Control Center: The ultimate guide

Control Center is your one-stop-shop for quick access to dozens of features on your iPhone, like HomeKit controls, music playback, Apple TV remote, a QR scanner, and a whole lot more. For most controls, you don't even need to open an app. You can perform actions right in Control Center. Here's everything you need to know.

• How to enable Control Center on your Lock screen
• How to access Control Center
• How to customize Control Center
• How to disable Control Center on the Lock screen
• How to disable access to Control Center from within apps
• Everything you can do with Control Center

How to enable Control Center on your Lock screen

Control Center on your Lock screen might be off. If you don't see it when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen, check to make sure it's not disabled.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap Face ID (or Touch ID) and Passcode.

   Source: iMore

3. Enter your Passcode if prompted.

4. Scroll down and turn the Control Center switch on.

   Source: iMore

How to access Control Center

You can access Control Center from any screen on your iPhone and iPad, including while your in an app or playing a game. All you have to do is swipe up on iPhone 8 and older and swipe down from the right corner on iPhone X and newer!

On iPhone 8 and older

1. Touch the very bottom edge of the screen.

2. Swipe your finger up toward the top of the screen.

   Source: iMore

On iPhone X and newer

1. Touch the top right edge of the screen where the battery, cellular, and wi-fi icons are.

2. Swipe your finger down toward the bottom of the screen.

   Source: iMore

How to customize Control Center

In the redesigned Control Center, you can choose what tools you want and don't want. You won't be able to make changes to Airplane mode, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio playback, Lock screen rotation, Do Not Disturb, Screen Mirroring, screen brightness, and volume controls. These controls remain in Control Center.

You can, however, add or remove the following: Flashlight, Timer, Camera, Home, Screen Recording, Calculator, Do Not Disturb While Driving, Notes, Wallet, Accessibility Shortcuts, Alarm, Apple TV Remote, Guided Access, Live Listen, Notes, text size, Low Power Mode, Magnifier, Stopwatch, Text Size, QR scanner, and Voice Memos.

How to customize Control Center

How to disable Control Center on the Lock screen

If you don't want Control Center access on your Lock screen, you can disable it entirely. That way, no one will be able to use any of your iPhone or iPad controls without unlocking it first.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap Face ID (or Touch ID) and Passcode.

   Source: iMore

3. Enter your Passcode if prompted.

4. Scroll down and turn the Control Center switch off.

   Source: iMore

How to disable access to Control Center from within apps

You may not be able to disable Control Center on the Lock screen, but you can turn off access within apps.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Control Center.

3. Turn the Access Within Apps switch off.

   Source: iMore

Everything you can do with Control Center

Now that there are a couple dozen Control Center controls available, you're probably wondering what each of them does. We have a comprehensive list of every control, what they do, and how you can use them.

Everything you can do with Control Center in iOS 11

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about how to use Control Center? Put them in the comments and we'll help you out.

Updated December 2019: Updated for iOS 13.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.