Since iOS 11, you could customize the Control Center to your personal preferences. But this was still very limited. From iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, this has changed. Now you can really customize the entire control center and third-party apps also have access to the panel.
Additionally, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18’s Control Center also features a new interface. The new Control Center interface makes it easier to access the controls you use most. For example, the Control Center now has multiple pages, with separate areas for music, home, and network connections.
Customize control panel
How you customize Control Center on iPhone or iPad depends on the iOS and iPadOS version you have installed. Below are both options.
Steps from iOS 18 and iPadOS 18
- Open the control panel
- Tap the plus button at the top left or place your finger on an empty space
- Drag the parts to another place
While editing, you will find an arc in the corner of each slider. You can use this to change the size of the slider. This way, you can display a shortcut extra large, elongated or as a small circle. This is possible on all pages.
Select ‘Add a controller’ to show an overview of all controllers. Select a desired shortcut to add it to the control panel.
In the overview you will find all available controls, including a preview of the information that a shortcut can display. Here you will not only find controls from Apple, but also shortcuts from other apps.
Steps from iOS 11 to iOS/iPadOS 17
- Open Settings
- Navigate to ‘Control Panel’
- Tap ‘Adjust Controls’
- All possible options are opened
- Press the green plus button to add the shortcut
- Press the red minus button to remove an option
- Drag the three horizontal stripes next to an option to move it
You have several shortcuts at your disposal such as: Alarm, Apple TV remote, guided access, camera, voice recorder, power saving mode, hearing, do not disturb while driving, notes, calculator, screen recording, stopwatch, text size, accessibility options, timer, magnifier, wallet, alarm clock, Home and flashlight.
Opening and using the control panel
How you open Control Center depends on your iOS device. On an iPhone with a Home button, you can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen with one finger. On an iPhone without a Home button (with Face ID) and iPad, you can do this by swiping down from the top-right corner. If you have an iPad with a Home button, you can also double-click the Home button.
Once the panel is open, you can tap on the shortcuts to use them. Hold your finger on an item for a few moments to open additional options.