Android flashlight without unlocking: Pixel and Galaxy shortcuts

You don't have to unlock an Android phone to switch the flashlight on. According to Engadget, there are shortcuts so you can access it easily and quickly in case of emergency. The guide focuses on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, both of which have a customizable pulldown menu from the lock screen with a set of useful tools. If you want to go hands-free, you can ask your AI assistant to turn the flashlight on for you on either phone. Start by saying "Hey, Google" without unlocking your phone, then follow it up with "Turn on the flashlight."

On a Pixel, swipe down from the top of the screen to bring up the Quick Settings menu, then tap the flashlight icon to switch it on and tap again to switch it off. If the icon isn't among the top options, tap the pencil at the bottom of the Quick Settings menu and press the plus button on the Flashlight icon, or move it to the top so you can see it quickly. You can't shake a Pixel to switch the light on — that's an old Motorola feature. Instead, set the Quick Tap gesture: go to Settings > System > Gestures > Quick Tap to start actions and enable Toggle Flashlight. After that, double tapping the back of the phone turns the light on.

You can also edit the lock screen buttons on a Pixel. Long press on the lock screen, tap Customize at the bottom, scroll to the Shortcuts option and choose the flashlight icon to add it to the bottom of the lock screen. If you want shake-to-turn-on, the guide points to third-party apps that add that ability. That's an extra install rather than something built into the phone.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, you can access the flashlight through the Quick Panel, which you see by swiping down from either corner of the top of the screen. If it isn't there, or you want to reorder the icons, tap the kebab or pencil icon while the panel is open and rearrange the icons. You can also change the two buttons in the bottom corners of the lock screen. Typically those are the Phone and Camera icons, but you can switch out one of them by long pressing anywhere on the lock screen and selecting the flashlight to replace it. If you can't customize your lock screen, go to Settings > Lock Screen & AOD > Enable Touch and Hold to Edit.