Where to find the flash notification setting

Flash notifications on iPhone are controlled in the Accessibility settings, not in the main Notifications menu. Open Settings, then tap Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Audio/Visual. You'll see a toggle for LED Flash for Alerts — turn it off to stop the camera flash from blinking when you get a call or notification.

The flash notification feature was designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as an alternative to sound alerts. If you've enabled it and now want to disable it, this is the only place to do it. The setting applies to all incoming calls and notifications system-wide.

Key Takeaways

  • Flash notifications are turned on in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, not in the regular Notifications menu.
  • The LED Flash for Alerts toggle controls whether your iPhone's camera flash blinks when you receive calls or notifications.
  • Turning off the flash notification does not affect your sound or vibration alerts — you control those separately in the Notifications settings.
  • If you want the flash to blink only for calls but not other notifications, or vice versa, you'll need to use a third-party app, as iOS doesn't offer that level of control built-in.

Why the flash notification exists and who uses it

Apple added the LED flash alert feature to make iPhones more accessible. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the camera flash as a visual alert instead of relying on sound. The flash blinks in a pattern when a call comes in or a notification arrives, making it noticeable even if the phone is across the room or the user is not looking at the screen.

If you turned this on by accident or no longer need it, turning it off takes just a few taps. Some people also disable it because the flash can be distracting in dark rooms or during meetings, even if they can hear their phone's sound alerts.

What happens when you turn it off

Once you toggle off LED Flash for Alerts, your iPhone will no longer flash the camera light when you receive calls or notifications. Your phone will still ring, vibrate, or play a notification sound — whichever alerts you have turned on in your Notifications settings. The flash is a separate alert method, so disabling it does not change your other alert types.

If you change your mind later, you can turn the flash notification back on by returning to the same setting and toggling it back on. There's no penalty for turning it on and off as needed.

Controlling which notifications trigger the flash

iOS does not let you choose which specific apps or notification types trigger the flash. When you turn on LED Flash for Alerts, it applies to all incoming calls and all notifications across your phone. You cannot set the flash to blink only for calls, or only for messages, or only for certain apps.

If you want that level of control, you would need to use a third-party app from the App Store that mimics the flash notification feature. However, most people find it simpler to either turn the built-in flash on for everything or turn it off entirely.

Checking if other alert settings are on

If you turn off the flash notification but still want to be alerted to calls and messages, make sure your sound and vibration settings are enabled. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older iPhones) and check that Ringer and Alerts is turned up and not muted. You can also adjust vibration patterns here.

For individual apps, you can customize which notifications you receive by going to Settings > Notifications, then tapping each app to turn notifications on or off, or to change how they appear. These settings are separate from the flash notification toggle.

Troubleshooting if the flash still blinks

If you've turned off LED Flash for Alerts but your camera flash still blinks when you get a call, restart your iPhone. Sometimes the setting doesn't take effect until the phone restarts. Hold down the power button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

If the flash continues to blink after a restart, check that you toggled the correct setting. Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and confirm that LED Flash for Alerts is in the off position. On some iPhone models, the setting may be labeled slightly differently, but it will always be in the Accessibility menu under audio or visual options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off the flash notification affect my camera?

No. The flash notification setting only controls whether the camera light blinks as an alert. Your camera's flash for taking photos works independently and is not affected by this setting.

Can I set the flash to blink only for calls, not for messages?

Not with the built-in iOS setting. The LED Flash for Alerts toggle applies to all notifications and calls. If you need more control, you can search the App Store for third-party notification apps that offer customizable flash patterns.

Will my phone still ring if I turn off the flash?

Yes. The flash is just one type of alert. Your phone will still ring, vibrate, or play notification sounds based on your Sounds & Haptics settings. Turning off the flash does not silence your phone.

Where is the flash notification setting on older iPhones?

The location is the same on all iPhones: Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual. The setting has been in the same place since it was introduced, though the exact wording may vary slightly between iOS versions.