Ringtones and text alerts get pretty annoying, which is why my iPhone is almost always set to vibrate when on silent. Unfortunately, this causes me to miss phone calls and text messages when the device is not in my hands or pockets. While I hate missed alerts, I still don’t want to switch to call mode – and this is where another iOS and iPadOS feature helps.
Every iPhone model since the iPhone 4 has an LED flash on the back, as do almost every iPad Pro and the latest iPad mini. The flash on these devices isn’t just for taking photos, recording videos, and watching in the dark – you can also use it for LED warnings.
The LED flash on your iPhone or iPad is bright enough to be seen during the day, so it’s a great option when your device is face down on a table, sofa, floor, etc. It’s even bright enough that I can usually see her flash. my pockets.
You can set up LED alerts from the Hearing group in the Accessibility menu:
- iOS 13-15: Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Hearing -> Audio/Video.
- iPadOS 13-15: Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Hearing -> Audio/Video.
- iOS 12 and earlier: Go to Settings -> General -> Accessibility -> Hearing -> Flash LED for alerts.
The Hearing menu in iOS 15 (left) and iOS 12 (right).
Then turn on the “LED Flash for Alerts”switch. On newer systems, you’ll find the button at the bottom of the Audio/Video menu. To have the notification LED blink whenever the ringer switch is set to silent, turn on the Flash on Silent switch that appears.
Switch “LED Flash for Alerts”in iOS 15 (left) and iOS 12 (right).
This is a simple setting hidden in your device’s settings that can help you get more alerts and notifications on time when using silent mode. However, whenever you are in a place where other people will be disturbed by flashing lights, such as in a movie theater, you need to temporarily turn off LED flash alerts.
How instant alerts work with Do Not Disturb mode
In iOS 13-14 and iPadOS 13-14, most LED flash alerts will be disabled each time Do Not Disturb is turned on. However, you will still see it for phone calls and FaceTime for allowed contacts via Settings -> Do Not Disturb -> Allow calls from, and for anyone who calls twice in a row if enabled. Repeated calls”.
Things are different in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 with the new Focus menu. In the Settings -> Focus menu, any user or any app authorized in the Allowed Notifications group will punch through a focus such as Do Not Disturb. Therefore, you need to create a focus without allowed contacts or apps for situations like watching a movie in a movie theater.
Focus in iOS 15 (left) and Do Not Disturb in iOS 14 (right).
Create a shortcut to toggle flash alerts
Another option for iOS 13-15 and iPadOS 13-15 is to create a custom shortcut that disables LED flash alerts when you need them. Launch a new shortcut, name it “Toggle Flash Alerts”for example, then add the “Set LED Flash”action. Now choose to enable, disable, or toggle flash alerts.
To make it a toggle, click “Rotate”in the action box and change it to “Toggle”and that’s it. Otherwise, you’ll want to make the first action “Select from List”, name the two options “Off”and “On”, then add “Set LED Flash”under each option and set each to its respective on/off position. This is the simplest implementation.
A simple toggle shortcut (left) and an on/off shortcut (right) in iOS 15.
Then add it to your home screen for easy access. When you need to toggle popup alerts, tap the shortcut icon. Touch it again to return to the previous state. If you are using the on/off shortcut, select “On”or “Off”to do just that.
There are other ways to turn a shortcut on and off, such as Siri and Back Tap, so use whichever method you think works best.
Adding an on/off shortcut to the home screen and using it in iOS 15.