You can bring back a working home button without opening your phone

If your iPhone's physical home button is broken, stuck, or unresponsive, Apple built a software replacement called AssistiveTouch that puts a virtual home button on your screen. This button does everything the physical one does — it takes you to the home screen, opens Siri, switches between apps, and triggers other functions. You turn it on in Settings and it stays on your screen until you turn it off.

AssistiveTouch works on every iPhone model. The button appears as a small circle, usually in a corner, and you tap it instead of pressing the physical home button. You can move it around the screen so it does not block what you are reading or watching.

Key Takeaways

  • AssistiveTouch is a software button built into every iPhone that replaces a broken physical home button.
  • You turn it on by going to Settings, then Accessibility, then AssistiveTouch, and toggling it on.
  • The button appears on your screen as a small circle that you can move to any corner or edge.
  • You can customize what the button does when you tap it once, double-tap it, or hold it down.
  • AssistiveTouch stays on until you turn it off in the same Settings menu.

How to turn on AssistiveTouch in Settings

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Accessibility — it is usually near the bottom of the list. On the Accessibility screen, look for AssistiveTouch and tap it.

On the next screen, toggle the switch next to AssistiveTouch to the right so it turns green. The virtual home button will appear on your screen immediately, usually in the bottom right corner. You can now tap this button instead of using the physical home button.

If you do not see AssistiveTouch in the Accessibility menu, make sure you are running a current version of iOS. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to check.

Moving and customizing the virtual button

The AssistiveTouch button starts in the bottom right corner, but you can move it anywhere on your screen. Press and hold the button, then drag it to a new spot — the left side, the top, or anywhere else that does not block your view. When you let go, it stays in that new position.

To change what the button does, go back to Settings, then Accessibility, then AssistiveTouch. Tap Customize Top Level Menu. You will see a grid of icons representing different actions — Home, Siri, Control Center, and others. Tap the plus sign to add more actions, or tap an icon and then the minus sign to remove it. The actions you add here are what appear when you tap the AssistiveTouch button.

You can also set different actions for a double-tap or a long press. In the same AssistiveTouch menu, look for Double-Tap and Long Press and choose what each one does. For example, you might set a single tap to go home, a double-tap to open the app switcher, and a long press to open Siri.

What to do if the button is too small or hard to see

If you keep missing the AssistiveTouch button because it is too small, you can make it larger. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then AssistiveTouch. Look for Customize Top Level Menu and tap it. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a size slider — drag it to the right to make the button bigger.

You can also change the button's appearance. Some people find it easier to see if they move it to a corner where it contrasts with the background, or if they keep it on the edge of the screen where it takes up less space.

Using AssistiveTouch for other tasks beyond the home button

AssistiveTouch does more than replace the home button. When you tap it, a menu appears with shortcuts to common actions. By default, this menu includes Home, Siri, Control Center, and Device. You can customize this menu to add actions like taking a screenshot, locking the screen, or opening a specific app.

The Device option in the menu lets you control volume, rotate the screen, or lock the screen without using physical buttons. This is especially useful if your volume buttons are also broken or if you want to avoid pressing them repeatedly.

You can also use AssistiveTouch to trigger Siri without saying "Hey Siri" or pressing the side button. Just tap the AssistiveTouch button and select Siri from the menu.

Turning off AssistiveTouch when you no longer need it

If your home button gets repaired or you simply want to stop using the virtual button, you can turn AssistiveTouch off anytime. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then AssistiveTouch, and toggle the switch to the left so it turns gray. The button will disappear from your screen immediately.

You can turn it back on the same way if you need it again. Your customizations — the button size, position, and menu actions — will be saved, so you do not have to set them up again.

When to consider professional repair instead

AssistiveTouch is a permanent solution that works well for most people, but it does take up screen space and requires a tap instead of a quick press. If your home button is broken and you plan to keep the phone for a while, you might want to check the cost of a repair. Apple can replace the home button, though the price varies depending on your iPhone model and whether you have AppleCare coverage.

Third-party repair shops often charge less than Apple, but quality varies. If you go this route, ask about warranty coverage on the repair. In the meantime, AssistiveTouch lets you use your phone normally without waiting for an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AssistiveTouch work the same as the physical home button?

It does the same job — it takes you to the home screen, opens the app switcher, and triggers other functions. The main difference is you tap the screen instead of pressing a button, and the virtual button takes up a small amount of screen space.

Can I hide the AssistiveTouch button when I am not using it?

Not completely, but you can move it to the very edge of the screen so it is less noticeable. Some people keep it in a corner where it blends with the background. You can also turn it off entirely in Settings if you do not need it at that moment.

Will AssistiveTouch drain my battery faster?

No, it uses a negligible amount of power. The button is just a software overlay on your screen, so it does not affect battery life in any noticeable way.

Can I use AssistiveTouch if my screen is cracked?

Yes, as long as the touch screen still responds to taps in the area where the button is located. If the screen is too damaged to register touches, you would need to get it repaired before AssistiveTouch can work.

What happens to AssistiveTouch when I update my iPhone?

Your settings stay the same after an update. The button will still be on, in the same position, with the same customizations you set up. You do not have to turn it back on or reconfigure it.