How to Use the iPhone Flashlight

You can turn use the iPhone flashlight to quickly light up your surroundings with the camera flash on any iPhone from the iPhone 4 up to the iPhone 5s using Control Center for fast access even when the iPhone is locked.

With iOS 7 Apple added an official iPhone flashlight app that users can use from the Control Center anytime they are holding the iPhone. Apple’s solution isn’t an iPhone flashlight app like you would normally download from the app store. Instead it is a simple switch built-in to the iOS 7 update so that it is easier to use.

This iPhone flashlight switch is better than third-party apps because it is easier to turn on and off. Some users may prefer an iPhone flashlight app with more options like a dimmer, strobe or a timer, but this is enough for most users.

The iPhone flashlight uses the flash for the camera as a flashlight, and not the screen like some early flashlight apps did. The camera flash is a better option and for users as a brighter, more direct way of seeing what is going on.

This guide will show you how to use the iPhone flashlight in just three taps.

iPhone Flashlight Guide

Any iPhone running iOS 7 or higher can turn the camera  flash into an iPhone flashlight without the need to install a third-party app or jailbreak your iPhone. This includes the iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. This will not work on the iPad, which does not use a flash.

The key to this iPhone flashlight is Control Center. This is the fastest way to use common iPhone settings and the iPhone flashlight tool. Most iPhone users already have use Control Center, which is on by default, but if this doesn’t work for you skip below to learn how to turn on Control Center for your lock screen, home screen and in any app.

1. Turn your iPhone display on with a push of the home or power button.

2. Slide up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center.

3. Tap on the iPhone flashlight icon in the lower left.

That’s all there is to turning the iPhone flashlight on. You can tap on the icon again to turn it off. There is no timer, so it will stay on until you turn it off. You can turn the iPhone screen off using the power button and continue to use the iPhone flashlight to light your way.

If you use the iPhone flashlight for a long time it will drain the iPhone battery quickly. The iPhone flashlight is not designed to replace a full size flashlight or for extended use. The top part of the iPhone will get hot if you use the iPhone flashlight for more than 15 to 30 minute. Instead this is designed to help you find your way to the door, find something you dropped or to light your path for a few minutes.

If sliding up doesn’t open Control Center on the iPhone you need to go to settings to make sure it is turned on and accessible from all of your screens. Go to Settings -> Control Center. From here you can make sure that Control Center is turned on for the Lock Screen and within apps. If you turn both on, you will be able to open the Control Center from anywhere and access the iPhone flashlight.