No light, No LED flash for mail alerts on iPhone 4 for hearing impaired, deaf

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Level 1

56 points

No light, No LED flash for mail alerts on iPhone 4 for hearing impaired, deaf

Brand new iPhone 4 (I don't use the phone for calls so I don't need a later version of the iPhone)

The LED flash was working when I did the first full charge of my phone and set it up for incoming mail alerts.

After the slight update to the iOS, my LED flash stopped working for incoming mail alerts. I've checked the settings, sent test emails from my iMac and did a complete erase and started all over again, three times.

I tested the flash via my camera and the flash does work.

I checked the following settings (taken from this article: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20122525-285/ios-5-tip-how-to-enable-led-fla sh-alerts/

Settings > General > Accessibility and then scroll down until you see LED Flash for Alerts. Turn the slider to On.

For the LED flash feature to work, you will need to put your phone in silent mode by turning off vibration in Settings > Sounds

Also flip the switch on the side of your phone to turn off the ringer.

Phone is resting screen down and is OFF, which is how it is supposed to be, for this to work. (when face up, the screen will turn on when a new notification arrives).

End of settings.

Any ideas why the flash does not work when there is incoming mail and the iPhone is face down and shut off?

iPhone 4, iOS 6

Posted on Feb 26, 2013 8:17 PM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Feb 26, 2013 9:43 PM in response to huntfor

Phone is resting screen down and is OFF,

The phone is Off or the screen is off?

It doesn't need to be face down or on silent. (though you will not see the LED if it is face up).

From the iPhone user manual.

LED Flash for Alerts

If you can’t hear the sounds that announce incoming calls and other alerts, you can have iPhone flash its LED (next to the camera lens on the back of the iPhone). This works only when iPhone is locked or asleep. Available for iPhone 4 or later.

Turn on LED Flash for Alerts: Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > LED Flash for Alerts.

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Answer 2

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Feb 27, 2013 6:44 AM in response to huntfor

huntfor wrote:

Any ideas why the flash does not work when there is incoming mail and the iPhone is face down and shut off?

Ah...nothing works on an iPhone when off. Off on an iPhone is off...nothing works.

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Answer 3

huntfor Author

Level 1

56 points

Feb 27, 2013 12:37 PM in response to wjosten

I know that. That is what I keep saying. I think something isn't being read right or written right.

I was in a chat with ATT for an hour and they shipped me off (lol) to Apple. Apple chat was two hours and then their express return website wasn't cooperating for the tech guy and me, so I had to do a relay call. That relay call took another hour and a half with three disconnects.

Yes, it's sorted! 🙂 Thank you.

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Answer 4

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Feb 27, 2013 12:53 PM in response to huntfor

I know that. That is what I keep saying. I think something isn't being read right or written right.

Any ideas why the flash does not work when there is incoming mail and the iPhone is face down and shut off?

This is the source of the confusion... you initially said the phone was shut off, when in reality, it was locked and sleeping.

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Feb 27, 2013 4:22 PM in response to huntfor

Just trying to help here. You posted incorrect info and I was making sure you got it correct.

Everything I posted except that it isn't working, was taken from Apple, ATT and manuals.
...

For the LED flash feature to work, you will need to put your phone in silent mode by turning off vibration in Settings > Sounds

...

Also flip the switch on the side of your phone to turn off the ringer.

...

Phone is resting screen down and is OFF, which is how it is supposed to be, for this to work.

This info is not from Apple and it is all incorrect.

I should have copied it directly like this: Phone is resting screen down and is OFF.

Where did you copy this from? It is wrong.

It doesn't need to be screen down and the phone should not be off (else nothing will happen) Only the screen needs to be off or locked.

However, if the screen is up, you won't see the LED flash (sinvce it's on the bottom)

Also, someone who cannot hear a ring, should leave Vibration on since they won't see the LED if the phone is in their pocket.

But glad you got it sorted.

🙂

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Answer 6

huntfor Author

Level 1

56 points

Mar 30, 2013 3:47 AM in response to huntfor

For anyone interested, or anyone who needs this feature, Apple Tech Support and Apple Supervisory Tech Support confirmed that everything I copied from the CNET article (link in original message) was correct.

CNET said the phone should be off. It was obvious that they meant in sleep mode.

In any case, my phone was defective and was replaced and is working the way it should.

Thank you for your helpful comments, wjosten

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Answer 7

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 30, 2013 8:54 AM in response to huntfor

My phone (and everyone I know that it tested it with and as your does) flashes correctly and does not need to be on silent mode, vibration is on and does not need to be face down (opposite of the info you "confirmed" with Apple & CNET).

The only thing you need to do get it to work simply enable Settings > Gernal > Accessibility - LED Flash for Alerts (and have working phone).

😉

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