A flashlight is a handy tool on smartphones. You may think there’s just one setting to control the flashlight, but you can change the Samsung phone flashlight brightness, use the SOS flashlight, set the flashlight for notifications, and more. This guide highlights the best Samsung flashlight settings and tips to use it like a pro.
Also helpful: whether you have a Samsung phone or a Pixel, you can easily turn your Android flashlight on and off.
1. Turn the Samsung Flashlight On or Off
From Quick Settings Panel
The default way to enable or disable the flashlight on Samsung Galaxy phones is from the Quick Settings panel. Swipe down twice from the top edge of your phone and tap on the Torch tile to turn on the flashlight. Tap on the same tile again to turn off the flashlight.
Note: if you don’t see the Torch button, go to the last screen of Quick Panel, tap on the + button, then enable Torch.
From Side Power Button
If you use the flashlight frequently on your Samsung Galaxy phone, you can assign it to the double-press functionality of the Side or Power button.
Go to Settings -> Advanced features -> Side button. Enable the toggle next to Double press.
Select Open app, and tap on the Gear icon next to Open app. Choose Torch from the list. When you enable the flashlight, press the Power button twice, and press the button twice again to turn it off.
From Lock Screen
If you are looking for a Samsung flashlight shortcut for the lock screen, you won’t be disappointed. Samsung allows you to enable or disable the flashlight from the lock screen of your phone.
Go to Settings -> Lock screen, and tap on Edit on the Lock screen preview.
Tap the left or right shortcut on the lock screen you wish to assign the torch functionality. Select Torch and press Done to save the changes.
Hold and drag the Torch icon on the lock screen slightly upward to activate Torch from the lock screen. Use the same gesture to turn the flashlight off.
Note: for older Samsung Galaxy phones, go to Settings -> Lock Screen -> Shortcuts.
2. Change Flashlight Brightness
Sometimes the default flashlight brightness may not be enough. Thankfully, Samsung allows you to increase or decrease the brightness.
Open the Quick Settings panel, and tap on Torch to enable it. Long-press the Torch button, and use the brightness slider to change the brightness level.
Note: the brightness slider will appear greyed out if the torch is turned off.
3. Use SOS Flashlight
Samsung Galaxy phones are full of hidden features, and one such feature is the SOS flashlight. You will not be able to access it using the above methods. Instead, it’s present in the Torch tool of the Edge Panel. You must enable the Edge Panel and add the Tools panel.
Open Settings and go to Display -> Edge panels.
Enable the toggle next to Off, and tap on Panels.
Enable the selection circle for Tools by tapping on it.
Swipe inward using the Edge handle on the side of your phone to open the Edge panel from any screen. Scroll through the available panels until you see the Compass panel. Tap on the three-dot icon, and select Torch.
Tap on the Torch button to enable the flashlight, then tap on the SOS button to turn on the SOS flashlight. Use the + and – buttons to change the flashlight’s brightness on your phone.
Note: the SOS button will only show up after Torch is enabled.
4. Use Bixby or Google Assistant to Control Flashlight
You can use digital assistants like Bixby or Google Assistant to enable or disable the flashlight on your Samsung Galaxy phone from any screen. Launch your preferred assistant, and say one of the following commands:
- “Turn on flashlight”
- “Turn on torch”
- “Turn off flashlight”
- “Turn off torch”
5. Set Flashlight for Incoming Calls and Notifications
Another attractive Samsung flashlight setting is making your phone’s flashlight light up for incoming calls or notifications. To enable this feature, go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Advanced settings -> Flash notification.
Enable the toggle next to the Camera flash notification. You can choose the apps that show the flashlight for notifications and turn it off for other apps by tapping on the Camera flash notification text, and enabling the toggle next to your preferred apps.
Tip: check out other ways to make your Samsung phone light up for new notifications.
6. Create a Routine for Flashlight
If you want your phone’s flashlight to activate automatically at a particular place, at a certain time, for a specific caller, for a certain battery level, or similar conditions, create a Bixby routine.
Go to Settings -> Modes and Routines, and tap on the Routines tab.
Tap the + icon to create a new routine, then tap on the Add what will trigger this routine text. Select the criteria that will make the flashlight turn on.
Tap on Add what this routine will do, and select Functions.
Choose Torch, followed by Turn on, and press the Done button.
Tap on Save to create the routine.
These tips for using your Samsung flashlight are sure to help you out when you really need it. It may also be helpful to learn how to customize the home screen of your phone and change the color of your Samsung keyboard.
All images and screenshots by Mehvish Mushtaq.
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