How to use the flashlight on an Apple Watch

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

The watch has no lamp. Its flashlight turns the whole screen bright white, which is enough to find a keyhole or light the path in front of you. The red light keeps your eyes used to the dark, and the flashing light makes you visible when you walk or run at night.

These steps are for recent versions of watchOS. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the watch screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Open Control Center

   Press the side button once. On watchOS 9 and earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the watch face instead.

   Done

2. Tap the flashlight button

   The screen shows the light dimmed at first and becomes bright when you turn your wrist away from you.

   Done

3. Choose the kind of light

   Swipe left or right: steady white light, flashing white light, or steady red light.

   Done

4. Change the brightness

   Turn the Digital Crown up or down.

   Done

5. Switch it off

   Press the Digital Crown or the side button, or swipe down from the top of the screen.

   Done

Good to know

If the flashlight button is not in Control Center, scroll to the bottom of Control Center, tap Edit and add it.

The bright screen uses a lot of battery. Switch it off when you are done.

For the light on the phone: iPhone flashlight not working: 7 fixes to try.

More controls in the same place: how to silence your Apple Watch and how to use Water Lock on an Apple Watch.

In short: Side button, flashlight button, swipe for white, flashing or red, Digital Crown for brightness, press the crown to switch off.