Your iPhone 7 can flash its camera light (the LED next to the rear camera) when a text message or other notification arrives. It’s an accessibility feature designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and it’s also handy in loud places or when your phone is on silent and face-down. This guide shows how to turn it on, how to make it work in silent mode, and why it sometimes doesn’t flash.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and turn on LED Flash for Alerts. (On iOS 12 and earlier, it's under Settings > General > Accessibility in the Hearing section.) The flash works when your iPhone is locked.
Turn On LED Flash for Alerts on iPhone 7
The iPhone 7 supports up to iOS 15. The location depends on your iOS version.
iOS 13, 14, and 15
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility (it’s on the main Settings screen in iOS 13 and later).
- Under Hearing, tap Audio/Visual.
- Turn on LED Flash for Alerts.
- Turn on Flash on Silent if you want the light to flash even when the Ring/Silent switch is set to silent.
iOS 12 and earlier
- Open Settings > General > Accessibility.
- Scroll to Hearing and tap LED Flash for Alerts.
- Turn it on, and turn on Flash on Silent if available.
On Newer iPhones
On recent versions of iOS, the setting is at Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > LED Flash for Alerts, with options to flash when unlocked too on some versions. The idea is the same across models.
Test It
- Lock your iPhone by pressing the side button.
- Turn it face-down so you can see the camera light.
- Ask someone to text you, or set a short timer in the Clock app.
- The LED should flash when the alert arrives.
Flash Not Working? Check These
- The iPhone must be locked. The flash doesn’t go off while you’re using the phone.
- Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode silences notifications, and the flash with them. Check Control Center.
- Silent mode: Turn on Flash on Silent.
- Notifications for Messages: Make sure Settings > Notifications > Messages > Allow Notifications is on. The flash follows notifications; if a conversation is muted (Hide Alerts), it won’t flash.
- Camera in use: The flash won’t fire while an app is using the camera or the flashlight.
- Restart: Turn the phone off and on, then test again.
How to Turn It Off
Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and turn off LED Flash for Alerts. The flash can be bright and distracting in dark places like theaters, and it uses a little extra battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the flash only for text messages?
No. LED Flash for Alerts applies to all notifications that make a sound or vibration, including calls, texts, and app alerts. To limit it, turn off notifications for apps you don’t need.
Does the flash drain the battery?
Only slightly, since each flash is brief. If you get a lot of notifications, the effect adds up a bit.
Summary
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual (or General > Accessibility on iOS 12).
- Turn on LED Flash for Alerts.
- Turn on Flash on Silent if needed.
- Remember the flash works only when the phone is locked.
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.