My camera flash isn’t working

If your device’s camera flash isn’t working, follow the steps below to help identify and fix the issue.

1. Restart your device

Restarting your device can resolve temporary software issues.

iOS devices

iPhone with Face ID (iPhone 8, SE (2nd generation), X or later):

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.

3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

iPhone without Face ID:

• iPhone 7 / 7 Plus:

  • Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together until the Apple logo appears.

• iPhone 6s or iPhone SE (1st generation):

  • Press and hold the Home button and Side (or Top) button together until the Apple logo appears.

Android devices

• Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 7–10 seconds, until the device restarts.

2. Check your camera and flash

iOS devices

• Remove any cases, screen protectors or accessories that could be blocking the camera or flash.

• Take a few photos to test the camera.

• If photos are blurry, gently clean the camera lens using a microfibre cloth.

• Test the LED flash using the Flashlight:

  • iPhone X or later / iPad: Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Centre

  • iPhone 8 or earlier: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen

  • Tap the Flashlight icon

• If the flash works intermittently:

  • Open the Camera app

  • Tap the flash icon and select a different flash setting

• If the issue continues, move on to the next step.

Android devices

• If photos are blurry or the camera won’t focus, clean the camera lens first.

• If the issue persists:

  • Reset the Camera app settings:

    • Open the Camera app

    • Go to Settings

    • Select Reset settings, then confirm

  • Clear the Camera app cache:

    • Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Camera

    • If “See all apps” isn’t available, go to App info > Storage & cache

    • Tap Clear cache

3. Close apps running in the background

Closing apps can help if another app is interfering with the camera or flash.

iOS devices

iPhone with Face ID:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.

• Swipe left or right to find the app.

• Swipe up on the app preview to close it.

iPhone without Face ID:

• Double-press the Home button.

• Swipe left or right to find the app.

• Swipe up on the app preview to close it.