Never miss notifications again: Enable LED flash alerts on Android

Did you know that you can leverage your Android phone’s LED camera flash to discreetly alert you to notifications and calls? This powerful yet often overlooked feature allows you to keep your phone on silent, avoiding disruptive sounds or vibrations, while ensuring you never miss an incoming alert.

While visual notifications through camera or screen flashing are not groundbreaking, they have been a staple feature on devices like the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel for years. Android 14 has now seamlessly integrated this option into its notification settings menu, making it accessible to a broader user base. For those who were unaware of this feature, fret not as enabling it is a straightforward process.

I will delve into the details to enable LED Flash notifications on Android 14, offering a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of this innovative functionality.

1. Accessing the Settings menu: Begin by opening the ‘Settings’ menu on your Android device. Scroll down until you find the ‘Notifications’ section, which is typically located within the main settings menu.



2. Navigating to Flash notifications: Once in the ‘Notifications’ section, scroll down to discover the newly introduced ‘Flash notifications’ option. Tap on it to access the settings for visual alerts.



3. Choosing your visual style: Within the ‘Flash notifications’ settings, you’ll encounter two primary options for visual notifications: Camera flash and Screen flash. Activate your preferred style by toggling the switch to ‘On.’ A useful preview button allows you to visualize how the chosen style will appear in action.

With the camera flash enabled, your phone’s LED will illuminate twice, providing a discreet yet noticeable alert for incoming notifications or calls. This minimalistic approach ensures you stay informed without causing unnecessary disruptions to those around you.

Alternatively, opt for the screen flash, which offers a vibrant array of colors to choose from. When enabled, your entire screen will light up with the selected color whenever you receive a message, email, or other alerts. This visually striking option adds a touch of personalization to your notification experience.

Should you find the camera LED Flash notifications too distracting or wish to switch between visual styles, the process remains user-friendly. Simply follow the same steps outlined above, toggling the switch to ‘Off’ for the chosen style or selecting a new color for screen flash. Android 14’s thoughtful design ensures that customization is at your fingertips, allowing you to tailor your notification preferences to suit your individual needs.