When you think of a flashlight on an Apple device, the iPhone probably comes to mind. But what about the iPad? Can you swipe into Control Center and light up the room with your tablet? The answer depends on which iPad model you own.
Why Some iPads Have Flashlights and Others Don’t
The flashlight function on iOS and iPadOS relies on the rear camera’s LED flash. If an iPad has a rear flash, it can double as a flashlight. If it doesn’t, there’s no flashlight toggle in Control Center.
This is why only certain iPads include the feature. Apple reserves the rear flash for models focused on photography and scanning, while its more budget-friendly iPads skip it.
The 2025 iPad Lineup
Here’s how the current iPad lineup compares:
| iPad Model | Chip | Rear Flash | Flashlight in Control Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro (M4, 11″ & 13″) | M4 | ✅ Yes (True Tone flash) | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Mini (6th gen refresh, A17 Pro) | A17 Pro | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Air (M3, 2025) | M3 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad (11th gen, A16) | A16 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
iPad Models and Rear Flash Support (2010–2025)
| Model | First Release Year | Rear Flash? | Flashlight Function? |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad (1st–5th gen) | 2010–2017 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad (6th–10th gen) | 2018–2022 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad (11th gen, A16) | 2024 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad Air (1st–5th gen) | 2013–2022 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad Air (6th gen, M2) | 2024 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad Air (7th gen, M3) | 2025 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad Mini (1st–5th gen) | 2012–2019 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad Mini (6th gen, A15) | 2021 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Mini (6th gen refresh, A17 Pro) | 2024 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 9.7″ (1st gen) | 2016 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 12.9″ (1st gen) | 2015 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| iPad Pro 12.9″ (2nd gen) | 2017 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 10.5″ | 2017 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 11″ (all gens) | 2018–2025 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd–6th gen) | 2018–2022 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 13″ (M4) | 2024 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Key Takeaways
- No standard iPad or iPad Air model has ever had a rear flash.
- iPad Mini only gained a rear flash starting with the 6th gen (2021).
- iPad Pro gained a rear flash starting with the 9.7″ Pro in 2016, and every Pro since then has included one — except the very first 12.9″ Pro in 2015.
What This Means for You
- If you own an iPad Pro or iPad Mini, you can use your device as a flashlight just like on an iPhone. The toggle appears in Control Center, and the flash is strong enough to light up a room or assist with document scanning.
- If you own an iPad Air or the standard iPad, you won’t find a flashlight option. These models don’t have a rear flash, though you can still use the screen’s brightness as a makeshift light in a pinch.
How to Turn On the Flashlight on iPad
If your iPad supports the flashlight (Pro or Mini models), here’s how to use it:
- Open Control Center
- On iPads without a Home button: swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- On iPads with a Home button: swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
- Tap the Flashlight Icon
- The flashlight button looks like a small torch.
- Tap once to turn it on, tap again to turn it off.
- Adjust Brightness (Optional)
- Press and hold the flashlight icon.
- A slider will appear, letting you increase or decrease brightness.
That’s it — your iPad is now doubling as a handy light source.
What If Your iPad Doesn’t Have a Flashlight?
If you own an iPad Air or entry-level iPad, you won’t find the flashlight option. These models don’t have a rear flash. However, you can:
- Use the screen brightness at maximum as a soft light.
- Download a third-party app that turns the screen white to mimic a flashlight.
- Or, of course, reach for your iPhone if you have one nearby.
Bottom Line
Not all iPads have flashlights. As of 2025, only the iPad Pro and iPad Mini lines include a rear LED flash, and therefore support flashlight functionality. The iPad Air and entry-level iPad do not.
So, if a built-in flashlight is important to you, stick with the Pro or Mini.
