The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →On iPhone, the “lock screen controls” people talk about usually mean the quick actions you can access without unlocking—most commonly the flashlight and camera. Depending on your iOS version, you’ll also see options that affect what’s visible and what’s usable from the lock screen.
This guide walks you through the exact settings to change those lock screen actions, plus how to handle common confusion between lock screen controls and Control Center items.
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Work through the sections that match what you’re trying to change. If you tell me your iOS version and which control you want to move, I can point you to the precise toggle.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat you can change on the iPhone lock screen
Apple exposes several lock-screen-related settings. The exact labels vary a bit by iOS release, but the core categories are consistent.
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Flashlight and camera shortcuts
You can typically allow or disable quick access to the flashlight and the camera from the lock screen.
Buttons and side-button behavior
Settings that control what happens when you press or double-press the side button can indirectly change what users can reach from the lock screen.
Passcode and biometric restrictions
If you require Face ID/Touch ID for specific actions, the lock screen becomes more locked down (especially for notifications, previews, and certain quick actions).
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Accessibility shortcuts
Some accessibility features (like emergency or assistive shortcuts) appear from the lock screen, and you can manage whether they’re available.
Prerequisites before you start
- Know your iOS version: Go to Settings > General > About > iOS Version.
- Be signed in: Most settings changes just require your device passcode.
- Have Face ID set up (if applicable): If you use Face ID, you’ll see Face ID options. If you use Touch ID, you’ll see Touch ID equivalents.
If your device is managed (work/school profile), some options might be restricted by your organization.
Change flashlight and camera on the lock screen (iOS 16/17/18)
These are the most commonly changed “lock screen controls.” The toggles live in your lock screen/passcode area.
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On iPhone with Face ID
- Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Scroll to the section labeled Allow Access When Locked.
- Toggle Flashlight on or off.
- Toggle Camera on or off.
On iPhone with Touch ID
- Open Settings.
- Tap Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Find Allow Access When Locked.
- Toggle Flashlight on or off.
- Toggle Camera on or off.
What to test after changing the toggles
Lock your iPhone (press the Side button) and confirm whether the icons/actions you intended are available. If you turned off Camera, verify that the lock screen camera shortcut no longer opens without unlocking.
Turn off or restrict lock screen access (Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode)
Sometimes you don’t just want to remove one shortcut—you want to tighten what anyone can do while the iPhone is locked. That’s where Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode options matter.
Restrict notifications and previews
- Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
- Enter your passcode.
- Look for Allow Access When Locked options and Notification Previews.
- Set Notification Previews to Never if you want no content shown.
Disable “Today View” on the lock screen (where available)
Depending on iOS version, you may have lock-screen-related behavior for widgets/feeds. The safest approach is to control widgets via Notification Center settings and ensure previews are restricted.
If you’re trying to prevent certain content from appearing, focus on previews first, not only the flashlight/camera toggles.
Control Center items vs lock screen controls (important distinction)
People often mix up two different concepts:
- Lock screen controls: Things you can do while the phone is locked (e.g., flashlight/camera), typically governed by Allow Access When Locked.
- Control Center controls: Toggles you access by swiping down from the top-right (or on some models, bottom-right) while the phone may be locked. These are governed by Control Center settings and your lock screen access permissions.
If what you want to change is a Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth button, you’re almost certainly dealing with Control Center, not the lock screen shortcuts.
How to customize Control Center on iPhone (when you actually mean controls)
You can choose which controls appear in Control Center. Then you can decide whether Control Center access is allowed while locked.
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Customize which controls appear
- Open Settings.
- Tap Control Center.
- Under More Controls, find controls you want to add.
- Tap the + to add them to Include.
- Use the – to remove controls you don’t want.
Control whether Control Center works on the lock screen
Exact toggles vary, but look for passcode/lock-screen-related permissions that control access when locked.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Check Allow Access When Locked options and related lock-screen controls.
If Control Center access is restricted, you may still be able to swipe but not toggle certain items until you unlock.
Accessibility shortcuts on the lock screen
Accessibility features can appear on the lock screen, especially around emergency and assistive access.
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Emergency and medical access
If you use Medical ID, that can be accessible from the lock screen. While Medical ID itself is typically managed in the Health app, emergency-related accessibility access is handled in iOS settings.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Emergency SOS.
- Review options for calling and auto-calling, including how emergency calls are triggered.
- Open Health > Medical ID to ensure it’s configured for lock screen access.
AssistiveTouch and other accessibility shortcuts
If you want to prevent shortcut behavior while locked, check the accessibility settings that define how shortcuts are triggered.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Check features like AssistiveTouch, Back Tap, and any “shortcut” options.
Some accessibility shortcuts depend on gestures rather than lock screen UI, so their availability may not be controlled by the same lock screen toggles as flashlight/camera.
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Edge cases and troubleshooting
When a toggle doesn’t seem to work, it’s usually one of five things: you’re changing the wrong setting area (Control Center vs lock screen), a managed device policy is overriding you, you need to re-enter your passcode, the device is using a different auth method, or iOS version labels differ.
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1) You changed flashlight/camera but the icons still appear
- Confirm you toggled the correct switch: In Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), look for Allow Access When Locked.
- Reboot once: After changes, try a quick restart.
- Test from a fully locked state: Press the Side button to lock, then wait briefly for the lock screen to fully settle.
2) You’re changing Control Center controls, but nothing changes on the lock screen
- Verify Control Center access permissions: Changes to included controls only affect the Control Center panel. Whether it’s usable while locked depends on lock screen permissions.
- Try unlocking once: Some toggles won’t apply (or won’t show effects) until the phone is unlocked.
3) The options are missing from your iPhone
If you don’t see “Allow Access When Locked,” check your iOS version and compare the closest matching label. Apple occasionally moves or renames options.
Also confirm you’re not under a device management policy.
4) You can’t change settings due to restrictions
- Go to Settings > Screen Time (if applicable).
- Check Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- For work/school devices, ask your admin if a configuration profile locks these settings.
5) Face ID vs Touch ID differences
If you switched from Face ID to a different authentication method (or vice versa), the relevant page may be under Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Make sure you’re editing the right one for your device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes to avoid
- Editing the wrong menu: Flashlight/camera shortcut settings are in Face ID & Passcode/Touch ID & Passcode, not Control Center.
- Assuming widget changes are lock-screen changes: Some widgets show in the lock screen area, but they’re controlled by notifications/widget permissions—not the same toggles as flashlight/camera.
- Forgetting about previews: Turning off a shortcut won’t stop notification previews. Use Notification Previews to control what shows.
- Not re-testing after an iOS update: Apple sometimes updates wording and behavior between iOS releases.
FAQ
Can I remove the camera icon from the iPhone lock screen?
Yes. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, then under Allow Access When Locked turn Camera off.
How do I change what shows in Control Center while the iPhone is locked?
First, set which controls appear in Settings > Control Center. Then, check Face ID & Passcode/Touch ID & Passcode for lock-screen access permissions, because included controls don’t guarantee they can be used while locked.
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Why can I still use certain controls after turning off lock screen access?
Often you turned off only flashlight/camera, but other functionality is controlled by different settings (like Control Center permissions or notification previews). Also check for Screen Time or device management restrictions.
Do these steps differ on iPhone models with Action Button or different side-button behavior?
Side-button behavior and shortcuts can vary by model. The flashlight/camera availability is still controlled by the Allow Access When Locked toggles, but other quick actions might be governed by device-specific button settings.
Will disabling lock screen controls affect Emergency SOS?
Emergency functions are designed to remain available. Emergency behavior is controlled by Settings > Emergency SOS and related iOS safety features, not by the flashlight/camera shortcuts.
Bottom Line
To change the most common lock screen controls on iPhone, use Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) and adjust Allow Access When Locked for Flashlight and Camera.
If what you actually want is Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, or other toggles, customize Control Center and then verify lock-screen access permissions separately.
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