For the first several years of iPhone, it was clever that developers made flashlight apps so you could shine your camera flash in the dark. When Apple introduced Control Center in iOS 7, this function became built in.

However, I’ve helped many clients discover they still have an old flashlight app, learn to use the built-in capability, and delete the unneeded app.

Access Control Center

On an iPhone with a Home button, reveal Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. On an iPhone without a Home button, swipe down from the top right corner. Tap outside Control Center to dismiss it.

Flashlight is one of the default controls, though since iOS 11, it can be removed from the interface. You’ll find a variety of controls and app shortcuts in Control Center settings. Do you recognize all of those shown above?

Shine a Light

From Control Center, just tap the flashlight icon to toggle the light on or off. That is all — almost…

Change Brightness

Long press the flashlight icon to choose among four brightness levels. Tap the dark gray bottom section to turn the light off. Flashlight will always remember the last brightness setting when switched on again.

So, if you still have a separate flashlight app, I suggest you simplify your digital life and delete it.