How Can I Find Out What App Is Using My Flashlight

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

The flash on most smartphones isn't just there to improve the lighting on your photos. It can also serve as a handy flashlight. It's one of the most valuable accessories on your phone, with applications in many different situations, like when you're having a hard time unlocking your front door late at night or looking for something in a dark room.

But how exactly can you turn on flashlight mode for your Android device? There are more than a few to do it — with some being specific to certain smartphones. You'll be all set to light your way the next time you come home late from a party with the flashlight options below.

Editor's note: Unless otherwise specified, instructions in this article were put together using a Pixel 4a with 5G running Android 12. Keep in mind steps might be different depending on your device and the software version it uses.

Turn on flashlight mode with the quick toggle

OnePlus 8T quick settings and notifications close up

Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

Google first introduced a flashlight toggle with Android 5.0 Lollipop, located right in the quick settings. To access it, all you have to do is pull down the notification bar, find the toggle, and tap on it. The flashlight will be turned on instantly, and you can toggle it right back off when you no longer need it.

How to turn on the light on most Android phones:

Pull down the notification bar by sliding your finger down from the top of the screen.
Find the Flashlight toggle and tap on it to turn on flashlight mode. That's it!

If you don't find the Quick Settings flashlight option, just add it:

Pull down the notification bar by sliding your finger down from the top of the screen.
Swipe down again to see more options.
Tap on the Pencil button.
Look for the Flashlight button. Tap and hold on to it.
Drag the button up to your active toggles.

All current Android smartphones should have this feature, but in the rare case that yours doesn't, use one of the other options listed below.

See also: 5 Android settings you should change

Use a dedicated app

If you don't have a simple flashlight toggle in your quick settings, you may use an app instead. However, there's always the offhand chance that you have neither, and you'll have to head to the Play Store for a solution. Don't worry. Most are free, and you have many different options to choose from.

Here: 10 best Android flashlight apps with no extra permissions

Check out the steps you'll need below:

Find the flashlight app that is right for you.
Download the app from the Google Play Store
Open the app and light your way.

Use Google Assistant

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Google Assistant made its debut back in October 2016 with the first Pixel smartphones, and it allows you to interact with your device using voice commands. It's now available on all smartphones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow and above and is smart enough to play the music you want, give you a weather update, and, of course, turn on flashlight mode.

Using Google Assistant voice commands to turn on the flashlight:

Launch Google Assistant. This can be done by pressing the microphone button on the search bar, or you can simply say "OK, Google."
Say the command "Turn on the flashlight."
Alternatively, you can turn it off by saying, "Turn off the flashlight."

If you feel that talking to your phone is weird, you can also give your commands to the Assistant in writing. Just open it up, tap on the keyboard icon in the bottom left corner, and type in "Turn on the flashlight."

More: These are all the Google Assistant commands you should know about

Use a gesture

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

One final way to control your flashlight is with a gesture. Different phones offer different methods, but they're among the easiest on OnePlus devices. If you own a OnePlus device, you can use screen-ff gestures to turn on the flashlight, but it requires a little setting up beforehand.

Turn the flashlight on/off using OnePlus Screen Off Gestures:

Open the Settings app.
Go into Buttons & Gestures.
Select Quick Gestures.
Under Screen Off Gestures, select which letter you want to use to turn the flashlight on. You can pick between O, V, S, M, and W.
Tap on Turn on/off flashlight.
Turn the screen off.
With the screen off, draw the letter you selected on the screen. The flashlight will turn on!

Note: Steps put together using a OnePlus Nord N200 running Android 11.

Next: Common Android problems and how to fix them

If you have a Motorola device, you can shake your phone to activate your flashlight. This is a much more convenient feature, as you don't have to think about gestures or buttons too much.