<![CDATA[For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead?]]>Would it be possible to have an option to trigger the flashlight as a subtle notification LED.
Ideally as part of UT but open to other temporary solutions.

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/topic/11057/for-devices-with-no-notification-led-is-it-possible-to-use-flashlight-insteadRSS for NodeSun, 12 Apr 2026 17:03:59 GMTThu, 12 Jun 2025 15:27:13 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead? on Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:27:10 GMT]]>To progress further with the initial flashlight idea, controlling the flash directly appears to work fine in the following way.

#!/usr/bin/env bash

flashOff() {
	printf '%s' "0" > /sys/class/leds/led:torch_0/brightness
	printf '%s' "0" > /sys/class/leds/led:switch_0/brightness
}

flashOn() { # 2 appears to be the minimum brightness value possible
	printf '%s' "2" > /sys/class/leds/led:torch_0/brightness
	printf '%s' "1" > /sys/class/leds/led:switch_0/brightness
}

So with a loop I can have a nice flashing pattern at the minimum brightness.
Just need to find what to hook into so I can have it only running only while there is a green notifications icon.

As for using the screen, I think the green envelope icon, possibly slowly moving along the top edge of the screen (to minimise any burn in); would be a nice option there.

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/post/86577https://forums.ubports.com/post/86577Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:27:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead? on Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:58:43 GMT]]>@ikoz
That's exactly what I expected to see with amoled smartphone and no led.
And for preventing burning problems, changing the pixels used every flash.

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/post/86545https://forums.ubports.com/post/86545Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:58:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead? on Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:17:31 GMT]]>@sixwheeledbeast

This isn't a feature in Ubuntu Touch yet either is it?

No, it isn't a feature of UT, at least not on any of my devices.

I don't know of that feature is used in android of FP5 either. I have just seen it on another device and thought it is a better idea than using the flashlight.

Would there be any burn in concerns using the screen?

I don't think that it can cause significant burn-in to the screen as it is on very briefly. Also, while using the device that part of the screen is mostly black.

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/post/86540https://forums.ubports.com/post/86540Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:17:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead? on Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:37:09 GMT]]>This isn't a feature in Ubuntu Touch yet either is it?
Would there be any burn in concerns using the screen?
I certainly miss having a flicker of a notification led every few seconds for missed calls and messages.
I didn't expect to miss a small feature so much on this device.

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/post/86537https://forums.ubports.com/post/86537Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:37:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead? on Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:16:16 GMT]]>@sixwheeledbeast On android the screen is used as a notification led. It works better on amoled screen as only a little circle on the top (where the led used to be) is on, and the rest of the screen is off.

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/post/86535https://forums.ubports.com/post/86535Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:16:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to For devices with no Notification LED is it possible to use flashlight instead? on Wed, 25 Jun 2025 23:04:04 GMT]]>Comparing with flashlight on and off.

Off
/sys/class/led/led:switch_0/brightness = 0
/sys/class/led/led:torch_0/brightness = 0
/sys/class/led/led:torch_3/brightness = 0

On
/sys/class/led/led:switch_0/brightness = 1
/sys/class/led/led:torch_0/brightness = 127
/sys/class/led/led:torch_3/brightness = 127

I'll need to test if changing these will trigger the light, certainly just making switch_0 = 1 doesn't work.
Not sure if this is the correct way to interface with these.

As for monitoring for new messages I'm wondering if dbus-monitor could be used...

]]>https://forums.ubports.com/post/86532https://forums.ubports.com/post/86532Wed, 25 Jun 2025 23:04:04 GMT