With the arrival of the iPhone X a few years ago, Apple introduced a new design for its devices without incorporating a home button, as well as the ability to turn on the device much faster by simply touching the screen. Along with this movement, at the bottom two new shortcuts have been integrated so that users can access it faster: one for the camera and one for turning on the flashlight.
These functions are present in a plethora of devices, especially in those that incorporate the new design without a start button, like the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. However, while the idea may be quite comfortable, it is also fact that there are those who accidentally turn on the flashlight because it is so easy to access, so for many it would be easier to remove the shortcut to turn on the flashlight on the unlock screen.
How the shortcut to turn on the unlock screen flashlight on iPhone works
As we mentioned, in this case all modernly designed iPhones without a home button (models equal to or better than iPhone X) include direct access by default to activate the flashlight at the bottom of your lock screen.
As for the button to access the camera, In order to avoid accidental keystrokes, these accesses work thanks to a technology known as 3D Touch., which iPhones have been integrating since 2015. Thanks to this function, your phone is able to detect the pressure you exert on the elements, and for this same reason you have to exert a little more force on the icons to be able to access them. It is this same function that allows access to application shortcuts..
However, despite the fact that this feature is meant to be used only when it is relevant, the truth is that on some occasions it may fail and be the reason for the iPhone flashlight to turn on by itself. Indeed, depending on where you store your device, it is possible that your phone understands that you perform a function because you want to activate it, and therefore respect it.
Here’s how you can turn off the flashlight shortcut on your iPhone unlock screen
As we mentioned, while in the iPhone with the “old” design that incorporated the start button, it was possible to activate the flashlight only using the control panel, in the iPhone with notch a shortcut is included which uses 3D Touch. However, Despite the large number of users who have asked Apple for the possibility of customizing this function on their devices, for the moment iOS does not provide the possibility to do this.
Generally speaking, this means that the flashlight cannot be removed from the iPhone lock screen natively. Now, as we explained in the previous point, To use this function, the device needs 3D Touch, so if you want to disable it, you can disable this function, and it will not work.
- On your iPhone, access the Settings app.
- Once inside, on the home screen, select the option “Accessibility”.
- In the section Physical and motor skills, choose the option “Play”.
- Now, in the new menu that will appear, select the “3D and haptic response” section.
- Finally, at the top, deactivate the 3D Touch option using the cursor shown.
Once the process is complete, IPhone lock screen shortcuts will disappear completely, not being able to work without 3D Touch. However, it is important to keep in mind that the rest of the functions associated with this feature will also stop working, and you will not be able, for example, to get quick previews by pressing hard, but for now it is the only way to turn off the flashlight without using a jailbreak.
How to also remove access to the flashlight in the Control Center
In addition to the possibility of turning on the flashlight from the quick access to the lock screen, to say that, both in the new iPhone and in the old ones, it is also possible to turn it on from the center of control. In this sense, you have two options, and you can restrict access to the control center when the iPhone is locked, which can also help you maintain privacy, or disable access to the flashlight
Note that, If you do the latter, you will not be able to activate it from there even if the device is unlocked.. However, you will not lose Control Center functions even if you have not entered your device passcode, so in many cases this is the recommended option. To do this, it suffices you need to follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
- Once inside, on the home screen, select the option called “Control Center”.
- Here you will see all the shortcuts displayed there. You should look where “Flashlight” appears and click the red button on the left side.
- Once done, the “Delete” option will appear on the right.. Tap on it and automatically the access to activate the flashlight will disappear from the control center of the iPhone.
This way, as you may have seen, the shortcut to turn on the iPhone unlock screen flashlight will be disabled, solving an important problem for many users. Remember that, if you wish, you can re-enable 3D Touch or the Control Center shortcut at any time by following the same steps.
