How to Turn Notification Light on iPhone X

The iPhone X does not have a physical notification LED like many Android phones, but it does have a built-in LED flash that can blink when you receive alerts. This guide shows you how to enable that flash for notifications, and also covers the on-screen notification settings that help you see alerts at a glance. You only need your iPhone X with iOS 12 or later.

What You’ll Need

iPhone X with iOS 12 or later (the steps work on all iOS versions that support the iPhone X)
Access to the Settings app (pre-installed)
Optional: a case or cover that does not block the camera flash

Step-by-Step

Unlock your iPhone X and go to the home screen.
Tap the Settings app (gray gear icon).
Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Under the Hearing section, tap Audio/Visual.
Find the toggle labeled LED Flash for Alerts. Tap the switch to turn it on (green).
If you want the flash to work even when your phone is on silent mode, leave the Flash on Silent toggle turned on (default). If you only want the flash when the ringer is on, turn this off.
Exit Settings. Your iPhone X will now blink its camera flash whenever you receive a notification (calls, texts, app alerts) while the screen is locked.

Note: The LED flash only blinks when the screen is off and locked. If your screen is on, you will see the notification banner instead.

Common Mistakes

Looking for a dedicated notification light: The iPhone X does not have a small LED indicator like some Android phones. The only hardware-based alert is the camera flash, which is what you enabled above.
Forgetting to enable Flash on Silent: If you keep your phone on silent most of the time and the flash doesn’t blink, check that Flash on Silent is toggled on.
Blocking the camera flash: A thick case or a pop-socket placed over the camera module can block the flash. Make sure the flash area is unobstructed.
Expecting the flash to blink with the screen on: The flash only activates when the screen is locked. If you’re actively using the phone, you’ll get a banner instead.
Turning on the wrong toggle: Some users accidentally enable LED Flash for Alerts under Audio/Visual but then later turn it off when adjusting other settings. Double-check the toggle is still on.

Tips

Use Do Not Disturb wisely: If you enable LED Flash for Alerts, the flash will blink even when Do Not Disturb is on (unless you allow calls from favorites). This can be useful for urgent notifications, but it may drain battery slightly.
Combine with on-screen notifications: Go to Settings > Notifications and customize each app to show banners or alerts. For the lock screen, choose Show Previews to see message content without unlocking.
Test the flash: After enabling, lock your phone and ask someone to send you a text. You should see a brief flash. If not, check the steps again.
Battery consideration: The flash uses a small amount of battery each time it blinks. If you notice battery drain, you can turn off the flash when you don’t need it.
Accessibility shortcut: You can add LED Flash for Alerts to the Accessibility Shortcut (Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut) so you can toggle it quickly by triple-clicking the side button.

Troubleshooting

The flash doesn’t blink at all.

Check that the LED Flash for Alerts toggle is on (green).
Make sure your phone is locked (press the side button).
Check that the app sending the notification is allowed to show notifications: go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and ensure Allow Notifications is on.
Restart your iPhone: press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears, then slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
If you have a case, remove it and test again—the flash might be blocked.

The flash blinks but only sometimes.

Some apps (like FaceTime) have their own notification settings. Check the specific app’s notification settings in Settings > Notifications.
If you have Do Not Disturb scheduled, the flash will not blink during that time unless you allow exceptions.
If you have Flash on Silent turned off, the flash will only work when the ringer is on. Turn it on if you want it to work in silent mode.

The flash blinks but I don’t want it to.

Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and toggle LED Flash for Alerts off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the iPhone X have a notification LED?

No, the iPhone X does not have a dedicated notification LED. The only hardware-based light is the camera flash, which can be used as a visual alert via the LED Flash for Alerts feature.

Why is the LED flash not blinking for texts?

Make sure you have enabled LED Flash for Alerts in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual. Also, check that the Messages app is allowed to send notifications (Settings > Notifications > Messages) and that your phone is locked.

Can I make the flash blink for only certain apps?

No, the LED Flash for Alerts applies to all notifications from apps that are allowed to send notifications. You cannot select specific apps for the flash; it’s an all-or-nothing setting.

Will the LED flash drain my battery?

Yes, the flash uses a small amount of battery each time it blinks. However, the impact is minimal for typical notification volume. If you notice significant drain, consider turning it off.

Does the flash work when the phone is face down?

Yes, the flash will blink regardless of the phone’s orientation, as long as the screen is locked and the flash is not blocked by a surface or case.

How do I turn off the LED flash for alerts?

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and toggle LED Flash for Alerts off. You can also use the Accessibility Shortcut (triple-click side button) if you set it up.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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