Nowadays you operate the iPhone or iPad with swipe gestures. However, it may be a challenge for some users to adapt to the new gestures. It may take some practice at first, but for those who struggle, there is an alternative option: AssistiveTouch.
While mastering the swipe gestures is highly recommended, a virtual home button can be a valuable tool to improve your user experience. In addition, you can also use the AssistiveTouch button to add shortcuts. This way you benefit from extra functions and options, directly from your screen with this handy button.
iPhone or iPad with virtual home button
- Open Settings
- Go to ‘Accessibility’
- Choose ‘Touch’
- Go to ‘AssistiveTouch
- Enable the option of the same name
Do you have an iPhone or iPad with iOS 12 or earlier? Then you can enable the option via Settings â–¸ General â–¸ Accessibility â–¸ AssistiveTouch
After the function is activated, a black circle containing a white circle will appear on the screen. You can move it by placing your finger on it and dragging it to the desired location (bottom center is best).
Modify custom tasks
By default, ‘Custom tasks’ has various options activated that relate to pressing the button. You can adjust this at your own discretion. If you want to emulate the old home button, it is recommended to set the custom tasks as follows:
- Just tap: At home
- Double tap: App selector
- Long press: Siri
Customize menu
If you apply the above settings, the virtual button will function like a physical home button from previous generations of iPhone and iPad. However, you can expand this further with a custom menu, which you do via ‘Customize top menu’.
Choose the number of symbols you want to activate and press the plus button to add a function. It is advisable to also select the ‘Home’ option.
To change the single-tap setting, adjust the ‘single tap’ option under ‘Custom Tasks’ to ‘Open Menu’. Tapping the virtual home button opens this menu and gives you instant access to various shortcuts.
Customize button
Finally, you can adjust the transparency of the button. When inactive, the button then becomes transparent and you can determine the value yourself. Tap Idle Opacity and use the slider to adjust the opacity, for example 15%.
Use virtual home button
Once you have activated the AssistiveTouch button, you can use it as you have set it yourself. For example, double-tap to open the app switcher or press and hold for Siri.
AssistiveTouch is widely available in iOS and iPad and is always in the foreground. Naturally, you can also implement this tip on all other iPhone and iPad devices.