Although the flash is there for its usefulness in photography, I recognize that where I use it most is as a flashlight. It is that the number of occasions in which The flashlight on my cell phone saves me from trouble There are many: when I drop something on the floor in a poorly lit place, when I search in dark spaces, when I open the front door at night, when I have to pick up the gift my pet makes on a night walk…
I’m pretty sure that almost everyone knows how to turn on their flashlight, but turning it on quickly is a different story. Because yes, you probably know how to turn it on the old-fashioned way, but there are many other ways to do it and they can make all the difference. Become a pro with your mobile flashlight with these ways of turning it on.
From the quick settings
This is the most common way to turn on the flashlight on Android and the truth is that it is not a bad option: it is the second fastest way to do it. It is as simple as sliding your finger from the top of the screen so that it turns on. Expand the quick settings and there tap on the internal icon.
Although it comes by default, you may not have it (because for example you have previously removed it), but you can return it to its place by opening the quick settings and tapping on the pencil in the lower right corner. Then you just have to find the flashlight button and drag it to place it.
With the Google Assistant
This isn’t the quickest, but it is the most convenient, as you don’t have to worry about finding any buttons: you just have to give the relevant command to Google Assistant and the assistant will do it for you. For example, it’s a good resource for people who are not very technological and have a hard time touching buttons or reading menus. Simply invoke Google Assistant with your favorite method and say something as simple as ‘Turn on the flashlight‘.
On the lock screen (depends on the model)
This is the quickest way to activate the flashlight, but it will depend on what brand of phone you have. So, for example, since Android 14 on my Google Pixel it is possible. Customize the lock screen to place buttons such as the camera, the QR reader and yes, also the flashlight. It is not the only one: Samsung or Realme also allow it.
Doing so is as simple as opening the phone settings and in ‘Wallpaper and style‘ >’Display and touch settings‘ > ‘Lock screen‘ > ‘Shortcut‘ and there choose in which corner you place the flashlight button and select it.
With a quick touch
The touches have had their ups and downs in Android but since Android 13 they are still present in a stable way and constitute theto another faster way to turn on the flashlightalthough they have the handicap that depending on the type of case you have, it may not work as smoothly as it should.
To use this option we will have to activate it first by going to the mobile settings and there following the path: ‘System‘ > ‘Gestures‘ > ‘Quick tap to start actions‘. Once inside, make sure that the toggle ‘Use quick touch‘ is activated and marked ‘Turn on/off flashlight‘.
From ‘At a Glance’ on Google Pixel
The ‘At a Glance’ widget offers the possibility to display extra information on the lock screen and on the home screen and in between. Customization options include the flashlight. So you need to have a Google Pixel and the widget activated.
At this point, it’s time to configure it so that the flashlight appears. How? Make a long press on the home screen and enter ‘Home screen settings‘ > ‘At a glance‘ (check that it is activated) > ‘Personalize‘ and there slide the flashlight toggle.
So far, these are the options that come in Android to turn on the flashlight (which are not few), but you can also use third-party applications to invoke it in more ways (be careful though, because there are flashlight apps that are real leeches when it comes to requesting permissions), such as Torchie, which uses the volume buttons or Action Blocks to configure buttons.
Cover | Peppu Rica