No, the Samsung Galaxy J5 does not have a notification LED, so there are no notification LED settings on the device. This applies to all variants of the Galaxy J5 (2015, 2016, and 2017 models) — Samsung omitted the LED indicator from this budget-focused lineup to cut costs. If you are looking for a visual alert when notifications arrive, you will need to use the screen-based alternatives described below.
Why the Galaxy J5 Has No Notification LED
Samsung reserved the notification LED for its higher-tier Galaxy A and Galaxy S series during the J5’s production years (2015–2017). The J5 was positioned as an entry-level to mid-range device, and the LED was one of the features dropped to differentiate it from pricier models. The absence is physical — there is no LED hardware behind the speaker grille or near the front camera, so no software update or setting can enable it.
You can confirm this on your own phone by checking the Settings > Sound and notification menu (or Settings > Notifications on later Android versions). On a device with an LED, you would see a toggle labeled “Notification light� or “LED indicator.� The J5 does not show this option because the hardware is missing.
What the J5 Uses Instead for Notifications
To compensate, the Galaxy J5 relies on several other visual and audio cues that you can configure:
- Status bar icons — small icons appear at the top of the screen for missed calls, new messages, and app alerts.
- Lock screen notifications — you can choose to show notification details or hide them for privacy.
- Edge lighting (J5 2017 only) — the 2017 model offers a subtle glow around the screen edges when a notification arrives while the display is on.
- Vibration and sound — per-app and per-type alert settings are fully customizable.
- Always On Display (J5 2017 only) — this shows the clock, date, and notification icons on the lock screen when the display is off, acting as a partial substitute for an LED.
None of these work exactly like a blinking LED, but they cover the primary purpose of alerting you to new activity.
How to Set Up Notification Alerts on the J5
Even without an LED, you can fine-tune how the J5 notifies you. Here are the key settings to adjust:
- Go to Settings and tap Sound and notification (or Notifications on Android 8+).
- Tap App notifications to select a specific app and choose its alert style: sound, vibration, or both.
- For the lock screen, go to Lock screen and security > Notifications and choose whether to show all content, hide sensitive content, or show nothing.
- On the J5 2017, enable Edge lighting under Display > Edge screen (if available in your region) to get a colored glow on incoming calls and messages.
- To make the screen light up on notifications, look for Smart alert (under Advanced features) — this vibrates when you pick up the phone if you have missed notifications, but does not turn the screen on.
For a true “screen-on� alert, you can use a third-party app that forces the display to wake when a notification arrives. These apps are not built into the phone and may affect battery life.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
“My J5 has a blinking light near the speaker — is that the LED?� That is likely the camera flash reflecting off a surface, or a screen glitch. The J5 has no LED, so any blinking is not a notification indicator.
“Can I install software to make the LED work?� No. Software cannot activate hardware that is not present. Apps like “LED Blinker� may appear to work, but they actually turn on a portion of the screen instead — they do not use a physical LED.
“Why does my J5 not show a notification light option after an update?� Android updates do not add LED settings to devices without the hardware. If you see the option after an update, it is either a UI leftover or you are looking at a different phone.
Comparing the J5 with Models That Have an LED
If an LED is essential to you, consider these alternatives from the same era:
- Samsung Galaxy A3, A5, A7 (2016-2017) — these have a notification LED and similar screen sizes.
- Samsung Galaxy S6, S7 — flagship devices with a full-featured LED (color-coded by app).
- Any Motorola or LG mid-ranger from 2015-2017 — many included a notification LED as a standard feature.
On the J5, the workaround is to rely on the status bar and lock screen, which many users find sufficient after a few days of adjustment.
Third-Party Apps That Simulate a Notification Light
Several apps on the Google Play Store can mimic an LED by using the screen. They work by turning on a small colored area of the display when a notification arrives. Popular options include:
- “Notify Buddy� — flashes a colored overlay on the screen for selected apps.
- “Light Flow� — despite its name, it uses the screen on devices without an LED.
- “Glimpse Notifications� — briefly shows a preview on the lock screen when a notification arrives.
These apps require battery optimization exceptions to work reliably. Expect a noticeable drain because the screen uses far more power than a tiny LED.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Galaxy J5 2017 have a notification LED? No. All Galaxy J5 models, including the 2017 version, lack the physical LED. The 2017 model has Edge lighting and Always On Display, but no blinking light.
Can I use the camera flash as a notification light? No, the camera flash is only for photos and video. There is no setting to make it flash for notifications, and doing so would drain the battery quickly and blind you at night.
Why does my friend’s J5 show a notification light? They are likely using a third-party app that lights up the screen, or they have a different phone model (possibly a Galaxy A or S series). The J5 hardware is identical across variants — no LED.
Will a custom ROM add notification LED support? No. Custom ROMs like LineageOS cannot enable hardware that does not exist. They may add a “notification light� setting, but it will have no effect on the J5.
What is the best alternative to an LED on the J5? Enable Always On Display (J5 2017) or use a screen-on app like Glimpse Notifications. For most users, the status bar and lock screen are enough once you get used to checking them.
Related
General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.
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