How to make iPhone screen flash for calls and texts in iOS 26

Learn about the new screen flash feature on iPhone and iPad in iOS 26 that flashes the entire display when you get a call, text, or app notification.

iOS has supported flashing the back LED light for new alerts for several years. This is helpful for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as it makes them aware of new notifications with a noticeable visual signal. LED flash also helps you know of the alert in the dark when the phone is on silent and kept facing downwards.

iOS 26.2 adds to it and gives you the option to make your iPhone or iPad screen flash once when you get a new notification. This effect is particularly noticeable when your iPhone is kept unused with Always On Display turned off. When your iPhone is unlocked and in use, this flash simply appears to crank your phone screen to maximum brightness and then return to normal.

Note that a similar feature has existed on macOS for a long time, where your Mac’s screen flashes for system alert sounds.

Make your iPhone or iPad screen flash for new notifications

1) Update your device to iOS 26.2 or iPadOS 26.2 or later.

2) Open the Settings app and go to Accessibility > Audio & Visual.

3) Tap Flash for Alerts from the bottom.

4) Turn on the switch for Flash for Alerts, then select Screen, and make sure Flash in Silent Mode is enabled. Here’s more on the options available here:

• LED Flash: Only the rear camera light will flash.
• Screen: Only the display will flash for alerts.
• Both: LED flash and the screen will flash (but in different ways, explained below).
• Flash While Unlocked: Use flash for alerts even when your device is unlocked and in use.
• Flash in Silent Mode: This controls whether flash alerts are shown when the iPhone or iPad is in silent mode. Leave it enabled for flash to work.

From now on, your iPhone or iPad’s screen will flash for incoming calls, texts, and app notifications. If you set both the LED and screen to flash, the LED will flash multiple times for new notifications and calls, but the screen will flash just once.

If you don’t find the feature helpful or notice that it’s negatively affecting your battery backup, return to accessibility settings and turn it off.

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/12/30/flash-iphone-screen-for-alerts/