Turn Your Phone Into a Personal Torch

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You probably already carry a torch everywhere you go. It’s just disguised as your smartphone.

The built-in flashlight can be surprisingly useful when you’re looking for something beneath the bed, checking the garden at night, finding a dropped key, or walking from the car to the front door after dark.

Most phones make it easy to switch the torch on without opening an app. On an iPhone, you can usually access it from the Control Centre or the lock screen. Android phones generally have a flashlight button in the Quick Settings panel, although the exact location varies between devices.

It can be particularly handy during a power cut. Rather than searching through a dark cupboard for a traditional torch, your phone may already be within reach. Just remember that using the flashlight for an extended period will consume some battery power, so a proper torch and spare batteries are still sensible things to keep at home.

Your phone’s torch can also help when you’re travelling. Finding your way around an unfamiliar hotel room, checking your luggage in a poorly lit area, or walking along a dim path can all be easier with a light readily available.

One useful tip is to familiarise yourself with the torch controls before you actually need them. Try turning it on and off from the lock screen so you know where the button is. If your phone has brightness controls for the flashlight, experiment with those as well.

Be mindful when using it around other people. Shining a bright phone light directly into someone’s eyes can be uncomfortable, particularly in a dark environment.

It’s a very simple feature, but that’s precisely what makes it useful. You don’t need another gadget, another app, or another battery to carry around. The torch you need may already be sitting in your hand.