Torch Flashlight on Samsung Galaxy

How to Use the Torch Flashlight on Samsung Galaxy Phones.

Learn how to turn on the flashlight on your Samsung Galaxy phone and add it to your lock screen and Quick Settings menu. I’ll show you the steps so you can find your way in the dark without digging through menus.

I am using a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with Android 14 and OneUI 6.1. But these steps work on most Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. The menu names might look a little different depending on your model, but the general idea is the same.

The Basic Way to Turn On the Torch

Before we get into the shortcuts, here is the standard way to turn on your flashlight:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification shade
2. Look for the flashlight icon (it looks like a small torch or light bulb)
3. Tap the icon to turn the light on
4. Tap it again to turn the light off

That works fine. But you can make it even faster.

How to Add the Torch to Your Lock Screen

This is great because you do not even need to unlock your phone first. Here is how to set it up:

1. Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy device
2. Tap on Lock screen
3. Look for Shortcuts or Lock screen settings
4. Tap on the option to customize your lock screen shortcuts
5. You will see two spots – left shortcut and right shortcut
6. Pick which side you want for the torch
7. Select Torch or Flashlight from the list of options
8. Exit the settings

Now lock your phone. You should see the torch icon on your lock screen. Tap it once to turn the light on. Tap it again to turn it off. No unlocking needed.

How to Add the Torch to Your Quick Settings Pull-Down Menu

If you do not see the flashlight in your Quick Settings menu when you swipe down, here is how to add it:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings menu
2. Look for a pencil icon or an Edit button (usually at the top or bottom corner)
3. Tap it to enter edit mode
4. You will see a bunch of icons. Some are active in your menu and some are hidden
5. Find the Torch or Flashlight tile in the hidden section
6. Press and hold it, then drag it up to your active tiles area
7. Put it somewhere easy to reach
8. Tap Done or the back arrow to save

Now when you swipe down, the flashlight button will be right there.

A Handy Trick to Turn Off the Torch Faster

Here is something useful I discovered. On Samsung phones, pressing the power button does not turn off the flashlight like it did on some older Android phones. But there is a workaround.

If you set your side button to open the camera with a double press, here is what happens:

• Double press the power button to open the camera
• The camera app opens, which automatically turns off the flashlight
• Press the power button once or twice to close the camera

For this trick to work, you need to set up your side button first:

1. Go to Settings then Advanced features
2. Tap on Side key
3. Under Double press, select Quick launch camera

Now when your flashlight is on, just double press the power button. The camera opens, the light turns off, and you can close the camera. Not perfect, but it works.

A Quick Note About Battery Life

The flashlight uses your phone’s camera flash as a light source. It works great for short needs. But do not leave it on for too long. It will drain your battery faster than normal use. If there is a long power outage, it is a good idea to have a power bank handy to keep your phone charged.

Thanks for reading. Now you can find your way in the dark without fumbling around.