How to Turn Off Flash Notifications on iPhone & Android [Easy]

If the flashing light notifications on your phone are bothering you, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of people find this feature more distracting than helpful. The good news is that switching off these flash notifications is easy.

This can help save your phone’s battery, keep you focused during important moments, or just make your notification style more low-key. In this guide, we will explain what flash notifications are, why you might want to turn them off, and how to disable them on both iPhone and Android devices.

Understanding flash notifications

Let’s start by understanding what flash notifications are before we talk about how to turn them off. Flash notifications are a type of visual alert. They use your device’s camera flash or the screen light to get your attention.

This feature is mainly made for people who have trouble hearing, as it gives them a visual sign of a notification. But sometimes, these flashing lights can be too much for some people, especially if they get many notifications.

↪ Reasons to turn off flash notifications

There are several reasons why turning off flash notifications might be a good option, even though they can be helpful for some people:

• Distractions: The flashing lights can make it hard to stay focused, especially when you need to concentrate on important tasks or you’re in a meeting.
• Privacy issues: Others around you can see these flash notifications, which can be a privacy concern.
• Battery life: Using the camera flash or the screen light for notifications often can use up a lot of your phone’s battery.
• Visual sensitivity: For some people, bright lights are a problem. This includes those who are easily bothered by strong lights or have health conditions like epilepsy, where flash notifications could be uncomfortable or even cause health issues.

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How to turn off flash notifications?

Now that we know what flash notifications are and why you might not want them, let’s look at how to switch them off on different devices:

Turn off flash notifications on iPhone (X series or newer)

To switch off flash notifications on your iPhone X or newer models (11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), just follow these easy steps:

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down until you see “Accessibility,” then tap on it.
   

   

2. In the Accessibility settings, find “Audio/Visual” section, which is part of the “Hearing” category. Tap on that.
   

   

3. Go to the bottom of the Audio/Visual menu. There, you’ll find the option “LED Flash for Alerts.”
   

   

4. If you want to stop all flash notifications for alerts, tap the button next to “LED Flash for Alerts.” When it turns grey, it means the flash notifications are turned off.
   

   

↪ Optional settings:

If you want flash notifications to work only in specific situations, you have some choices:

• Flash While Unlocked: You can keep the “LED Flash for Alerts” turned on but stop the flash from working when your device isn’t locked.

• Flash in Silent Mode: You can also turn on flash notifications when your phone is silent.

Usually, these changes are saved automatically. So, after you’ve adjusted the settings as you like, you can just leave the settings menu.

↪ Turn off flash notifications for iPhone 8 and earlier

Turning off flash notifications is straightforward for those using an iPhone 8 or an earlier model. Here are the simple steps to follow to turn off these alerts on your older iPhone:

1. Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone and tap “General.
   

   

2. Next, choose “Accessibility” from the list.
   

   

3. Once there, scroll down and find “LED Flash for Alerts.”
   

   

4. To stop flash notifications, just turn off the toggle next to it.
   

   

↪ Turn off flash notifications on Android

Turning off flash notifications on an Android phone also starts in the settings, but the steps might differ depending on your Android version and your phone’s brand.

1. Open your phone’s Settings app and find “Accessibility.”
   

   

2. Next, tap on “Advanced settings.”
   

   

3. Look for the option called “Flash notification” and tap on it.
   

   

4. Here, you can turn off the “Camera flash notification” by toggling it off.
   

   

If your phone also has a Screen flash notification option and it’s turned on, you can switch that off, too. If you’re having trouble finding the Flash notification setting, use the search bar in the settings to locate it.

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Enabling do not disturb mode to turn off flash notifications

Another good way to stop flash notifications on your phone is to use the Do Not Disturb mode. This mode doesn’t just silence calls and notifications; it also turns off the flash alerts. This ensures that nothing interrupts you.

↪ To activate Do Not Disturb mode on iPhone:

1. Just swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center and tap the option that says “Focus” with crescent moon icon. 
   

   

2. Then, tap “Do Not Disturb” mode to activate it.
   

   

↪ To activate Do Not Disturb mode on Android:

To turn on Do Not Disturb mode on an Android phone:

1. Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to quickly get to the settings. Tap the “Do Not Disturb” icon (it usually looks like a little circle with a dash). It will turn blue which means it is turned on. 
   

   

2. If you hold down this button, you’ll see more options for Do Not Disturb. Here you can also turn it off by tapping the toggle next to “Do not disturb.”
   

   

With Do Not Disturb on, your phone won’t show flash notifications, so you can focus without getting distracted by lights. This is useful when you’re in meetings, giving presentations, or just need to concentrate without interruptions.

Remember to turn off Do Not Disturb mode when you’re done so you don’t miss important calls and messages.

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Additional tips for managing flash notifications

Here are some extra tips for handling flash notifications on your phones:

• Alarms and Timers still work: Remember, turning off flash notifications won’t affect your alarms or timers. Your phone will still make sounds and vibrate for these, just like it always has.
• Use Do Not Disturb and Focus modes for less distraction: To manage your notifications more quietly, try using Do Not Disturb or Focus modes. These let you silence calls and alerts based on your choice, like the time, where you are, or what you’re doing.
• Check your notification settings regularly: Apps often change how their notifications work and your preferences might change too. So, it’s a good option to look over your notification settings now and then. This way, your device will alert you in the best way for you.
• Manage notifications effectively: Adjusting your notification settings can make your phone a better tool. It helps reduce distractions while ensuring you still know about the important stuff.

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Final Thoughts

Turning off flash notifications on your iPhone or Android device is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your daily experience. Whether you aim to reduce distractions, manage privacy, or prefer a quieter notification style, disabling flash alerts is simple yet effective.

Remember, alarms and timers will still function normally, and utilizing modes like Do Not Disturb or Focus can further refine how your device notifies you. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your notification settings is also key to ensuring your phone meets your current needs and lifestyle.