iOS 18 Guide: How to Customize the Control Centre on Your iPhone

Key Notes

  • Control Center now features three customizable pages.
  • Controls can be rearranged, resized, added, or removed.
  • Workarounds for adding restricted controls like Bluetooth are provided.

Unlocking Customization in iOS 18’s Control Center

Discover how to personalize your iPhone’s Control Center in iOS 18, enhancing usability and access to essential functions.

The revised Control Center in iOS 18 is one of the most frequently accessed areas on the iPhone, which has received a substantial update. If you have recently upgraded to iOS 18, you will observe a range of changes, including various customizable features, some of which may not be immediately intuitive.

To assist you, we have compiled a comprehensive list detailing how to customize the Control Center in iOS 18, along with valuable tips and tricks to help you acclimate more rapidly.

8 Ways to Customize Your iPhone’s Control Center in iOS 18

These updates emphasize customizability.

Step 1: Explore the New Control Center Pages

Access the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen. You will find three distinct Control Center pages: the first for favorites (marked with a heart icon), the second dedicated to music and media settings (indicated by a musical note icon), and the third for connectivity options (network icon).

The icons for these three screens are located on the right. You can reach any Control Center page with a single continuous swipe, and once on a page, you can swipe up or down to navigate between them.

Note: The swipe up gesture that used to close the Control Center now transitions you to the next page.

Step 2: Rearrange and Resize Controls

Each control option within the Control Center can be rearranged and resized according to your preferences. To edit, tap the + icon in the top left corner. The boundaries of each option will highlight its size. Drag and drop any control to your desired location.

To resize a control, use the handle bar in the bottom right corner to adjust its size to your liking.

Continue adjusting controls until you achieve your desired layout. After you’re finished, swipe up or tap on a free space to exit editing mode.

Step 3: Add a Control

Swipe to the Control Center page where you wish to introduce a new control, then tap the + icon to open the editing menu. Select the Add a Control option at the bottom.

Locate the control you want to add and tap it. You can move and resize it later as previously described.

Step 4: Introduce a New Control Center Page

You can continually add new Control Center pages/screens. Enter ‘Editing’ mode and navigate to the last page. Tap on Add a Control and select a new control for this page. The new control will automatically populate the new page.

Step 5: Add Controls Not Easily Available

Despite the focus on customization, the Control Center in iOS 18 has certain limitations. One significant drawback is the inability to add certain options as standalone controls, such as Bluetooth. Luckily, there’s a workaround to add Bluetooth as a standalone control:

  1. Launch the Shortcuts app and tap the + icon in the top right corner.
  2. Search for and select Set Bluetooth (or the desired control) and then tap Done.
  3. To turn Bluetooth off, repeat the process to create a second ‘turn Bluetooth off’ shortcut.
  4. After creating these shortcuts, access the Control Center, tap +, and select Add a control.
  5. Select the previously created Bluetooth shortcuts.

Pro Tip: You can rename your shortcuts for better clarity!

Step 6: Remove a Control or Page

Deleting controls is straightforward. Tap the + icon to enter ‘Editing’ mode, then just tap the – icon next to any control to remove it. If you wish to eliminate extra Control Center pages, simply remove all controls from the desired page, which will cause it to vanish as well.

Step 7: Efficiently Close the Control Center

With the addition of the new Control Center screens, closing it with the familiar ‘Swipe Up’ gesture is no longer effective; this now takes you to the subsequent Control Center page. If you prefer to retain multiple Control Center screens, here are some methods to close it:

  • Swipe up from the bottom or tap from the top of the screen.
  • Tap an empty area to dismiss the Control Center.

Step 8: Reset the Control Center

If you’ve made extensive changes to the Control Center and want to return to the original layout, it can be a bit tricky as there isn’t a straightforward reset option:

  1. Access the Settings app and navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
  3. Authenticate and wait for the reset process to complete.

Additional Tips

  • Ensure all necessary controls are easily accessible.
  • Test each control after customizing to ensure they function correctly.
  • Regularly check for updates as new features may impact customization options.

Summary

This guide covered comprehensive steps for personalizing the Control Center in iOS 18, highlighting essential methods and providing useful tips and tricks to optimize your experience. From navigating multiple pages to removing controls, you have the tools at your disposal to create a tailored interface that fits your preferences.

Conclusion

As Apple embraces a renewed focus on personalization through the Control Center updates in iOS 18, users now have a more customized experience at their fingertips. By utilizing these methods, you can better manage your controls, increase you’re efficiency, and enhance overall usability. We look forward to discovering even more customization options in future updates!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I revert the Control Center back to the old layout?

Currently, there is no straightforward way to revert to the original layout without resetting all settings, which will affect other configurations as well.

Are there any hidden features in the new Control Center?

Yes! There are various shortcuts and toggles available, including new ways to customize controls through the Shortcuts app.