Tech Reference

How to access the Control Center on any iPhone and customize its device shortcuts

iPhone 11 Control Center
You can access the Control Center on your iPhone with one quick screen swipe. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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One of iOS's most useful features is the Control Center. This easy-access menu makes some of your iPhone's most used or handy features and settings like Airplane Mode, the flashlight, or your battery percentage quickly accessible. By utilizing the Control Center, you can easily change or toggle them on or off. 

Perhaps one of the best things about Control Center is that iOS users can specify which apps and settings appear based on their personal preferences. Customizing this screen shouldn't take longer than a couple of seconds and can be done through the Control Center's Setting page. 

How to access the Control Center on iPhone

Here's how to access the Control Center on various iPhone models. 

iPhone X or later

1. To access the Control Center, swipe down from the top right-hand corner of your screen. 

2. Swipe up to close the Control Center when you're done. 

How to use iPhone Control Center 1
Your iPhone's Control Center helps you manage some of your phone's frequently used settings.  Jennifer Still/Business Insider

iPhone 8, second-generation iPhone SE or earlier

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the Control Center.

2. Exit the Control Center by swiping down or hitting the home button. 

How to customize the Control Center on iPhone

1. On your phone's Home screen, tap the Settings app.

2. Scroll until you find "Control Center" and tap to open the menu. 

How to use iPhone Control Center 2.PNG
You can decide what apps and tools are in your Control Center and whether it's accessible outside of the Home screen.  Jennifer Still/Business Insider

3. You'll see a list of tools already enabled on your Control Center, all of which will be accompanied by a red circle with a horizontal line through it. Tap a red circle to remove the app from your Control Center. 

4. Apps and features not currently enabled in your Control Center will appear next to a green circle with a plus sign (+). Tap this symbol to add the setting to your Control Center. 

5. Once you've added or removed your desired controls, exit out of the Settings screen to see your changes automatically applied. 

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Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill.