Whether you need visible notification lights on your iPhone or just want them, the LED flash makes it possible.
Updated **December 2016*: Added changes in changes in iOS 10.
Unlike some other phones, the iPhone doesn't include a dedicated notification light. The iPhone does, however, include an accessibility feature for the deaf and hearing impaired that uses the LED flash to provide a visible cue for incoming notifications. That's in addition to the usual vibrations already provided by the system. Whether you need LED notifications or just want them, once you enable the feature, all you have to do is leave your iPhone screen-down and within sight, and you won't just hear notifications come in — you'll see them!
Yes, BlackBerry and Android switchers, this includes you!
How to enable visual notifications on your iPhone using the LED flash.
- Launch Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap on General.
Tap on Accessibility.
- Tap LED Flash for Alerts.
Toggle LED Flash for Alerts to ON.
To disable the notification light, repeat the same process and toggle the setting to OFF.
How to enable LED Flash for Silent mode
If you want LED Flash to be automatically activated whenever you flick the mute switch on your iPhone, you just have to enable the feature.
- Launch Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap on General.
Tap on Accessibility.
- Tap LED Flash for Alerts.
Tap the switch next to Flash on Silent.
Now you'll receive an LED flash alert whenever the ringer switch is set to silent.
Questions?
Let us know in the comments below.
Reader comments
How to turn on the LED notification light on your iPhone
If it's "not working", it's likely because you're coming at it backwards.
If you're deaf, **the flash is the sound.**
If you have your ringer switched to silent, there shouldn't be a flash. The sound is off.
If you set "Flash on Silent" on, your iPhone will "ring" even though it's supposed to be quiet.
That is to say, "Flash on Silent" is equivalent to a setting that'd say "Ring on Silent".
It also appears that setting "LED Flash for Alerts" off overrides the ability to flash on silent. That's too bad for hearing folk, where the flash only on silent would be awesome. You must have LED Flash for Alerts on for the Flash on Silent to have any effect (afaict).
Don't worry. Seems to be a common misunderstanding. ;^)
I have a fitbit and get my text and call notifications on that. Everything else can wait.
I've had notification LEDs that I can customize on my BlackBerry and Android phones. Important people got custom colours. Why can't Apple do this? Seems simple enough.
Any idea why my iPhone doesn't work when I've turned that on? Is there some step I'm missing?
I agree, this is NO help at all. What I need is a light that continues to notify after the text/call is sent. If I am not in the room when the page goes off this doesn't help at all. I am sorely disappointed in iPhone. I am on call 24x7 and missing a page could cost me my job. The only half assed solution I could find was to use the Repeat function on Alarm Notification>Messages app. I have mine set to repeat 10 times. Won't help if I am at concert (sound turned off) or in the shower or something. Apple could do much better
I'm also very disappointed in my new iPhone6. I truly cannot believe that there are no notification lights for text messages and missed calls. My Android even had a specific color for Facebook private messages. I never thought about asking about this feature before I decided on an iPhone as it was a standard for my previous phones. Hey Apple! Give us an app!
They have one, it's called Apple Watch
Yep, a $300 fix for a solution that existed 10 years ago.
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Most iPhone users haven't complained about not having a notification light, only people coming from Android where they were used to it. It's only a "solution" if a problem existed in the first place
that's true - they didn't complain as they knew Apple wouldn't do anything anyway. so they did what i did - switched to Android. notification light is absolutely essential.
If you're on-call 24/7, isn't it your responsibility to actually keep your phone with you most of the time? If you leave the phone in a room, is it hard to pick it up and check once you get back? Lights won't help you if you're not in the room. Sound will.
At a concert? Vibrate kicks in when the phone is silent. Lights won't help if the phone is in your pockets.
In the shower? Take the phone with you to the bathroom and set the volume to max. Lights won't help unless you take the phone with you inside the shower.
So how does notification lights actually help in those situations you mentioned?
Get a smartwath/smartband if notifications are that important.
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Can an app be made to make the notification light blink continuously when I miss a call or text?
Can't get it to work on 5s
I can't get it to work on a 5c
Loved the front notification lights,Surprised me that iphone6plus doesn't have notification lights just sound and flash from camera,hhuhmm
One of the reasons changed back to an samsung and android. No different color LED front light. Why don't they have that? Lame...XD
I have an Note 3 now.
It doesn't work if the ringer is on. It works if the ringer is muted. Only flashes once. Wish it would do it like the Samsung, it stays lit up until one sees it. Anyway... anyone know how to make it flash more than once? Thank you in advance.
But this is no good. Not the same as true notification - this is just another type of alarm DURING the message. It only blinks DURING the call or when text first sent. I need a light - like on my droid - that I can see from across the room that continues to go off/on until I take action. Without THAT then I have to constantly be checking the dang device manually pushing buttons etc to see if I got any messages while I was away etc. That's stupid if can;t do that simple thing and enough to make me return this dang thing and go back to my droid!
I WANT THE FLASH TO CONTINUE TO FLASH EVERY 30 SECONDS OR SO LIKE THE BLACKBERRY. THAT WAY IF YOU MISS IT WHEN YOU FIRST GET THE NOTIFICATION, YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHECK YOUR PHONE EVERY 5 MINUTES JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED SOMETHING. THAT WAS THE AWESOME PART ABOUT THE BLACKBERRY. WILL IPHONE DO THAT?
Am using iPhone 5s it's not working for me
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Ive been using the LED light for notifications for a while now. I just wanted to tell you all the series of articles are very informative & easy to understand. Thanks!
Blackberry had multicoloured LED notifications as well. It was my core notification tool and my most missed Blackberry feature. But I have no hope that Apple will introduce such a feature. I'd be happy if they would simply allow me to sort notifications chronologically in the All tab.
Doesn't it do that if you select "sort by time" in the notification center menu?
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You would think so but it doesn't. The "sort by time" applies to the "Missed" tab on the right, not to the "All" tab in the centre..... Sadly.
Rainbow LED notification? If I have so many colorful LED lights, I would forget which led is for which activity! Lol
I agree. No one does better than BlackBerry when it comes to LED notification alert. That blinking red light is iconic!
Android supports multicolored, user specified led notifications...my texts show up green, girlfriend shows up purple, emails red and yellow, missed calls maroon, etc
So if you leave your phone a few hours, it'll become a Christmas Tree? :p
It will drain more juice from your battery.
Does it? I really enjoy this feature but I'm scared it'll spend even more battery.
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No it won't, I use this non-stop and never noticed battery issues with it. It's nice because if you are using your phone it won't go off, only when the phone is stationary.
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It's an LED I would not imagine it taking up a ridiculous amount of battery life...
Brought to you by the Nexus M8
I discovered it these days, this is a very good article as many people don't know this exists.
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If there's one thing...ONLY one thing I miss about my old Blackberry, is a notification light.
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Me too. Missing the light. Blue for text, green for WhatsApp, and red for email.
Come on Apple? Can you help?
How about a front facing LED notification light? I'd love that!
One of my favorite features of the iPhone! Been using it forever.
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