Why does my phone flash when I get a message?

Answered by Cody Janus

Ah, the flashing phone dilemma. I remember when I first encountered this phenomenon. It was a sunny afternoon, and I was sitting at a café, engrossed in a book, when suddenly my phone started flashing. At first, I was startled, thinking something must be wrong. But then I realized it was just a notification.

You see, modern smartphones are equipped with a feature called Flash Alerts. When this feature is enabled, your phone’s LED light, usually located near the camera, will blink whenever a call comes in, you receive a new message, or a notification pops up. It’s a nifty little feature that can be quite useful in certain situations.

Why does this happen, you ask? Well, it’s actually a design choice made by phone manufacturers to provide users with a visual indicator of incoming calls, messages, or notifications. It’s especially handy when your phone is on silent or vibrate mode, as the flashing light ensures you don’t miss any important alerts.

Now, you may be wondering how to enable or disable Flash Alerts on your Android phone. Fear not, for I shall guide you through the process.

1. Go to your phone’s Settings menu. You can usually find it by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down and tap on “Accessibility.” This is where you’ll find various accessibility features for your phone.

3. Look for the option labeled “Flash Alerts” or “Flash notification.” The exact wording may vary depending on your phone model and Android version.

4. Toggle the switch to turn on or off Flash Alerts. When the switch is on, your phone’s LED light will blink for incoming calls, messages, and notifications. When the switch is off, the LED light will remain steady.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully enabled or disabled Flash Alerts on your Android phone. Now, whenever you receive a call, message, or notification, your phone’s LED light will either blink or remain still, depending on your preference.

I must admit, Flash Alerts can be quite handy in certain situations. For example, if you’re in a noisy environment and can’t hear your phone’s ringer, the blinking light will catch your attention. It’s also useful when your phone is on silent mode and you don’t want to be constantly checking your screen for new messages or notifications.

However, I understand that Flash Alerts may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Some people find the blinking light distracting or annoying, especially in dark or quiet settings. If that’s the case for you, simply follow the steps above to disable the feature.

Flash Alerts is a feature designed to provide a visual indicator of incoming calls, messages, and notifications on your Android phone. It can be enabled or disabled in the Accessibility settings, allowing you to customize your phone’s alert system to suit your preferences. Whether you find it helpful or bothersome, the choice is yours. Happy flashing (or not)!