# Why are most cell phone flashlight apps pointless? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 16, 2017, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105 "2017-06-16T10:42:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/21 "2017-06-16T13:30:07Z")
> [@dude\_robert](#): > > I am absolutely certain that all people would prefer to carry around a 0.1 kilogram phone that has a flashlight bright enough to light up their living room rather than a 0.025 kilogram phone that has a torch powerful enough to completely light up a single room in a doll-house. I mean, the torch in my phone is so dim that the screen is only about two to three times dimmer than the torch at full brightness. It’s possible to be absolutely certain, and yet be wrong. As in fact has happened here. Just occurred to me to ask. Have you checked that your phone’s LED lens isn’t covered with some sort of sticky, light-diffusing substance? ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/22 "2017-06-16T14:09:16Z")
I see a lot of people using flashlight apps. It seems like they work just fine. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/23 "2017-06-16T14:21:30Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > I see a lot of people using flashlight apps. It seems like they work just fine. Well at least the flashlight works just fine. But are you sure they are not just using the stock function rather than an aftermarket app? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/24 "2017-06-16T14:56:14Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Well at least the flashlight works just fine. But are you sure they are not just using the stock function rather than an aftermarket app? Yeah, if I’m understanding correctly, the OP seems to be wondering what is the point of flashlight apps vs the stock flashlight capability of the phone. (But, I admit, it’s confusing as the OP then goes in the follow-up posts complaining about things that are not related to third-party app vs native capability.) > [@duderobert](#): > > OKAY, my main point is how the flashlights apps themselves are hopeless. They do nothing extra that the normal default flashlight button doesn’t do, and deactivate when you lock your phone/put it to sleep. And to that, I don’t know, as all I use is the built-in flashlight capability and it works just fine. I seem to recall that in the first generation or two of smartphones, there was no native “flashlight” support, so the apps did serve a purpose, but now, I don’t know, as I’ve never found a reason to download one. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/25 "2017-06-16T14:59:23Z")
> [@dude\_robert](#): > > …and the worst thing is that they die when you turn the screen of and lick the phone. Perhaps you just need a waterproof case. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/26 "2017-06-16T15:19:53Z")
> [@dude\_robert](#): > > I am absolutely certain that all people would prefer to carry around a 0.1 kilogram phone that has a flashlight bright enough to light up their living room rather than a 0.025 kilogram phone that has a torch powerful enough to completely light up a single room in a doll-house. Nope. As far as I’m concerned, the phone as a light source is for last resorts only. If it’s already in my hand and I need to look for keys or keyhole somewhere, sure, but that’s about it. I carry - get this - an actual flashlight. I also have one attached to the fridge with a magnet and one in the night stand. Far more useful in case of power outage. Also far more useful if home/self defense is ever needed. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/27 "2017-06-16T15:39:00Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I find it interesting that your software corrected a misspelling of flashlight to “fleshlight.” Don’t these autocorrect algorithms adapt themselves for individual users based on the frequency of use of individual words? It is odd, isn’t it? When I type “fleshlight” on my phone, it autocorrects to “flashlight.” ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/28 "2017-06-16T16:21:22Z")
> [@dude\_robert](#): > > Because the \*\*fleshlight \*\*apps are useless, they have thousands of ads and crap all junked up everywhere and the worst thing is that they die when you turn the screen of and **lick the phone**. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I find it interesting that your software corrected a misspelling of flashlight to “fleshlight.” Don’t these autocorrect algorithms adapt themselves for individual users based on the frequency of use of individual words? & I thought being able to _watch_ porn on my phone’s browser was good enough. I guess I gotta get me one of those [Moto Z](https://www.motorola.com/us/products/moto-z-droid-edition)\* phones with all of the add-ons. - Warning: may not be suitable for work…if you work for Apple, Samsung, HTC, etc. They _hate_ when you look at the competition at work. To answer the OP, your phone does all of these [things](http://www.usefulnessformula.com/mobile_equivalents_extra.jpg). It’s an incredible multipurpose device; however, as with just about every multipurpose device it isn’t necessarily as good as a single purpose device. I have SLR cameras that run circles around my phone’s camera, but if they were only as good there wouldn’t be a market for them. I have multiple lights, from smaller & lighter, to [handsfree](https://www.google.com/search?q=headlamp&rlz=1C1SAVI_enUS598US598&tbm=isch), to large, heavy, multi-million candlepower one that can light up a football field. The one on every phone I’ve owned has always been enough to light up a few steps in front of me, which would allow walk far enough to get one of the more powerful ones. If your phone doesn’t do things adequately, then you should look for a new device. If your phone doesn’t do things as good as the best in class single purpose device, well, that’s not what it was designed for. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/29 "2017-06-16T16:33:34Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Just occurred to me to ask. Have you checked that your phone’s LED lens isn’t covered with some sort of sticky, light-diffusing substance? Quite possible if he’s using it as a fleshlight! ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/30 "2017-06-16T17:03:21Z")
I have an LG G5 (Android) and my flashlight app has small unobtrusive advertising, has one control for on/off, and the light is bright enough to use anytime I need to pull a flashlight out of my pocket on a moment’s notice. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. > [@dude\_robert](#): > > …you turn the screen of and lick the phone. I have never licked my phone. > [@cochrane](#): > > [The 6 Most Useless Features Found in Flashlight Apps](http://www.cracked.com/blog/exploring-dumbass-extra-features-flashlight-apps/) That article should be called, “The Most Useless Article About Apps Ever Written.” ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/31 "2017-06-17T03:33:22Z")
I’m just trying to figure out how it can be pitch black in a house that’s on fire. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/32 "2017-06-17T03:51:21Z")
One reason you might need an app: My phone is an LG Sunset. It does not have a button anywhere on the notification bar or anyplace else on the phone to turn on the flashlight without a separate app. If I want to turn on the flashlight, I have to say, “OK, Google, turn on the flashlight.” That’s not always practical. I have an app that puts a notification bar on my lockscreen. I just need to push the power button to wake up the phone and tap the notification button for the flashlight. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/33 "2017-06-17T03:54:03Z")
I don’t consider a phone as a replacement for a real flashlight. I wouldn’t drain my battery using it that way, especially in an emergency. I use my phone’s light very briefly. Like when a screw drops on the floor. Or I need to find something in the car. A quick shake and I have a light. I still keep emergency flashlights in the house and car. ---
**Author:** ![dude\_robert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8e7dd6/32.png) [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/34 "2017-06-17T06:06:26Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > I’m just trying to figure out how it can be pitch black in a house that’s on fire. It doesn’t have to be a Hollywood house fire; brighter than a supernova, with random bad guys with uzis appearing out of thin air and shooting random people, while brave heros with .44 magnums blow their heads off with a single bullet that ricochets around the room, missing all the innocents and popping all the “bad guys’s” heads. There are plenty of house fires that might start in another room, the roof, the chimney, the wall insulation, wires, etc that are very dangerous and produce lots of deadly smoke while still being very quiet and keeping the building relatively dark. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/35 "2017-06-17T16:26:55Z")
Why use an app when you can turn it on from the quick settings without even unlocking your phone? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/36 "2017-06-17T18:57:25Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Why use an app when you can turn it on from the quick settings without even unlocking your phone? As I said, mine can’t. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/37 "2017-06-17T20:56:11Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I can turn mine on from the lock screen… Huh? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/38 "2017-06-17T21:25:07Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Huh? With a separate app. Without an app, I can only use OK Google. > [@cochrane](#): > > One reason you might need an app: My phone is an LG Sunset. **It does not have a button anywhere on the notification bar or anyplace else on the phone to turn on the flashlight without a separate app. If I want to turn on the flashlight, I have to say, “OK, Google, turn on the flashlight.”** That’s not always practical. **I have an app that puts a notification bar on my lockscreen.** I just need to push the power button to wake up the phone and tap the notification button for the flashlight. The point is, **Doug K.** said: > [@Doug\_K](#): > > Why use an app when you can turn it on from the quick settings without even unlocking your phone? Without the app, I couldn’t do that. That’s why I have the app. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/39 "2017-06-18T23:01:13Z")
My LG phone did not come with a flashlight button nor did my Kindle Fire. Needed apps for both. For my phone I just use my tachometer app on a high frequency. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105/40 "2017-06-19T05:02:15Z")
My Samsung Galaxy s7 didn’t have a way to turn on the flashlight, I had to get an app to do so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-cell-phone-flashlight-apps-pointless/789105.md?page=3)