Use the flashlight, camera, and Magnifier

Your iPhone can light your way, take a picture, and work like a magnifying glass. Here's how to use each one.

First: open Control Center

Control Center is a panel of quick buttons, including the flashlight.

iPhone without a Home button: swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
iPhone with a Home button (iPhone SE): swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Turn the flashlight on or off

Open Control Center.
Tap the flashlight button. Tap it again to turn the light off.
Want it brighter or dimmer? After you turn it on, drag up or down on the flashlight picture that appears.

Many iPhones also have a flashlight button on the Lock Screen. Press and hold it. Or just say, "Siri, turn on the flashlight."

Take a photo

Open the Camera app. Or swipe left on the Lock Screen to open it quickly.
Point your iPhone at what you want to photograph.
To zoom in, spread two fingers apart on the screen. Pinch them together to zoom out.
Tap the big round white button, or press either volume button, to take the picture.
Your photo is saved in the Photos app.

Read small print with Magnifier

Magnifier uses the camera like a magnifying glass. It's handy for menus, labels, and pill bottles.

Open the Magnifier app. Can't find it? Swipe down in the middle of your Home Screen, type Magnifier, and tap it.
Point your iPhone at the words you want to read.
Drag the slider to zoom in or out.
Tap the freeze-frame button to hold the picture still, so you can read it without keeping your hand steady. Tap it again to go back.

Where these steps come from

Checked in November 2026 against the official pages below, using the newest iPhone software. Your screen may look a little different, especially on an older iPhone. The official page always has the latest steps.