The Samsung Galaxy S20 does not have a built-in notification light, so there is no Samsung menu path to turn on an LED indicator on that model. Samsung removed the physical notification LED starting with the Galaxy S10 and Note10 series, and for the S20 the replacement visual alerts are Edge Lighting and Flash notifications.
Does the Samsung S20 have a notification light?
No. The Samsung Galaxy S20 lacks a physical notification LED. Samsung's support pages confirm that the S20 has no notification LED, and the company states that for newer Galaxy phones such as the S20, the replacement is Edge lighting or Flash notifications. Samsung removed the LED indicator from the S10 onward, so any instructions you find for an LED indicator toggle apply only to older Galaxy models.
How to use Edge Lighting as your notification light on Samsung S20
Edge Lighting is the primary visual alert replacement on the S20. It lights up the curved edges of the screen when you receive a notification, serving as a modern alternative to a physical LED.
- Open Settings on your Samsung S20.
- Tap Display.
- Select Edge screen.
- Tap Edge lighting.
- Toggle the switch to turn Edge Lighting on.
Once enabled, you can customize the color, style, transparency, and duration of the edge lighting effect. This lets you assign different colors for different types of notifications, helping you identify alerts at a glance without checking your phone.
How to set up Flash notifications on Samsung S20
Flash notifications provide another visual alert option by using the camera flash or the screen flash when you receive incoming calls or notifications.
- Open Settings on your Samsung S20.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Advanced settings.
- Tap Flash notification.
- Choose between Camera flash or Screen flash.
This feature works well for catching your attention when the phone is face-up or in a quiet environment. It is an accessibility-focused alternative that Samsung officially documents for the S20. Apple documents the flash notification feature for iPhone, but that is a separate iPhone-only accessibility setting and not a Samsung setting. Apple’s documented visual-alert feature is Flash for Alerts, found in Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Flash for Alerts. Apple says this feature lets the iPhone screen, the LED light, or both flash for incoming calls and notifications. Apple’s support page says LED Flash is the indicator light on the back of the iPhone.
Why the old LED settings don't work on the S20
You may find outdated advice online pointing to paths like Settings > Display > LED indicator or Settings > Notifications > Do not disturb > Hide notifications > No LED indicator. These settings exist only on older Galaxy models that actually include a notification LED. Samsung’s LED indicator instructions apply only to older Galaxy models that actually include the LED. Following those legacy steps on an S20 will not produce any LED-related options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can third-party apps add a notification LED to my Samsung S20?
No third-party app can add a physical notification LED because the S20 lacks the hardware. Some apps like Edge Lighting +, Light Flow, or Glimpse Notifications can simulate visual alerts using the screen, but they cannot create a dedicated LED indicator.
Does Edge Lighting work with all apps on the S20?
Not all apps support Edge Lighting. Samsung's implementation works with most messaging and calling apps, but some third-party applications may not trigger the edge lighting effect. You can check individual app notification settings to see if Edge Lighting is supported.
How can I customize Edge Lighting colors per contact or app?
Within the Edge Lighting settings, you can select a color for the notification light and apply it to specific apps. To customize per contact, you need to assign a specific color through the contact's individual settings or use a third-party app that offers that granularity.
Is there a way to adjust brightness and display color for Edge Lighting?
Yes, in the Edge Lighting settings you can adjust the transparency and width of the effect, which effectively controls the brightness and display color intensity. This allows you to fine-tune how prominent the visual alert appears on your screen.
Can I change text message notification sound on Android separately from Edge Lighting?
Edge Lighting controls only the visual alert, while notification sounds are managed through Settings > Sounds and vibration > Notification sound or within individual messaging app settings.
How do I add apps to home screen on Samsung S20 if I want quick access to notification settings?
You can add apps to home screen on Samsung S20 by long-pressing an app icon in the app drawer and dragging it to your home screen. This makes it faster to reach notification settings for apps you use frequently.
For the wider topic, see adjusting brightness and display color.
Related reading: How To Turn Off Notification On Samsung Phone.
