iPhone: Enable LED Flash Blink on Incoming Text Messages

Typically, your iPhone lets you know when a notification comes in with sound or vibration. But there are situations where audible and physical alerts just aren’t enough to get your attention. If you’re hanging out in a night club or at a concert, you probably won’t hear the alert over the music or even feel the vibration if you’re dancing. You might miss a lot of calls and text messages this way.

An easy way to avoid this problem entirely is to enable the LED light on your iPhone. You can set it to flash whenever you receive a notification. The same light that works as the camera flashlight is also used as a flash blink for notifications whenever you get calls or text messages. This flashlight is bright enough to see during the day and perfect for catching your attention, even from your pocket.

Turning on iPhone Flash Blink on Incoming Text Messages

To enable flash blink on incoming text messages, you simply need to turn on the LED flashlight notifications on your iPhone.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Click on Accessibility.
3. Click on Audio/Visual
4. Then scroll down and click on LED Flash for Alerts.
5. Lastly, tap the button On for LED Flash for Alerts.
   

Remember that the LED Flash Alerts will only work when your iPhone is in sleep or locked mode.

Enabling Notifications For Messages

Before you can set up your LED flash alert, you have to enable your iPhone’s notifications for messages. This should be set to on as a default, but if you notice that the LED flashlight is not working after setting it up, you might need to turn it on.

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Then click on Notifications.
3. From the menu that shows up, click on Messages.
4. Lastly, slide the button to the right to switch it on.
   

Don’t forget to enable Show on Lock Screen to allow notifications on your screen when your device is locked.

How To Troubleshoot Your iPhone LED Flashlight

Start by removing your iPhone case. The case will occasionally shift to block some or all of the LED flash and even your phone’s back camera. Or sometimes, a bit of dirt will cover the screen of the LED flash, which won’t allow the flashlight to be bright enough.

You’ll need to check and see that nothing is blocking the LED flash and the camera lens. Then try to use the flashlight. If it’s still not working, you can try to troubleshoot it using the following steps:

1. Make sure your settings are correct

You need to make sure you have the right settings enabled. Simply go to ‘settings’ on your iPhone and click on ‘General’ and then click on ‘Accessibility’ and under the ‘Hearing section’ make sure that the ‘LED Flash for Alerts’ is turned ON.

2. Lock up your iPhone

This feature only works when your iPhone is locked, so you have to press the lock button on the side of your iPhone to lock it. Then try to use the flashlight again.

3. Check if the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) on your iPhone is turned off.

The next thing to do is to check the Do-Not-Disturb setting on your iPhone. Bear in mind that this feature will not work if the DND is turned ON or if the Airplane mode is activated. Make sure the DND and the Airplane mode are appropriately set and try to use the flashlight again.

4. Check if the camera/flash App is open.

The next thing to do is to check if the camera/flash app is open, this might be the reason why the LED flash on your iPhone is not working. You can simply check this by tapping your home button twice. If so, close the app by swiping it upwards. Then restart your iPhone and try to use the flashlight.

5. Check if your phone is hot.

Whenever your iPhone overheats due to usage, or if you’ve kept it in a hot environment, the LED flash may not work. You might get a message that says ‘Flash is disabled.’ This message will remain until your iPhone cools down to the normal working temperature. You can switch off your iPhone for a few hours, put it on, and then try to use the flashlight again.

Wrapping Up

If you are the type of person who loves going to clubs or if you’re always in a meeting, it might be a good idea to enable the Flash blink notification for text messages and calls on your iPhone. Following the steps highlighted above will turn on your feature in a flash!