Flash notifications are the bright light pulses your phone sends when a message arrives
Flash notifications use your phone's camera light or screen brightness to alert you to incoming calls, texts, or app messages. Instead of a sound or vibration, your phone flashes like a strobe light. This feature is useful in loud environments or when you need silent alerts, but many people turn it off because the flashing is distracting or unnecessary.
The steps to disable flash notifications differ between iPhones and Android phones, and the exact location in your settings depends on which version of the operating system you have. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, flash notifications are controlled in Accessibility settings under Audio/Visual, not in the main Notifications menu.
- On Android phones, the setting is usually in Notifications or Accessibility, but the exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version.
- You can turn off flash notifications globally or disable them for specific apps only.
- If you cannot find the setting, your phone model may not support flash notifications, which means the feature is not currently active.
Turning off flash notifications on iPhone
On iPhone, flash notifications live in the Accessibility settings rather than the main Notifications area. Open Settings, then tap Accessibility. Scroll down and select Audio/Visual. You will see a toggle for LED Flash for Alerts — turn this off. The flash will no longer activate when you receive notifications.
If you want to keep flash notifications but disable them only for certain apps, you cannot do that on iPhone. The LED flash setting is all-or-nothing. However, you can control whether individual apps send notifications at all by going to Settings > Notifications, selecting the app, and turning off Allow Notifications.
Turning off flash notifications on Android
Android phones vary by manufacturer, so the exact path depends on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another brand. Start by opening Settings and searching for "flash" using the search bar at the top. This usually takes you directly to the right setting. If the search does not work, try Settings > Notifications and look for a Flash or LED option.
On Samsung phones specifically, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing enhancements and toggle off Flash notifications. On Google Pixel phones, the setting is in Settings > Notifications > Advanced > Flash notifications. If you find the setting, turn it off to disable the feature entirely.
Some Android phones let you disable flash notifications per app. If your phone supports this, open Settings > Notifications, select the specific app, and look for a Flash or LED option within that app's notification settings.
What to do if you cannot find the flash notification setting
If you search your settings and cannot locate a flash notification option, your phone either does not support the feature or it is not currently enabled. Older phones and budget models sometimes lack this capability. This is not a problem — it simply means your phone was not designed to send flash alerts, so there is nothing to turn off.
If you recently updated your phone's operating system and the setting disappeared, restart your phone and search again. Settings sometimes take a moment to refresh after an update. If the setting still does not appear, your phone model does not include this feature.
Disabling flash notifications for specific apps only
Most phones do not offer per-app control of flash notifications — the setting is typically global. However, you can achieve a similar result by turning off notifications entirely for apps you do not want to alert you. Open Settings > Notifications, select the app, and disable Allow Notifications or Show Notifications.
If you want that app to send notifications but without the flash, you will need to turn off flash notifications for your entire phone. There is no middle ground on most devices. The exception is some Samsung phones, which may let you control flash per app — check your app's individual notification settings to see if a Flash option appears.
Why flash notifications might turn back on after an update
When you update your phone's operating system, some notification settings reset to their defaults. If you previously turned off flash notifications and they suddenly reappear after an update, go back to the same settings location and turn them off again. This is normal behavior and not a sign that something is wrong with your phone.
To avoid having to redo this after future updates, write down exactly where the setting is on your phone — the exact menu path — so you can find it quickly if it resets again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off flash notifications affect my phone's flashlight?
No. The flash notification setting only controls whether your phone uses the camera light to alert you to messages. Your flashlight app and camera will work normally. The two features use the same light hardware, but the notification setting does not interfere with manual flashlight use.
Can I have flash notifications for calls but not for texts?
On most phones, no — flash notifications are either on for all alerts or off entirely. You cannot split the setting by notification type. If you want calls to alert you but not texts, turn off flash notifications and use a different alert method for calls, such as a custom ringtone or vibration pattern.
Will turning off flash notifications save battery?
Slightly, but not noticeably. Flash notifications use very little power because the light pulse is brief. If battery life is your concern, disabling background app refresh or reducing screen brightness will have a much larger effect than turning off flash alerts.
What if my phone does not have a camera light?
Some phones use screen flash instead of a camera light — the entire screen brightens briefly. The setting controls both types. If your phone has neither a camera light nor a bright screen, it cannot send flash notifications, and the setting will not appear in your menu.