Why Doesn’t My iPad Have a Flashlight?

Sometimes you need a powerful beam of light to brighten the darkness. The flashlight feature is one of the iPad's most valuable and underrated tools. Whether looking for stuff under your bed, finding your way in a room, or walking in the dark, the flashlight can safely guide you. 

1.     Which iPads Don’t Have a Flashlight?

The flashlight option is not a make or break feature on an iPad. In fact, many iPad models don't include it. The iPad Pro 2015 version is one of these. Also, the third generation and earlier iPad Air models don't have flashlights. The same goes for the iPad Mini – the sixth generation features it, but the earlier models don't. Similarly, standard iPad models don’t have a flashlight.

So, which models do include the torch function? The iPad Pro models, except for the 2015 iPad 12.9, all have it. The main reason is simple: these iPads all include a flash LED next to the camera. In fact, the flashlight feature makes use of the LED light.

2.     How Do I Switch on the iPad's flashlight?

There are several ways that you can switch it on. The first thing that you need to do is check that you have the latest iOS. The flashlight only works on iOS11 and higher, so if you have an older version, you won’t manage to use it.

• Switch It on From the Home Screen

One way of using the flashlight is from the iPad’s home screen. Swipe up from the bottom edge while keeping your finger on the screen. This move pulls up the App Switcher, where you'll find the Control Centre on the right side of the screen. Look for the flashlight button and tap it to turn it on. When the flashlight is on, the button’s color changes. You can switch it off by tapping the button again. The iPad also allows you to control the flashlight’s intensity. Press and hold the flashlight button when it's on. A slider split into four sections will pop up on your screen. You can adjust the torch’s brightness by moving the slider up or down.

You can also access this function when using any app. Just swipe from the bottom while keeping your finger on the screen. In addition, you can open the Control Centre even when the iPad is locked.

• Use Siri to Switch on the Flashlight

Why not take advantage of Apple’s inbuilt virtual personal assistant to use the iPad? If you have Siri active on your iPad, she can do all the work. Just say, "Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight." Or give the command to switch it off.

3.     What if the Flashlight Function Is Unavailable in the Control Centre?

Don't panic if you have the latest iPad and iOS 11 or higher and still can't find the flashlight. The function might be off or disabled. Just go to Settings, and tap on Control Centre. This opens a second window split in two. The top part lists the functions currently in your Control Centre. The bottom part lists the functions you can add. Tap on the plus button next to the flashlight option, and voila. You now have the flashlight feature at your fingertips. Once in the Control Centre section of Settings, ensure that the toggle button to allow access within apps is on.

 4.     Does the Flashlight Drain the iPad's Battery?

In short, the answer is yes. Prolonged use of the flashlight at a high light intensity can drain the iPad's battery. It is easy to forget that the flashlight is on – especially in daylight or if you put the iPad down. Make sure that you switch it off when done. Or reduce the light intensity if you need to use it for a while. Long-term use might even cause battery problems.

5.     How Can I Protect My iPad’s Flashlight?

The iPad LED dual function also serves as the camera’s flash and is adjacent to the lens. iPad camera lenses, especially those of the latest models, are not flush with the back of the device. Putting the iPad down on a hard surface or in a bag with sharp objects can scratch or damage the camera and LED.   An iPad case is one way of protecting the camera and the LED. However, it is essential to choose the protective cover carefully. Otherwise, you might end up with a poorly designed iPad case obstructing the camera. Zugu makes one of the best iPad cases on the market. Each cut-out and slot is perfectly designed for the camera, ports, buttons, and speakers.

In addition, Zugu cases provide your device with major drop protection. They guarantee your iPad's safety against a five-foot drop on concrete, thanks to robust TPU plastic. The corners have additional reinforcement to safeguard against any unexpected falls. Zugu covers are designed to make your life easier. Each iPad case has eight magnetic slots, allowing you to adjust the kickstand case to the angle you need.