iPhone and Samsung flashlight hidden options most individuals do not know

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Most individuals deal with their phone flashlight like a primary on and off swap. You faucet it whenever you drop one thing below the sofa or stroll by means of a darkish parking zone. That is it.

However with the most recent software program updates, each iPhone and Samsung phones have quietly turned the flashlight into one thing way more helpful. You'll be able to management how brilliant it's. On some gadgets, you'll be able to even change how extensive the beam spreads.

As soon as you recognize the place to look, it feels such as you simply upgraded your cellphone with out spending a greenback.

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Understanding frequent cellphone settings helps customers keep safer, keep away from scams and lower down on battery drain. (Silas Stein/image alliance)

iPhone flashlight options you are most likely lacking Your iPhone flashlight does greater than activate and off, and some hidden controls can utterly change how you utilize it.

How one can modify iPhone flashlight brightness On nearly all iPhones:

Swipe down from the highest proper to open Management Middle Press and maintain the flashlight icon Drag the vertical slider as much as improve brightness or all the way down to decrease it This has been round for years, however many individuals nonetheless faucet as a substitute of holding. That is the place the actual management lives.

How one can change iPhone flashlight beam width (Professional fashions) That is the characteristic most individuals have by no means seen. On newer Pro iPhones operating the most recent software program:

Swipe down to open Management Middle Press and maintain the flashlight icon When the flashlight management seems on the high of the display screen, swipe left or proper to regulate the beam width You'll be able to go from a slender, centered beam to a large flood of sunshine.

Meaning:

Slender beam = higher for seeing farther forward Large beam = higher for lighting up a full space This characteristic was launched in iOS 18 and continues to be out there in iOS 26.4, but it surely solely works on iPhone 14 Professional and newer Professional fashions, together with iPhone 15 Professional and later variations. You will not see it on normal fashions.

How one can activate iPhone flashlight from the Lock Display You do not even must unlock your cellphone:

Press and maintain the flashlight icon on the Lock Display It activates immediately, which is quicker than digging by means of menus.

How one can use Siri to manage your iPhone flashlight You'll be able to say:

" Hey Siri, activate the flashlight." "Set flashlight to 50 %." " Hey Siri, flip off the flashlight." It is one of many quickest hands-free choices when your arms are full.

Safety consultants warn that DarkSword’s public leak may flip a once-targeted iPhone risk right into a broader threat for customers operating outdated Apple software program. (Anna Barclay/Getty Photos)

Bonus: Use iPhone flashlight for alerts and notifications Your iPhone can use the flashlight as a visible alert:

Go to Settings Faucet Accessibility Faucet Audio/Visible Scroll down and activate Flash for Alerts Your flashlight will blink for calls and notifications, which helps in case your cellphone is on silent or in a loud place.

Samsung flashlight options it's best to know Samsung takes a unique method and, in some methods, offers you extra flexibility proper out of the field.

Word: Settings might range relying in your Samsung machine mannequin and One UI model.

How one can modify Samsung flashlight brightness On most Samsung Galaxy telephones:

Swipe down to open Fast Settings Press and maintain the flashlight icon Use the brightness slider (labeled "Brightness") to regulate the sunshine stage Many individuals miss this as a result of a fast faucet solely turns the flashlight on or off. The brightness controls seem after you press and maintain, providing you with extra management relying in your state of affairs.

How one can activate the Samsung flashlight along with your voice If you happen to use Google Assistant :

"Hey Google, activate the flashlight." "Hey Google, flip off the flashlight." It really works effectively when your arms are full or whenever you want fast entry.

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How one can customise Samsung flashlight entry Samsung offers you just a few methods to maintain the flashlight inside straightforward attain. To maintain it in your essential Fast Settings panel:

Swipe down from the highest of the display screen to open Fast Settings If you don't see the flashlight icon in the principle panel, faucet the pencil icon to edit Faucet Edit Discover Flashlight within the out there buttons Maintain and drag the flashlight icon into the principle Fast Settings space Faucet Finished or Save if prompted Bonus: Use the Samsung flashlight for alerts and notifications Samsung telephones also can use the flashlight for visible alerts:

Go to Settings Faucet Accessibility Faucet Superior settings Faucet Flash notifications Activate Digital camera flash notification You too can activate Display flash notification in order for you your show to gentle up as a substitute.

When iPhone and Samsung flashlight options really matter That is the place it turns into sensible:

Strolling at evening: a slender beam helps you see farther forward Energy outage: a large beam lights up extra of the room In search of one thing close by: decrease brightness avoids harsh glare Emergency conditions: sooner entry can save time When you begin adjusting the sunshine as a substitute of simply turning it on, it turns into way more helpful.

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As Samsung shifts to Google Messages, many individuals are receiving complicated alerts that may be straightforward to misread. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Kurt's key takeaways The flashlight is without doubt one of the most used options in your cellphone, but most individuals by no means transcend the fundamentals. Apple improved management with {hardware} and software program, whereas Samsung centered on flexibility and customization. Each approaches make a easy device way more succesful.

Have you ever ever found a hidden characteristic in your cellphone that made you surprise what else you've got been lacking? Tell us by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of know-how, gear and devices that make life higher together with his contributions for Fox Information & FOX Enterprise starting mornings on "FOX & Pals." Obtained a tech query? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy E-newsletter, share your voice, a narrative concept or remark at CyberGuy.com.