Flashing and strobing lights bother everyone, but for many, they're dangerous as well as annoying. Too much of them can bring on headaches or migraines and even provoke seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. That's why it's best to avoid strobing and flashing lights.
Here are some tips to avoid photosensitive triggers on your Android phone.
1. Use a Different Web Browser
Kiwi Browser is an Android internet browser that supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store. It's a Chromium browser, so it feels a lot like Google Chrome, but with more features.
Kiwi lets you disable auto-play for videos. This content will be paused until you click it. This gives you time to check the descriptions and tags to make sure the content is safe.
To enable this option, go to Settings > Site Settings > Media. There, you'll find options for blocking auto-play. If videos are still auto-playing on your favorite site, try adding Autoplay Stopper as a backup.
To pause animated GIFs, you can use GIF Blocker. This extension disables animated pictures completely. Browse with it enabled, and simply switch it off if the rest of a page's content indicates the images are flash-free.
Download: Kiwi Browser (Free)
2. Disable Autoplay on Social Media
Most social media platforms have options for disabling auto-play. But not all of them offer complete coverage. If your preferred social media platform can't disable auto-play, we recommend you browse it using Kiwi Browser instead.
On Facebook, open the menu, and go to Settings > Media and Contacts. There, you can turn on Never Autoplay Videos. Facebook keeps animated GIFs paused by default.
On Twitter, open the sidebar, then go to Settings and Privacy > Accessibility, Display, and Languages. There, you can toggle Reduce In-App Animations and Disable Video Auto-Play. Twitter keeps GIFs paused by default, so no changes are needed for those.
TikTok
On TikTok, open the Settings and privacy menu and tap on Accessibility. There, you can turn off animated thumbnails on people's profile pages. You can also remove photosensitive videos.
However, there is no way to prevent videos from auto-playing as you scroll through your main feed. The system to filter out photosensitive content sometimes makes mistakes as well, so it's best to limit your usage of TikTok if you have photosensitive epilepsy or are prone to migraines.
Tumblr
On Tumblr, go to your home page and tap the menu icon at the top right to open the menu. Then, select Account settings and scroll to Media auto-play to prevent videos and GIFs from playing before you click on them.
Currently, Instagram has no options for disabling auto-play on any animated content or filter out photosensitive videos. On the other hand, GIFs aren't even supported, so the comment sections will be safe.
3. Disable Animations and Flash Notifications
Android and Samsung's One UI both offer flash notifications to help make sure you don't miss anything. Unless you are very sensitive to flashing lights, these aren't usually a problem. But it can become a big deal if you receive several notifications at once, so it's best to leave them turned off.
On stock Android:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing and turning off Flash Notifications.
- You can turn off screen animations that might cause a flickering effect by going to Accessibility > Display.
On One UI:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Advanced Settings > Flashing Notifications.
- You can also go into Accessibility > Visual Enhancements and toggle Remove Animations to prevent extra screen movements.
4. Limit Triggering Apps
It can help a lot to become more aware of which apps and websites contain photosensitive content. One way to find out is to use a health journal app. Use a journaling app to record your flashing-induced symptoms and what you were doing when they flared up.
Once you know what to avoid, you can use Android's Digital Wellbeing app to set some limits. Set a timer on the problem apps. You can also set limits for your general screen time.
Digital Wellbeing also lets you set a Focus Mode. Flashing lights will have an increased effect in low light conditions, so it's best to avoid using your phone in the dark. Add one for Sleep and start it when you go to bed.
5. Block Flashing Content
For social media sites that use a tag system like Twitter and Tumblr, you can use tags to avoid flashing lights. When posts are tagged "flashing lights" or "seizure warning," you can avoid them by muting those tags.
If a page or profile often shows you flashing lights, it might be better to unfollow or block them. On most social media platforms, you can do this by navigating to the page or profile and selecting the options menu.
6. Prepare For Emergencies With an Alarm App
Using these tips will help you avoid flashing lights while you browse. But if you suffer more than a headache from flashing lights, you might want to take extra steps. For instance, if you have photosensitive epilepsy, you could supplement the methods above with an alarm app.
Alarm apps like OpenSeizureDetector call for help on your behalf when you suffer a seizure. These apps link with your smartwatch to track your movement and heart rate. This lets them detect when you might be having a seizure. When that happens, the app displays an alert, and if you don't respond to it, it tells your contacts to send help.
If you don't have a smartwatch, you can still use an alarm app. Try one that uses your phone's gyroscope system, like Seizario. If the phone is suddenly dropped, or detects seizure-like movements as you hold it, it will display an alert. If you don't dismiss the alert, it will call for help.
Alarm apps like these don't help you avoid seizure triggers, but if you have one despite your best efforts, they make sure you can get help.
Download: OpenSeizureDetector (Free)
Download: Seizario: Epilepsy Management & Seizure Detection (Free)
Protect Your Health by Avoiding Flashing Lights
Having several measures in place can reduce the number of times you see flashing or strobing lights. That way, you can use your device and surf the web without worrying about triggering migraines or seizures.
Even if you don't have a photosensitive condition, too much strain on your eyes will hurt your health. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to protect your eyes.
