Alex Ruben
How To Customize Screen Flash Notification Colors on Android
Changing the screen flash notification color on your Android device isn’t always straightforward, and honestly, it can be kinda weird depending on your phone model. Sometimes, you find these options buried deep in menus that aren’t exactly intuitive. But if you’ve ever wanted to personalize your alerts or just make notifications more noticeable, here’s what to try.
Step 1: Open Your Device Settings
First off, unlock your phone and swipe down from the top to pull down the notification shade. Tap the gear icon (⚙️) to open Settings. Sometimes this is hidden behind the quick settings menu or in a different place on some phones, so if it feels like hunting, that’s normal. On some devices, the exact menu path might differ a bit, especially if you’re on a custom ROM or a heavily skinned Android.
Step 2: Navigate to Accessibility Settings
Inside Settings, scroll down to find Accessibility. Sometimes, it’s tucked in the system or device section. Tap on it. This is where many of the less obvious features live — like screen readers, magnification, or flash notifications. If accessibility feels like a dead end, you might need to check if your device supports flash notifications at all.
Step 3: Access Advanced Settings
Within Accessibility, look for something like Advanced Settings. On some phones, it’s a separate menu; on others, you might see the options straight away. This is where some manufacturers hide extra features, including flashing alerts. If your device runs stock Android, it might not have this option built-in—if that’s the case, third-party apps are your next best bet.
Step 4: Enable Flash Notifications
Here, tap on Flash Notification. You want to toggle it on. Sometimes it’s called Screen Flash for Notifications or something similar. Not every Android version or device supports this out of the box, so if you don’t see it, that’s probably why. There’s usually a Preview button so you can see what the flash looks like—be aware it can be surprisingly bright or abrupt.
Step 5: Customize Your Flash Notification Colour
This is where things get tricky. On some devices, you’ll see the option to change the color of the flash directly. Tap on Color, and a palette should pop up. On pixel devices or stock Android, this might not be available; in those cases, you’ll need third-party apps like Flash Notification & Light or similar. These apps can often let you customize the color more easily.
Anyway, if your device does support it, pick a color, then confirm with Done. Expect the selected color to be used in future flash notifications—you know, those quick screen flickers or flashes.
Step 6: Preview Your New Notification Colour
Tap Preview again if you want to see how the new color looks in action. Sometimes, the color change isn’t obvious until a real notification triggers or you run the test. Not sure why it works, but on some phones, the color won’t update immediately or only after a reboot. Weird, but that’s Android for you.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If the feature isn’t showing up or isn’t doing what it’s supposed to, here are some quick thoughts:
- Make sure your Android version is up to date. Sometimes, these features are added or improved with updates.
- If you don’t see any options for flash notifications, yours might not support it natively. Look for third-party solutions or apps.
- On some setups, enabling developer options and tweaking certain flags can unlock hidden features, but that’s more involved.
- Also, third-party apps might give you a wider range of customization if your device doesn’t support direct color changes.
Conclusion
Once you get a hang of the menus (or stumble upon the right app), changing the screen flash notification colour can make alerts more fun or just more noticeable. Keep in mind, some phones just don’t support this natively, and frustration might come from that. Still, a little digging and trying third-party apps can usually get you close enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I assign different colors for different contacts?
Nope, Android doesn’t really do per-contact flash colors out of the box. Some third-party apps might offer that, but it’s hit or miss and varies by device. If you want personalized notifications for contacts, you might be better off with custom ringtones or notification sounds.
What if I don’t see the flash notification option?
This is pretty common. Not all devices or Android versions have that feature built-in. If it’s not there, trying a third-party app seems to be the only route. Also, some custom ROMs or manufacturer skins hide or alter these features.
Will changing the flash notification colour kill my battery?
Not really. Usually, the impact is minimal, especially if you don’t use the flash notification all the time. But if you’re flashing your screen like a maniac, yeah, it’ll drain more power (like everything else).
Summary
- Check your device’s accessibility and notification settings.
- If supported, enable flash notifications and pick your color.
- Use third-party apps if native options are missing.
- Be aware that some phones just don’t support this feature — and that’s okay.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck messing with those settings, because of course, Android has to make it harder than necessary.