Siri says ‘Torch Not Available’ when asked to turn on flashlight after iOS 26 update

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Level 1

36 points

Siri says ‘Torch Not Available’ when asked to turn on flashlight after iOS 26 update

When I ask Siri to turn on the flashlight, the response will be (and this depends on the voice set for Siri): sorry, the torch isn’t available right now.

Nothing else is using the camera light, so what’s the deal with the response saying it’s not available? After asking 2 or 3 times for it to be turned on, Siri finally does as asked. No issue with this before iOS 26.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Siri won’t turn on tlashlight

Posted on Sep 28, 2025 6:29 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

CB2367 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 30, 2025 6:58 AM in response to CB2367

Here’s what I’ve found after my testing attempt. If the phone is on a surface, just about every single time Siri will state the flashlight isn’t available. When I pick up the phone and ask for the flashlight to be turned on- it works.

In another test while just simply holding the phone as I normally would like picking it up to walk from one room to another, it took FIVE attempts before Siri would turn on the flashlight. The first four times….. “sorry, it’s not available.”

Looking this up in Google, the common causes:

low battery—doesn’t apply in this case.

camera in use — doesn’t apply

software bug—well, that’s the only thing left

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Answer 2

Jpgredt

Level 1

14 points

Dec 12, 2025 9:15 AM in response to Thecreated

Confirmed with me too. When it’s charging it says it’s unavailable. Unplugged the charge cable and it turns the torch on fine. 17 Pro.

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Answer 3

Katana-San

Level 10

81,253 points

Jan 2, 2026 2:28 PM in response to Hacolo

Hacolo wrote:

Siri says “torch not available”. Brand new IPhone 17pro. Max. She finally complies after I command her in a profanity filled rant.

Hello~ So you believe “She finally complies after I command her in a profanity filled rant??” Hmmmm… I am certainly glad that Siri isn’t a real person. Try this…

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

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Answer 4

Alancito

Level 7

30,030 points

Sep 29, 2025 3:11 AM in response to CB2367

CB2367 ~ What model of iPhone is it?...

Settings > General > About > Model Name

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Answer 5

Oct 20, 2025 3:05 PM in response to CB2367

Exactly the same issue, 16 Pro Max 512. If I pick it up and move it around, it works. It also randomly starts working if I ask again. I set the action button to flashlight, it doesn't turn on that way either, nor from the lockscreen button, they all refuse to work. Seems to me like some kind of bug that puts something into a powersaving state, or something..

Also, I'm pretty sure this started before iOS 26

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Answer 6

CB2367 Author

Level 1

36 points

Nov 17, 2025 9:41 AM in response to CB2367

This bug still hasn’t been fixed!

It will sometimes take 3-4 attempts to get Siri to turn on the flashlight. Additionally, the flashlight button on the Home Screen often requires a significant amount effort to get the button press to register.

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Answer 7

Katana-San

Level 10

81,253 points

Sep 29, 2025 7:57 AM in response to CB2367

Hello~ You need to have your iPhone checked out by Apple…

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Find Locations

~Katana-San~

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Answer 8

Katana-San

Level 10

81,253 points

Sep 28, 2025 6:42 PM in response to CB2367

Hello~ I have asked Siri to turn on my flashlight, turn on my torch and also the magic Hey Siri Lumos and all turn on perfectly fine. Any help below?

If the camera or flash on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working - Apple Support

Post back if needed. Take care.

~Katana-San~

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Answer 9

CB2367 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 28, 2025 8:02 PM in response to CB2367

The issue here is that BEFORE iOS 26, I could ask Siri to turn on the flashlight and 100% of the time it would work.

Now at random times, it does NOT work. The ONLY change was updating the software. Asking Siri to turn on the flashlight worked before so it should stand to reason that it would still work correctly now, but it doesn’t.

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Answer 10

K Shaffer

Level 8

36,010 points

Jan 2, 2026 2:51 PM in response to Katana-San

Hacolo may not yield the floor but Siri won't forget!!

Sometimes one may feel like an emotive outburst

while that seldom results in any positive results..

..As some of us try to keep a lid on these factors

even when (or if) A.I. may help, or hinder results!

[The flashlight and other items seldom function.]

Usually I've shut off most Siri items after iPhone ios15.7.x

Even so, later iOS seems more forgetful & keeps me up.

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Answer 11

CB2367 Author

Level 1

36 points

Sep 29, 2025 9:24 AM in response to CB2367

iPhone 16 pro max is the phone I’m working with.

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Answer 12

Oct 20, 2025 3:04 PM in response to AdiProdan

Forgot to say, I'm pretty sure this started before iOS 26

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Answer 13

Nov 29, 2025 10:05 PM in response to CB2367

Same here. This just happened to me for the first time yesterday. Pressed the flashlight button on the lock screen a number of times without it turning on. Sheesh.

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Answer 14

Hacolo

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2026 12:13 PM in response to CB2367

Siri says “torch not available”. Brand new IPhone 17pro. Max. She finally complies after I command her in a profanity filled rant.

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Answer 15

Nov 10, 2025 6:11 PM in response to CB2367

I'm afraid that none of these are true in my case (and I suspect many others). That is, the phone (16 Pro Max) is in my hands, the camera is not in use or open, the battery isn't low, and there is not a temperature issue. That leaves software glitch. Interestingly, with the update to IOS 26, Siri only answers some of the time now when I call her. Other times she completely ignores my call to her - which did not happen before the update. Many times I have to be right in front of the microphone. Nothing changed on my end, and this happens in all the areas I have asked for her help in the past. While I'm on a roll, she also doesn't appear to understand either big words or frequently confuses words (i.e. Lee turns into Lisa). Not ready for prime time.

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