iPhone Broken Home Button: How to Use It

Dealing with a Defective Home Button on Your iPhone

A malfunctioning Home button can create significant usability issues, potentially rendering your device seemingly unusable until repairs are made. However, this isn't necessarily the case; access to the Home button’s functions can be regained through a convenient workaround.

The solution lies within iOS’s AssistiveTouch feature, previously discussed. AssistiveTouch introduces a virtual button onto your iPhone’s display. Activating this button reveals a menu offering access to actions typically initiated by gestures or physical buttons.

Enabling AssistiveTouch

To activate AssistiveTouch when your physical Home button is broken, navigate to the iPhone’s Settings application.

From the main Settings screen, select "General".

Within the "General" settings, tap to open "Accessibility".

Now, access the "AssistiveTouch" settings.

Here, you'll find options to control the feature. Simply toggle AssistiveTouch on by tapping the switch.

Customizing the AssistiveTouch Menu

The menu also allows for customization. Each icon’s function can be altered by tapping on it.

A new screen will appear, presenting a range of alternative actions.

If the default number of buttons isn’t sufficient, you can add up to two more, increasing the total to eight, using the "+" symbol.

Conversely, the number of buttons can be reduced using the "-" symbol.

Furthermore, an action can be assigned to the AssistiveTouch button when utilizing 3D Touch. This allows a specific action to be triggered with a firm press, potentially expanding functionality to nine functions.

Using AssistiveTouch

Once enabled, a small, circular button will appear on your device’s screen. This button can be repositioned by tapping and dragging it along the screen’s edge.

Tapping the AssistiveTouch button brings up the menu over your Home screen. This is particularly useful when the physical Home button is non-functional.

The AssistiveTouch menu offers a wide array of functions, enhancing your iPhone or iPad’s capabilities. While these functions are already accessible through swipes or button presses, this feature consolidates them into a single, easily accessible menu.

For example, if you dislike or have disabled the swipe-up gesture for the Control Center, AssistiveTouch provides an alternative method of access.

Related: What is 3D Touch and Why it Will Change How you Use Mobile Devices

While AssistiveTouch doesn’t replicate the experience of a fully functional Home button, it serves as a valuable temporary solution. It allows continued device usage while awaiting a repair or replacement appointment.