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Home › Pay › Common problems › Flashlight, calculator and utility apps
Apps

Flashlight, calculator and utility apps

Simple tools like a flashlight, calculator, timer or level are built into most phones today. Even so, app stores list many utility apps that ask for a subscription, show heavy ads, or request access to far more of your phone than they need. Before you download one, check what your phone already does. This page covers the common tricks, free built-in options, and how to cancel.

Common problems to watch for

  • A simple tool, like a flashlight, that asks for a weekly subscription
  • Requests for access to contacts, location or photos the tool does not need
  • A trial that starts automatically when you open the app
  • Constant ads that push 'premium' upgrades
  • Copycat icons that look like your phone's built-in tools

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Free and low-cost alternatives

iPhone flashlight in Control CenterOpen Control Center and tap the flashlight button. You can also ask Siri to turn the flashlight on or off.
Android Quick SettingsSwipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, then tap the flashlight tile.
Built-in Calculator and Clock appsiPhones and most Android phones come with a calculator plus clock, timer, stopwatch and alarm apps from the phone maker.
iPhone Measure appApple's built-in Measure app can measure objects and works as a level on supported iPhones.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

Basic tools like a flashlight, calculator and timer are commonly free and built in. An ongoing subscription for any of them rarely makes sense.

Before you pay

  • Search your phone's home screen or app library for a built-in version
  • Check Control Center or Quick Settings for the tool you need
  • Review what permissions the app asks for and why
  • Read the price and billing period before starting any trial
  • Look at the developer name and recent reviews

How to cancel

  1. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and cancel there. Deleting the app does not cancel it.
  2. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile picture, then Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and cancel.
  3. After cancelling, remove any permissions you granted, such as location or contacts, in your phone's settings.
  4. Check your bank or card statement next month to confirm no new charges appear.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

Why would a flashlight app need my contacts or location?

A flashlight does not need your contacts, location or photos to work. When a simple tool asks for that kind of access, it may be collecting data for ads or other purposes. Use your phone's built-in flashlight instead, and turn off any permissions you already granted in your phone's privacy settings.

Where is the flashlight on my phone?

On iPhone, open Control Center and tap the flashlight button, or ask Siri. On most Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings and tap the flashlight tile. If you don't see it, you may be able to add it by editing the Quick Settings panel.

I was charged for a utility app I don't remember buying. What now?

Check your App Store or Google Play subscription list to see what is active, and cancel anything you don't want. Then look at your purchase history. If you believe the charge was a mistake, both Apple and Google let you report a problem with a purchase and request a refund through their support pages.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.