To turn the flash notification on or off on an iPhone 13, open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual and turn Flash for Alerts on or off. On iOS 26.1 and earlier, the setting is called LED Flash for Alerts. When it’s on, the camera flash blinks when you get a call, text, or other notification. On iOS 26.2 and later, you can also have the screen flash instead of, or along with, the camera light.
These steps work on the iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max, as well as other iPhones. Here’s how to set it up the way you want and what to do if it isn’t working.
How to turn flash notifications on or off on iPhone 13
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Under Hearing, tap Audio & Visual.
- Tap Flash for Alerts (or LED Flash for Alerts).
- Turn the switch on to use flash alerts, or off to stop them.
Flash alert options explained
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| LED Flash | Blinks the camera flash on the back of the phone. Best when the phone is face down. |
| Screen (iOS 26.2 and later) | Briefly brightens the display. Best when the phone is face up. |
| Both (iOS 26.2 and later) | Flashes the camera light and the screen together. |
| Flash on Silent | Keeps flashing when the Ring/Silent switch is set to silent. Turn it off if you only want flashes when the ringer is on. |
| Flash While Unlocked | Flashes even while you’re using the phone. Turn it off so it only flashes when the phone is locked. |
A faster way to find the setting
Open Settings, pull down on the main screen to show the search bar, and type flash. Tap Flash for Alerts in the results to jump straight to it.
Flash notifications not working? Try these fixes
- Lock the phone. If Flash While Unlocked is off, the flash only works when the screen is locked.
- Check silent mode. If the ringer is off, turn on Flash on Silent.
- Check Focus and Do Not Disturb. Silenced notifications don’t trigger the flash. Swipe down from the top-right corner to see if a Focus is on.
- Check the app’s notifications. Go to Settings > Notifications, tap the app, and make sure Allow Notifications is on.
- Close the Camera app and turn off the flashlight. The flash can’t blink for alerts while it’s in use.
- Let the phone cool down. If your iPhone is hot, iOS may disable the flash temporarily.
- Restart your iPhone and update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update.
Frequently asked questions
Does flash for alerts drain the battery?
A little, since the flash or screen lights up for every notification. If you get lots of alerts, the effect adds up, but for most people it’s small.
Can I make the flash work only for calls?
No. Flash for Alerts works for all notifications that make a sound or show an alert. To limit it, turn off notifications for apps you don’t need, or use a Focus to silence them.
Why is my iPhone flashing when I get a text?
Flash for Alerts is turned on. Follow the steps above and turn it off.
Does the screen flash option work on iPhone 13?
Yes. The iPhone 13 supports iOS 26, so it gets the Screen and Both options once it’s updated to iOS 26.2 or later.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.