing, you may have a software glitch. Luckily, there are a few quick fixes you can try. Here's what to do when your iPhone flashlight is not working.

Why Did My iPhone Flashlight Stop Working?

Your iPhone flashlight may not work due to glitches, low battery, or outdated software. As a quick fix, open the Camera app and swipe to the Video setting. Tap the flash icon to enable it, and then start recording. The flashlight should turn on again.

1

Use the Camera app.

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Open video mode in the Camera app. When you record a video on an iPhone, you have the option to keep the "flash" feature on. This may fix any issues with the flashlight. Do the following:
- Open the Camera app.
- Swipe to the Video setting.
- Tap the flash icon in the top-left corner so it turns yellow.
- Tap the record button. The flash should turn on.
- Tap the record button again to end the recording.
- Try to use the flashlight again.

2

Turn off Low Power mode.

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Disable Low Power mode. This feature reduces some functions to optimize performance and may affect the flashlight. To turn off Low Power mode, do the following:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Toggle off Low Power Mode.

3

Charge your iPhone.

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A low battery can sometimes stop your flashlight from working properly. Depending on your charging cube, this can take a few hours.

4

Restart your iPhone.

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Restart your device. A quick restart can fix common issues. Do the following:
- On iPhones without a Home button, press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons until the Power slider appears.
  - On iPhones with a Home button, press and hold the side button until the slider appears.
- Slide the slider with your finger and wait for your iPhone to turn off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then turn it back on.

5

Use the Control Center.

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Add the Flashlight to the Control Center. On an iPhone, you can access the flashlight in two ways: from your lock screen and from the Control Center menu. If you want to use the Lock screen, just tap and hold the Flashlight icon to turn it on.^{[1]
X
Research source} To add it to the Control Center, do the following:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Control Center.
- Tap + next to Flashlight.
  - If Flashlight is already added, tap the - to remove it, and then tap + to add it again.

6

Update your iPhone.

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Keep your iPhone up-to-date. Similar to when your iPhone blinks or flickers, you may be due for a software update. Do the following:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install.

7

Contact Apple.

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Contact Apple support for help. This may be a hardware issue, and you may still be covered by Apple's warranty.^{[2]
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Research source}
- You can contact Apple on their website at https://getsupport.apple.com/.