iPhone flashlight width adjustment not working after iOS 18 Update

The feature might only be present on a few iPhones – ones with a multi-LED array for Adaptive True Tone flash.

AppleInsider – How to adjust the flashlight's focus and beam shape in iOS 18

Reddit – iOS 18 Flashlight supports beam width

According to the comparison tool on Apple's site, the following phones have Adaptive True Tone flash:

• iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

The regular iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models do not have Adaptive True Tone flash –and without a multiple-LED flash array or adjustable optics, there would be no way for them to control the beam width.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max might not have gotten the beam width feature even though they apparently have hardware that might be capable of supporting it.

LoneWolfrd wrote:

I do NOT have the option either on my iPhone 13pro running iOS 18.

The phone has been restarted several times since updating and still to this point there is NO change with my flashlight from previous software versions. 😤

The LEDs on the iPhone 13 Pro do not support the beam width adjustment feature.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Servant of Cats wrote:

The regular iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models do not have Adaptive True Tone flash –and without a multiple-LED flash array or adjustable optics, there would be no way for them to control the beam width.

Are you thinking that only the 16 Pro models will have it, not the 16s?

If the hypothesis that you need Adaptive True Tone flash hardware is correct, yes. Apple's comparison tool says that the 16 Pro and Pro Max have the Adaptive flash feature. The 16 and 16 Plus don't.

Compare iPhone models – iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 16

Adaptive True Tone flash involves using a 3x3 grid of 9 LEDs, a multi-part lens, and selective firing of LEDs, based upon the coverage area the Camera app is trying to achieve. The flashlight width control is apparently a "manual" control that takes advantage of the same hardware.

AppleInsider – How iPhone 14 Pro Adaptive True Tone flash creates perfect light for your photos

What are you talking about? You can’t adjust the ‘width’ of the flashlight. That’s never been an option.

Servant of Cats wrote:

The regular iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models do not have Adaptive True Tone flash –and without a multiple-LED flash array or adjustable optics, there would be no way for them to control the beam width.

Are you thinking that only the 16 Pro models will have it, not the 16s?

KiltedTim wrote:

What are you talking about? You can’t adjust the ‘width’ of the flashlight. That’s never been an option.

It's really cool!

Its an app called I screen once you download it you'll be able to add the shortcut that was just something that people were spreading around saying its apart of the update but its not.

Servant of Cats wrote:

The feature might only be present on a few iPhones – ones with a multi-LED array for Adaptive True Tone flash.

Thanks! I couldn't find that.

It was a feature update in iOS 18. https://9to5mac.com/iphone-flashlight-ios-18-how-it-works/

Use these links they can help

AppleInsider – How to adjust the flashlight's focus and beam shape in iOS 18

The same thing happens but it was like for a hour

My iPhone does the same thing

aanx wrote:

Is there a solution?

Sounds like your iPhone 15 might not have the hardware required to change the beam width, even by a little bit.

I would expect Apple to hide the beam width user interface in that case, rather than to tease you with a setting that you could never change. Especially since most iPhones could only support a single setting.

KiltedTim wrote:

I can confirm that on an iPhone 15, all it does is adjust the brightness.

It's going to take me a while to get these nuances committed to memory. But, at least I'll be able to answer this question accurately from now on.

I can confirm that on an iPhone 15, all it does is adjust the brightness.

Servant of Cats wrote:

If the hypothesis that you need Adaptive True Tone flash hardware is correct, yes. Apple's comparison tool says that the 16 Pro and Pro Max have the Adaptive flash feature. The 16 and 16 Plus don't.

Thanks.

Ginoschiavone wrote:

Its an app called I screen once you download it you'll be able to add the shortcut that was just something that people were spreading around saying its apart of the update but its not.

No, it's not a third-party app. It's the way the flashlight works on some of the newer phones. If you have a phone that supports it, it comes with iOS 18.