The iPhone camera flash can wash out faces, reflect off glass, and bother people at concerts, museums, or restaurants. Turning it off takes one or two taps in the Camera app, but where the control sits depends on your iPhone model and iOS version. This guide covers the iPhone 7 and 8, iPhone X through the latest models, the front camera’s screen flash, and the separate LED flash used for notifications, which many people confuse with the camera flash.
Quick Answer
Open Camera and tap the lightning bolt icon, then choose Off. If you don’t see a lightning bolt, tap the arrow (⌃) at the top of the screen or swipe up above the shutter button. Then tap the flash button and choose Off. A slash through the lightning bolt means the flash is off.
iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone SE
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap the lightning bolt in the top-left corner (or top of the screen).
- Tap Off.
The lightning bolt now has a line through it.
iPhone X and Later (Face ID Models)
On these models, iOS usually shows the flash button in a top corner and turns it yellow when the flash is set to fire.
- Open Camera in Photo mode.
- Tap the lightning bolt in the corner. On many versions, a single tap switches the flash between Auto and Off.
- For all options, tap the arrow (⌃) at the top or swipe up on the viewfinder. Then tap the flash button in the row that appears and choose Auto, On, or Off.
On recent iOS versions, the controls may also appear when you tap the camera settings button. Look for the lightning bolt in that row.
Flash Settings Explained
| Setting | What happens | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Auto | Flash fires only when the iPhone decides the scene is too dark | Everyday default |
| On | Flash fires for every photo | Backlit subjects or harsh shade outdoors |
| Off | Flash never fires | Low-light scenes where Night mode works better, through windows, events, or places where flash isn’t allowed |
Turn Off Flash for the Front Camera
Newer iPhones light up the screen as a “flash” for selfies (Retina Flash). Switch to the front camera and use the same flash button to choose Off.
Turn Off Flash for Video
In Video mode, the lightning bolt controls the continuous light (the flashlight). Tap it and choose Off if the light comes on while you record.
Will the iPhone Remember Flash Off?
In most cases, the Camera app keeps your last flash setting between uses. If you find the flash coming back on, check Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings. The options there vary by model and iOS version. Turning on items like Creative Controls helps the Camera app keep your last choices instead of resetting them.
Night Mode Is Often Better Than Flash
On iPhone 11 and later, Night mode turns on automatically in dark scenes. A moon icon turns yellow and shows a time, such as 3s. Hold the phone steady and you will often get more natural results than with flash. Night mode doesn’t work while the flash is firing, which is another reason to keep flash off in low light.
Turn Off the LED Flash for Notifications
If the flash blinks when calls or messages come in, that is an accessibility setting, not the camera:
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual.
- Turn off LED Flash for Alerts.
If the rear light stays on steadily, the flashlight is on. Open Control Center and tap the flashlight button to turn it off.
Troubleshooting
I can’t find the flash button
Make sure you are in Photo or Video mode. Pano mode doesn’t use flash, and some modes hide the control. Tap the arrow at the top of the screen to show all controls.
The flash is greyed out
The iPhone may be too hot, or the battery is very low. Let it cool down or charge it, then try again.
The flash fires even though it’s set to Off
Check whether a third-party camera app has its own flash setting, and whether LED Flash for Alerts is causing the blink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off flash affect Live Photos?
No. Live Photos work the same with flash on or off.
How do I turn off flash from the lock screen?
Swipe left on the lock screen or press the camera button to open Camera, then change the flash as usual.
Can I disable flash for other people who use my iPhone?
There is no Screen Time setting to lock the flash, but the Camera app keeps your last setting in most cases.
Summary
- Open Camera.
- Tap the lightning bolt, or tap the arrow first to show all controls.
- Choose Off.
- Turn off LED Flash for Alerts in Accessibility if the flash blinks for notifications.
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.