A feature used often but rarely thought about could soon be improved on Pixel handsets: the flashlight.
### The Overlooked Flashlight Feature
The flashlight is a feature found on every phone, activated multiple times by all users. Yet, when shopping for a new phone, its performance on individual models is rarely considered. Has anyone ever picked a specific phone just because of the flashlight? That seems very doubtful.
Even though there are slight differences in the flashlight feature from phone to phone, have you ever seen Apple, Google, Samsung, or Motorola promote the flashlight on their devices? Probably not.
### A Pixel Flashlight Hack to Brighten Your Way
Pixel users do have a handy trick to make their flashlight stronger. On iPhones with the Dynamic Island feature, you can increase the flashlight intensity by sliding your finger vertically upward inside the Dynamic Island box when the flashlight is on. Sliding down reduces the intensity, and dragging left or right changes the beam from a narrow spotlight to a wide floodlight.
Currently, Pixel users cannot control the strength of their flashlight’s beam without installing a third-party app, of which there are several options available.
Back in June, we shared a hack to double your Pixel’s flashlight brightness by using the Google Magnifier app:
1. Install the **Google Magnifier** app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and tap the flashlight icon on the right side of the screen.
3. A vertical slider will appear above the icon—swipe it all the way to the top to double the flashlight’s intensity.
4. You can adjust the brightness by moving your finger along the slider.
### What’s Coming Next for Pixel Flashlights?
There might be a new way to control flashlight brightness coming soon. According to a recent report, an upcoming software update will let Pixel users adjust the strength of their flashlight beam directly through the system controls.
In August, hidden code found in the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 revealed a new slider very similar to the horizontal brightness slider in Quick Settings. This slider will control the flashlight strength on Pixel phones.
The latest Android Canary release (build 2510) displays a flashlight control similar to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island control. Inside a box with a flashlight icon, dragging the slider upward will turn on and increase the flashlight’s brightness until it reaches maximum. As you slide up, an arc representing the light beam widens. Sliding down dims the light and narrows the beam accordingly.
This feature could arrive with the March 2026 Pixel Feature Drop, alongside the Android 16 stable release.
### Is Flashlight Strength a Dealbreaker for You?
– **Yes.** I might need a strong beam someday.
– **No.** I can always install an app to get a brighter light.
– **Flashlight? Who cares. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.**
### When Will the Flashlight Slider Arrive?
The flashlight slider hasn’t appeared yet in QPR2 Beta releases, suggesting it might debut with the Android 16 Beta, coinciding with the March 2026 Pixel Feature Drop.
While it might not be the most critical feature Google adds to Pixel phones, this update shows Google’s intent to make everyday tools more user-friendly.
If you use the flashlight on your Pixel phone often, this new flashlight control will be a welcome addition. Until then, try the Google Magnifier app hack mentioned above for a brighter flashlight.
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https://www.phonearena.com/news/future-pixel-feature-drop-major-improvement-to-unappreciated-feature_id175193
