How to change the torch (flashlight) brightness on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

Starts in

Quick Settings

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, 1 other, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Quick Settings

   Swipe down twice from the top of the screen. On ours the torch was a small round tile with a torch icon, below Modes.

   Done

2. 

   Touch and hold the torch tile

   Touch and hold the tile instead of tapping it. On ours the torch came on and the Torch strength panel opened at full strength: the beam drawn in the middle reached all the way up to the line at the top.

   Done

3. 

   Drag the beam

   The panel shows a beam, not a numbered slider. Drag the beam down for a dimmer torch or up for a brighter one. We dragged ours about halfway down, and the beam got shorter.

   Done

4. 

   Tap Done or Turn off

   With the strength set, tap Done at the bottom right to keep the torch on, or Turn off at the bottom left. We tapped Turn off.

   Done

5. 

   Check the tile

   The panel closes. Back in Quick Settings, our torch tile was dark again, so the torch was off.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Torch strength panel? 9to5Google says torch brightness came to Pixels with Android 16 QPR3, due in March 2026. On older software the tile only turns the torch on and off, so update the phone first. Source: Android 16 QPR3 lets you adjust flashlight brightness on Pixel
• Wide torch tile? 9to5Google says that on a wide tile, tapping the space to the right of the icon opens the strength panel. On a small round tile, like ours, touch and hold it. Source: Android 16 QPR3 lets you adjust flashlight brightness on Pixel
• No torch button on the lock screen? It only shows if you set it as a lock screen shortcut. Ours had none while the right shortcut was set to None. With Torch picked, ours showed it in the bottom right corner.

  

If this does not work

• No torch tile? Add it back: how to edit Quick Settings tiles on a Google Pixel.
• The strength panel doesn't open? Touch and hold the tile, don't tap it. Google says touching and holding a Quick Settings icon opens more settings. Source: Change settings quickly on your Android phone
• Torch too dim next time? Open the panel again with a long press and drag the beam up. We switched ours off at about half strength.

About this guide

The Pixel calls the flashlight the Torch. A tap switches it on, but you can also set how bright it is.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. We turned the torch on with a long press, dragged the strength from full to about half and switched the torch off again.

Good to know

9to5Google says sliding the strength all the way down turns the torch off.

To put the torch on the lock screen, see how to change the lock screen shortcuts.

Or switch it with two taps on the back (Toggle torch in Quick Tap): how to use Quick Tap on a Google Pixel.

In short: Quick Settings, touch and hold the torch tile, drag the beam in Torch strength, Done or Turn off.