If you’re a Harry Potter fan — and let’s be honest, most of us grew up with at least some attachment to the series — there’s something oddly satisfying about using magic spells in the real world. Back in January 2022, Google and Warner Bros. teamed up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts, and they did it in a way that tech and fantasy lovers could both appreciate.
Say “Lumos” or “Lumos Maxima” to your phone, and — just like that — your flashlight switches on. Say “Nox,” and it turns off. No fumbling through settings, no tapping around. It feels magical, even though we know it’s just clever tech under the hood.
I tested it on both iPhone and Android, and yes, it works — provided your voice assistant is properly enabled. With iPhones, it runs via Siri, and on Android, Google Assistant handles the magic. It’s not exactly Hogwarts, but it’s about as close as we’re getting.
Wait, What Is Lumos Maxima Again?
In the wizarding world, “Lumos” is the spell used to light up the tip of a wand. Think of it as a magical flashlight — something Harry and his friends would use when sneaking through the castle corridors at night. “Lumos Maxima” is just a brighter, more intense version of that spell. And “Nox”? That’s how you shut the light off.
So when Google and Apple enabled these commands for their assistants, they basically turned our phones into wands. It’s gimmicky, sure, but in the best possible way.
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Here’s How You Use It
- Wake your assistant:
- “Hey Siri” on iPhone
- “OK Google” on Android
- Say:
- “Lumos” or “Lumos Maxima” to turn on your flashlight
- “Nox” to turn it off
It’s a neat trick, especially when you’re in the dark and don’t feel like navigating your screen. Honestly, I’ve used it more than I expected — it’s just quicker. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m casting a spell, and there’s something fun about that, even as an adult.
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Other Spells You Can Try (Kind Of)
Now, there’s been some chatter online about using other spells like “Accio” and “Silencio.” Let’s break those down realistically.
- Accio: In Harry Potter, it’s a summoning charm. You can’t literally summon objects with your phone (yet), but you can say something like “Hey Google, open Spotify” or “Hey Siri, launch Instagram.” If you say “Accio Instagram,” it probably won’t work unless you’ve set up a custom shortcut or routine to recognize that phrase. Still, you can train Siri Shortcuts or Google Assistant routines to respond to magical keywords if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Silencio: This one’s meant to silence things. Again, not a built-in feature, but you can set up custom automations to put your phone in silent mode if you say “Silencio.” It takes a little work, but the result is fun, especially if you want to impress fellow Potter fans.
Just to be clear: these aren’t officially supported voice commands. They’re more like hacks or creative uses of existing tech. But hey — if it makes life more interesting, why not?
Why This Kind of Tech Is So Fun
Voice tech has come a long way. A decade ago, telling your phone to turn on a flashlight would’ve seemed ridiculous. Now, it’s routine — and adding a pop culture reference to it makes it even better.
What I love about this feature is that it doesn’t just appeal to Harry Potter fans. It shows how far user experience has come — how tech can be both practical and playful. The functionality is basic, sure, but it’s wrapped in nostalgia and imagination, and that gives it charm.
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Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried saying “Lumos” to your phone yet, do it. It’s a simple little delight, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need. It’s not “real” magic, obviously — it’s just smart programming and marketing — but for a moment, you get to feel like you’re part of that world.
And if, like me, you once waited for your Hogwarts letter that never came, well… this might be the next best thing.
