How to Use Camera Flash as Torch on Android
While it has become customary for small budget phones to include a built-in light which serves as a torch, such a useful feature has been notably missing from high-end entries. No one can deny the utility of these torches, especially when you are looking for keys or flipping a switch in the dark. Moreover, these are indispensible for night camping trips and treks and you don’t have to worry about carrying batteries with you. Fortunately however, high-end phones have something you can use that low-end devices don’t have – a camera flash. Since Android devices support applications, developers have been creating apps to use the camera flash and make it work like a torch.
Instructions
-
1
Make sure your device has an active data connection or connect it to your Wi-Fi network in order to download applications.
-
2
Run the Play Store application from your app drawer and use the search function to look for an app called Tiny Flashlight + LED, developed by Nikolay Ananiev.
-
3
Once you find it, tap the ‘install’ button to download the app on your device for free.
-
4
Now run Tiny Flashlight + LED from the app drawer and the main screen will show you a power button with a battery indicator on top.
-
5
If you tap the power button, your phone’s camera flash will light up, and you will see that it is generally brighter than the built-in torches low-end phones have.
-
6
In case your phone does not have a camera flash, you can still use the app. Tapping the power button in this case will lead to your screen brightening up, displaying a white page for the best results. While this will not be as bright as the flash, it will be better than not having any light.
-
7
The app also has other interesting features, such as the strobe light function, which lets you set the frequency and duration of flashes and a Morse code function, letting your send messages using the flash. Police and warning lights are also included and worth a try.
-
8
You can also use the app’s widget for quick access. Long-press on a homescreen and select the widgets option to bring up the list of available widgets.
-
9
Now select the Tiny Flashlight + LED widget from the list and it will be placed on your home screen. There are different layouts you can choose from, try them all to see which one you prefer.
